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When a cat pads through the halls of Hogwarts, no one bats an eye. There are many, oh so many of them. Maybe you pet one or two, greet that one and wave at the other. It’s part of the daily routine of living at Hogwarts.

James loves that part of his routine. He loved it in his first year, adored it in his second and continued to appreciate it up until his last year at Hogwarts. 

Everyday, he pets each and every single cat he sees. It’s usually a simple ordeal, if a cat rubs up against his legs, he’ll pet it. If the cat seems disinterested, he’ll leave and forget about it. There’s rarely a cat that stands out or he feels fascinated by. How could there be? They all look so similar with their four legs, two ears, a belly and a nose. 

No name. No distinct features. 

There are about a hundred and five cats (probably more). No need to get attached to them to that degree. 

And it’s fine like that. He likes it like that. 

At least he did. 

Until he met a kitten. 

“Merlin, Sirius, are you seeing this?” He calls over his shoulder while Sirius pulls his left shoe on, almost tripping in the process. 

They’re running late, as they so often do. Sirius had insisted on taking a ‘quick’ nap after Remus and Peter had left early to return some books to the library. James was then put on wake-up duty. 

He failed. He fell asleep too. Which is why they’re running late.

Now, Sirius was trying his best to get dressed on their way to class ‘to save time’. James would say it was about semi-successful judging off the way Sirius currently looked. His shirt was inside out, his shoes untied, hair a serious mess and his tie hanging loosely around his neck. James tilted his head when he realised Sirius was missing his robe. 

He shrugged and turned back to the kitten. They didn’t have time to turn around now anyway. 

“Jamie, if this is another bloody prank, I will blow your brains out and not in a fun way,” Sirius hissed back  as he desperately tried to fix his tie and then simply gave up. He’d never been good at tying that awful thing. James does a better job at it when he’s blindfolded and that’s saying something.

“You’re a pain in the ass,” James counters as he coos at the small kitten that’s sat on the windowsill and stares up at James with huge blue eyes. Its fur is entirely black apart from the small white speckle on its chest. “It’s a forsaken kitten,” he whisper-shouts in Sirius’ direction, scared the kitten would be spooked and run before Sirius got to see it. 

It simply tilts its tiny head at James and continues to stare up at him. 

Sirius comes up behind James, looks at the small creature and then turns his head to look at James. Sirius doesn’t look or act impressed at all. 

“Don’t tell me you’ve never seen a kitten,” He deadpanned, placing a hand on James’ shoulder and pulling him away from the sight. “Your life is starting to sound a lot more miserable than mine, old friend,” Sirius adds, clicking his tongue and shaking his head with a teasing smile on his face.  

As Sirius pulls him away, James tries desperately to get another look at the kitten as he glances over his shoulder. Why did school even matter when there was a kitten? 

“Wait, no, Sirius, I didn’t even get to pet it,” He protests, trying to break away from his friend's hold. To his surprise, Sirius is a lot stronger than he looks. James fails miserably in his mission of getting back to the cat.

“You’re about to never pet anything again if we’re late to class again. You know, cause they’ll bloody kill us?” Sirius ruffles James' hair with a laugh. James then manages to push backwards and out of Sirius’ hold, escaping the torture his friend is bestowing upon him. He tries his best to fix his hair, though he’s pretty sure there’s no going back now. 

“We’re dead meat either way,” James replies as he flicks Sirius’ loose tie, “You wouldn’t manage to tie this if someone promised you galleons in exchange, your hair is a mess-” 

“Oi!” Sirius protests immediately, shoving his friend. 

“-you’re also missing your robe,” James points at Sirius’ chest and receives a small ‘Ah, shit,’ in response. Then, he checks the time and grimaces “aaand we’ve missed half of the class already,” James shrugs as they walk down the corridor, both having accepted their fate. 

Though, in honesty, how Sirius always managed to forget about his robe is beyond James. It’s been seven years and Sirius is still constantly running around without it. 

And as they left for their first period, walking side by side, the small kitten continued to sit on the windowsill. It watched the pair quietly until they disappeared from its view. And once they were gone, it jumped off the sill and padded along the wall into the opposite direction. 

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At the end of the day, the pair walked away with multiple scoldings and some deducted housepoints. Reasons including their tardiness, dresscode and also the apparent homework that neither of them knew about or had handed in. 

Lucky for them, Remus and Peter knew them better than anyone else and had come prepared. Remus had brought Sirius’ robe with him, well aware that his friend couldn’t ever remember to bring it himself. As he handed Sirius his robe, Peter held James’ tie out of front of him, which-

“Oh shoot, I didn’t even realise,” Sirius said as he slid his own robe on, staring at James’ tie in Peter’s hand. 

Automatically, Sirius turned to Remus, who then started fixing his tie for him. James on the other hand, tied his own and even managed to do so without a mirror (though it was quite the feat).

From there on out, the day passed rather normally. Especially now that James’ crush on Lily had finally subsided and almost vanished into nothingness, his days have been way calmer and less hectic. 

In class, James barely paid any attention, not taking notes or raising his hand, though that’s the norm by now. 

At lunch, he stuffed himself with everything he could reach. It was fantastic food, as it always was. 

On his way back to the dorms, he petted every cat he saw. Though, there was one cat he hoped to see more than any other. 

He thought about that tiny kitten for the majority of the day, hoping it would magically appear whenever he turned a corner. Which, yeah, made sense, it’s a kitten for Merlin’s sake. As unimpressed as Sirius had been, James still believed it to be amazing. 

“James, mate, what are you so desperately searching for?” Remus asked, placing a hand on his shoulder as they made their ways to their dorms after classes finished. He’d noticed the way James’ eyes roamed the ground and windows with an awfully concentrated expression etched into his face. 

