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James Potter woke up with a bright smile and with sun kissing his face. He just opened his eyes and all he was feeling was excitement. Finally, it's my birthday, he thought to himself . All the possible plans that his friends could prepare for today filled his head. James was sure that it was going to be the best day of the year.
“Prongs, why are you smiling like an imbecile? It's too early for that.” said a voice that he recognized as Sirius.
“You know he always looks like that.” Remus chimed in while dressing into his uniform. “James, you better get ready, we're going to be late to class again.”
And there was Peter looking at them with tired eyes. “It's not like we're going to have double detention for that, our time is booked for the next three weeks.”
Hearing his friends' remarks, James only smiled even wider. He was not surprised that they're not saying anything yet, he's sure that after classes or maybe even during them, they prepared an amazing birthday prank for him. As he walked to his next class, James couldn't help but remember all the good times he had with his friends. They were always there for him, through thick and thin. He remembered the time they stayed up all night. James felt grateful for their friendship.
So why is it now almost the end of the day and still nothing ? Maybe that's the prank. Prongs pondered while walking through Hogwarts. They're acting like they forgot, but really when I get to the common room there is going to be a massive surprise party! In his head were no other possible explanation because he loves his friends, and they love him. They remember his birthday, he was sure of it. Yet, why did he feel deep inside this pinch of pain that was growing bigger and bigger all day long? An ever-growing ache in his chest? Why was there a tear threatening to escape his eye? James decided to ignore it for now. Like always, he decided that his stupid feelings were not important, or so he believed.
He had set his expectations high, let's face it. The party that was planned by his friends was supposed to get them in trouble, as always. He never expected that that party was going to be non-existent . All the hope James had disappeared when he saw the common room, and it was completely normal, a spacious and cozy area with plush sofas and armchair as always. Disappointed, James entered, hoping to find some solace. There were big expectations, but even a simple cupcake with a lit candle and seeing all of his friends together would be enough to make him happy out of his mind. Yet, as he scanned the room, it became increasingly clear that his hopes had been crushed. There were no decorations, no signs of a surprise party. It was as if his birthday had been forgotten. The disappointment raised inside him, mingling with a sense of loneliness that he had never anticipated. James wondered if he had been foolish to expect too much.
That was the moment when he lost his smile, the moment when his face went from sunshine to overcast skies. James’s smile was a constant presence, something that could light up a room and bring joy to anyone who was near him. That made him the sun .in everyone's universe. The center of the room.
Naturally, it didn't go unnoticed when it fell. It was as if the sun had set prematurely, and the darkness that followed was suffocating.
How could you ignore the descent of the sun, right?
That's when he noticed Lily approaching him. James wanted desperately to get his smile back on, but he failed miserably. When she gazed into his dark eyes with that concerned face, he felt a wave of emotions welling up inside him. The urge to cry became overwhelming. At that moment, James realized that he couldn't hide his pain any longer, not from Lily or himself.
“James? What happened?” She asked, her gaze still filled with concern. I don't want her to pity me. “You seemed so exited the entire day, but now you look just sad.”
“Me? Nothing is wrong.” He answered, still trying to smile a little.
Lily looked at him like he just said that she was stupid or something. “James. You know that you're a terrible liar, right? Were you trying to play a prank on someone, but it didn't work?”
“It's not always about pranking people. It's just… they forgot about something important.” James said quietly. “Who would anyone be happy when they realize that their friends have forgotten something as significant as a birthday?”
Afterward, he just turned around and quickly made his way out of the common room, intentionally ignoring Lily's attempts to catch his attention once more. Why I'm so stupid? That's not really important. That's all he could focus on now - convincing himself that it wasn't important . It's just one birthday. Why was it so meaningful to him? That was a good normal day, he should be grateful. So why he was felling so insignificant. He wanted to understand why his friends had forgotten about his special day, why would they make him feel that way.
James continued to try and push aside the feelings of hurt and disappointment building in his chest. However, despite his efforts, sobs escaped his lips when he was making his way up the Astronomy Tower. The tears streaming down his face only made him eager to reach his destination. I don't want anyone to see me like that. He was worried that his emotions would burden others. So when he finally made it, he felt quite relieved.
Catching his breath, he slid down the wall onto the floor. At least, for now, he could find a resemblance of happiness in solitude. James looked around the room. It looked as always, the same floor, equipment and… a black-haired boy observing the sky.
