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The Gryffindor Jumper
Regulus Black wakes up and he’s surprisingly warm in his normally cold dorm room. For a few minutes, he keeps his eyes shut, basking in the warmth before his curtains fly open and light floods his bed.
“Barty, if you don’t shut the curtains right now then I’m going to kill you.” Regulus threatens and he’s not joking.
Barty would normally cut back with a snarky remark but he freezes.
“What are you wearing?” he spits out in surprise and he sounds so genuinely confused that Regulus opens his eyes and looks down.
He’s wearing a red-and-gold Quidditch jumper with the number 7 and POTTER across the back. Regulus stares for a couple of seconds before he attempts to pull it off. His fingers grab at the soft material and he tugs but it doesn't budge. By now, Barty has gotten over his initial shock and turns to laughter.
“What’s happening?” Evan complains from his bed.
Regulus doesn’t respond, still pulling at the jumper that refuses to get off of his skin. Evan sits up and walks over before laughing as he watches Regulus struggle.
“Did you do this?” he snaps, suspiciously as Evan struggles to conceal his laughter.
“I think we all know who did this.” Evan responds, a gleeful smile crossing his face and Regulus stands up, snatching his wand, getting out of bed and marching away.
“There’s my favorite star!” James yells as Regulus storms up to the Gryffindor table and Sirius shoots him an annoyed look.
“Get it off, Potter.” Regulus says through gritted teeth. “Now.”
James grins, brighter than sunshine, and shrugs, slightly sheepishly.
“No can do, Reggie. It’s on a time-delay spell, which means that you can’t get it off until midnight.” he says with a wink and Regulus truly considers murdering him.
“Sirius?” he gets out in his fury but his brother only laughs. “I am not wearing this all day.”
“There’s no point.” Remus steps in, not looking up from his book or his breakfast. “I know what they did, you can’t get it off.”
Regulus reaches up and rubs at his temples for a few minutes before he snaps.
“Either you remove the spell or I set myself on fire until the jumper burns and takes me with it.” Regulus threatens and James’ eyes go big in panic.
“No need to be drastic, Reggie,” Sirius begins but Regulus whips out his wand and whispers a spell.
His clothing bursts into flames and everyone begins to scream.
“Moony, help!” Sirius shouts, sounding ultimately terrified as Regulus is consumed by the flames.
Remus, to his credit, actually looks up from his book and rolls his eyes before speaking, not bothering to grab his wand or anything.
“Okay, Regulus, you’ve made your point, you want the jumper off. Now could you turn off the flames before Sirius loses his mind?” he asks and Sirius looks like he’s going to throttle him before Regulus puts out the flames.
He’s completely unharmed, casting flames that only tickled his skin but didn’t burn. His clothing isn’t burned, unfortunately, but James and Sirius are frozen in absolute terror while a thin smile plays across Remus’ face. Peter is the only one who can speak.
“What was that?” he asks in shock and Regulus gives him a thin smile in response.
“Remove the spell, and I’ll tell you.”
This time, James gives him a slightly apologetic smile as he runs a hand through his hair.
“Sorry Reggie, but there’s no way to get rid of the spell. See you at the game?” he says, hopefully.
Regulus stares at him for several seconds before scoffing, rolling his eyes and stalking away, not answering James’ question.
“Love you!” James shouts to his retreating back and Regulus scoffs.
Regulus still goes to the Gryffindor’s game where they win against Ravenclaw, and James takes the jumper off of him that night.
The Lies
“Good morning love.” James says, sweetly as Regulus sits down next to him, shoving his brother aside to sit next to his boyfriend to Sirius’ great annoyance. “Coffee?”
“Yes.” Regulus groans, dropping his head onto James’ shoulder. “I had a 5AM Quidditch practice this morning.”
“How do you want it?” his boyfriend asks.
“As dark as my soul.” he responds, dryly.
Regulus shuts his eyes, hoping to get a few moments of sleep but he hears something strange like liquid being poured and stirred. When he opens his eyes, he sees that James is stirring a pale drink that looks like more milk than coffee.