Peter groaned, throwing his head back, “Don’t tell me you lost your wand again, I swear to Merlin-” He pointed an accusing finger in James’ direction before Sirius shook his head and denied it. 

“Nah, he saw a kitten in the morning, probably looking for that one, aren’t you, James?” Sirius teased with a grin, then adding, “Our Jamie’s never met a kitten before,” Sirius’ hand found its way to James’ hair, ruffling and ruining it for the second time that day. James shot him a glare as he swatted Sirius’ hand off of his head. 

Though, before he could shoot back an insult, a small meow echoed in the halls. James’ head alongside his friends’ all turned to the origin of the sound. He was met with the sight of a kitten sitting on a windowsill. The same place from the morning. The exact same kitten. Those big blue eyes met James’ eyes right on. It proudly showed off the white speckle on its chest. 

Peter coo’ed, “That it?” he asked as he looked towards James for confirmation. James nodded with a slight smile as Peter turned back to face the kitten with evident excitement. 

“Merlin, it’s adorable. I would’ve looked for it too,” He continued as he held a hand to its small face, waiting for it to allow him to pet it. 

Though, instead, it raised its small paw slowly, and then smack. It swatted Peter away. Peter pulled back with a shriek, holding the hand to his chest and rubbing it while pouting.

Remus and Sirius choked on their laughter, bumping shoulders as they attempted to shut themselves up. It wasn’t an amusing occasion but the mere fact Peter had been brought down by a kitten almost had them rolling on the floor.

“Seems it doesn't want to be pet by you, mate,” Sirius chuckled, patting Peter on the back and leading him towards the dorm. He leaned in to get a peak at Peter’s hand, 

“Did it get you?” Sirius asked as their voices faded more with each step they took, disappearing around a corner and behind the portrait. 

Remus remained at James’ side. He led his eyes from the kitten onto James. James could sense his amusement without even looking at Remus. 

“Well? You gonna try your luck?” He asked, urging James to give it a shot. To hold out his hand and possibly have it treated the same way Peter’s had. The kitten stared up at James and tilted its small head. 

Meow, it called, as though James knew what that meant. 

Remus chuckled, patted James’ back and shook his head with a smile when James didn’t move or respond. 

“Right. Take your time, don’t stay and stare too long!” He called as he started walking away, disappearing just as Sirius and Peter had. And once gone, James opened his mouth to speak. 

“Don’t you try and kill me,” He warned, pointing a finger at the kitten only to receive a rather annoyed sounding, Meoooow, in return. 

“I’ve got snacks and shit,” James stated as he slowly held his hand out to the kitten. 

He counted it as a win when his hand wasn’t swatted away instantly. No casualties just yet. Though, it didn’t push its head into his hand either. He decided to continue with his bribing technique. With his unoccupied hand, he dug around in his pockets for a while. 

He felt a couple coins, crumbs of whatever he’d last hidden there, some crinkled paper and treats. 

Perfect. 

He pulled them out, holding them on his open palm. Well, now that he looked at them, they looked quite dry and maybe the colour was a little off too.. 

As if the cat knew that though. As long as he sells them well, there wouldn’t be an issue. 

“Doesn’t this look delicious, hm? Want some?” He tried,  shuffling the treats a bit on his open palm. He held them out towards the kitten and slowly brought them close to it. Not too close. Just enough so if it stretched its neck, it could easily eat out of James’ hand.  

The cat looked at the treats and then up at James, staring at him with the most deadpanned expression James had ever seen on a cat. It slowly raised its paw and, once again, smack, smack, smack. 

The treats fell from James’ hand onto the ground. Once done, its eyes remained on James. Entirely Unimpressed. 

Mreow. 

“What?” He laughed, a huge amused grin on his face as he stared at the treats on the ground. “Not a fan of pocket-treats?” James added, tilting his head at the cat.  

“I’ve never had someone deny them before. You’re quite the special one, aren’t you?” James wondered aloud. Another, meow, followed and James chuckled. His hand still hung untouched in the air right by the cat's head. 

“Chatty too, hm?” Though before he could offer it something else, aka, more pocket-treats, he heard footsteps approaching. Curious as he was, he turned his head, just in time to watch Barty and Evan wander down the halls. 

“Why do we have to look for him,” Barty complained as he clicked his tongue as though he were luring something in. His eyes checked every window and flew across the ground, scanning it, as though he’d lost something of great value.

“You volunteered you brainless idiot,” Evan countered as he rolled his eyes. Barty punched Evan in the side in response. 

There was some more shoving before Barty spoke again. A dreamy look in his eyes matched with a grin.

“Okay but only because he’s adorable,” he said as Evan chuckled and Barty held his index and thumb apart, as if to show Evan that whatever he was talking about was tiny. 

Meooow, the kitten called and two pairs of eyes instantly fell on James and the cat. 

Meow, meow, meow, it added and James straightened up a little as the two boys approached. 

“Re-” Evan punshed Barty in the stomach, shutting him up immediately. He gave him a pointed look and then turned to James with a sharp smile. 

“Potter.” Evan greeted as Barty was busy glaring at Evan. “You’re not torturing our kitten, are you?” Evan asked, glancing past James to look at the small cat behind him on the windowsill. 

“Yours?” James asked, baffled, glancing back at the kitten too. It sure was a far way from home if it belonged to Slytherin. “What?” He sputtered, Evan’s words suddenly registering, “Did you just accuse me of animal abuse?” He waved his hands around frantically.

