Chapter Text
"Go to the Yule Ball with me, Regulus?"
"No."
Barty's eyebrows furrowed, "No?"
"I'm mad at Sirius."
"...Okay?"
"So I can't go with you," Regulus closed his book with a snap, glancing at the clock in the common room as he walked to the door.
"Are they not letting you go?"
"Oh, no. I'm going with James."
"Potter?" Evan looked up from his potions textbook as Barty turned to him, slack-jawed.
"Does he even know you still go here?" Evan chuckled at Barty’s comment.
"Very funny. Don't try to follow me," Regulus glared at his friends and left without another word.
I. Lavender Haze
Meet me at midnight.
"Who do you think it's from?" Peter leaned his head on Sirius' shoulder, Remus behind them and James holding the note.
"Dunno. It could be anyone."
"I bet it's from Aurora Sinistra. She couldn't keep her eyes off you during the Hufflepuff match," Sirius' eyes lit up with mischief as they elbowed James in the side.
"Doesn't she like ladies?"
"It's not her. She's my partner in Care of Magical Creatures. That handwriting is far too fancy to be hers," Remus took the note from James' hands and pressed a finger to his chin, "It looks like yours, Sirius."
James' smile grew, "I always knew you were in love with me, Padfoot."
"Oh, my dearest Prongs, I hate to tell you, but this wasn't me. We both know my heart belongs to another," Sirius sighed dramatically and leaned his head back onto Remus.
"There's plenty of people with fancy handwriting, James. It could be anyone," Peter wiggled his way out of the boy's pile and sat down on his bed.
"Don't give up hope so fast, Wormy! I know just the people to ask."
𓍤
"No idea," Lily examined the parchment between her fingers with a slight frown. Mary stared at it with her hands on her knees, leaning over Lily who was sitting in front of the couch. Marlene played with Dorcas' fingers from the comfort of the couch cushions, occasionally glancing over to the note and chiming into the conversation.
"It's nobody in Gryffindor. I know almost everyone's handwriting from all the tutors I go to," Mary gave a defeated look to James and plopped down next to Lily. Marlene snatched the paper out of her hands.
"Let me see," she pressed a finger to her lip and gazed over the letters. As she opened her mouth to say something, Dorcas interrupted.
"Oh, that's Regulus' handwriting. Didn't you know that, Sirius?"
Sirius only laughed, "Don't be ridiculous. Why in Merlin's name would little Reggie want to speak to James of all people? He... erm... hates him."
"Hate isn't the word I would use."
Sirius rolled their eyes at Dorcas and sauntered back to the dorms, Remus being led by the wrist behind them. James sat on the couch next to the girls.
"Are you sure it's from him?"
Dorcas took the paper from Marlene, "Yeah, see that? Reg always writes 'E' all swirly like it's a capital letter. It has to be from him."
"Where would I even meet him? If I went that is," James bit the inside of his lip as the group smiled at him.
"You always know where to look, James," Lily stood up and kissed him on the cheek before walking off to return some textbooks. James leaned his head back with a sigh.
𓍤
"Don't tell me you're actually going to meet him, Prongs," Remus looked over at him from Sirius' bed, his hands tangled in dark hair as his lover slept comfortably.
James sucked air through his teeth, "Duty calls, Remus. Who am I to say no to a date?"
"He hates your guts. Everyone knows that."
"Regulus doesn't hate me!"
"He tried to drown you in the Black Lake."
"Only because I kept sending Rosier howlers of my wonderful singing."
"He tried to break your broomstick in half."
"He only stepped on it to get to the snitch!"
"He dressed up as a dementor and stood outside your window."
"All things are forgiven! Look, I'm sure he wants to speak to me about something important. I have to go," James reached over to grab the Map, but Remus stopped him.
"Be careful."
"Aw, I love you too, Moony!" He snatched the Map with a wink and tiptoed towards the door.
"You forgot your wand, Prongs."
"Oops!”
𓍤
Regulus was in the Astronomy Tower. James could have predicted that, he always was at nighttime. James noticed that about a month into the Map's creation.