“James!” he splutters, sitting up in shock. “What are you doing?”
“You said as dark as your soul.” James responds, innocently. “So I did that.”
Regulus blinks.
“James, I wanted a black coffee.”
His boyfriend just shrugs, an infuriatingly bright grin on his face.
“This is what I made you, Reggie. Drink up, you’ve got class.”
Grumbling, Regulus accepts the coffee, making a face at its sweetness but he gulps it down anyways. James watches him with a sparkle in his eyes.
“So how are you feeling?” he asks and Regulus glares at him suspiciously.
“What did you do?” he questions and James smiles again.
“Nothing, Reggie, Don’t you love and trust me?”
“No.” Regulus responds, automatically but suddenly he lets out a loud hiccup and James stifles a laugh. “James, what did you do?”
“I haven’t done anything,” James says, all too innocently.
“Stop lying.”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not.”
Regulus throws up his hands in exasperation.
“I hate you, Potter.” he snaps and he’s met with another hiccup. “James!”
James cackles with laughter at this, almost falling off the bench as Peter grabs his arm from the other side.
“Stop lying, darling.” he advises.
“I’m not.”
He hiccups again before slowly staring daggers at his boyfriend.
“Do not tell me that this is what I think it is.” he warns and James nods. “I’m going to murder you.”
Hiccup!
James drops his head to the table, barely able to breathe through his hysteria.
“Love, I told you, stop lying and you’ll be fine.”
Regulus grits his teeth and doesn’t respond.
“Love?”
Without responding, Regulus stands up and walks away as James and Sirius dissolve into laughter.
“Regulus? What’s happening?” Barty asks as he sits down next to them.
“Nothing.” Regulus mutters and he hiccups, loudly, startling the girl sitting across from them.
Barty looks at him with confusion.
“My idiot boyfriend put a spell on me so every time I lie, I hiccup.” he scowls and Barty’s eyes widen with malition. “Don’t you dare-”
“Do you love your brother?” Barty asks, immediately.
“No.” Regulus instinctively responds and he’s met with another hiccup. “For Merlin’s sake!”
He stands up and stalks out of the Great Hall.
All throughout the day, James peppers him with questions about his love and Regulus begrudgingly answers him.
“How much do you love me on a scale from one to ten?”
“Zero.”
“Do you want to get married one day?”
“Absolutely not.” Hiccup!
“Will you kiss me?”
“Not in a million years unless you take off this curse.” Hiccup!
“Will you move in with me and have a family one day?”
“Potter-”
“Just answer.”
“Maybe.” Hiccup!
“So you DO have a decision. Is that a yes or a now.”
“Go away.”
“Yes? Is it a yes?”
“No.” Hiccup!
Slyther-dors?
The first thing that Regulus sees when he opens his eyes is red.
At first, he thinks he fell asleep in James’ bed again, sometime last night, but Barty’s voice makes his blood run cold.
Everything is covered in red and gold, snakes turned into lions and in the middle of the room there’s a note with a short message scrawled across it.
Love ya, Reggie! Welcome to Gryffindor! Love, Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs it reads and Regulus stares at it for several seconds before crumpling the note up and gritting his teeth, pulling out his wand.
After several different spells with Barty and Evan doing the same, he puts down his wand and sighs.
“I do not have time for this.” he mutters underneath his breath. “I should’ve never told James what that stupid hat tried to do.”
“So how are we getting it off?” Barty asks and Regulus sighs.
Ten minutes later, the curtains off a spare bed are in a burned heap on the ground. Fourteen spells and three potions later, although charred, the cloth is still bright, Gryffindor red. Regulus lets out a string of curses before throwing his wand aside.
“Breakfast.” he commands, grabbing his school clothes out of his wardrobe that luckily, still displays Slytherin colors. “Don’t breathe a word of this to anybody.”
Barty and Evan exchange glances and nod. Regulus grabs his bag and stalks out the door, his teeth grit in fury.
