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The crisp autumn air bit at James Potter's skin as he left the warmth of the Gryffindor common room. The first rays of dawn barely pierced the horizon, casting a pale glow over the grounds of Hogwarts. James loved these early mornings, relishing the quiet and the opportunity to practice Quidditch without interruption. Clutching his Nimbus 1700, he made his way to the pitch.
To his surprise, he wasn't the only one up at this hour. Far ahead, a lone figure was darting through the air with impressive agility. Squinting, James recognized the sleek form of Regulus Black, the younger brother of his best friend, Sirius. Regulus was a Slytherin, quiet and reserved, often overshadowed by his more rebellious and outspoken brother.
Curiosity piqued, James mounted his broom and flew closer. He'd never had much interaction with Regulus, but something about seeing him alone, practicing so earnestly, intrigued him. James landed softly on the pitch, a few feet away from where Regulus was executing a particularly complex maneuver.
"Hey, Black! Practicing early too?" James called out, his voice carrying in the still morning air.
Regulus didn't respond. He continued his flight, seemingly oblivious to James's presence. James frowned and called out again, louder this time.
"Black! Did you hear me? I said, practicing early too?"
Still, there was no reaction. James watched in confusion as Regulus completed his series of loops and spins. Determined to get his attention, James flew up to Regulus and gently tapped his shoulder. Regulus spun around, his eyes widening in surprise as he saw James so close.
"I've been calling you," James said, puzzled. "Didn't you hear me?"
Regulus blinked, then reached into his pocket, pulling out a slender wand. He waved it gracefully, and silvery words materialized in the air: "I didn't hear you."
James stared at the floating words, his mind racing. "You didn't hear me? What do you mean?"
Regulus gave a small, almost imperceptible sigh and created more words with his wand: "I'm deaf."
For a moment, James was struck speechless. Regulus, the talented Seeker of Slytherin's Quidditch team, was deaf. The realization hit him like a Bludger. It explained so much—Regulus's quiet demeanor, his intense focus on visual cues, and his tendency to stay on the periphery of social interactions.
"I'm sorry," James said finally, feeling awkward. "I had no idea."
Regulus shrugged and wrote again: "It's fine. I've been deaf since I was born. I use magic to help me communicate."
James nodded, trying to understand the full implications. "It must be tough, though. Especially at a place like Hogwarts."
Regulus met his gaze, his expression calm but resolute, and the words appeared: "You learn to adapt. It’s not as hard as it looks."
James couldn’t help but admire Regulus’s resilience. "You're amazing, you know that? Playing Quidditch and everything."
A faint smile touched Regulus's lips as he wrote: "Thanks. But please, don't tell anyone. It's not something I want people to know."
James nodded solemnly. "I won't. But if you ever need anything, just let me know."
Regulus inclined his head in gratitude. They spent the next few hours practicing in companionable silence, an unspoken understanding forming between them. James found himself paying more attention to his surroundings, noticing the subtle ways Regulus communicated without words—through gestures, expressions, and even the way he flew.
As the sun climbed higher, casting a golden glow over the pitch, James realized he'd gained a newfound respect for Regulus. He'd always seen him as just another Slytherin, but now he saw him as someone much more—a fighter, a skilled wizard, and perhaps, a potential friend.
When they finally parted ways, James couldn’t help but feel that this morning had been the start of something significant. He had discovered a secret, not just about Regulus, but about the strength of the human spirit. And he was determined to keep that secret safe, out of respect for the boy who carried it with such quiet dignity.