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It was a dark night when a shadowy figure appeared out of thin air. "Ha," breathed the shadowy figure in pain. The figure, a male, clutched his chest where he was bleeding. The man walked into an alley. He collapsed onto the ground. 'Is this where I die?' he thought. 'Pierced by my own sword. I never should have disobeyed Aunt Bellatrix.' The man's eyes closed as he thought, 'I know what my grave will say, here lies Regulus Black, cause of death, disobeying his aunt.' The man, now identified as Regulus Black, finally closed his eyes, waiting for the sweet embrace of death.
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Regulus woke in a soft bed, silky sheets over his body, the covers rumpled. His face felt hot and he was sweating. 'Where...am...I' Regulus's thoughts were slow as he processed his surroundings. The bed that he was in seemed to be expensive, silky and soft. The room was quite plain. Wood colored walls with gold and white accents, with pictures of griffins and other animals. There were some green and silver frames that had snakes or other reptiles. The door opened with a quiet squeak. "Oh. You're awake," said a male voice.
Regulus turned to look at his savior and gaped in shock; it was the last person that he would have expected. James Potter stood in the doorway, holding a glass of water. James bloody Potter was the one that saved him, Regulus Black, part of the family known for practicing dark magic and supporting Voldemort. "Are you alright?" asked the Potter heir walking over and setting down the glass of water on the nightstand.
Regulus could only stare, all of his pureblood etiquette that was drilled into him from a very young age by Walburga forgotten. "Potter," said Regulus. "Don't be like that Black," said James. "Why did you save me? After all, I am from the Black family that is known for practicing the Dark Arts." James frowned at Regulus's response. "I'm only human," said James simply. "Care to elaborate?" said Regulus. "No," said James "That is something that you will have to figure out for yourself."
Regulus scowled at James's stubbornness. "Do you want the water?" asked James, staring at the young Black Heir. Regulus realized that James had put the glass of water on the nightstand. "Are you going to drink it?" asked James after a minute, looking a bit uncomfortable that he broke the silence.
"Hm?" said Regulus, then realizing that he had spaced out. Regulus gingerly reached for the glass and brought it up to his lips and took a sip. After Regulus had drank the water, he set it back down on the nightstand and folded his hands in his lap. "Thank you," said Regulus. James smiled. "Of course," he said brightly.
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Dinner was uncomfortable. Mr. and Mrs. Potter were away in Romania for a couple of weeks, so it was just James and Regulus eating dinner. Together. In an empty and quiet dining room. Alone. So of course it was awkward, with just the two of them, who are basically enemies. "How is the Shepherd's Pie, Cornish Pasties and fried tomatoes?" asked James. Regulus finished eating a fried tomato before he answered the Potter Heir.
"It is delicious," said Regulus quietly. James grinned roguishly at the Black Heir's answer, content with eating another Cornish Pasty. "Thank you for your hospitality, Heir Potter," said Regulus, setting down his fork. "I will leave tonight so as to not trouble you any further." James shot up in alarm. "What?! You can't leave! You still need to finish recovering!" said the 16 year old Potter Heir. "I don't want to bother you any more than I have to" said the 14 year old Slytherin. "Nonsense" said James "You aren't bothering me. It's not often that I have a guest at Potter Manor." Regulus was still hesitant, but nodded silently, showing James that Regulus would stay.
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The days passed and Regulus opened up to James about his parents' treatment of him. To say that James was angry was an understatement; James was furious at Walburga and Orion Black's treatment of their sons, especially Regulus, who James had grown close to. Every minute spent with Regulus, James realized that he was wrong about Regulus Black, that he never wanted to be a Death Eater.
He also realized that many of the things that Sirius had told him about Regulus were not true. Mr. and Mrs. Potter had met an old friend in Romania, so they had delayed their return to England by another two weeks, and by the time they got back James would be back at Hogwarts. On September 1st, James and Regulus were at the entrance of Potter Manor and were going to head to Kings Cross at different times, so no one would know about their new found friendship.
"Are you alright?" asked James looking at Regulus, who looked anxious. "When we go to Hogwarts, we won't be able to see each other much" said Regulus "I'm afraid that once I'm back at Hogwarts, I'll turn back into what I was, and we won't be friends." James smiled. "You need not worry about that Reg. I'll always be your friend."
Regulus blushed slightly. Looking at James's lips, the younger boy lost his self control and flung himself at James, kissing the older boy. Startled, James felt ice cold lips that tasted caramel and chocolate. Startled James didn't move and Regulus pulled away. Regulus blushed in embarrassment. "I'm sorry Potter," mumbled Regulus, hiding his face with his arms.
Regulus moved to leave when James grabbed Regulus by the arm and pulled him into an embrace, hugging him closely. Regulus blushed more as he felt James's chest. James kissed Regulus passionately and they stayed there. James pushed Regulus against the door and released the younger boy from the kiss. "You taste amazing" whispered James, panting slightly as he trapped Regulus with his arms.
The Potter Heir's mouth had saliva dripping down from it as he wiped it from his mouth. "Hey, Reg" said James "Want to date me?" Regulus blushed as he said "Would I kiss you if I didn't like you?" James laughed at that. "I love you" proclaimed the Potter Heir. After a moment of silence, the quietness was broken. "Hey, Reg" said James suddenly "Do you want to court me?" Regulus Arcturus Black gave the biggest smile of his life as he replied "Of course" and sealed that promise with a kiss.
They were different people, different ideals and different morals. One was with the Light, one with the Dark, one trained in Dark spells, the other in Light spells, one of them was the brother of the other's best friend, the other the best friend of the other's brother. But even with all of that between them that didn't stop James Fleamont Potter and Regulus Arcturus Black from loving each other. The two got married a few days before James graduated from Hogwarts and had Hadrian, Harry, Potter a few years later. And James married Lily to protect both Regulus and Severus Tobias Snape.
This was the story about how two lovers met each other, and their eventual death.