Throughout breakfast, the so-called “Marauders” or at least James, Sirius and Peter, Remus not included, couldn’t stop stealing glances at Regulus, Barty and Evan. Regulus shot back with more secretive looks and the three can’t stop snickering every time they look at the three. Only Remus doesn’t look over, still hidden behind his textbook, ignoring the antics from the others.
Other people overlook Remus Lupin. He’s smart, quiet, the kind of boy you would forget about compared to Sirius and James, even Peter. Regulus does not overlook anybody. He knows the truth. Remus is the mastermind behind the pranks, the plotter and the one who comes up with the occasional custom spell the boys make up.
So instead of going up to his brother or his boyfriend, Regulus simply ignores them, finishing his meal and heading to a hidden alcove in the hallway along to Potions.
Eventually, the “Marauders” walk through the halls, loudly, chatting and talking, on their way to the dungeons. Regulus slips out of the alcove and takes Remus by the arm, silently pulling him away. James, Sirius and Peter are in such a heated discussion that they don’t notice Regulus stealing their friend from right behind them.
“Remus,” Regulus says, simply, dipping his head and the other boy grins, leaning against the cold stone in the shadowy dip in the wall.
“You know.” he states in response.
“Of course I do. I’m not stupid.”
“So then you weren’t mad?”
“Obviously I’m mad. I just don’t feel like talking to my brother right now.”
“I wouldn’t either.”
“He’s your boyfriend.”
“He’s your brother.”
“Precisely.”
The infectious smile on Remus’ face makes Regulus’ banter all the more fun. He enjoys these verbal spars with Remus, likely because he was one of the, if not the only person in the castle that could rise to Regulus’ level of sarcasm and wits at the same time.
“So what’s the counter spell?” he says in Remus’ laps of silence.
“You couldn’t find it?” he shoots back, lifting a singular eyebrow in a sign of fake surprise.
“You made a new one.” he responds, coolly.
Remus ducks his head, a chuckle building in his throat.
“There you go.”
“Funny.” Regulus says, his smile dropping. “What’s the countercurse?”
Remus only shakes his head, forcing Regulus to continue thinking. He knows Remus and clearly, he didn’t hit the nail on the head if Remus is shaking his head.
“Potion?” he tries and Remus’ look of superiority tells him everything.
Reaching into his bag, Remus pulls out a flask of a pale orange liquid. He hands it to Regulus who nods and slips it into his pocket.
“Light a fire underneath it so it turns into smoke. That’s how we got it to spread to everything in your room but we couldn’t get inside your wardrobes and such.” Remus explains before pulling himself completely upright. “Now I’ve got to go find my friends again.”
“Until next time, Lupin.”
“Black,”
With a sharp nod, Remus vanishes and Regulus grins, fingering the vial in his pocket.
James is extremely disappointed after Regulus never tells him about the room, under the assumption that they had figured out another way to replace the ruined curtains.
The Quidditch Match
“The Slytherin Captain and Seeker, Regulus Black, followed by Beaters Dorcas Meadowes and Evan Rosier, Chasers Nicolai Mulciber, Barty Crouch and Corban Yaxley, and Keeper Emma Vanity!”
Regulus takes off onto the field, resisting the urge to smile as he flies out onto the pitch before settling on the grass, lifting his chin as he waits.
“And now the Gryffindors, Captain and Chaser James Potter and his fellow Chasers, Caradoc Dearborn and Benjy Fenwick, followed by Beaters Marlene McKinnon and Sirius Black and Seeker, Emmeline Vance!”
The Gryffindor team takes off into the air, circling the pitch as the crowd cheers. Regulus can see James’ bright smile before he even lands.
“Shake hands.” Madam Hooch directs and Regulus sticks out his hand at his boyfriend.
James reaches out and shakes his hand, winking, and Regulus rolls his eyes at him.
“Good luck, love.” James says, much too sweetly and Regulus’ eyes narrow.
