Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

James, with Remus’s help, had spent the better part of the day trying to calm Sirius down. He’d been raging around the room, describing in minute detail what he was going to do in order to extract the remedy for his plight from Regulus. James winced throughout. Regulus’s trick had been one of the cruellest things he’d ever seen. It had been perfectly picked to mess with Sirius’s head the most, and it was. Sirius kept forgetting and would look at his hands and shudder before sitting on them so he couldn’t see his mother's hands. 

Remus had stormed out of the room after the potion still hadn’t worn off by the end of lessons, and James wished he’d gone to find Regulus because, the way Remus’s eyes had kept flashing gold throughout the day, he was sure there would be a fight. He’d tried to go instead, but Remus had just growled at him, and when he’d stood up to follow him out of the dorm room, Sirius had howled at him to stay. 

His head shot up when he heard the familiar grumbling voice coming up the stairs. The door opened and Remus roughly dragged Regulus inside. Sirius’s head whipped around and before James could do anything he was streaking across the room towards Regulus with his hands stretching towards his throat. 

“I’ll kill you, you little prick!” Sirius screamed as he closed the gap between himself and Regulus. To both James’s and Regulus’s shock, Remus put himself between the brothers. Sirius ground to a halt, his mouth dropping open as he tried to wrap his head around the fact that his boyfriend was protecting his villainous little brother. 

“Enough, Sirius, he’s come to apologise,” Regulus used Remus’s distraction of Sirius to go to James’s side. James looked down at him; he wasn’t even angry. He never had been. 

“I’m sorry,” Regulus said quietly, looking up at him through his thick eyelashes. James exhaled, his breath making the hair around Regulus’s face flutter. 

“Already forgiven,” He said, leaning down and pressing a kiss to Regulus’s lips. 

“He might have forgiven you, but I haven’t. Petrificus Totalus!” Regulus’s entire body froze and fell forward onto James. James caught him easily and lifted him onto his bed, ignoring Sirius’s taunts as he ended the curse and Regulus regained full use of his body. 

“That’s it, I’m about to become an only child!” Regulus hopped up and drew his wand. James and Remus let out collective sighs of exasperation. They were in for a long evening.   

Chapter Text

Regulus flicked his wand as he jumped from the bed. “Flipendo,” he shouted, a simple duelling spell, but effective nonetheless. 

“Protego!” Sirius cried, blocking the jinx at the last second. “Aqua Eructo!” A jet of fast-propelled water shot out of his wand right at Regulus. 

“Ascend,” Regulus said lazily, carried high above the gush of water. “Serpensortia,” He waved his wand above Sirius’s head and a long black snake slivered from the tip right on top of Sirius. 

Sirius let out a squeal of fright that was loud enough to wake their ancestor, Phineas Nigellus and the rest of the portraits and living in the castle. 

“Vipera Evanesca!” Sirius screamed as the snake raised its head to bite him. The snake vanished, and he turned his attention back to Regulus, who was slowly descending. “Expelliarmus,” Sirius cast but Regulus was too quick for him. 

“Nebulus,” Regulus countered, filling the room in an instant with a thick opaque fog. He crept forward to where he’d last seen Sirius. He wasn’t there. 

“Anteoculatia,” Sirius whispered in his ear as his wand prodded him in the back of his head. Antlers suddenly grew atop his head. 

“Sirius!” He cursed, spinning around, but Sirius was gone again. “Finite Incantartum,” The fog disappeared instantly. 

“Levicorpus!” Remus growled, and both the brothers were dragged into the air by their ankles. “Enough! Regulus apologise for making Sirius look like your mother. Sirius apologise to Regulus for not giving him a chance to apologise in the first place.” Regulus and Sirius both crossed their arms in defiance at the same time and refused to say anything. 

Sirius’s face began bubbling, and Walburga’s body was soon replaced with his own. “There, see, you’ve changed back now, Sirius, can you both just get along again?”

Regulus and Sirius stared at each other. 

“He started it,” they said in unison, pointing at each other. Remus pinched the bridge of his nose. Regulus noted how exhausted the man looked and apparently so did Sirius, because a second later he was apologising to Regulus. 

“Sorry, Reggie, I was understandably upset.” He looked at Regulus, with pleading eyes. 

“Ugh, fine,” Regulus huffed. “I’m sorry for using my far superior brew of polyjuice potion to make you look like our mother for the better part of the day,”

“Liberacorpus,” Remus cast the counter jinx on them and cast spongify on the floor so they didn’t hurt themselves. Sirius rushed over to Remus, apologising in hushed tones to him, while Regulus returned to James. 

“Feeling better now, love?” He asked jovially, pulling Regulus close. 

“Mostly,” Regulus nodded.

Peter appeared from under his bed. 

“Are you done yet?” He asked in a high, nervous voice. But before anyone could answer him, the dorm room door burst open to reveal a very stern-looking Professor McGonagall. The sixth-year Gryffindor boy's dorm room had never been so quiet. 

Chapter Text

James instinctively moved Regulus behind him. 

“It is too late, Mr Potter, I have already seen Mr Black. The younger Mr Black, Sirius,” McGonagall said in exasperation. “I take it the Mr Blacks were duelling? Her Scottish accent thickened as she began to reprimand them. James looked between the two brothers. He knew they’d end up in detention for at least a month, and McGonagall would write to their parents. Regulus would be in danger if Walburga ever found out that not only had Regulus been fraternising with Sirius and Sirius’s friends, and he was also in Gryffindor Tower. James squeezed Regulus’s arm as he worried about what would happen. Regulus zapped him with a stinging hex. He yelped but let go of Regulus’s arm. He needed to stop McGonagall. He took a risk and cleared his throat. 

“We were dancing,” She quirked an eyebrow at him, and he swore he saw the corner of her mouth twitch as though she was trying to repress a smile. “Sirius got a new record, and we got a bit too into it. Show her Sirius,” James urged him. Sirius’s eyes darted to Regulus and James pleaded with him internally to just go with it. 

“Yeah, Professor, Andromeda got it for me,” He picked up a record sleeve for the record on the record player. James just managed to make out the title on the front. It was David Bowie’s Hunky Dory. He blew out a breath that one had changes on, and he and Sirius had already had Mary burst through the door, firing hexes at them with just them dancing around wildly to it. “We were listening to Changes, and well, we were really feeling it. We won’t do it again, promise,” She narrowed her eyes at him. She’d always had a soft spot for Sirius. James hoped Sirius could charm her this time as well. 

“And would anybody care to explain why Mr Black is not in his own dorm?” That one stumped them. 

“Inter-house cooperation,” Peter piped up. 

“Excuse me?” Professor McGonagall asked, just as shocked as the rest of them. 

“Well, we noticed that the divide between the Slytherins and the rest of the school was increasing because of the war, and we thought it would be a good thing to try and fix that by fixing the relationship between Sirius and Regulus. Regulus is up here because of the retaliation he may receive from not only his parents and other relations, but also some members of Slytherin may not take kindly to Regulus bringing the four of us into their common room after all the pranks we have pulled on them in the past,” Everyone blinked slowly at Peter as they absorbed his well-thought-out words. 

“Very well,” McGonagall nodded tersely. “Mr Black, I shall escort you back to the Dungeons. As for you three, I suggest you spend the remainder of the evening in less disruptive activities. Mr Black, I shall wait for you outside the portrait. Do not make me have to come back up here,” She gave them one of her ‘do not test me looks' and swept from the room. 

“Thank you,” He said to Sirius. Sirius gave him a crooked smile and a cheeky wink before ushering Remus into the bathroom. The shower turned on and then a void of silence blocked out whatever it was they were doing in there. 

“Thank you,” Regulus said, recapturing his attention. Regulus grabbed his chin and pulled him down for a kiss. “Can I have the cloak, so I can sneak back up?” He asked and James scrambled to find it, hoping McGonagall would wait just a minute longer. 