Black-haired boy observing the sky? Wait. That's not usually here. He thought to himself after a moment of confusion. I should be alone here. Maybe he didn't notice me yet, I can go somewhere else.
“Can you breathe again? I'm not particularly inclined to save someone today” Said the boy, still not looking at James.
“Of course I can.” Prongs replied, cautiously approaching while attempting to hold back his tears. “Regulus is that you? It's hard to see in the darkness.”
Regulus turned to him without showing any emotions on his face and looked him up and down. “Well, well, what brings you here? Shouldn't you be celebrating your birthday with my idiotic brother and the rest? Being the loudest in the entire Hogwarts?”
“I-I… Wait. Reggie, do you really remembered?” James asked, his voice filled with a mix of hope and vulnerability. “You know it's my birthday? Really?”
“What? Why are you asking such a ridiculous question? Of course, I remember. You informed me just last week, when you interrupted my studies.” Regulus answered. Ah, right, in the library. “You sound surprised and… Wait. Why are you crying again? James?”
He wanted to answer to Reggie, but nothing could come out of his mouth, his words failed him, leaving him standing there, tears streaming down his face like a child. Didn't even move when the black-haired boy came closer to him and put a hand on his arm. At that moment, James found himself wrapping his arms around Regulus in a tight, probably unwanted embrace, but he didn't care. Now, inside him, there was a mix of happiness and lingering sadness. Someone remembered, and that small act showed that he was important, even if just a little. Yet, at the same time, he longed for more. He wished for his friends.
“I'm letting you hug me, Potter, so at least you can tell me what happened.” Regulus muttered softly and reluctantly returning the embrace. As they stood there, the stillness of the Astronomy Tower seemed to envelop them, creating a space of shared vulnerability.
Trying to answer through the tears, James finally found his voice. “They all forgot. No one remembered Reggie.”
“Oh… I'm sorry.” Said Regulus, his voice filled with genuine sympathy. “Happy birthday, James. I don't have anything for you, but if you'd like, we can watch the stars until you feel better.”
There was no protests after that. Settled in the best spot to observe the night sky, finding peace in the gentle glow of the stars. The crying boy started to slowly calm down. All James needed at that moment was the presence and understanding that Regulus provided. It only made the ache in his chest less prominent, not gone.
Regulus sat beside him with a frown on his face, visibly thinking about something. Maybe he was confused, how could the sun be in need of his assistance. He, a mere star, trying to offer support to a person that had always been the center of his attention. But at that moment, you couldn't help but see the parallels between them. Weren't they the same? The sun and the star were fundamentally the same, despite the different names they were given, right? No matter if one typically burned brighter, they have the same potential. So Regulus smiled at James softly, briefly assuming a new role.
“As you know... Stars have a way of granting wishes, don't they?” the black-haired boy asked, breaking the silence. “Maybe you can tell me something that I can do for you?”
“You want to be my wishing star? Really?” The boy with glasses asked, his gaze locked with the bright eyes of the one beside him.
Regulus in response nodded gently so as not to break eye contact. “Consider it my gift to you. Just ask for something within my power to do or obtain.”
James's voice wavered as he tried to articulate his deepest longing. “I don't know… I feel just so insignificant, Reggie.” he muttered, his brow furrowing as he searched for the right words. “I just want to feel… I don't know, important to someone? And I know that I am, in some way, important to people. But right now, after everyone forgot... I just...”
Regulus's expression softened, his empathy evident in his eyes. He reached out, placing a hand gently on James's shoulder. "James, you are important. Never doubt that,"
When James attempted to say something again, he was taken aback by the sensation of their lips meeting. James was just kissed by Regulus, just like that. A surge of energy washed over him, as if two stars had collided, and he couldn't believe it. What just happened? He thought, momentarily stunned. However, within a second, he overcame the initial shock and eagerly responded, kissing Regulus back.
After they parted, a smile crept onto James's face, illuminating his features. If someone asked Regulus, he probably would describe it like a radiant sunrise that dominated his entire world.
“I hope it's okay with you, James. I'm sorry if I crossed a line.” The black-haired boy said, his smile still lingering.
“What? Oh god, Reggie. It's more than okay.” James muttered now with flushed cheeks. “I think that's the perfect present I could receive today.”