“What did you do?” he accuses but his boyfriend only steps away with an illuminating grin that’s filled with mischief.
Madam Hooch blows her whistle and Regulus kicks off into the air, hovering several feet above the pitch. She lets the balls out and the Snitch flutters in front of his eyes for a moment before it takes off.
“Andddd- GO!”
Regulus shoots upward, slowly beginning to circle the pitch as his team spreads out. James immediately grabs the Quaffle, handing it off to Dearborn before getting it back and throwing it. Vanity aims to block it but she misses and James lets out a yell, pumping his fists as he cheers.
“GRYFFINDOR SCORES!” The announcer calls and Regulus continues circling, his eyes scanning the pitch for the Snitch.
The game continues with Gryffindor getting a 110-70 lead over Slytherin when the game is interrupted. Suddenly, the pitch explodes into chaos and Regulus spins around in surprise as he hears his name being called.
“Regulus!” James shouts and he looks back in confusion.
He doesn’t respond as James flies towards him, Sirius on his tail.
“Reggie!” he shouts again, hazel eyes sparkling. “I have something to ask you!”
“Tell me after the game.” Regulus hisses in annoyance but it’s too late.
Sirius makes a motion to the Gryffindor’s in the crowd and suddenly fireworks burst into the air. Regulus watches in horror as they slowly spell out one letter at a time.
“Will you go to the dance with me?”
James is beaming as the teachers try to control the chaos but it’s too late. The message is in the sky and Regulus wants to throw himself off his broom, straight to the ground.
“Potter.” he hisses through gritted teeth and James turns to him, his face lit up with excitement. “Put the fireworks out. Now.”
James smiles, sheepishly.
“You’ve got to say yes. Remus enchanted them, they won’t go away until you agree.”
“We are in a Quidditch match! The last one of the season, mind you, and you think this is the time to ask me to a dance?” Regulus snaps.
“It seemed romantic in the planning.” James says, completely honest in his words.
Regulus almost facepalms.
“If I say yes, do the fireworks go out?” he asks, sounding like he’s going to strangle his boyfriend.
“Yup!” James says, excitedly.
“Fine. I’ll go to the stupid dance with you if we can finish this stupid match now.” Regulus growls and James beams as the fireworks explode into tiny stars.
Regulus freezes as the small sparks fall to the ground.
“James?”
“Hmm, yes?”
“Are those sparks shaped like the Leo constellation?”
James blushes.
“Oh yeah, I forgot we did that.”
Regulus shuts his eyes, lifting one hand off his broom to rub at his temples.
“James?”
“Yes?”
“Finish the match.”
Slytherin loses the Quidditch Cup for the first time since Regulus had joined the team, somehow Emmeline Vance caught the Snitch. Regulus has never missed the Snitch in a game before. Until now.
James Potter, everyone.
Anniversary
It’s Regulus and James’ anniversary. One year ago, they had first kissed. James, ever the helpless romantic, was obviously planning a celebration.
Regulus decided that this is the right time to get back on James for all the pranks throughout the year.
“Happy One-Year!” James yelps, excitedly when Regulus sits down for breakfast, handing him a wrapped gift.
Regulus blinks back at him.
“James, it’s not our anniversary.” he states, plainly, putting a bit of confusion into his voice. “That was last week.”
James’ brow furrows.
“No, no, it’s today, love. I planned everything out.” he says. “It’s today. January 18th.”
Regulus hesitates, long enough to plant the seeds of doubt in James’ mind.
“That’s not our anniversary, darling.” he says, letting concern drip into his words this time. “It’s the thirteenth.”
James shakes his head.
“Nope, it’s today. I don’t know what you’re thinking Reg, but it’s today.”
“James, it’s not. It was last week. Why, is it important to you?” Regulus asks.
“I missed our anniversary? Love, I’m so sorry.” James says, suddenly panicking. “I didn’t mean to, I swear.”
He believes Regulus just like that. Gullible. Trusting. Regulus wants to laugh.
“Why, what’s so special?”