“Never know with those Gryffindors,” Barty added as he walked towards the kitten, whispered something and then picked it up. For a quick moment, Barty stared at the treats on the ground and James could’ve sworn he saw a small smile. 

“You’re insane if you think I’d hurt a kitten.” James crossed his arms, watching as the cat settled in Barty’s arms. Its small face buried into Barty’s elbow as his hand ran through the fluffy fur. 

“Well. It's a Slytherin cat. You’re a Gryffindor,” Evan stretched the last letter and made a so-so gesture with his hands. As though he were weighing the options. As though he were saying it would be logical if you did, James. He wore a slight grimace on his face as he scratched the cats’ ears softly. 

James felt a little jealous at the sight.

Obviously done with the conversation, Evan and Barty turned around. Both of them were ready to return to their dorms and started walking. 

Though, before they could get very far, James called out to them. They stopped in the steps.

“What’s its name?” he asked, hoping to get an answer, wringing his hands and hoping they wouldn’t notice his nervousness. 

“And can I still pet it, or will you stupefy me if I do?” James looked between Barty’s and Evan’s backs, neither of them having turned to face him yet. 

“Uh,” Barty started, meeting eyes with Evan. Evan bit his lip and slowly glanced over his shoulder to look at James. He looked down at the cat, thought for a moment and then met James’ eyes again.  

“It’s Leo.” He replied to the first question, Barty watching him as intensely as James was. 

“And, if he comes to you, you may.” He added in answer to the second. And James felt a smile tug at his lips as he nodded eagerly. He thought they’d leave but then-

Barty turned and met James’ eyes as well, his eyes fell to the treats on the ground. The ones Leo had deposited there.

“And don’t feed him shite, will you? He’s a dignified cat, after all.” Barty added, scrunching his nose up in disgust. A small meow called from his arms and he nodded. “Yeah, he agrees, see?” Evan suppressed a laugh at his side and James nodded with a steadily growing grin. 

When they started walking again, Evan started giggling and whispering to his friend and cat. 

James was left on his own. He stood in the corridor and seriously hoped he’d meet Leo again. He watched as they disappeared down the long, dark corridor with Leo settled in Barty’s arms. 

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Once the trio arrived in their shared dorm, Regulus was gently placed down on his bed. He closed his eyes, concentrated hard and then felt the room grow around him as he gained some height back. Once human, he opened his eyes and was met with Evan’s stern gaze and Barty’s amused grin. 

It was quiet for a while, no one moved and no one spoke. 

And then,

“I was just on a stroll,” Regulus explained weakly, shrugging and crumbling under no pressure. He averted his friends’ eyes and heard Barty snort above him. Evan wasn’t as amused as him just yet. 

“A stroll,” He repeated, adding a thoughtful hum at the end. He practically heard Evan exchange a look with Barty before speaking again. “A stroll into James Potter's arms possibly?” Evan added and Regulus heard the grin before he saw it. 

Now Evan was amused.

Regulus groaned and fell back onto his mattress, his hands covering his face. 

Barty leaned over him, poking his side, chest, stomach, thigh, everything he could reach. 

“Reggie, you are head over heels for that guy,” He commented with a grin, the same stupid one he hadn’t wiped off since they got back to their dorms. Regulus hated him. And he especially hated that he was right. 

He groaned again for good measure and felt the mattress dip beside his head. It was Evan taking a seat as he started running his hand through Regulus’ hair and de-tangling it softly. Barty dropped himself down next to Regulus. The mattress was way too small for the three of them to fit but still, they managed to make it work somehow. A miracle if you asked him. 

For a while there wasn’t a single sound in the room they shared. Just their breathing and Regulus’ incredibly loud and quick heartbeat which he was sure the other two could hear. He dropped his hands from his face and stared up at the ceiling. In the corner of his eye he could see Evan staring down at him. 

“Well?” Evan asked eventually, hand still running through Regulus’ curls evenly. “Are you just gonna continue going on strolls,” Barty snorted again and Regulus turned his head to glare at his friend. Barty stuck his tongue out at him in response. “Or will you actually do something about this yearlong crush?” 

Regulus leaned up on his elbows, Evans hand slipping out of his hair. Their eyes met and Evan raised an eyebrow in question. 

“Do something? Like what?” Regulus spat, annoyed and frustrated. They had this talk at least once a week. At this point he was ready to snog James just to shut his friends up. 

“Talk to him like any other normal wizard would?” Barty chimed in, unhelpful as ever. 

“Bee, that’s crazy, you’ve seen the way Regulus behaves when James is near, He’s rude,” Evan countered before Regulus could. And as they recalled the memories, chuckling and snorting, Regulus rolled his eyes and dropped back down onto the mattress. 

It took a mere second before they burst out laughing while he stared up at the ceiling. 

It took another second until they were doing impressions of things he’d said to James before. They simply found too much joy in doing that. 

“Oh, Regulus, could you hand me that?” Evan asked Barty, imitating James’ voice as a deep and raspy thing. Regulus watched as Barty sat up to face Evan, fluttering his lashes before he answered in a high pitched voice, “Your brain finally burnt through and you can’t use your perfectly functioning hands anymore, or what, Potter?” 

Regulus covered his face as the memory of that day resurfaced. He’d spat the words so sharply without even meaning to. James had continued grinning ear to ear in his usual kind of fashion and simply apologised. 

“Come on, guys! I thought I was complimenting him!” He protested as Barty and Evan cackled above him. He felt his cheeks heat as they fell into another impression of James’ and Regulus’ interactions. Regulus groaned, not wanting to hear any of it. 