The halls echoed obnoxiously as he walked, and James wondered if he was stepping with too much enthusiasm. Countless reasons flooded his head as to why Regulus had called upon him, his main prediction being a prank of some kind. Despite people's stereotype of the boy, Regulus did have quite the mischievous streak like his brother.
As he neared the Tower, he could hear Regulus speaking. Part of him wanted to stand outside the doorway and listen, but he knew Regulus would notice him in a matter of seconds. James could hear his heartbeat in his ears and swallowed loudly as he walked through the door. His footsteps went unnoticed due to Regulus’ pacing until he cleared his throat.
Something about Regulus holding his gaze always made James nervous. His eyes were sharper than Sirius’ were, cold and hardened by years of practice. They were greener as well, his House prominent in his appearance. He exhaled and a cloud of steam came with his breath, the October air clinging to him like a cold blanket and reddening his cheeks.
"Potter."
"Black..."
They stood in silence before James spoke again, checking his pocket watch, "It's midnight."
He could almost see a hint of a downturned smile on Regulus' face.
"I need you to do me a favor."
"Excuse me?"
"It's nothing too drastic, Potter. Just a small one."
“It's impolite to ask something of your guest so early into the visit.”
“Get over yourself.”
James smiled, "What's the magic word?"
"Please," Regulus rolled his eyes, "I need you to... uh..."
"To..?"
"I need you to go to the Yule Ball with me."
James snorted, "Funny, Reggie. I never took you for much of a comedian."
"I'm not joking. I'm asking you to take me to the Yule Ball."
James blinked, "You're serious."
"No, I'm Regulus."
Silence.
"That was a joke."
"You're not going with the Rosier girl? What's her name again?"
"Pandora, and no. I want to go with you," Regulus crossed his arms and leaned on the wall next to the windowsill.
“Say that last part again?” James smirked at him.
Regulus stared at him, unimpressed.
“Say it.”
“I want to go with you,” Regulus took a few steps forward, slowly backing James into the wall and looking up at him sweetly, “Isn't that what you always wanted, James? For me to need your help? I'm asking for it now.”
James swallowed again, dumbly, “And you're asking me on a date?”
“Not a date, just an agreement.”
“...An agreement.”
“If you say yes,” Regulus stepped back, “it'll piss off Sirius. And it will catch the eye of Evans. It's a win-win scenario.”
"Lily is my friend."
"Sure, Potter."
“We’ll be Hogwarts biggest gossip since Fabian Prewett got caught trying to sneak that muggle girl into the dorms in Fourth Year,” James’ voice cracked when he spoke and Regulus forced down a chuckle.
“Isn't that what you like? Being the center of attention.”
James couldn't deny that.
“Take me to Hogsmeade next week. We’ll plan there.”
Regulus walked away and James couldn't help but stare in his wake.
𓍤
The snow fell on the town like someone dumping more sugar into overly sweetened tea. It clung to James’ clothes and eyelashes, landing on the tip of his nose and making him sneeze. Regulus walked beside him, talking absentmindedly about a Quidditch match he knew James had seen. James wasn't listening, however, only observing Regulus with wide eyes. He seemed so open when talking about things he clearly enjoyed.
Regulus didn't look like Sirius, not truly. James hadn't noticed that before. His nose sloped less than his sibling, his bones more aristocratic. He looked far nobler and acted just as much. His posture was perfect and he walked as if he knew exactly where he was going.
They stopped at the fence overlooking the Shack, and Regulus turned to him, “Why did you become an Animagus?”
James stuttered, “Excuse me?”
“I'm not deaf, Potter. I hear those stupid nicknames you toss around with Sirius. Is there a reason or did you just think it would be fun?”
“I have no idea what you're talking about,” James looked away when he heard Regulus sigh.
“We need to know each other if we’re going to pull this off.”
“I'm not trying to pull anything off.”
“James,” Regulus said cautiously, “if you don't do this for me, I could ruin your life.”
“Oh yeah? And what would you say? That I have a small cock? Plenty of people would disagree.”
“I'm sure your parents would love to hear about how you're hiding a Werewolf on school grounds.”
James took two steps back, “What?”
“It didn't take long to figure it out, you know. Only a few weeks after I got curious.”