“Well there’s your gift, right there, and I had a picnic and another gift for you but-”
James wilts and Regulus’ heart swells. He’s in love. Truly and deeply in love.
“James, James, James.” he assures him, lovingly. “It’s okay. Let’s celebrate our anniversary today, okay?”
His boyfriend shrugs and Regulus wonders if he should feel a little bit bad but he remembers all of the scenes that James had made. Plus, Regulus is a Slytherin. Did they really think they could get away with pranking him?
“Okay, come on, open your gift.” James encourages him, trying to put the excitement back in his voice.
Regulus slowly opens the package. Inside is a black diary with a silver embed on it. His initials, R.A.B are stamped across the cover and a Leo the Lion constellation is just underneath it.
“I know you like writing down your thoughts so I thought this would help you.” James says, perking up a bit as Regulus smiles, slowly.
“Thank you, love.” he says, softly, leaning forward and gently kissing James on the mouth as he runs his fingers over the soft leather of the book.
Throughout the day, James seems slightly confused and dazed all the time, and he keeps asking other people if they remember him and Regulus’ anniversary. They go on a picnic in the Forbidden Forest which is nice, and James gives him a large supply of sweets from Honeydukes, his secret indulgence.
It’s nighttime when they stumble into the Astronomy Tower, kissing, laughing and smiling.
“I’m sorry I messed up the date.” James whispers and Regulus decides to tell him the truth.
“James?”
“Mhm, yes?”
“You didn’t mess up the date. January 18th, 1977. That’s our anniversary.”
James stares at him for a few seconds before cracking into a smile.
“Did you prank me? I knew I was right. I knew it!” he asks in shock and Regulus grins. “I don’t believe it. Regulus Black, pranking someone, especially me?”
“You needed to be humbled.” Regulus replies with a lazy shrug, leaning against his boyfriend who is silently chuckling. “So I pranked you back.”
“I should probably be mad. But I think I might be more impressed than anything because I really thought I was going insane.” James says and it makes Regulus laugh.
“Are you upset?” he checks and James shakes his head.
“No more upset then you are after I prank you.”
“James, I tried to drown myself in the showers after I missed the Snitch in the last game.” Regulus informs him, bluntly.
James blinks at him.
“Okay, not that upset.” he responds.
Regulus brightens when he remembers what has been burning a hole in his pocket since he shoved it in before taking James up to the Tower.
“I got you a present too.” he says, pulling out the box and James visibly lights up with excitement.
He tears open the wrapping paper and dumps out a scroll of parchment. When he unravels it, he’s met with the perfect, pureblooded cursive that Regulus always wrote in. He sucks in a sharp breath as he reads the words, a sweet smile playing on his lips.
It’s been a year since the sun met the stars,
Changing the alignment of my whole world,
You’ve healed my heart and you’ve hidden my scars,
Leaving the story of us to unfold,
You shine like the sun, brightening my heart,
In a way I didn’t know that you could,
I won’t allow us to be torn apart,
When someone like you deserves something good,
I loved you this year, and for those to come,
We won’t ever be torn away from love,
Without forgetting our pasts, where we’re from,
At the end of the day, push comes to shove,
Find me in the darkness, bring me to light,
Just like the sun you are, shining so bright.
James looks up, his eyes shining with tears.
“You wrote this?” he asks, his throat tight with emotion and Regulus nods, blushing.
“It’s stupid and sappy and cheesy and I know it’s really bad but-”
“I love it, Reg.” James breaks in and he melts.
“You do?”
“Yeah, I do.”
James and Regulus meet eyes and slowly they lean in, sharing a soft kiss because they aren’t pranks and jokes, they’re true love at the end of it all. Love that can be unrivaled and unbroken throughout all of time.
“No more pranks?” Regulus whispers and James lets out a wet laugh.
“No more pranks.” he confirms then hesitates. “Well, maybe just a few.”
James laughs and Regulus groans and they smile because they only need each other, regardless of pranks, to be happy.