“Baby Black, have you seen your brother?” Evan asks, huffing just like James had that day. James’d probably run through the entire school while searching for Sirius. His tie was undone, his hair unruly and sweat dripped from his forehead. Merlin, does he look good, Regulus remembers thinking. He still felt his mouth water at the memory of it.

Regulus watched Barty give a half-hearted deadpan while he suppressed his grin, just like Regulus had done that eventful day. Though his deadpan had been way less amusing to watch and did not contain even the smallest hint of a grin. And then he spoke the words, causing Regulus to hide his face again and glance through the gaps in his fingers. 

“Potter. Do I look like I give a shit where my idiot brother is hiding right now, or precisely, that you are looking for him at all,” Evan and Barty burst out laughing once more, holding on to each other's shoulders to keep each other upright. Regulus grew redder with each second that passed. 

“What were you even trying to say on that one,” Evan wheezed between tears as Barty nodded, also wanting to know more. Regulus groaned and pulled his hands down from his face, speaking once his friends had calmed a little. He looked up at them from where he was still on his back on the mattress. 

“That I’d rather talk about him than my stupid brother?” Regulus admitted shamefully, watching the matching grins on Barty’s and Evan’s face. Evan’s hand landed on his shoulder and Barty lay down with a content sigh after that little display of Regulus’ miserable flirting skills. 

Regulus recalled faintly how James had simply nodded that day and then continued searching for Sirius. His mood didn’t sour and his smile didn’t fade at Regulus’ words. Sometimes Regulus wonders if anything even registers in that stupid brain of his. 

“You’re like,” Evan started, smiling up at the ceiling and then back down at his friend, “the most romantically hopeless person I have ever met,” 

Regulus punched him. Even though he was right. 

“He’s just saying the truth man, you’re lucky James is as dense as he is or otherwise he might actually be insulted by your weak attempt at romantic advances,” Barty added and Regulus grabbed a pillow and smashed it into his face. 

“You’re useless. Both of you.” Regulus complained, getting up from his bed and wiping off his robe. Barty smiled as he cuddled the pillow he’d been beaten with close to his chest. 

“Is this your attempt at flirting with us? I’m flattered, Regulus,” He grinned and Regulus turned away, grabbing his wand from the bedside table and walking off. 

“Going for a stroll, are you?” Evan called after him as Regulus flipped him the bird over his shoulder as the pair started cackling. As Regulus left, wandering into the common room and leaving through the entrance, their laughter fainted into the background rather quickly. 

He was going on a stroll but not the type from earlier. He wasn’t looking for James. He definitely didn’t need James trying to offer him treats out of his pocket again. Bloody disgusting, that. 

Though, when he stepped outside and started heading down the corridor, his plans were pretty instantly cancelled by fate itself. He caught the sound of someone making that obnoxious pspsps noise that people believed was like catnip but really, it wasn’t. It wasn’t. Not at all. 

He turned his head in search of the source of the sound, just because. 

He didn’t expect to be met with the sight of James Potter shaking a small box of treats, making that noise over and over while calling an awfully familiar name. 

“Leooooo,” he called, crouching down, unaware of Regulus’ presence. He made a plethora of sounds that ticked Regulus off and he wasn’t sure if he should turn away from or approach James. Though, the sound of those treats in that little transparent box got Regulus all curious and he tilted his head, hoping to figure out what they were. 

“Leo, leo, leo,” James called as he checked behind a couple of pillars before straightening up. “Come on, man, I’ve even brought like actual, not pocket originated, treats this time,” James placed a hand on his hip and sighed as he let his eyes roam. 

He jumped when he spotted Regulus standing in the middle of the corridor. Staring at him.

“Merlin’s balls,” Regulus raises an eyebrow at the unfamiliar expression, though he’s not all that surprised. James seems like the guy to say something like that. “Regulus, what are you doing here?” James asks, hand on his heart as he catches a breath from the shock. 

“You see my brother every morning when he wakes up and looks like Frankenstein's monster and this scares you?” Regulus counters with a raised eyebrow. He gestures at the entirety of the corridor and then responds to the question. “And, I believe, I live here, actually. Which,” Regulus points a finger at the treats. James then immediately hides them behind his back. “– no point in hiding them, Potter, I saw them– is why you’re here. You’re looking for… Leo.” 

Regulus couldn’t quite believe that James came looking for Leo right away. And he’d somehow gotten his hands on fresh treats. Though, thinking about it now, maybe they weren’t all that fresh. 

“I’m not trying to kidnap him,” James defended immediately, causing Regulus to cross his arms.

“I didn’t accuse you of such. Not yet.” 

James chuckled, hand at the back of his neck and treats still hidden behind his back. “I just wanted to say hi,” 

“Didn’t know your short term memory was this bad,” Regulus said, “You saw him just twenty minutes ago.” 

“Shit, you know about that?” James searched Regulus' eyes for an answer before they traveled down onto the ground. Regulus was pretty sure he was looking for Leo again, subtly (or not so subtly) scanning the corridor for the small black kitten. 

“Yes. He’s in my room right now. So fucking forget any kidnapping plans you’ve got brewing in that pea-sized brain, alright?” Lucky for him Barty and Evan aren’t around to hear him call James’ brain pea-sized. 

“Is he yours?” James asked curiously, entirely unfazed by his words. 

Regulus hummed, thinking for a moment. 

He was technically his own cat, right? 

“Hm, yeah. Sure. Yeah. He’s mine.” 

“That would explain the name, then,” James nodded satisfied. He finally stopped hiding the treats behind his back and instead fidgeted with the box for a little before he dropped it into one of his many robe pockets.  