“Bye, love,” James called after him as Regulus raced down the spiral staircase, the front of his robes protruding slightly from where he’d stuffed the cloak. “Well that could have been worse,” James said, trying to lighten the mood. 

“Speak for yourself,” Peter squeaked as he yanked his bed curtains over to show James the smouldering hole in the red material. 

“Sorry, Pete, I’ll fix them for you,” James moved to stand beside Peters's bed and tried to remember what spell his mum used to mend fabric. He waved his wand, and the curtains vanished. “Er, maybe you can use Sirius’s as he won’t be needing them. Peter made a long, suffering sigh and went to get the curtains from around Sirius’s abandoned bed himself. Not trusting James not to vanish another set. James went to wait on his bed, wondering how long it would take Regulus to get back up there. 

Chapter Text

Regulus dutifully followed the deputy headmistress into the bowels of the castle. They’d walked down four flights of stairs before she broke the silence between them and began asking him questions. 

“Were you really attempting to reconcile with your brother?” She asked, keeping her head pointing forward. He would have rolled his eyes if he didn’t think she would know. He’d found that Minerva McGonagall could sense actions like that. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear she had a touch of a seer about her.  

“Yes,” He finally answered. It wasn’t a complete lie. He and Sirius had apologised to each other after all. 

“Hmm,” She hummed. Regulus wasn’t sure if she believed him or not. “And you were dancing with Sirius and the others?” Salazar’s pointed beard this was tedious. 

“No,” He told her. She glanced over her shoulder, praising him with narrow eyes. “They danced because they are lunatics, I watched from the safety of James’s bed.” He realised too late what he’d done. He debated for less than a second whether he could get away with casting obliviate on her. But decided against it. She was too canny for it to stick effectively. 

“James?” She asked, the corners of her mouth twitching. “I would have thought you would have addressed him as Potter, but I suppose even upstairs, you appeared rather more familiar with him than I expected,” He had no idea how to answer that. He decided, as it had no true question to it, he’d ignore her prodding. “Ah, here we are. Goodnight Mr Black,”

“Goodnight, Professor McGonagall,” He said curtly, before muttering the password under his breath and walking into the Slytherin Common room to raucous applause. 

“What the fuck did you do to get a personal escort from the Gonagalls herself?” Barty called out loudly. If Barty wasn’t one of Regulus’s closest friends, he’d probably have avada’d him by now.

“Oscausi,” He drawled lazily, flicking his wand with as much enthusiasm. Barty’s mouth sealed shut, completely disappearing as though it had never been there. Regulus swept across the common room, hurried into the shadows of the staircase leading to the dorm rooms, and pulled the cloak out from under his robes. He hastily wrapped it around himself and walked back out of his hiding spot. Evan had Barty pinned to the sofa as he squirmed, trying to gouge a hole in his skin where his mouth had been, while Dorcas attempted to cast the outer curse. 

“Will you hold still, Crouch, or you’re going to end up with a mouth on your hand instead of your face!” He didn’t find out if Barty got his mouth back in the right place as he was already on his way back up to Gryffindor Tower. He walked invisibly past a small tabby cat with strange markings around its face that looked almost like spectacles. The cat’s eyes followed him as he passed it, and for a moment, he swore it could see him. He brushed that notion off. He was under an invisibility cloak, nothing could see him. But just in case, he picked up the pace and was soon out of sight of the inquisitive cat. 

Chapter Text

Sirius and Remus come out of the bathroom, dripping water everywhere and being very touchy-feely. James never complained about them, even the time he shuddered, not wanting the image of Sirius's bare arse to fill his head again. Too late. 

Remus and Sirius changed for bed, and Sirius tucked Remus in, murmuring something into his ear and kissing him before drawing the curtains. Sirius skipped across the room and plonked himself in front of James on his bed. 

“Prongs, can we have a chat?” He asked. James nodded and dragged the curtains around his bed closed. Sirius cast a silencing charm, and they were eleven years old again, whispering about pranks they wanted to pull and swapping chocolate frog cards. 

“What’s up, Pads?” James asked cautiously. It had to be about Regulus. Since Sirius had found out about him, most of their conversations ended up with Regulus as the subject. 

Sirius squirmed uncomfortably. Another new thing in their relationship. There had been a time when Sirius would blurt everything in his head out to James. By now, there was a division in their friendship. Sirius told Remus things he would have only told to James, and James kept things like his relationship with Regulus from him. He hated it so much. Sirius was a brother to him, and he’d foolishly thought that that naive little eleven-year-old had been right, that he and Sirius would always be the best of friends. Maybe they could. Maybe James was just being pessimistic. Pessimistic? Merlin, Regulus must be rubbing off on him. 

“This thing with my brother, it is real, right? It’s not just some prank you two came up with? 

“What? No, Pads, it’s real, I swear. I lo—” James snapped his mouth shut and Sirius’s eyes bugged out of his head as he took in James’s reddening face. 

“You what?!” Sirius choked out. 

“Shut up,” James groaned as he hid his face in his hands. 

“Aww, Prongs,” Sirius sighed, pushing James’s hands aside before clambering into his lap. “I’m not going to pretend the thought of you and my brother together doesn’t give me nightmares, but if he had to pick anyone, I’m glad it’s you. I know you’ll look after him.”

“Thanks, Pads,” James hugged his best friend tightly and Sirius snuggled in tighter. They were going to be fine. Sirius was his best friend no matter what. 

The curtains were suddenly wrenched open and Sirius disappeared from his lap. “Hi, love,” James didn’t need to be able to see him to know it was Regulus. Regulus threw the cloak off himself and took Sirius’s seat. 

“Why do our common rooms have to be so far apart? I swear if I have to walk between them any more my calves are going to be enormous.” James chuckled and held him close, breathing him in and relishing how happy he felt right at that very moment. 

“Are you ready for bed, love?” He asked, nuzzling his nose into Regulus’s hair. Regulus leant away from him and traced a finger up and down James’s chest. 

“No,” He said innocently, before pushing James down onto the pillows.  

Chapter Text

Regulus pounced on James, pushing him back into the pillows. He was tired, he was still pissed off at Sirius and his legs hurt from all the stairs he’d climbed that day. What he really wanted that he’d never admit to was a nice hot bath, probably with bubbles, definitely with a good book, but he was happy to settle for James instead. 

James’s large hands began to stoke up and down his back. They were so warm through his shirt, he could feel the warmth sinking into him, releasing the tension in his muscles. James moved forward, never taking his hands off of Regulus’s body and whispered in his ear. “Want to sneak down to the prefect's bathroom?” Regulus’s head fell forward onto James’s shoulder as he held back a whimper. How was it that James could read him like a book? He nodded a short little nod, and James scooped him up into his arms and got out of bed. 

Ten minutes later, Regulus sat on the side of the pool-sized bath and watched James dart about, twisting taps until the perfect bath was drawn. Regulus sunk into the biting heat, his entire body turning to jelly as it relaxed bit by bit. 

“Ahhhh,” He sighed as the last bit of tension melted away from his body. This was the life. James bobbed over and held him gently, pulling his against his chest before sticking his legs out so they could float together. It was still a struggle sometimes for Regulus to let himself be unguarded around James, but the endlessly joyful Gryffindor softened him and broke down all his defences. 

He must have dozed off for a while, safely kept afloat by a watchful James. He suddenly jerked awake, but James’s strong arms kept his mouth from dipping under the surface. He began to pull away, and James loosened his grip. Regulus spun slowly in the water so he was facing James. He looked so good drenched in water; it made Regulus suddenly thirsty, and the only way to quench that thirst was to lick every single line of water off of James’s chest, obviously. 

“Can we go to the come-and-go room?” He asked. James’s face split into a grin, and, for the second time that evening, Regulus was scooped up into James’s arms as he lifted him from the bath.  

