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Regulus was watching the storm with dull eyes. He was in the Astronomy Tower. He wanted to see the stars tonight but the rain started suddenly after the dinner canceled his plans. However, the sky was like wanting to make up for it. It was in the most beautiful tones of blue and black. The ghost-like howls of the wind were scaring the students to wander around. Even though there is an hour until curfew, there was no couple in the tower and the corridors were empty. It was better for Regulus. He generally prefers to be alone but there was no personal space in this damn school. Most people must feel the same way because unused classrooms are always being used by students.
I wonder, how the storm looks from the Great Hall?
He took the old notebook out of his robe and opened the page looks like it opened hundred times before. He didn't focus on the writing, just looked at the page. Closed eyes. He already knows the poem. He did read it hundreds of times. He knew it letter by letter. Although he was sure the one who wrote it already forgot it…
He leaned his head to his knees. He was going to think anything. He knows if he starts thinking it's not going to stop. He came here for relaxing not for a headache. He just watched the rain and leaves that flew with the wind.
Regulus opened his eyes to lightning that turns night to day. The thunder comes after that and wakes him up completely. He was between sleep and awakening. It was pitch dark. Lumos in his wand was already gone. He cast it again and took off a watch from his robe. The curfew started 30 minutes ago. He was surprised by none of the prefects warned him. They would control Astronomy Tower first. He didn't know whose day today is but it wasn't important. He collected his things. It was lightning every minute, and the thunders were like music in the background. He stared at the thunderstorm. Even though he couldn't see the stars, the sky was enchanting right now. It was blue and red between flashes of lightning. He took out his hand to touch raindrops.
After some time he convinced himself to go back. He didn't surprise by the person he saw when he turns. Of course, it is James Potter. He grimaced.
"Today-"
"I know it's not your turn for curfew, Black."
Regulus shrugged.
"You can take some points. I can get them back tomorrow in classes.
"Oh, no. It's not my duty either. I can act like I didn't see."
He probably has a date.
Regulus smirked. When he realized immediately corrected himself. He knew James Potter had a lot of secrets but knowing one of them felt good. Well, he didn't talk over it.
James went in when their conversation ends. Regulus checked his watch again. It was pretty late. He said before leaving.
"You need to find better places for a date, Potter."
***
Regulus's class ended early. There was still time till lunch starts. When Regulus enters Great Hall, all the clatter ends. Everybody turns to him. He senses something odd. He gestures like asking a Hufflepuff prefect he knows but she just looks away. He thinks if there is someone important he would hear from his friends. Regulus sits and everybody turns back to their mind.
When Sirius and his friends came to Great Hall, this time all the attention is on them. This isn't strange for the but, today was different. Even his stupid brother realized it. Regulus was uncomfortable. He needed Barty now. If there is a rumor he would know.
I hope it is not about the Black family. I don't want to get a letter from Mom.
He didn't expect Pandora to come to him rushing. She was walking fast and couldn't stop when she came close to the table. So bumped Regulus' chair. Some Slytherins looked at her with a resting bitch face.
"Reg you won't believe what I heard!"
"What's going on?"
They laugh at each other.
"I overheard other Ravenclaws talking. YOU ARE DATING WITH JAMES POTTER?"
"I beg your pardon?!"
All eyes were on him again. He was sure everybody heard what she said. He covered his face with palms in shame.
"Pandora please sit and let's talk calmly."
"Well, but Reg! How could you be so calm? It's James Potter! The blood trai-"
"Dora."
Evan's voice cuts Pandora's sentence. He came with Barty. Regulus couldn't be happier to see them. He tried to look calm but the rumor had a devastating impact on him. He didn't sure what he feels. Walburga. If his mother hears this… He can't imagine what happens to him. He still can't forget the night his mother learns that Sirius is friends with blood traitor Potter's son. She cursed Sirius until he passed out, and she did not stop there. After some point, Regulus thought Sirius was dead. He cried for hours. They could treat the wounds only with little spells that Kreacher can cast.
"Where did this rumor come from?"
Regulus was trying to act calm. The memory does not help.
"Somebody saw you in Astronomy Tower."
Pandora said while taking one of the dessert plates.
"Is that it? Only because we were in the most popular 'date' places in the school?"
"Not just that," Barty said excitedly. His eyes were glowing. "Also claims that you said to Potter to find new places for a date."
Well, I didn't say it for our dates…
"Did you realize? Reggie didn't deny he met with Potter."
Regulus noticed with Evan's comment every Slytherin and Hufflepuff around them paid more attention to them.
Definitely no privacy.
Regulus sighed. There's nothing to hide anyway. Nothing happened.
"I just wanted to see the stars. He was probably going to meet someone. It was just a coincidence."