“You’ve got a problem with his name, Potter?” Regulus spat, though he knew he hadn’t picked the name. He very much still felt the urge to defend it. Even it was spontaneously chosen by his friends just to ensure his cover wouldn’t be blown.

James took a breath, shook his head and spoke with a smile, “I don’t have a problem with his name.” James explained easily,  “That would mean I had a problem with your name. And I happen to quite like your name.” 

Regulus felt his cheeks heat and scratched his nose to attempt and hide the colour behind his long robe sleeves. Hopefully it was too dark for James to notice a difference. He couldn’t believe that simple statement had gotten a reaction out of him. Nervous to be discovered, he forced a cough. 

Though while Regulus attempted to hide the blush on his cheeks, James tilted his head in wonder about the faint colourchange on Regulus’ nosebridge. And as the president of the not-thinking-before-speaking club, James opened his mouth before he could stop himself. 

“Are you flustered?” James wondered aloud, keeping his head tilted. 

“Fuck off, Jam- Potter. Fuck off.” Regulus sputtered, embarrassed he’d been caught. I’m never going on a fucking stroll again, he thought as he brought his other hand up as well and hid behind them as he turned around and walked off in the opposite direction. 

For a second, he thought he might’ve gotten away with it. James would leave him be. He’d turn around himself, forget about this and go the fuck to sleep. 

Obviously, nothing involving James was ever that easy. 

Regulus heard the treats in the box shake in James’ pocket as feet pounded against the cold stone floor. James managed to catch up with him eventually as Regulus hurried down the corridor. Soon, James was right beside him, speeding his step once more just so he could walk in front of Regulus. Backwards. How does he even come up with these ideas?

There was a grin plastered on his face that could’ve rivaled the sun with how bright it shone. Great. 

“You’re flustered.” James concluded excitedly, while watching Regulus continuously hide behind his hands. 

“I’m not, asshole.” Regulus spat, trying to dodge past James just for him to cut his path off each. damn. time. “You enjoy harassing younger students late at night, or what?” Regulus added, taking down his hands from his face as he imagined his blush had settled. At least he hoped it had.

Apparently, it hadn’t. 

“Oh Merlin,” James breathed, grinning even wider, if that was even humanly possible. His steps slowed and automatically, so did Regulus’. The pair slowed from their near-sprint into a tempo that could basically be labelled standing- and oh shit, they’ve actually stopped. They stood opposite each other, face-to-face. Only a handful of inches between them.

James’ eyes flickered across Regulus’ face. His cheeks, his nose, his eyes and his lips. Regulus couldn’t help but mirror James on the last one, eyes landing on James’ lips before he could demand his eyes to meet James’. His heart raced and he knew his cheeks were gaining colour again. As if they’d ever truly lost much. 

“Oh, you are so flustered, Baby Black,” James repeated a third time. 

“There’s no bloody need to point it out three times.” Regulus huffed and turned his face away annoyedly. He crossed his arms and begged the stars not to make anyone walk by them right now. 

Any train of thought that Regulus had was then pronto shut down by James. Not by something he said but rather did. 

Regulus felt his chin being held between thumb and index. Calloused fingers held his soft skin with such tenderness, as though he could break any moment. Regulus couldn’t help the way his lips parted automatically as the hand on his chin suddenly held a little tighter, slowly moving his head to turn back to James. To face him. To meet his eyes. 

“Not making fun of you,” James whispered and oh my- that sounds far too good. Regulus’ eyes flickered across James’ face as he spoke. And as they did, he noticed that there was a small mole hiding in James’ right eyebrow and another at the corner of his left eye. 

“I just thought the colour suited you,” James added softly and Regulus had already entirely forgotten what they were talking about prior to inspecting James’ face. This is probably the one and only chance he’d ever get at doing so and he wasn’t about to waste it. His head felt blissfully empty as his eyes roamed the beauty that was James Fleamont Potter. 

“What colour suits me?” He asked a little dazed, and one might assume he was under the influence simply because of the way his pupils slowly gained size. Regulus didn’t seem to notice, eyes continuously noting more and more details about James’ face. A small scar right above his upper lip was what he focused on next, fighting the urge to reach out and trace it with featherlight touches. 

“When you get flustered,” James explained patiently as his hand traveled up on Regulus’ face so that he could gently run his thumb across those cheeks that haven’t lost an ounce of their rosy hue. “Your cheeks turn a sweet pink colour, I might’ve discovered my new favourite colour,” James hummed as his eyes wandered from Regulus’ cheeks over to his eyes and he was met with the sight of big round pupils, glassy eyes and a deep blue. He could drown himself in it and still feel warm in every single inch of his body. 

A shudder ran down his spine and settled in his lower stomach. And a little lower. 

James bit his lip, urging himself to stay focused. Don’t get carried away, he scolded himself. 

“You’re spouting nonsense, Potter,” Regulus whispered, though he wasn’t entirely sure what he was saying. He just felt as though he had to say something. Anything. 

Regulus leaned into the hand that was holding his face so earnestly and watched James watch him. There was a certain intensity in those brown eyes that he couldn’t quite place. Though, he knew that he enjoyed the way it made him feel. A soft tingle that spread throughout him and left his throat dry and hands sweaty. 

“Nuh uh,” James replied with a shake of his head, his thumb rubbing against Regulus’ cheek bone. 

“Call me James when you look at me like that.” James tilted his head slightly and Regulus felt his stomach flip at the way those puppy brown eyes shone at this angle in the low light of the night. 

“James,” Regulus whispered, eyes set on James’ and flickering between his left and right, entirely mesmerised by the sight bestowed upon him. If the sight before him wasn’t a blessing, he didn’t know what would be. If there could even be something better than James Potter looking like this. 