Chapter Text

James couldn’t believe how pliant Regulus was being with him. So far, he hadn’t complained once that James had taken the lead in their evening. He’d conjured up their room when they arrived in the seventh-floor corridor, but with a few subtle changes. The fire still blazed, but above it on the mantel were fat candles, flickering cheerily, casting the room in more warm yellow light. The bed now had a huge canopy of red velvet above it, matching hangings hung to the ground, tied back to the bedposts with gold ties. The bedding was a deep, dark red and looked heavy, as though it would hold you in the bed, refusing to release you in the morning. It was exactly like James’s bed at home. 

Regulus walked up to it and ran his fingers over the woven blanket. “The colour is far too Gryffindor for my taste, but I quite like this.” He gestured to the whole dark wood bed. James chewed his cheeks, trying to hold back the grin that was trying to fix itself to his face. He gave up and beamed at Regulus. 

“It’s mine,” He said. Regulus looked at him quizzically, so James continued, explaining what he meant. “The bed. It’s the one I have back home.” He half expected Regulus to freak out, but he didn’t; he looked sort of contemplative as though he were trying to imagine the rest of James’s room. 

“And the candles?” James blushed as he answered. 

“I thought it would be more romantic.” Regulus rolled his eyes to the ceiling and let out a soft chuckle. 

“Merlin, you’re a sap.” James could hear the jest in Regulus’s words. He suddenly lurched forward and tackled Regulus on the bed, pinning him beneath him. He leaned in and whispered in his ear as Regulus shuddered and gasped, his body arching up to encourage James to lower his body more. 

“Who’s the sap now, love?” James’s voice was low and gravelly. He watched Regulus’s eyes dilate, so his eyes could have been mistaken for black, but James knew better. He caught Regulus’s lips with his and devoured him, pressing him into the mattress and began to pull at his clothing. He was grateful that Regulus had gone alone with it and not hexed his balls off or something else just as vicious.

When he pulled his shirt over his head, Regulus let out a whining moan and greedily ran his hands all over him. Pulling on him until all of James’s weight was on him. Regulus shook beneath him in pleasure, their hips colliding. James let out a moan of his own at the friction between them. Regulus’s hands found his belt, and James happily moved his hips away from Regulus to allow him access. Regulus drew his zip down, his hand wiggling into the small gap and when his fingers grasped around James, they both let out a little groan. 

Chapter Text

James was so warm in his hand. The velvety skin slipped through his hand as he gave a gentle tug. The deep, reverberating groan James gave him filled Regulus with an odd thrill he’d never felt before for anyone. He wanted to make James do it again, so he stroked along his length with a slightly tighter grip. James let out that soul-shuddering groan, and his hips canted forward, thrusting his length into Regulus’s hand. Regulus’s breath hitched as he held on. James pressed his chest heavier onto Regulus as his hips lifted, and he drove forward again and again. 

“Reg!” He cracked in warning, but Regulus simply began squeezing his hand as the crown of James’s cock passed through it. It only took a few more hard thrusts and James’s cum was dripping from Regulus’s fingers. 

He pulled his hand out of James’s trousers and observed the white liquid pooling in his palm. It was a heady feeling giving someone that pleasure and knowing it was because of you. He’d never felt anything like it. He felt pleasure from giving James pleasure and felt no need to ask for his own release. This must have been what James felt like the last time they’d done anything, and he’d told Regulus he was happy just giving. 

He stared at his hand for a moment longer before he vanished the mess with a silent, wandless charm and sunk back into the mattress, letting James’s spent weight ground him and make him feel so loved. He grimaced at his own thoughts. Love. What a silly notion. But at the same time, he knew James was affecting him more and more each day. His friends would start getting noisier than they already were if he wasn’t careful. He couldn’t even remember when he’d last slept in his own bed. 

He wrapped his arms around James’s torso and held him tight. He’d be happy if he never slept in his own bed again. He looked over James’s shoulder at the canopy above and imagined a life where he’d return to James each night and make love in this very bed at Potter Manor, and James’s parents would love him even more than they loved Sirius, and he’d be so incredibly happy all the time… He didn’t finish his fantasy as exhaustion finally took him, and he fell asleep in James’s childhood bed underneath James, warm and so, so, so happy.  

Chapter Text

James jolted awake. For a moment, he was completely disorientated. He was in his bedroom back home, but he also wasn’t. He looked down, and Regulus was tucked into his side. He didn’t know what had made him wake up so abruptly, so he snuggled back down beside Regulus and closed his eyes. 

Something happened that had never happened before since he and Regulus had been using the come-and-go room. There was a knock at the door. A loud, panicked pounding. 

“Prongs, for fucks sake wake up!” Sirius cried through the door. James pulled out of Regulus’s arms and tore across the room. The sting of the cold stone on his bare feet was nothing compared to the anguish in Sirius’s voice. He almost wrenched the door from its hinges to get to Sirius. Sirius stood on the other side of the doorway, looking completely distraught. “James,” He said, his voice cracking. “James, I fucked up,” fearful tears slipped from Sirius’s eyes. James didn’t even debate for a second. He grabbed Sirius and pulled him into the room and into his arms. 

Sirius latched on. Holding James as though his life depended on it. 

“What’s going on?” Regulus asked sleepily as he pushed the blankets off him. His soft grey eyes turned flinty as they took in the scene before him. “Get out,” He said, his words a warning. 

“Just a second, love.” James held his hand up, pleading with Regulus to let him at least hear what Sirius wanted to say. When Regulus rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, James knew Regulus wasn’t going to protest. “Sirius, what happened?”

“Snivellus was mouthing off to me, and well, I was egging him on a bit. You know his words usually wash off me,” James nodded. It was one of Sirius’s favourite games to goad Snape until he snapped. “Well, this time, he took out his frustration on Remus.” James furrowed his brow in confusion. Remus was tough as dragon hide boots, the only thing that could… James felt the blood drain from his face. “He shot silver chains out of his wand and tied them around Remus.” Sirius swallowed loudly. “I hit him with a stunner, but, James, I was so angry. It was more powerful than I meant it to be, and — and he hit his head. James, he won’t wake up,” Sirius was shaking in his arms now. 

“Is Remus alright?” James asked. Sirius nodded. 

“I got the chains off him first and then realised Snape hadn’t got back up. James, what if I killed him?” Sirius was gasping for breath as he clung to James. 

“Move,” Regulus ordered, pulling Sirius from James’s arms and holding him against his own chest. “Just breathe, you idiot. In and out, in and out, that’s it. James, get dressed and grab the cloak; we’re going to need it.” James didn’t waste a second; he dragged his clothes on, and in less than a minute, they were hurtling down the corridor towards where Sirius had left Remus with the unconscious Snape. 

Chapter Text

Regulus took charge. He still had hold of Sirius’s hand and had grabbed James’s on the way out of the come-and-go room. When they got to the unused room Sirius and Remus had stored Snape in, Regulus let them go, immediately drawing his wand and started to take apart the wards that Sirius had put around the room. “They’re too powerful. If anyone comes past, they’ll want to find out why they’re there, and then we’ll be discovered.” He cast a moderate notice me not charm and then thrust his hand in Sirius’s pocket. He grimaced as his hand hit something slimy. He pulled back and found one of Sirius’s garden snails on the back of his hand. He rolled his eyes, plucked the poor thing from his hand and put it in Sirius’s empty one. He waved his wand at Sirius’s pockets and emptied them, floating their contents around him. Apparently, Sirius kept everything but the kitchen sink in his pockets. Regulus was almost certain that Sirius had more joke products in his pockets than Zonko’s even carried, along with six more snails. He found what he was looking for and sent everything else back into Sirius’s pockets. 

Regulus ushered them inside and then set up the dung bombs just inside the notice me not boundary. If anyone took it down, the bombs would go off, and it would look like one of his brother's moronic pranks and assume that was it and there weren’t five students behind the door. 

“What took you so long?” Remus rushed to Sirius’s side, panic etched into his tired face. 

“They wouldn’t get out of bed,” Sirius protested, pulling Remus to him and stroking his back. Remus let out a huff of air, and they all turned their attention back to Snape. 