“You're just saying shite, Regulus.”
The boy smiled, “I saw Padfoot, as you call him, with that Lupin bloke, and I thought to myself What's so interesting about him? I couldn't think of a thing, other than those scars on his face. It wasn't difficult to piece it together.”
“He's not harming anyone. Remus wouldn't hurt a fly,” James tried to keep his voice down even though it cracked.
“I don't doubt that.”
“Then why would you say anything?”
“I hate to see Sirius so happy,” Regulus lied, “It's either you or Remus, and which is easier?”
James frowned, “If I do whatever… this is, you won't say anything about Remus, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Alright.”
Regulus smiled and turned away, looking back to blink at James and signal him to follow.
𓍤
The Three Broomsticks was packed to the brim, tables cluttered with drinks and students talking loudly. James sat with Regulus at a table for two, slowly nursing a butterbeer because he wasn't sure he could stomach anything else.
“Act like I’m saying something funny.”
“What?”
“Laugh, Potter.”
He let out a weak chuckle.
“For Merlin’s sake, James. Do you care or not? We need people to notice us if this is going to work.”
“I'm trying! It's a little hard to fake a laugh when you've just threatened my best mate!”
“Then fight with me, just do something to get Lucinda Talkalot to look over. She's the biggest gossip in the school.”
“What would I fight with you about, Regulus? I can't exactly give it away,” James’ yelling was more of a whisper and he took a swing of his drink as if it were alcohol.
Regulus clenched his jaw and scribbled something down on a napkin, sliding it across the table to James. His ‘E’s were swirly.
Act like we've just broken up or something. People like Lucinda love that kind of forbidden romance. We were secret for a long time but you want to tell people and I don't. If that's too much, pretend you're mad at Sirius and getting back at them with me, but it won't get as much attention.
Trust me. I know what I'm doing.
James pursed his lips before he spoke rather loudly, “I can't do this anymore, Reg.”
The corner of Regulus’ mouth went up for a brief moment before his reply, “Lower your voice, James.”
“I care about you. I want people to know that,” James looked over to find Lucinda shushing her friends, leaning in the direction of their table.
“Like how you care about my sibling?”
“Leave Sirius out of this. You know it's different with them.”
Regulus bit his lip, “I told you to choose, James. Them or me. I thought you did, and I was fine with it. I told you I didn't want to be your secret, and now you want to go public? When we’re finally fine?”
James was shocked at the amount of emotion in his voice, slightly embarrassed that he wasn't as good at acting as his newfound scene partner, “I want to be public because I love you. People deserve to know that.”
“Fuck you, James,” Regulus stood up, grabbed the butterbeer, and splashed it on James before walking out of the building. The whole place was silent, and James felt the heat in his face rising exponentially. He got up quickly and chased Regulus out, calling his name until they were far enough to drop the act.
They walked in silence out of Hogsmeade and to the forest nearby, Regulus keeping a quick pace and James having to stop occasionally to catch his breath.
“That was good,” Regulus turned to him with a neutral expression.
“It better have been. This was my favorite shirt!”
“Oh, I'm so sorry, you big vanity. You can get a new one.”
“Sirius got this for me. It was a Christmas present.”
“Well, that won't be happening again anytime soon,” Regulus laughed bitterly and looked away.
James sighed through his nose, “Do you think they’ll hate me?”
“If they think you were dating their beloathed little brother behind their back? Probably.”
“I can't tell them why I’m helping you, can I?”
Regulus looked back over, “You could, but they would kill me with their bare hands. And I don't think it would appeal much to Evans if you let your boyfriend die.”
James pressed his face into his hands and groaned, “You're just as difficult as Sirius said you were, you know.”
“Oh, am I? I’m the dramatic one? Just wait until you get back to Sirius.”
“They can't be that bad.”
“You have no idea,” Regulus looked at James carefully, the stain on his shirt and his crooked glasses, and he smiled, “Thank you, James. For doing this.”
James couldn't decide what was worse, this, or the blush on his face when Regulus walked away.
𓍤
Regulus was right, as usual. He was nothing compared to the tornado-like wrath that Sirius unleashed as soon as they saw James.
