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Dorcas doesn't even know why she ended up in one of the hidden passageways not far from the Gryffindor common room. She had time before dinner, felt like wandering the castle. Found herself in a hallway she had never seen before.
Found herself with something else she has never seen before too.
There, curled up against the wall on the ground is James Potter. James Potter sobbing his heart out in a hidden corridor.
Dorcas Meadowes has never seen James Potter cry.
Not that she has ever wanted to. And now that she has she wished to never see it again. It's like watching the sun cry. It's a sight she feels no mortal should ever have to witness. Far too heart breaking to watch.
Now in all honest, Dorcas has never been close to James. They were on good enough terms, saying hi when they passed each-other in the corridor. Nothing more than that. She had nothing against him really. He had his own circle and so did she. Both happy to pass like ships in the night.
"James? Are you okay?" Dorcas asks tentatively. She walks closer to him slowly. Feels a little like she's approaching a wounded animal.
If James was curled up before, he hunches over on himself even more when she speaks. It seems like he is almost trying to burrow into his own chest. His sobs seem to grow the closer she gets.
"James, hey. You need to talk to me. I don't know how to help you. What do you need?" Dorcas is starting to feel panicked. James seems to be getting worse every second. It has only been mere minutes since she spotted him and yet his breathing between full body sobs seems rougher.
James doesn't seem to even hear her. He clearly knows she is there though. He's turning his body away from her as much as he can.
She is definitely not cut out for this.
Golden boy James Potter, loud and proud Marauder. She could hardly believe anything could have a boy like that sobbing like this.
"Is there anyone I can go get for you? Sirius or someone?" It sounds desperate even to her ears. She is not cut out for this, but surely one of the people who seem to adore James would be.
"Regulus..." He chokes out, barely audible. "Get Regulus."
This stalls Dorcus' brain. Why did James want Sirius' little brother? She can't even think of a time she has see the two of them alone together.
She would spend more time considering this, but James is in a bad way and she has no idea where she is going to be able to find Regulus. Leaving immediately gives her the most time.
"Okay okay. I'll go get him right not. Sit tight. I'll be back as quick as I can." She rushes the words out, hoping James hears them, and takes off running back the way she came.
She decides to run straight for the dungeons and to the entrance to the Slytherin common room. She knows she won't be able to get in, but maybe someone around there can tell her where to find Regulus.
She finds Even Rosier outside the Slytherin entrance, clearly on his way in.
She's struggling to breathe when she sees him. Still she grasps his arm and turns him to face her.
"Meadowes? What do you want down here?" Evan asks, looking at her confused.
"Regulus. Where - is - Regulus." She manages the words between heaving breaths.
"What's it to you?" Evan asks, eyeing her suspiciously.
Of the Slytherin group Regulus runs in, Evan is one of the softer. Nicer. She liked him well enough. So she doesn't take the comment as offence. She probably does seem very strange.
"I really need to find him. Like now." Dorcas pleads, still grasping Evan's arm. "Please."
"He's inside. I'll get him for you. Wait here. Take some deep breaths." He must have realised she was serious. He shakes off her hand and heads into the common room.
She stays where she is and does take some deep breaths. She's expecting to be running back to James so the rest opportunity for a few moments is appreciated.
Evan returns with Regulus in tow and gestures to him.
"Here he is. Want to say what this is about now?" Evan asks her.
"James." Dorcas gets only the name out before Regulus' eyes are boring into hers. She catches her breath a little at the intensity of the grey eyes. He seems to read something there and pushes the book he had been holding into Evan's arms. He takes hold of Dorcas' arm and starts them moving out of the dungeons.
"Take me to him." Regulus doesn't even ask why she came to get him. But he is clearly more than ready to follow her with only the prompting of knowing who is waiting.
Dorcas takes of running again. She retraces her steps and it feels slow. Too slow. Regulus is hot on her heels the whole way.
They make it to the tapestry that hides the door to the passageway. Dorcas pulls the tapestry aside and ushers Regulus through the hidden door.
Regulus goes, pushing the door open.
Dorcas follows close behind and watches as Regulus catches sight of James.
She hears Regulus' breath catch and a second later she is watching Regulus fly down the corridor and drop to his knees at James' side.
It appears as well practised ease. He is prying James arms from around his knees, pushing his legs away from his chest, and wrapping his arms around James' shoulder. Regulus tucks James' face into the crook of his neck and starts rocking him gently.
James' sobs are still violent but now muffled by Regulus' sweater. His arms come around Regulus' waist, tight. His hands making fists in the fabric against Regulus back. Regulus doesn't even seem to notice.
Dorcas can hear Regulus humming quietly, occasionally whispering something in James ear.
She stays in the doorway, just watching in amazement.
James' sobs take time to soften. Regulus stays exactly where he is, holding James tight and stroking his fingers through James' hair.
Eventually all Dorcas can hear is sniffles. Then quiet. James breath is finally returning to him. He seems to be breathing Regulus in, burrowing his face further into Regulus' neck.
It's peaceful. Dorcas knows she is intruding, but the sight is so warm she can't bear to leave.
"I've got you." She finally hears Regulus' quiet words. He repeats the phrase over and over again.
After some time James pulls back a little. He seems to have come back to himself somewhat. But he does not attempt to get off the floor. Instead lifts Regulus and settles him in his lap, settles his arms back round Regulus' waist, and tips forward to rest his forehead against Regulus'.
Regulus hands come to cup James' face and he strokes James' cheeks and jaw. So soft.
The moment is spellbinding. They are quite literally wrapped up in each-other.
"Thank you Dorcas." She hears Regulus say.
She can tell this is a kind dismissal. She takes it as such and exits the passageway, closing the door behind her and resettling the tapestry.
She is lost in her thoughts on her walk back to the common room.
James had been falling apart. Unravelling at the seams. The sun burning so bright it fractured.
That sight alone put an ache so deep in her chest she struggled to breathe. James deserved joy. Happiness. They may not be friends, but she knew he was a good person. One deserving of good things. Good people don't deserve to hurt that bad. Don't deserve reasons to sob that hard. Don't deserve to unravel like a loose thread pulled too hard.
Dorcas considered herself a good friend. She knew how to help her friends. Knew what to do to support them. Wanted to help people. But she had no idea how to stop an unravelling thread. No idea how to knit a person back together.
Regulus Black. Regulus' black knit James back together as if it was what he was made to do.
She had not expected his name to fall from James' lips. She had expected him to do nothing when she brought him to James.
But Regulus sat on the ground and gathered up all the unspooled thread that was James. Gathered them up so carefully and gently. Letting no piece be left behind. And then slowly and painstakingly, knit back together James. He did not rush the process, he did not avoid the messiness of putting something back together.
Before her eyes she saw him put a whole person back together.
It is safe to say that from now on she would never doubt Regulus Black. In particular she would never doubt how much Regulus Black cared for James Potter.
The unravelling sun and the knitter.