“What have you tried?” Regulus asked, stepping forward. Remus followed him, calmer now that they were there. 

“I tried Rennervate, but it hasn’t worked so far.” Regulus tried it himself, but Snape didn’t stir, so he cast a diagnostic charm. He and Remus leaned in to study it. 

“Salazar’s balls, it's a brain bleed. Look, it’s right there. It’s tiny, but it’s there.”

“I can do some healing, but I’m not sure if I can fix a brain. They are notoriously difficult,” Remus replied, his brow furrowing as he studied the diagnostic, turning it this way and that. He seemed thoughtful as he dissected the problem. 

“I can, or at least I have practised on smaller animals,” 

“Well, either we try, or we take him to Pomfrey.” Those were the only options. Regulus raked his fingers through his hair. 

“I’ll try, but I will be very honest if I think I am out of my element, and then we’ll only have one option.”

“Pomfrey.” They both nodded and knelt beside the unconscious Snape. 

They spoke to each other, not needing to say the entire sentence to understand what the other was thinking as they prepared Snape for Regulus to heal. 

“It’s a bit weird, right?” Sirius asked behind them. Simultaneously, he and Remus turned their heads and glared at Sirius as he broke their concentration. Sirius squawked at the look they gave him. “Oh, Godric’s sword. I’m shagging my brother,” Regulus whipped his head back in revulsion. “I beg your pardon,” Sirius pointed between the pair of them. “Remus. He’s exactly like you. Of all the men I could have picked. I chose one exactly like my brother!” Regulus was going to kill him. 

“I beg your pardon!” Remus stood and shoved Sirius roughly back into the wall behind him. “Would your brother do this?” He asked, biting into the soft flesh at the juncture of Sirius’s neck and shoulder. Sirius let out a whimper and answered. “No,” When Remus let go, Regulus could make out the crescent-shaped indentations left behind by Remus’s teeth, framing the new bruise he’d sucked into Sirius’s skin. “Remember, I am my own self, Sirius. Do not refer to me as the same as Regulus again,” Remus turned on his heel and rejoined Regulus beside Snape. “Are you ready?” He asked, his eyes flashing that strange molten gold again. 

“Are you?” Regulus drawled back before racing his wand and beginning.

Chapter Text

James watched in awe as Regulus and Remus calmly worked over Snape. Remus would cast a new diagnostic and Regulus would move his wand. Remus would manipulate Snape’s head, and Regulus would mutter incarnations under his breath, the tip of his wand glowing with golden light. It must have only taken a few minutes for them to heal Snape, but it felt like hours as James watched them. 

“Well, that’s the best we can do,” Regulus finally said, standing up and moving to James’s side. Remus did the same, moving to stand beside Sirius. Regulus raised his wand once more and cast Rennervate.

Snape immediately began to stir. It took him a second before his eyelids started fluttering. In an instant, he was on his feet, wand in hand, glaring at Sirius. He took a step towards Sirius, and everyone reacted, but Regulus’s was the fastest. He pushed his hand into James’s chest to keep him back and shoved his wand under Snape’s jaw. Snape froze. 

“What are you doing here with them, Black?” He snarled, his Adam's apple bobbing against Regulus’s wand. 

“That is my business, Snape, and none of yours,” Regulus said, deathly calm. James felt a shiver run down his spine. Snape had better be careful because when Regulus used that voice. Sirius, being well acquainted with that tone, took shelter under Remus’s arm and slowly backed them away.

“What did you do to me?” Snape spat, apparently not taking the hint. 

“I saved your life,” Regulus told him in the same warning tone.

“I would not have needed saving if it hadn’t been for your blood traitor of a brother,” Snape seemed to have forgotten about the wand pressed to his throat as he raised his own wand again at Sirius. James moved, so he was blocking Sirius from Snape. Snape tried to get Sirius back in his sight, but Regulus forced his wand deeper into Snape’s throat, and he stopped. 

Regulus took a step towards Snape and whispered in his ear something James didn’t quite catch, and Snape relaxed. 

“If you say a word about what happened between you, my brother and Lupin, I will make it my mission to destroy what you hold dear. You are lucky he had the foresight to come to me for help, or else you would more than likely be dead. Now leave,” Regulus swiped his wand down, making it swish with the force of the movement, and slipped it back into his holster. James reached out and pulled him away from Snape, and thankfully, Regulus allowed it. Snape glared at them all before twirling on the spot, his robes billowing behind him, and stormed from the room. 

“AGHH!!!” Came his startled cry. 

“Oops,” Regulus smirked wickedly as the dung bomb gas began to seep under the door. James took his hand and led the group around the desks and to the back wall when, after prodding a few stones with no effect, he finally got the right one and a secret passage opened for them as they left the scene as though none of them had ever been there.  

Chapter Text

He’d never show it, but Regulus was overwhelmed. He was on the verge of copying his brothers' earlier behaviour and sinking into a panic. That had been a lot, and then Snape immediately went on the attack. He’d had to use every bit of willpower he had not to sever Severus’s head from his shoulders when Snape’s wand was pointing at James. But instead of exacerbating the situation, Regulus used the knowledge his parents had been instilling in him since birth. He was a trained politician and used that to his advantage. He knew what buttons to press and words to use, and then Snape was leaving. 

James’s arms wrapped around him, tucking him safely against his side as they walked down the passageway in the castle's walls. Regulus let himself slump against him. James always knew when he needed that bit of grounding. Regulus felt his heart rate begin to settle, and the panic begin to subside. He’d always been good at getting Sirius to calm down, but he’d never had anyone to calm him down. But now he had James. 

He suddenly had a need to be alone with him. At the next junction, he yanked James to the left while Sirius and Remus continued straight, and he and James disappeared into the dark. He was sure he’d have to make an apology of some sort to someone later, but for now, he needed James, and he refused to share him with anyone, at least for a while. 

They emerged into a quiet, rarely used corridor and came face to face with Barty. 

“Ah,” He said, as his eyes roamed over them both. “So this is what you’ve been doing.” Barty snickered at them, and Regulus felt the blood drain from his face and his blood run cold. This was the end of his relationship with James. If his parents found out, he hated to think about how they’d retaliate.  

Chapter Text

James felt an almost imperceptible tremor run through Regulus. He felt a deep protective urge take over him, and he found himself shoving Barty Crouch into the opposite wall by the throat. He blinked a few times at the wide-eyed Slytherin. James was not known for using his broader size against anyone. “Whatever you were thinking of doing stops now. You won’t spread whispers about Regulus. You don’t come up with theories. You just shut up.” He leaned in close, staring into Barty’s dark brown eyes. “Got it?” Barty nodded profusely. “Good,” James slowly let him go, manoeuvring himself so he was blocking Regulus. 

“Reg,” Barty coughed, rubbing his throat. “I swear, I’d never do anything to get that bitch on your case.” Barty coughed again, and James winced; he hadn’t meant to actually hurt him. 

“And how exactly am I supposed to ensure that you don’t say anything?” Regulus asked. He’d moved forward, his shoulder bushing James’s. Barty threw his head back dramatically, letting out a long-suffering sigh.

“Fine. I’ll tell you something that will make my father throw me in Azkaban if he ever found out.” He squared his shoulders and inhaled hard through his nose. “I am in love with Evan. I love him. I want to have his babies and run off into the sunset with him on the back of Abraxians,” James heard Regulus groan. 

“Barty, that is not a secret. Literally the entirety of Slytherin house knows you two are shagging. You are not subtle and are worse at silencing charms than my brother and Lupin,” Regulus told him, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

“Well shit, I thought we were being quite stealthy. Oh, well. Erm fine. I’m the one who put a colour-changing potion in Dorcas’s shampoo.” He shrugged in defeat. “Wait, your brother and Lupin need silencing charms?” Regulus grabbed James’s wrist and pulled him away from Barty. James felt they should have talked a bit longer to Barty to make sure Regulus was kept safe, but he trusted Regulus to deal with it. Barty was his friend after all. “Are your brother and Lupin shagging?!” Barty yelled down the corridor. “That’s so hot!” He shouted, dodging the barrage of stinging hexes Regulus shot over his shoulder. James had to bite his bottom lip to stop himself laughing at the look of disgust on Regulus’s face. 