Intense. Demanding. Focused entirely on Regulus alone. 

“That’s right, Baby Black,” James said through a growing smile. For the first time ever, Regulus didn’t hate the nickname James gave him all those years ago. Instead, he enjoyed the way it set him ablaze, threw him for a loop and left him wanting more. 

James’ free hand came up to cup Regulus’ other cheek and Regulus was giddy with excitement about being held in James’ palms. He fit so perfectly into that space, like a long lost puzzle piece. He was certain he felt his pupils dilate. 

When the second palm settled against Regulus’ warm skin, James tilted Regulus’ face up, making him stretch his neck a little. James spoke in a low, quiet and subdued voice. 

“Again,” he demanded as his pupils expanded slightly, “Once more.”

Regulus’ felt dizzy, stomach flipping more times than he could count. He opened his mouth and did as requested, 

“Jame-”

“Holy. Shit. Regulus.” Barty’s voice cut through the air between them and Regulus immediately pulled out of James’ hold. Regulus' cheeks burnt as he met Barty’s and Evans' eyes. He was pretty sure they were about as red as they could get. 

James flinched back when Regulus’ suddenly pulled away, not having expected that reaction. Though he very much enjoyed watching Regulus’ cheeks slowly turn brighter and brighter as he spoke with his friends.

“Not a stroll, you said?” Evan noted as he met James’ eyes and Barty whistled low at the flush on Regulus’ cheeks. 

“As sorry we are to interrupt-” Barty waved a hand around in front of Regulus and James. Regulus hid his face in his hands and he heard James snort behind him. He tried his best to kick James, knowing it worked when he heard him hiss in pain. “Well, whatever this might be,” 

“But it’s curfew, we gotta go in there,” Evan continued as he pointed behind himself in the direction of the Slytherin dorms. Then he grabbed Regulus’ arm, grinning at his friend as though he’d just won the Olympic Games. 

“Sorry for ruining your fun, you lovebirds,” Barty remarked. Regulus didn’t hesitate before kicking him too. 

”You little shit,” Barty cursed as he tried to kick Regulus back but got smacked upside the head by Evan first. “What the-”

“Behave, idiot,” Evan scolded as Barty sputtered through an explanation that Regulus had kicked him first. Evan didn’t care. He failed to listen. 

“Regulus,” James suddenly chimed in and all three pairs of eyes landed on him at once. He didn’t seem bothered by it at all, only meeting Regulus’ gaze. “Can I- can we meet again?” James asked, searching Regulus’ eyes and completely missing the two entirely shocked and intrigued faces Barty and Evan wore. 

“Potter-”

“James. You called me James. Call me that.” James interrupted, those damned puppy eyes shining far too prettily in the low light. It was unfair. Regulus' cheeks were as warm as they could be and he was thankful for that, he knew he would have blushed at this as well. It was a sight to behold, that’s for sure.

“James.” He finally said, watching James nod and smile as he waited for his answer. “We shouldn’t-”

“He’ll meet you again!” Evan interrupted, hand flying to cover Regulus’ mouth. Barty nodded in agreement with Evan as Regulus glared at the pair. He didn’t exactly make a great effort trying to escape Evan as his friends spoke on his behalf.

“He’d love to meet you again.” Barty added eagerly, earning a laugh from James. Though his eyes found Regulus’ again. 

“You will?” James asked, and Regulus thought for a couple of seconds. Though, in the end, he couldn’t help nodding in confirmation as Evans hand continued covering his mouth. James smiled, nodded and pushed through the group. 

“Well then, boys, I believe I’m late for curfew and so are you.” He grinned as he made his way past the boys, meeting each one’s eyes. His gaze stayed on Regulus the longest. 

“Goodnight you three,” he added before leaving. 

And once he’d left their field of sight, Regulus did what he’d wanted to do since Evan dared putting a hand on his mouth. 

“Ew! Did you just fucking lick me?!” Evan screeched as he pulled his hand away and desperately wiped it on his clothes with a grimace on his face. Regulus grinned in response. 

──────── ˙ ࿔ ⋆ ✮ ⋆ ࿔ ˙ ────────

Regulus sat down at breakfast in the morning, tired from sleeping far too little. Evan and Barty had made it their mission trying to get as much information out of him as possible. After that dreadful night had passed, he hoped that any and all drama surrounding yesterday's incident was nubbed in the mud.

It wasn’t apparently. When he reached for his orange juice, he felt Dorcas’ eyes fixated on him. And before he could ask what was going on, she blurted it out herself. 

“I heard you had some fun yesterday,” She teased, wiggling her eyebrows as Regulus met her eyes and shot a glare at Evan. Evan held up his hands in defense and then subtly pointed at Barty who was eating his slice of bread peacefully next to Regulus. 

Regulus slapped it out of his hands. He was too tired for this shit right now.

“What the fuck, Regulus.” Barty complained as he picked the bread up from the floor and continued eating it. Dorcas pulled a grimace at that, entirely disgusted by it. Though, her attention returned to Regulus rather quickly. 

“You were saying,” she said, urging Regulus to tell her more. 

He wasn’t going to. 

“Nothing. I wasn’t going to answer.” 

“Oh, come on,” Dorcas groaned as she leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling. “Just a little bit, like, what did you say? How did it start? How did you feel? Did something happen?” She spoke in a hushed voice and Regulus noted how Barty and Evan leaned in more closely as well. 

“Didn’t say anything. Don’t remember. Felt nothing, and no, nothing happened.” Regulus replied as he smeared butter onto his own slice of bread after straight up lying three times. The last one was true. Sort of. Depends on one's standards. 