One of the Slytherin prefects said:
"Potter was on duty instead of Evans. That Mudblood is sick or something. Other perfects have seen you."
"Aw, he didn't take points. Was it really a date?"
Regulus stared at Barty. He wasn't helping with his supportive comment about the rumor. Moreover, he noted to find yesterday's prefects.
He blew out a deep breath.
"I say it since the begging, it wasn't. And I could take his points too, you know. Also, Potter? Ain't no fucking way."
His gaze shifted to the Gryffindor table. He knew that Sirius looked at him sometimes but now Sirius and all his friends are looking at him. Marlene and Evans caught his gaze and smiled at him. Then turned each other and laughed loudly. They looked mocking but he knew they were not the type.
"If Reg says so. Someone just got bored, don't take it seriously. Let's eat."
***
Regulus was studying in the library for OWLs. As time progresses, the number of people in the library decreases. Regulus' focus was increasing. He was studying like this for years. Even in his first year of Hogwarts, he was in the library till closing time. After becoming prefect this year, everything was easier. Now the Librarian wasn't kicking him out.
Regulus needed to forget the chaos at lunchtime. He was the kind of person who overthinks everything. So he needed to be busy with anything. That anything mostly is studying. He was the first person in his year because of this. It was a good trait.
He took one last look at the Charms parchment he had finished writing. Flitwick told them to research a charm that wasn't in their curriculum. Regulus choose Harmonia Nectere Passus. He heard about Vanishing Closet from his family this summer. When he find a better chance to learn more he took it.
"Isn't it supposed to be just an 's'?"
Regulus startled. The library was so quiet and he didn't realize that somebody came nearby.
"No, Potter. Don't you know Latin?"
"Well yes. Obviously?"
"Idiot."
"Hey! Not everyone has the chance to get elite Black education when they were a kid."
Regulus frowned. Elite was not the word to describe the methods of Black family education. What they learn might be elite but the education was not even close to it. He dismissed the unwanted memories.
"What are you doing here, Potter?"
"I'm on curfew today."
"No, not you. I'm on curfew for this wing tonight."
"Ah, I know. Mine is not here. Dungeons."
"Well, you are at a far point."
Regulus gave him a fake smile. James didn't seem bothered. It was getting harder to irritate Potter. Seeing James Potter grow up was shocking."
"Uhm, I forget to do my History of Magic homework. I wanted to shoot my shot."
He rolled his eyes at James' unsure tone. Regulus knew that he didn't come for a book even if he had homework. It was obvious.
"Okay. I'm going. Do whatever you need. Just don't forget to lock the door."
"Actually Black… I wanted to talk to you."
There it is.
"It will not take too much time, I promise."
"Alright."
James didn't lose any time and came quickly near him. Regulus noticed that James did not take any book from the library but didn't mention it. While he was locking the door James was looking around like it was his first time seeing it. He was avoiding his gaze. Seeing Potter this much out of character gave Regulus a little joy. Where did go the bravery of Gryffindor?
"So? It is not hard to guess what you want to talk about. What do you want to say?"
"Uh… Are you uncomfortable with it?"
"Of course, Potter. Everybody wouldn't like a false rumor about them. Just say what you want to say."
James was looking pretty nervous. He was like never going to say it. Regulus was confused too. He did not want to stay there and wait for Potter to talk. He had duties. And mostly wanted to go back to the dorm. What would be the most unrelated thing to say, Potter? No need to think about too much.
"I don't know how to say. Ehm… Actually, I wanted to the idea of the relationship between us makes you uncomfortable."
James said so fast, Regulus couldn't catch up first. When he realized his eyes were wide open. He didn't understand if Potter was implying something or if it was a normal question.
"Potter, do you mean…?"
"Ah, it's not that I want a relationship with you."
At James's sentence, the muscles Regulus didn't realize were tensing relaxed. Even so, he was upset in the corner of his mind.
"I don't want you to misunderstand it either. Of course, I want a relationship with you, well you are an amazing person but I don't want to force you. I just, uh… I like you."
Sirens were ringing inside Regulus's head. His brain was a complete mess. He doesn't know what to say. People told him that they like him before. Yes, but none of them wasn't James fucking Potter. And none of them excited him this much. He put emotions together. He should be pleasant in front of others. He tried to give a normal response.
"It doesn't bother me. You don't need to think about it so much."
James' eyes glowed when he finally hears a response. Regulus' breath catches. He can swear that he has seen all the galaxy in James' eyes.
"But, I don't like you. Well, in a romantic way… Yet. Let me think about it, okay?"
Regulus looked uncertain. He didn't plan to say this but it felt right.
"Yeah, of, of course. You can think as much as you want. Just the fact that you listened to me is enough for me."
Even though he didn't answer, Regulus had a cute smile on his lips.
"Okay, now I have to go back to my duty. Bye, dear."