“Are you sure he won’t tell anyone, love?” James asked as they slipped behind a tapestry and climbed the concealed staircase behind it. 

“If I told Dorcas what he’s just told us he’s done, she’ll hunt him to the ends of the earth. She’s far more terrifying than either of our parents. We’re safe.” So James let it go. He didn’t need to defend Regulus anymore. So he scooped Regulus into his arms and raced down the corridor with him, waiting impatiently for the come-and-go room’s door to open and rushed in, throwing Regulus on the bed they’d left only a few hours ago. He hoped one day he’d be throwing Regulus on his actual bed at home, but for now, this one would do. 

Chapter Text

He’d had enough shocks and serious situations this morning, and he hadn’t even had breakfast yet. Regulus wished the come-and-go room could conjure food, but he was happy just to be alone with James again. It was a shame it didn’t last long. 

James’s hands were running up his sides, pushing his shirt out of the way and his mouth kissing and sucking all across his bare chest. He had his head flung back into the pillows, his body arching up into James’s touch, and then someone banged loudly on the door. Regulus knew who it was at the first knock. 

“Ignore him,” He growled at James and reached up, pulling James’s mouth down to his. But before they could do much else, the door knocked again. “I thought this room was supposed to be a secret,” Regulus grumbled, shoving James off him and storming over to the door, wondering for the umpteenth time what it would be like if he actually was an only child. He wrenched it open, the iron hinges squeaking in protest. 

“Hello, Reggie, we thought you might be hungry,” Sirius beamed happily at him until he took in Regulus’s mussed hair and state of undress. “James Fleamont Potter, are you besmirching my baby brother, not twenty minutes after he healed a man?!” Sirius shook his head, pushing past Regulus and depositing a pile of bacon sandwiches, toast and a plater of scrambled eggs on the little table that appeared as soon as he walked in. 

“I tried to stop him,” Remus muttered as he followed Sirius and set down an array of jams next to the toast. Sirius grabbed a sandwich and jumped onto the bed. 

“Prongs, why is your bed here?” Sirius asked, bouncing up and down on it a few times before letting his dangling legs swing backwards and forwards. 

“Sirius, do you really want to be sitting on that?” Remus asked, raising a brow.

“Stop it,” Sirius pointed with his free hand. “We talked about this. You are not allowed to pull that face when you are in the same room as Regulus. At that, Regulus and Remus turned on him, and both folded their arms and raised an eyebrow simultaneously. Sirius pulled a face at them. “Why wouldn’t I want to sit here?” He asked petulantly, trying and failing to look nonchalant. 

“Well, what would you and I be doing if we were alone in a room with a bed?” Sirius paled and looked at the bed with new eyes. 

“Eww!” He yelped and jumped off the bed, shuddering.  He moved to the other side of the room, as far away from the bed as possible, and sulked. Regulus, feeling suddenly a whole lot happier, walked over and grabbed a bacon sandwich for himself. He’d never had a better tasting one in his life. 

“So, now that we’ve got everything else out of the way, are we going to talk about how Regulus knows I’m a werewolf?” Remus asked evenly. 

“He what?!” James and Sirius said at the same time. 

Chapter Text

Regulus looked blankly at James, and James had the grace to blush in embarrassment. He knew full well that Regulus knew Lupin was a werewolf. 

“Oh for fucks sake, Prongs, did you tell him?” Sirius snapped, shoving James in the arm. Regulus closed his eyes, and the room reconfigured around them. The bed vanished into thin air and was replaced by a replica of the Gryffindor Common room. James stopped trying to convince Sirius he hadn’t blabbed and looked questionably at Regulus. Regulus shrugged. The other three would be more at home in familiar surroundings, and he had a better chance of escaping there without a werewolf bite. 

“Sit down, Sirius,” Regulus ordered in his most commanding voice. Sirius immediately sat on the floor. “No, you idiot, on the sofa,” Regulus rolled his eyes skywards. Sirius blushed beet red and scrambled to get on the sofa. Remus followed, sitting beside Sirius and patting him gently on the head. “Better,” Regulus mumbled as he went to sit on the opposite sofa. “First off, James did not tell me. You are all very obvious with your actions, and as Snape has shown, I am not the only one to work it out. I mean, Moony, really? Could you have come up with a more obvious nickname?” He scoffed. Though it did make him wonder what the other nicknames meant. He scrutinised James and Sirius for a moment. “You aren’t werewolves as well, are you?” He asked, narrowing his eyes and trailing them over the pair. He knew James didn’t have any obvious scars like Remus did, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be a werewolf. Sirius flung his head back and barked his annoying laugh. He wiped a tear from his eye and looked at Regulus. 

“Er, no, not quite,” Regulus gritted his teeth, never a simple answer from his brother. 

“So how did you figure it out then?” Remus asked too casually. Regulus could see the worry in his eyes. 

“A few things. The scars for one. You appear tired every few weeks, but more than a normal seventeen-year-old should. I began tracking it and noticed it happened over the days after the full moon. I visited the hospital wing one morning after the full moon to give Madam Pomfrey the pain-killing potion I’d brewed, and you were in one of the beds. I began planning my brewing around the full moon, and lo and behold, every morning after the full moon, you were in the hospital wing. There were a few other subtle things, but the final nail in the proverbial coffin was Sirius’s mention of the silver chains Snape used on you before Sirius’s attempted murder.”

“Hey!” Sirius protested, but Remus shushed him. 

“And why would that mean anything?” Remus’s skin was grey, and he looked tenser than Regulus had ever seen him. Sirius surreptitiously took his hand and gave it a squeeze. 

Regulus huffed out a breath through his nose. 

“Because of all the spells that produce chains. The silver variant is rather complicated and extremely difficult to cast. Why would a student even bother to learn that spell, and why would he specifically use it on you? The only thing for which silver is a known issue, is for a werewolf. So my conclusion was Remus is a werewolf, something which he himself confirmed during our delightful chat after I polyjuiced Sirius.” 

Sirius and Remus were frozen in their seats. Sirius moved closer to Remus, protectively. He cleared his throat and stared deep into Regulus’s eyes as though he was trying to attempt legilimency. Regulus really hoped he wasn’t. 

“What are you going to do with this information?” He asked quietly. Remus twitched. Regulus furrowed his brow in annoyance. 

“Absolutely nothing. As far as I’m aware, Lupin’s never hurt anyone, and it’s his secret to tell when and if he chooses.” 

“Well, erm, alright, thank you, Reggie,” Sirius said stiffly. Remus’s shoulders relaxed. 

“Thank you, Regulus. No one’s supposed to know; that was a stipulation of my coming here and continuing my education. After this lot figured it out, I was worried more would, but it seems you have to be actually observant.” 

“Is that how Snape figured it out?” Regulus asked, his curiosity getting the best of him. 

“Let’s just say, Severus has an unhealthy obsession with the four of us, and that obsession led to him figuring out what I am,” Remus said calmly, but his words had a bite to them. Sirius crossed his arms and huffed. 

“That greasy fucker needs to spend more time in the shower and less time staring at my boyfriend,”

“You do know his hair is only like that because the fumes from the potions cling to it, right?” Regulus asked. 

“Then why isn’t your hair like that then?” Sirius pointed out. “From what I’ve heard, you spend more time over a cauldron than even Snivellus. 

“Because I’m smart enough to use a barrier charm,” Regulus answered. Sirius pulled a face at him, and they stopped discussing Snape. 

Something occurred to him as they began to fall into easy conversations about pranks James, Remus and Sirius had pulled. “If Remus was a werewolf the other night, why weren’t the rest of you in your dorm when I snuck in?” The room went silent, and the three of them started shuffling in their seats. They looked between themselves for a moment, having a silent conversation, and then James cleared his throat. 

