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Everything was great for James Potter. He was head boy, captain of the Gryffindor quidditch team, he was Gryffindor's golden boy, and he had the perfect boyfriend. Well not many people know about the last thing.
Regulus Black and James Potter got together a year ago when James was in his sixth year and Regulus was in his fifth. Things started out rocky at the beginning, Regulus didn’t trust James and James didn’t know how to deal with all the conflicting feelings he had, with the prank and all.
Gradually they got closer. They started to talk at night when everyone was asleep, even the portraits. They talked about many things like the weather, school, weird things they saw today, or Regulus would share little astrology facts from time to time.
Soon winter comes around and before James left for home and Regulus would leave for Grimmauld Place, James confessed to Regulus that he had feelings for him.
Obviously Regulus didn’t know what to say to that so he never commented on it until he got back from winter hols and found James in the astronomy tower like usual. Regulus, instead of saying he felt the same way, he decided to just show it and he kissed James.
James kissed back and that night was spent with the two holding each other under the stars.
It was never easy for the two, they could never be public with their relationship for numerous reasons. One is that Regulus’ parents would never allow it as James is a blood-traitor and same sex relationships were looked down upon in the Pure-blood world.
They made do with quick kisses in empty corridors and sneaking away after curfew to see each other. Subtle looks in the great hall and passing notes when walking past each other in the hallways.
James loved Regulus and Regulus loved James. Too bad they were never destined for a happy ending.
In December of 1977 Regulus went home for winter hols and on New Years got the Dark Mark to celebrate 1978. James was oblivious to what occurred over winter hols and was concerned when Regulus got back and sent a letter to him with the following message in Regulus’ fancy cursive writing.
‘We need to talk.
R.A.B’
The message alone was what made James have a bad feeling because usually Regulus signs his letters with ‘Your Star’.
That night James walked to the astronomy tower and met Regulus at the top. Regulus looks at James without his usual warm eyes he holds for James and James only. He walks up to James and kisses him for the last time.
James lets it happen and melts into the kiss that ends way too soon for his liking. “Reg, my love, what's wrong?” He asks him with concern, written all over his face.
“We need to end things James.” Regulus says coldly.
“What why? Reg what happened?” James responds with a note of panic in his voice.
Regulus rolls his sleeve up and shows the Dark Mark to James, who just looks at it frozen in shock. James’ vision blurs with an onslaught of tears. “Why?” He whispers.
“I have an image to uphold a legacy to follow.” Regulus answers.
James stays silent not knowing what to say in response to that. Regulus goes to leave, keeping his cold facade up even though all he really wants to do is hold James and wipe his tears away and tell him everything is going to be alright.
“Wait. Don’t go please. I love you.” James pleads, snapping out of his frozen state.
‘I love you too!’ Regulus wants to say, wants to shout it off the rooftop. Instead all he replies with is, “It’ll pass.” He leaves right after, leaving James on the top of the astronomy tower under the stars. A piece of James died that night.
Life goes on Regulus becomes colder, dropping friends and joining Snape and his death eater group in Hogwarts, he doesn’t speak as often anymore and becomes a shadow of his old self.
James on the other hand he becomes the person everyone expects him to be, he wins the quidditch cup for the last time as a student here at Hogwarts, he starts to date Lily Evans, head girl. He used to always dream of this, but now it just doesn’t feel right anymore. He graduated Hogwarts in 1978 and went straight to auror training, he married Lily that same year.
In October 15, 1979, the prophet released an article on the front page stating in bold, ‘Heir to the Most Ancient House of Black, Regulus Black deceased’. James acted like he didn’t care like his heart didn’t break for the second time in his life.
He was there for Sirius the whole day, and when he got home that night he cried himself to sleep, thinking about the short time he had with Regulus.
A month later James and Lily found out they were expecting a child. James was excited he's always wanted a child of his own, he was worried about bringing a child into this world while a war was going on but they were safe in Godrics Hollow under Fidelius.
On July 31st 1980, Harry James Potter was born. Sirius, Remus, Peter, Alice, and Frank were there as well as the day before their son Neville Longbottom was born. James couldn’t help but wish Regulus was here, couldn’t help but wish Regulus and him were the ones married and parents to Harry, but James still loved Lily, he appreciated her a lot and he knew it wasn’t good to wish he never married Lily, he knew it was unfair to her.
A week later James and Lily heard about the prophecy about Harry and went into lock down adding more wards and redoing the Fidelius charm making Peter the secret keeper.
A year goes by and it’s now October 31st 1981, the day the Potters were killed. James was in the living room when a knock goes off at the door and he sees that it’s not Peter. He tells Lily to take Harry upstairs. James gets up and he has a thought. ‘Maybe I could see Regulus soon? What if? What if? What if?’
James walks to the door leaving his wand on the couch. He opens the door and sees a figure standing there with Peter hiding behind the figure. James looks at the figure and James sees it. Voldemort. Everything finally clicks in James’ head. Peter is a traitor and told Voldemort where they were, and now they're here to kill his son. To kill everyone here in this house.
The last thing James remembers thinking is, ‘I’ll see you soon My Star.’
“AVADA KEDAVRA!”
James sees a burst of green light before everything goes black.