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Diagon Alley was always a treat, and today was no exception.
James strolled down the bustling street with Harry perched on his hip, the little boy happily clutching a newly purchased stuffed owl in one hand and a bag of sweets in the other. Shopkeepers had been more than happy to dote on Harry, charmed by his bright eyes and cheerful babbling, slipping him extra treats and small trinkets just for being adorable. They had already visited the toy shop and a sweets shop, and now James was debating where to take Harry for actual food instead of sweets when the toddler suddenly gasped and pointed excitedly.
"Weggie!"
James blinked and followed Harry's line of sight—straight into what looks like a potions shop. Through the window, behind the counter, stood Regulus Black, sleeves rolled up as he bundled herbs with the practiced ease of someone entirely in his element.
The shop itself was enchanting, a dark-stoned cottage tucked between taller buildings, its exterior draped in creeping vines that shimmered faintly under the lantern light. Gold lettering adorned the arched doorway, spelling out The Celestial Cauldron, and intricate constellations were carved into the wooden sign hanging above it. Large, rounded windows displayed shelves of neatly labeled potion bottles, glowing softly with their own light, alongside bundles of dried herbs suspended from the ceiling. The air around the shop carried the scent of lavender and something faintly metallic, which is likely from the potions brewing inside.
Harry squirmed in his arms, clearly eager to go inside. With a laugh, James adjusted his grip on his son and pushed open the shop’s door, the bell chiming softly above them.
Regulus glanced up, his sharp gray eyes flicking over them both before he sighed. "Oh, it's you."
James grinned. "Aww, you say that like you're not thrilled to see me."
Regulus arched a brow. "I assure you, Potter, thrilled is not the word I'd use."
Before James could retort, Harry wiggled insistently, and he set the boy down. Immediately, Harry toddled forward, arms raised expectantly. "Up, up!"
Regulus hesitated, then sighed again, softer this time, as he reached down and lifted Harry into his arms. "You're quite demanding, aren't you?"
Harry beamed at him. "You make potions."
"Yes," Regulus said softly, "I do."
James leaned against the counter, watching them with a smirk. "Careful, mate. Keep indulging him like that, and he’ll never let you go."
"Then I’ll simply stop indulging him," Regulus replied, but even as he said it, he adjusted his hold on Harry, settling him comfortably on his hip.
James snorted. "Yeah? Try saying no to that face."
As if to prove James’ point, Harry looked up at Regulus with wide, hopeful eyes and chirped, "I hungyy."
Regulus hummed. "Are you not full from the sweets you’ve eaten?"
Harry shook his head. "Eat." He patted Regulus' chest insistently. "Come eat wif us?"
Regulus hesitated, glancing briefly at the shelves as if to remind himself of his responsibilities. Before he could form an excuse, a voice from the other side of the shop cut in.
"For Merlin’s sake, just go, Reggie."
James turned his head and spotted a man with blonde hair. He noticed him when they came in, he had been quietly stocking shelves in the background. The other man leaned lazily against a display, watching the scene unfold with open amusement.
Regulus scowled. "I do have a shop to run, Evan."
The man, Evan, waved a dismissive hand. "And I can mind it for an hour or so. Potter’s kid clearly has you wrapped around his tiny fingers. Might as well give in now."
Regulus shot him a glare, but Evan only smirked, clearly enjoying himself.
James grinned. "See? Even your mate thinks you should come with us."
Regulus exhaled slowly, then shifted Harry in his arms. "...Fine."
Harry cheered, and James clapped a hand on Regulus’ shoulder, grinning. "Brilliant. Let’s get you properly fed, Reggie."
Regulus rolled his eyes, but James didn’t miss the way his lips twitched with just the slightest hint of amusement before he sighed and muttered, "I’m gonna regret this."
Evan smirked as he turned back to the shelves. "Looking forward to hearing all about it."
˗ˏˋ ˙⋆✮ ☀︎ ˎˊ˗
The Three Broomsticks was lively as ever, filled with chatter and the comforting clatter of plates and mugs. James had managed to snag a cozy corner table, where he and Regulus now sat across from each other, with Harry perched between them in a high chair. The little boy was already occupied with the buttered bread James had handed him, swinging his feet happily as he nibbled away.
Regulus stirred his tea with an air of resignation. “I still don’t know how you managed to drag me here.”
James leaned back, grinning. “Oh, don’t give me that. It wasn’t me, it was Harry. You just can’t say no to him.”
Regulus shot him a look but didn’t argue, which only made James’ grin widen. He knew he was right.
Their food arrived shortly after. Their table was filled with savory pies with flaky crusts, steaming bowls of stew, and a generous helping of roasted potatoes. Harry clapped his hands excitedly when he saw the spread, making Regulus shake his head with a small smile before cutting a piece of his own meal into smaller bites for Harry to steal from his plate.
James watched the exchange, something warm settling in his chest. Regulus didn’t even realize he was doing it, slipping so naturally into taking care of Harry in a way that made James want to watch him forever.
“You do that a lot, you know,” James said, idly pushing his potatoes around his plate.
Regulus raised a brow. “Do what?”
“Fuss over him.” James nodded toward Harry, who was now happily munching on a stolen bite of Regulus’ pie. “Evan’s right, he’s got you wrapped around his tiny finger.”
Regulus scoffed but didn’t deny it. “He’s a child. He needs looking after.”
James hummed. “You’re good at it.”
Regulus stilled for just a second before taking a slow sip of his tea. He didn’t meet James’ eyes when he said, almost offhandedly, “I learned how to be.”
James’ heart ached a little at that. He knew about the Black family, about the kind of childhood Regulus and Sirius had endured. It wasn’t something they talked about much, but in moments like this, it hovered between them, unspoken but understood.
Instead of pushing, James nudged a bowl of stew toward him. “Eat, Reggie. You look like you live off tea and sheer spite.”
Regulus rolled his eyes but took a spoonful anyway. “If that were true, I’d be immortal.”
James laughed, as he gave Harry the drink he was reaching for.
They ate in comfortable silence after that, the warmth of the tavern settling around them like a soft blanket. Harry, after stuffing himself with food, leaned against Regulus sleepily, rubbing his eyes with tiny fists.
James watched as Regulus automatically adjusted his posture to let Harry rest against him more comfortably, his free hand coming up to gently run through the boy’s messy curls.
James’ chest felt full. Too full, maybe.
“You know,” he said, his voice softer now, “we should do this more often.”
Regulus glanced up, amusement flickering in his expression. “Lunch?”
James tilted his head. “That, and… this. Spending time together.” He smiled, just a little. “Harry likes you. I like you.”
Regulus studied him for a moment, and then he subtly exhaled, as if he’d been holding something in.
“…We’ll see.”
James grinned. “That’s not a no.”
Regulus rolled his eyes, but James could see the corner of his mouth twitching upward.
Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something.
And James was nothing if not patient.