“We’re going to need you to make another promise, love.”  

Chapter Text

“Fine, I promise not to tell anyone whatever you’re about to divulge.” Regulus sat back on the sofa, looking completely at ease, but James could see the tension playing in the corners of his mouth and around his eyes. It was unfair to keep him waiting.

“We mean it. You can’t breathe a word of this to anyone, or we could all end up in Azkaban.” Sirius said stiffly. 

“Merlin, Sirius, what have you done?” Regulus scoffed, his lips pressing closer together. 

“When we found out about Remus,” James began to explain. “He told us that Moony was the one who gave him his scars.” Remus sat forward and took over. 

“I was bitten when I was five years old,” Regulus’s eyebrows shot up in shock. “The transformations weren’t so bad when I was little. Mum said I would just curl up and go to sleep. But around the time I hit puberty, the wolf began getting restless. He started taking it out on me for locking him in before the transformation. It was getting worse, then Sirius, James and Peter came to me with this amazing, life-changing gift,” Remus paused, swallowing thickly and taking a shuddering breath. Sirius grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

“We figured something out. Werewolves are only a danger to humans. So, obviously, we couldn’t be around Moony as humans or, best case scenario, we end up as werewolves and, worst case…” Sirius curled his lip and gestured with his hands. 

“Well, we figured out that werewolves can’t change animals into werewolves. So we came up with a theory that if we weren’t human, then we would be safe from werewolf bites,” James took over. Regulus looked at him in horror as he put all the pieces together. 

“There aren’t any documented cases of that theory being tested,” Regulus spoke quietly and evenly as he stared at the three. 

“Well, now there is,” Sirius said in the same tone. “Or, there would be if we registered what we’ve done.”

“Please tell me that you don’t run around with a werewolf every full moon as an illegal animagus,” Regulus groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose while he squinted his eyes closed. He looked like he had a severe headache. 

“Surprise,” Sirius said with forced cheer as he transformed into Padfoot. He plodded over to Regulus, who was still nursing his head. James watched as Padfoot nudged his free hand with his nose, and Regulus automatically lifted his hand to pet the oversized dog. James saw the exact moment Regulus realised what his hand was doing and froze. It took everything James had not to fall to the floor with laughter as Regulus jumped up and crossed the room away from his brother. 

“Is that Sirius?” He asked Remus. Remus nodded. Regulus looked at James. “And what exactly do you turn into?” A smile broke out across his face as he called upon the magic needed to change into his animal form. 

He closed his eyes and felt the familiar warmth ripple over him as his body quickly shifted into the regal stag that was just as much him as James was. Regulus gasped as he took in the enormous creature before him. Prongs let out a snort and bowed his head, hoping that Regulus wouldn’t completely freak out. 

The room was still, and then Regulus moved. 

Chapter Text

Regulus was scared. It was a lot to take in. James had just turned into the largest stag he’d ever seen. The stag watched him and slowly bowed its antlered head towards him. A sense of dread flooded through Regulus as for a spilt second he thought the beast intended to charge him. He looked into the stag's eyes and felt calm overtake the dread. They were James’s eyes; he’d know them anywhere. 

Tentatively, he held out his hand and let the tips of his fingers brush against the velvet-soft fur on the stag's muzzle. The stag nuzzled into his hand, the surprisingly strong lips nibbling at Regulus’s fingers. A sweet laugh escaped his mouth, and he quickly clasped his hands to it, to stop any more from escaping. 

The black dog walked around the stag and plopped itself on the floor at Regulus’s feet. Regulus looked at it, and a long pink tongue flopped out of the side of its mouth. 

“Even as an animagus, you’re so predictable. A black dog, really, Sirius? Not even an ounce of originality.” He scoffed at the dog. That seemed to break the tension in the room. The dog hopped up on its back legs, resting its front on Regulus’s shoulders and stared deep into his eyes. Regulus found himself entranced. It was an odd feeling, staring into the eyes of a dog. Eyes that looked exactly like his brothers. Eyes that looked exactly like his own. The long pink tongue reappeared and licked from Regulus’s chin to his hairline. “Yuck!” He grimaced, shoving the dog away and using the sleeve of his robe to wipe away the slobber.

Sirius bounded around the room, expelling an unmeasurable amount of energy. Regulus chose to ignore his showboating brother and turn his attention back to the stag. “And you don’t hurt them?” His question was directed towards Remus, as the other two could no longer speak. Remus shuffled uncomfortably. 

“I wouldn’t say they don’t get hurt exactly. The wolf is quite strong, but they aren’t affected by the way a human would be.” 

“So you bite them?” Regulus asked in a flat voice. Remus shuffled again. 

“It’s not on purpose. When I transform, I don’t have control over the wolf.” Regulus nodded, taking all the information in. 

“And every month, these idiots follow you to wherever it is you go to transform and then what you frolic?” Regulus kept his face neutral, but internally, he was imagining his brother being chased through the forbidden forest by a teenage werewolf. That was something he’d pay a lot of money to see. An idea formed in his head, and he looked at Remus, ignoring the stag and the dog. “I want to become an animagus and join you.” Sirius tripped over his own paws and went skidding across the floor. 

Chapter Text

Sirius changed back into his human form at the same time that James did. 

“No. No, not in a million years will I let you do that,” Sirius stormed across the room to stand protectively beside Remus. Regulus’s shoulders squared. 

“I’d like to see you stop me. If someone as dull-witted as you are could figure it out, I’m sure I’ll figure it out in half the time.” Regulus glowered at his brother. James and Remus let out long, suffering sighs. James didn’t think the two brothers were ever going to get on. 

“Sirius, it’s his choice,” Remus said, the voice of reason. James was glad it wasn’t just him thinking it would be a great idea to let Regulus join them. Coming from him, Sirius would blame Regulus for putting the thought in his head, but from Remus, Sirius would listen. 

“Oh, so does that mean we let Wormtail’s bird in on your secret as well?” Sirius scoffed. Remus raised one brow, and Sirius quietened down, dropping his head and muttering an apology only Remus could hear. “Fine,” Sirius said, lifting his head. “You can attempt to become an animagus, but that doesn’t mean you can be a marauder.” James held his breath and willed Regulus to bite his tongue. His silent prayers fell on deaf ears. 

“Don’t worry, Sirius. I wouldn’t join your gang of elite twats if you paid me to,” Sirius transformed and leapt across the coffee table straight at Regulus. James only had a split second to act. He transformed just as Padfoot cleared the table and took the full brunt of the attacking dog to his side. He turned on the pile of fur on the floor and snorted angrily, pawing at the floor and lowering his antlers. Padfoot growled low in his chest but retreated to Remus’s side. 

“Not overly helpful that, Regulus,” Remus grumbled as he checked Padfoot out for any signs of injury. “I might also remind you that our elite band of twats also includes your boyfriend,” Remus added as he turned towards the door. “Come, Padfoot,” He ordered, and Sirius trailed after him without a backward glance. James transformed back into himself and turned to face Regulus. 

“Don’t even start with me, Potter,” Regulus warned, pointing his finger at James. “He started it.” James didn’t even try to argue with him. 

“We’ll stay here for long enough for Remus to calm down, Sirius, and then we’ll go back up to the dorm, and I’ll get you all our notes on becoming an animagus,” James told him. Regulus’s posture immediately changed. His face softened, and a wicked gleam appeared in his eyes. 

“How long does it normally take Remus to calm my idiot brother down?” James shrugged. 

“Dunno, half an hour, maybe a bit more. Why?” He asked. One side of Regulus’s mouth curled up into a crooked smile. He closed his eyes, and the room reverted to its earlier appearance. 

“I have an idea of how to spend our time.” Again, James didn’t argue; instead, he scooped Regulus up and threw him onto the bed, following quickly behind. 

Chapter Text

Regulus let out a very uncharacteristic squeal as James landed on top of him. He tried to collect himself as he tried and failed to feign nonchalance over his little outburst, but his fiery red cheeks told the real story. 