“Disgusting liar,” Barty complained as he leaned back out. Already having chewed through the same questions and answers with Regulus’ throughout the night. Whyever he believed he’d receive different answers now was beyond Regulus.

“We saw those rosy cheeks and puppy eyes he was giving you,” Evan added, pointing an accusing finger at Regulus and Dorcas gasped with a grin. 

Regulus drank his juice and placed the slice of bread in his mouth. He stood from his seat and excused himself. 

“You’re no fun!” Barty called after him, followed by Dorcas yelling, “You’re not escaping this conversation, Black!” 

Regulus walked out of the Great Hall with barely anything in his stomach aside from the slice he finished in a couple of bites. He’d actually been quite excited for breakfast but there’d be no way he’d be able to enjoy it with those three around. 

He decided to spend the rest of the morning in his second form. 

And so, once he’d found a dark corner that no one seemed to pass or glance towards, he transformed there. The walls grew around him as he shrunk down into the size of a kitten and then padded along the walls of the castle. He wasn’t entirely sure where he was headed yet, maybe the Quidditch pitch or one of the many sunny windowsills, but he picked a random direction and followed it. 

As he aimlessly walked through the many corridors, his paws started to ache slightly and he wondered just why they had to make the castle so awfully big. For a moment, he stopped, lied down and placed his head on his paws. 

He needed a quick break. It couldn’t hurt, could it?

“Leo?” A voice asked from above. “Leo, is that you?” They asked again and then crouched down. Regulus opened his eyes curiously at the sound of his pseudo-name and was met with the sight of James Potter in front of him, a soft smile on his lips. 

When their eyes met, James’ smile faltered a little and he tilted his head. For a moment, he didn’t say anything and simply stared at Regulus. Something flashe din James’ eyes, an emotion that Regulus couldn’t entirely place in just one box. James continued to remain quiet, eyes laser focused on Regulus’. 

Once Regulus grew uncomfortable with the intense staring, he warbled a soft meow and watched James’ smile return as he shook himself out of whatever trance he’d been in.

“You alright, bud?” James asked as he held a hand in front of Regulus’ face and Regulus immediately pushed into it. He’d missed James’ warmth from last night. His hands. His scent, which was far stronger as a cat, and his voice. All of it. Everything. He couldn’t believe he was getting it back so soon.

He pushed into the hand with another meow and stood up onto shaky, aching legs as he padded up to James and pressed himself up against his leg. He circled James, rubbing his face into his robe, legs, against his shoes, everything he could reach, he did reach. 

Meow. 

“Chatty and clingy today?” James chuckled as his hands lifted Regulus up, a small mreow escaping Regulus as he was unexpectedly lifted up. James placed him in his arms like a baby. Which was absolutely unacce- actually quite comfortable. He was going to allow it this once. 

Regulus angled his paws against his body and meow’ed once more, staring up at James. James’ free hand came up to scratch him beneath his chin. Regulus couldn’t have stopped the purr that started up even if he wanted to. He leaned his head back to allow James better access and melted. 

James stood up with a smile and started walking into whatever direction it was he had been headed before meeting Regulus. Regulus didn’t care where they were going as long as he could stay exactly where he was now. 

“Such a sweet little baby, you are,” James praised in a sweet voice and booped Regulus’ nose with a coo. Regulus simply continued purring at the scratching and petting, leaving James to say whatever he wanted. If he wanted to boop his nose, he may. Regulus didn’t mind. This once. 

“Or a handsome boy?” James wondered aloud as his hand moved from Regulus’ chin towards his ears and Regulus leaned into the hand just like he had last night. Oh, how he’d missed this.

“Aw, you’re definitely a sweet baby,” James decided as he coo’ed over the little thing in his arm. 

Each time a student noticed James was holding a kitten, they would ask to pet or hold Regulus. They’d coo above his head and gush about his adorable frame, beg and plead with James to let them have Regulus for a mere second.

James denied each one of them. 

He continued scratching Regulus as he walked, almost lulling the little cat to sleep with the intense massage he was getting. Regulus’ eyes had closed a while ago, his purr a constant sound while he drifted in and out of consciousness. He wasn’t falling asleep in James’ arms. He was merely resting his eyes. Get it right. 

“Are we tired, big guy?” James chuckled once when Regulus had tried and failed to open his eyes, giving a soft and sleepy meow as a mere answer. “Mhm, we totally are.” James nodded as Regulus turned over and into James’ chest, nuzzling into his robe. 

The advantages of dozing in James Potter's arms were the smell, the warmth and the amazing scratches and pets alongside the soft voice and sweet praises. 

The downside however was that you might fall asleep, and then wake up in a dorm you didn’t recognise, in a bed you didn’t recognise and curtains in a colour they definitely should not be. 

What you should do is remain calm and collected. Regulus, for example, did not. 

In his fantastic case, he was so spooked by the new surroundings that he bolted and jumped upon waking from his dreamless slumber. In the process, he knocked multiple things off the bedside table and sent himself flying into the bed curtains. And with his claws extended as he jumped, Regulus got stuck in the curtains. Nothing helped. Not thrashing wildly. Not pulling. Not even kicking his legs around wildly with no actual plan of escape. 

Though then, he realised that the room was entirely empty. There wasn’t anyone in there nor approaching the door. There were no signs of anyone being close and so, he made a decision. If he quickly transformed into a human, he would be able to escape the evil curtain and get himself out of this awful predicament. 

He did just that, feet dropping onto the floor as he transformed back and his fingers freed from the evil curtains. 

Unlucky for him, the bathroom door opened at the exact same moment he transformed, revealing James stepping out in a fresh set of robes with his hair still wet from the shower. 