“My little brother, James. Really? My little Reggie. You've been shagging my brother?"
“Not shagging! Just like… rubbing?”
“Are you insane? Do you have a fucking death wish James?”
“I wanted to tell you! He wouldn't let me!” If only Sirius knew the truth.
“What's the worst he could do? Break up with you? You're my fucking soulmate James! How could you do this to me?”
“I never wanted to hurt you!”
“So you shagged my brother? The one that I hate?”
"You don't hate him!" James argued.
"Since when do you get to decide?"
“It just happened so fast!”
“Apparently not! Marlene said it was three months you've been sneaking out! Three bloody months!” Sirius picked up a book from Remus’ shelf and threw it. Then another. James hid behind his curtain and cast a quick binding spell, stuffing his face into his pillow and groaning.
How could he be so stupid?
Sirius calmed down after Remus arrived, and James heard them talking from under his sheets. He stepped out once he heard the dormitory door close and the thudding of feet and Remus’ cane down the steps. It took him twenty minutes to gather the courage to face the rest of his friends.
It felt like the whole world was watching him walk into the common room, whispers following his every move. He sat down awkwardly next to Mary who only looked at him with wide eyes.
“James Potter,” he could hear Marlene’s smile in her voice, “I didn't think you had it in you!” James immediately stood to walk away again but she dragged him back down, “You were shagging Sirius’ little brother! For months! How did I not notice?”
“Why does everyone think we shagged? I never said anything about that,” James looked around the room at the people that were trying and failing to be discreet about eavesdropping.
“James, darling, I don't mean to be rude, but you and Regulus aren't exactly known for… relationships,” Dorcas pressed her lips together to form a smile, clearly trying not to laugh at him.
“I have no idea what you're talking about.”
“Fine, then. What were you really doing with Regulus?”
“Uh… talking about our… emotions?”
Dorcas sat silently for a moment, then gasped, “You're lying!”
“I didn't shag him! I'm serious!”
"No you're not," Peter giggled and Mary reached over to give him a high-five.
She quickly cast a silencing charm, “I know that James! You're lying about dating him! Why?”
“Why would James piss Sirius off on purpose? You do know they're pissed, don't you?” Marlene laughed as James hung his head.
“Yes, I know. And no, I can't tell you,” James chewed on his lip as he awaited the girls’ reactions.
“I never took you as one to keep secrets, James. Fine, have it your way. I’ll figure you out,” Dorcas took down the charm before dusting off her skirt and walking out of the common room.
𓍤
“We have to make up,” James pulled Regulus by the tie into a cleaning closet.
“What the fuck? Get off of me,” Regulus’ elbows bumped into the shelves of the cramped room as he pushed James backward, mere inches of space between their bodies.
“Dorcas. She's onto me. She doesn't believe your story. We have to make up, like, publicly.”
“Her perception of our story doesn't mean anything. She wasn't in The Three Broomsticks when we fought, she's not going to change anyone's opinion.”
“But she's friends with me,” James sighed, “and with you, so if she says we’re making it up people will start to believe her. And she wants to know why I'm lying about us. And if she figures it out, figures Remus out… God, Regulus, why did you do this to me?”
James felt a hand snake up his chest and land on his shoulder. Close quarters, he reminded himself as he felt his cheeks flush.
“It's going to be fine, James. It'll all work out in our favor.”
“I've never done anything like this before.”
“I know.”
“And I don't mean the fake part. I've never really been with anyone.”
Regulus quirked a brow, “Esmeralda Ecrivo talked about how she gave you a blowie as loud as she could for three weeks straight last year.”
“I don't mean sexually! I mean like dating! God, Reg, I’d never shag you. I couldn't do that to Sirius.”
“I'm going to try to not be offended by that. I've been told I’m quite the gentleman,” Regulus’ smile rose and fell in an instant. James liked the sound of held-back laughter in his voice. Regulus must have noticed, because his composure was back instantly, “Send me flowers. Or something of the sort. Obnoxious gestures are in your nature, after all.”
James stayed in the closet a few moments longer than Regulus, deeply inhaling and exhaling through his nose. He wasn't used to this sort of thing.