“Wait!” Regulus ordered him, putting a hand over James’s mouth as he continued to try and kiss him. James fought past Regulus’s hand and began nuzzling and kissing his neck. “James,” He giggled as James’s stubble tickled the delicate skin. James pulled back, grinning like a loon, his lips shiny with spit. 

“Yes, love?” Regulus rolled his eyes and grabbed James’s head, pulling it down with both hands onto his chest. 

“Room you’d better make sure you are unfindable for at least the next hour, or I’ll make you sorry,” Regulus called loudly into the come-and-go room. There obviously was no reply, but a large wooden drawbar slid into place, essentially barricading the door. “Thank you,” He said on a gasp as James resumed his earlier ministrations. 

Regulus squirmed as James used his stubbly beard to scratch over every inch of skin he kissed. 

Somehow, Regulus's shirt slipped off his shoulders without him noticing James having unbuttoned it. Next was his belt and trousers. James kept kissing just above the waistband the entire time he was carefully pealing them down Regulus’s legs. Regulus’s cock was straining harder than it ever had against his underwear. “James,” He let out a pitiful whine. James hummed in the back of his throat as he continued kissing down Regulus’s body, concentrating on his soft inner thighs. 

It was torture. Regulus decided. Slow, delicious torture. He arched his back and thrust, trying to find anything to give him any sort of friction, but James’s hands slid up and held his hips down. He flung his head back into the pillows and whimpered. 

James moved one of his hands, slipping his fingers up the leg of Regulus’s boxers and gently stroked a finger over his hole. Regulus cried out, half in shock, half with a need even he didn’t understand. All he knew was that James needed to do it again and in the very near future. James hummed again. Regulus had never known him to have so little to say; it was unnerving. He had no idea what James was planning. 

James hooked his fingers in the waistband of Regulus’s boxers and pulled them clean off in one go. 

Regulus’s skin was ignited. He could feel everything, including James’s warm breath as it floated across his groin. He jerked when James’s hands wrapped around his ankles and pushed them up the bed, exposing Regulus’s fully. Regulus tensed.

“Shh, love, I’ve got you,” James told him, brushing his thumb against his ankle bone. Regulus looked into James’s bright hazel eyes and relaxed. James was safe. James settled himself between Regulus’s knees and slid his hands under Regulus’s arse, lifting it until he was at the perfect angle, and then he dipped his head and Regulus moaned loudly. 

James licked across his hole in a long, slow stripe, flattening his tongue and flicking the tip as it passed the most sensitive part. Regulus fisted the sheets as James dug in and devoured him with his mouth. 

Chapter Text

James had never done this before, but he’d read the theory in a book he’d borrowed from Remus’s vast collection. He’d thrown the book across his bed after reading the first paragraph. But he’d persevered. The second he realised that he was attracted to boys, he was determined to learn what to do so he wasn’t completely out of his depth if anything ever happened. 

The blow job had been easy, he’d just done what he thought he would like and, apparently, Regulus enjoyed the same thing. But what he was doing now was completely new territory. Even as he’d read the chapter on it, he’d never thought about it being done to him, so he was reciting the words to himself as he licked and poked the tip of his tongue into Regulus’s hole. 

He hadn’t thought he’d enjoy doing it so much, but the way Regulus squirmed each time the tip of his tongue pressed down and the quick little gasps that escaped his lips when James kissed him there egged him on. He felt wonderful knowing how much Regulus was enjoying what he was doing. Then, as he poked his tongue against Regulus’s again, it slipped in. Regulus’s back arched off the bed as he let out a keening whine. James felt a shiver ripple down his spine, and he pushed in again. 

Regulus was meeting him thrust for thrust and James was determined to exploit all the information he’d learnt to make this perfect for Regulus. 

When the muscles around his tongue felt looser, he pulled back and, after muttering a lubrication charm, slowly inserted a finger. Regulus tensed, and James paused until Regulus relaxed again. 

He slowly started moving his finger in and out, circling in small circles, encouraging Regulus to open around his finger. He slipped in another finger and began scissoring them as gently as he could. Regulus’s muscles protested and fought back before relenting and allowing him access. James dipped his head back down again and poked his tongue into the gap his fingers made. 

“James,” Regulus’s voice was hoarse and broken as he started bucking off the bed. James didn’t respond apart from draping his spare arm across Regulus’s hips and pressing him back into the mattress. 

This new angle let him sink deeper into Regulus, making Regulus emit a whole new array of sounds. He slipped a third finger in and, as the text had said, he slowly went in search of the slightly spongy-feeling spot. The very tip of his finger brushed against the change in texture inside Regulus and Regulus shot up off the bed. His grey eyes drove into James’s as he panted. 

“Shh, love, I’ve got you,” James crooned. His finger brushed against the spot again, and Regulus was in his lap, nuzzling into his neck while James continued to move his fingers in and out of Regulus. 

“James, I need you,” Regulus whimpered into James’s chest. “Can, we, can we?” He couldn’t get his words out, but James knew what he meant. 

He removed his fingers, and Regulus held onto him tighter as though scared he was going somewhere. James tipped forward and deposited Regulus back onto the mattress. He bent over and kissed Regulus. He was sweet and loving as he lined himself up and pressed in, sinking in as the ring of muscles gave way to him. He hovered over Regulus and couldn’t believe how incredible this all felt.  

Chapter Text

Regulus had been on the verge of being completely overwhelmed and then suddenly everything went still and there was nothing apart from him and James. No messy family, no war, no incessantly annoying brother. Just them and all the points where they met. 

James covered above him, shaking ever so slightly with the effort of keeping still. He’d never felt anything like this before. He felt a part of James as though they were the same being. He needed him to move. James blinked, and then his hips began moving. 

Regulus wanted more than anything to fling his head back and arch himself off the bed, but he couldn’t stop staring into James’s eyes. He reached up and grabbed either side of James’s face as James’s pace picked up. Regulus took him all in, watching the tension build in his neck and beads of sweat break out over his skin. 

Regulus's breath came harder as James hit that spot inside him again, but this time, it felt so much more powerful. 

“James,” He gasped. “James, James, James,” He didn’t know what he was asking for, but James lowered his head until they were almost touching and snapped his hips harder into Regulus. 

It was over quickly, neither able nor willing to hold back. Regulus felt as James thrust in one more time, and the heat pooled inside him as James came. It drove him over the edge, and without even touching himself, his own orgasm ripped through him. James collapsed on top of him, holding him close, not caring about the mess between them and rolled them, so Regulus was tucked into his side. 

“I love you,” James murmured against Regulus’s lips as he pressed kiss after kiss onto his lips. “I love you,” He said again, and a tear escaped the side of Regulus's eye. James kissed it away and repeated over and over, “I love you. I love you. I love you,” as he kissed away each new tear that formed. 

Regulus nuzzled against James, trying his hardest to will James’s chest to open up and consume him so he could live inside his heart, always. 

“I love you too,” He whispered. Committing to memory this perfect moment. Because no matter what was to come, he would always have this. He’d always have James. 

He dozed off, still crushing himself against James, happier than he’d ever been in his entire life. Not even Sirius could spoil this moment for him.  

Chapter Text

Suffice to say that James and Regulus gave Remus an extended amount of time to reason with Sirius. It wasn’t until the next morning that they rushed out of the come-and-go room to go to their separate dorm rooms to change and collect the things they would need for a day of lessons. James picked up the hearty file that he, Sirius and Peter had put together over the years that they were attempting to figure out how to become animagi. He smiled fondly at the scuffed leather they’d wrapped all the parchment in. They’d spend hours copying passages from heavy volumes in the library. It had been Peter who, in the dead of night, somehow managed to sneak into the restricted section and find the exact book they needed. After that, the real work began. 