“Leo?” James called before he put his glasses on, meeting eyes with Regulus, who looked like a deer caught in headlights. Eyes wide, heart racing, unmoving and silent. 

Neither moved or said anything for a while. Just staring at each other. Regulus had the childish hope that, if he didn’t move, maybe James wouldn’t see him. He wondered if it was too late to transform back. Would he be able to trick James into believing it had been in his head entirely?

Then, James’ eyes fell onto the bed on which Regulus had been sleeping just seconds prior. Back when he was still just a tiny kitten. 

James met Regulus’ eyes and slowly stepped past the other beds and towards Regulus, not once breaking eye contact. Regulus failed to read his expression, couldn’t even concentrate on trying to read it as James kept stepping closer and closer and closer. 

“Listen,” Regulus started, eyes flickering across James’ face, uncertain of what would happen now. “I wasn’t- This is not- I’m not even doing anything!” He protested against unmade accusations, stepping backwards as James came to a halt before him. 

James didn’t react. His eyes remained trained on Regulus’. His eyes flickered from one eye to the other, repeat, repeat, repeat. And after a couple of times, a small smile grew on his face. 

Regulus took a deep breath of relief when he saw the smile.

“You’re Leo.” James concluded, his smile growing as a hand slowly came up to Regulus’ face, just like last night. Regulus leaned into it as soon as it touched his skin. 

“Oh, I knew it,” James grinned as he brushed across Regulus’ cheekbone. 

“You knew that the random kitten, one out of a million in this forsaken castle, was me?” Regulus laughed, not believing a single word of James’, imagining he was merely bluffing. 

“It’s in your eyes,” James replied without hesitation, locked and loaded. It hit Regulus square in the chest. “You have the same eyes as Leo.”

“There are a hundred cats with blue eyes,” Regulus countered weakly, leaning into the second hand when it came to cup his face. James smiled down at him, soft and tender, entirely different from the bold and teasing one he’d always show the world. This one was special. 

It was for Regulus. And Regulus alone.

“No,” shaking his head, James’ eyes were entirely focused on Regulus’, as though he were memorising each inch of his iris in this very moment, “There’s only one pair that shines like yours,”

Regulus’ heart squeezed tight. He stared up at James with big blue eyes. A colour that, to everyone else, seemed cold, distant and mean. James couldn’t find anything but warmth in them. A warmth so strong that it brought life to whatever it touched. 

Slow, careful, as to not spook Regulus, James guided the face he held in his hands closer to his own. Instead of angling it up, he angled it down, turning it into his own chest and letting his lips meet Regulus’ forehead. 

James’ lips on his skin sent tingles from his forehead into the tips of his fingers, hugging his heart tight and warming him from the inside out. He felt his cheeks heat at the sudden action, smiling and hiding said smile in James’ chest. 

James’ lips parted from Regulus’ skin eventually– which felt like a sin. James’ lips should never have to part from Regulus. James didn’t pull away to look him in the eyes again and instead brought his arms around Regulus’ back, one hand cupping the back of his head as the other rested in the middle of his back. 

James pulled him into his chest, hugging him tight and smiling into Regulus’ curls when he felt arms circle around him too.

Regulus’ head on James’ chest allowed Regulus to listen to the steady rhythm of James' heart. 

A rhythm that suddenly sped, as though he were about to do something utterly nerve wrecking. Regulus didn’t have to wonder long before it happened. 

“Regulus Arcturus Black,” and Regulus felt his own heart speed a little. He pulled back, wanting to see James’ expression when he’d speak. 

James allowed it, letting go of Regulus and facing him once more. James chuckled, choppy, forced sort of sound, filled to the brim with anxiety. What an odd feeling it was to see James so nervous. 

Regulus tilted his head and then grabbed James’ hands, squeezing them for encouragement. Whatever it was he was about to say, it was big. And Regulus’ head rattled to come up with possible outcomes of today. 

I don’t like you.. like that. 

You should leave. 

I don’t want to see you again. Ever.

You’re nothing more than Sirius’ little brother. You won’t ever be more than that.

“Can I take you out for a date?” James asked, lip between his teeth and eyes searching Regulus’. 

Regulus’ heart dropped. He didn’t know why. It just did. 

Was this real?

“What?” He muttered, staring at James with wide eyes. Say it again, he thought. If you mean it, say it again. 

And of course, James did. 

“A date. I’d like to go on a date with you. Two, three, four, five, for how many you will tolerate me for.” James chuckled, voice shaky and uncertain. He squeezed Regulus’ hands carefully, tilting his head at the boy in front of him. 

“You want to go on a date.” Regulus repeated, scanning James’ face for any hint of this being a cruel joke. “With me?” 

“Yes, Regulus. I do.” James confirmed, nodding slowly. For a moment, they simply stared. And then, James added a very important question, “Do you want to go on a date with me?”

“Oh, Jamie,” Regulus laughed wetly, tears forming in his eyes and he couldn’t even bother with them. James, on the other hand, wiped the falling tears from his cheeks effortlessly. After Regulus had called him by his nickname, James’ grin didn’t shrink anymore. A confident, genuine, broad and beautiful sort of smile. Regulus was more than glad he’d used that name. 

Then, Regulus brought a shaking hand up to James’ face and placed it on his cheek, just as James had done for him. He gently led James’ face down towards him, slow and carefully as his hand trembled against James’ cheek. 

Regulus stepped onto his tip toes in order to place a small kiss on James’ eyebrow, right on top of that mole he had discovered yesterday. And thought about ever since. 

After pulling away, Regulus nodded with a smile etched into his features. 

“I would love nothing more,”