“Hey, time to get up,” James said, kicking the side of Remus’s bed before doing the same to Peters. He left the room to the sounds of grumbling and tired groans. He wouldn’t have time to find Regulus for the next few hours because of their schedules, but he wanted to make sure he could give him their notes and go through them with him wherever they ended up that evening. 

He was so preoccupied with his thoughts about Regulus that he didn’t see the person coming around the corner and walked straight into them, knocking them to the ground. “Oh, sorry,” He apologised, reaching out automatically to help the person up. Severus Snape glared up at him, shaking his greasy hair out of his eyes. 

“Watch where you’re going, Potter,” He snarled. James reached down and grabbed his arms, pulling him to his feet. Snape had dropped his book and James stooped to pick it up. He froze when he saw the title. ‘A hundred ways to kill a werewolf.’ 

“You’re disgusting, you know,” James spat at the other boy. “He’s literally never done anything to you. It’s always been me and Sirius,” 

“Guilty by association,” Snape hissed, attempting to snatch his book back from James. But James wasn’t having it. He threw the book high into the air and blasted it apart. He set the remnants on fire just to be certain Snape couldn’t put the pages together again. 

“Remus is too smart to fall for anything in that book; he’d kill you before you could even raise your wand,” He brushed past Snape, almost knocking him to the ground again as he stormed away. Regulus becoming an animagus suddenly seemed a lot more important, because if Snape really thought he could get to Remus, one more person in their group could be the difference between life and death.  

Chapter Text

“No need to guess where you’ve been,” Barty snickered as Regulus sat down beside him. 

“Wait, do you know something?” Regulus had never seen Dorcas move so fast. She sat down so quickly that she knocked Evan’s spoon out of his hand, the contents splattering on the back of Mulciber's head. The behemoth of a seventh-year turned around and growled at Evan. Regulus cleared his throat and the other boy seemed to realise he was sitting there. Mulciber grunted and turned away, wiping the milky mess from the back of his head. 

“Thanks, Reg,” Evan said, letting out a shaky breath. There had been a real risk of injury if Regulus hadn’t been there. The Black name still demanded respect, and very few chose to defy Regulus. 

Dorcas cast a muffling charm around them. 

“Spill, Crouch,” she ordered. Barty looked at Regulus with wide, scared eyes. Regulus rolled his eyes so far back into his head that he was actually scared for a second that they’d get stuck. Was he really thinking about telling his friends about James? He closed his eyes and prepared himself to let them in on his secret. 

Before he could open his mouth, Pandora slid into their bubble and helped herself to Regulus’s toast and honey. 

“Hi, Regulus, how’s James?” The four of them turned to stare at Pandora. 

“James, as in Potter? James Potter?!” Dorcas gasped, spinning in her seat to stare at the Gryffindor table. “Salazar's balls, he’s staring at you with puppy eyes! He’s totally in love with you!” She slammed her hands down on the table. “You are going to have the most beautiful babies together,” And that was all Regulus could take of that. 

He took his piece of half-eaten toast from Pandora's hand, kissed her gently on the cheek and was rewarded by her soft smile. He stood up and left the table. Barty had better lie low for a few days, but Regulus was sure James would keep him distracted so he didn’t blow one of his best friend’s head off. 

Chapter Text

After his confrontation with Snape, James had a lot of excess energy that needed burning off. He’d tried to calm himself by looking across the hall at Regulus, but he had to look away when Dorcas turned around and blatantly looked at him. Had Regulus said something to her? Regulus had then kissed the other girl, Pandora, and walked out, munching on his toast. 

He’d gone to his morning lessons, but he had a free after lunch, so he decided to grab his broom and go burn off the energy so he didn’t blow his eyebrows off in potions. 

He wandered down to the quidditch pitch and practised the routine he’d put together over the summer in the field behind his parents' house. Weaving, rolling, diving and many loop-the-loops. He threw in a few sloth grip rolls and then practised his braking. As a chaser, sometimes he needed to break suddenly, and it was no good if he just flew over the top of his broom. 

By the time he was finished, he was sweating, and his muscles ached, but he felt calmer and ready to deal with a few hours brewing potions. He flew lazily back to the ground and spotted an onlooker waiting for him beside the stands. He flipped his broom over his shoulder and sauntered over to Regulus. 

“You shouldn’t be allowed to wear those trousers,” Regulus smirked. “Far too distracting.” James swooped down and planted a sweaty kiss right onto his lips. 

“Wanna help me get out of them?” He asked. He felt like he was still flying. 

“Hmmm, I suppose I could be persuaded.” Regulus hummed, walking around James and grabbing his arse as he passed. James didn’t waste any time following him into the changing rooms.

Chapter Text

Technically, he was supposed to be in Potion’s, but as he was already brewing past N.E.W.T level, Slughorn rarely batted an eye that Regulus wasn’t in his classroom. Going to his little Slug Club also helped Regulus get away with doing as he pleased. 

He watched James flying around the quidditch pitch. He’d always known James was a good flyer. He was the bane of the Slytherin team. But watching him on his own without the rest of his team and the opposing team, he could see just how outstanding he really was. A vision of James’s future floated into his mind. Pro Quidditch player. The World Cup. Quidditch coach to their kids.

James swooped around, completely focused on his broom, and Regulus got the most perfect view of James’s arse in his tight quidditch trousers. The next twenty minutes were torture for Regulus. 

He’d been about to grab one of the schools and fly up there and drag James back down, but James finished a lazy lap and dipped his broom handle towards the ground. He alighted in the most elegant landing Regulus had ever seen and started walking towards the changing rooms with his broom over his shoulder, shooting Regulus and walking towards him instead. 

“You shouldn’t be allowed to wear those trousers,” Regulus smirked appreciatively. “Far too distracting.” James apparently appreciated Regulus’s words as he swooped in and kissed Regulus on the lips. It was sweaty, but for some reason, Regulus couldn’t find it in him to care. 

“Wanna help me get out of them?” James asked as he straightened up. It was Regulus’s lucky day. 

“Hmmm, I suppose I could be persuaded.” Unable to help himself, he grabbed James’s arse as he sauntered towards the changing room, a smile spreading across his face when he heard James stumble behind him to catch up. 

Chapter Text

He’d never seen Regulus undress so quickly. He tore at James’s quidditch uniform, and then they were in the shower, the hot water pounding down onto them as James lifted Regulus into his arms and pressed him into the cold tiles. Regulus hissed as the cold hit his back, but James swallowed the sound as he licked into Regulus’s mouth. This was the best end to a quick solo practice he’d ever had. 

He pressed Regulus harder into the tiled wall, Regulus’s nails biting into his shoulder as he devoured him. One of Regulus’s hands snaked between them and then James was thrusting upwards. 

He panted hard as he kissed as much of Regulus as he could reach. The feel of his cock brushing against Regulus’s as Regulus’s hand gripped them both tight was almost overwhelming. 

James’s head fell against Regulus’s shoulder as the familiar pressure began to build. “I love you,” He panted, sucking a bruise into the side of Regulus’s neck as he found his release, painting them both with thick ropes of white. He watched as Regulus moaned and followed him over the edge. James thought the look on Regulus’s face was the most beautiful he’d ever seen. 

James moved them until they were completely under the spray and let the water wash away the evidence of what they’d just done. 

“I love you too,” Regulus breathed against his lips once he’d regained his breath and kissed James sweetly, before unhooking his ankles and slipping to the shower floor. 

They dressed quickly and made their way back up to the castle separately. Enough people knew about them without the rest of the school spotting them out of the castle windows. James blew him a kiss as Regulus walked towards the marble staircases for Arithmancy while he walked down to the dungeons for his Potion lesson. He was calmer now, but his head was totally in the clouds, so when his cauldron exploded half an hour later, he wasn’t at all surprised. 

Chapter Text

Sitting in the rest of his lessons with the sheaf of parchment James had slipped him after their impromptu shower was near torture for Regulus. He wanted to get them out and read them. But even after lessons, he couldn’t just slip away as he’d planned. Dorcas had caught him by the arm and dragged him into the Great Hall, plonked him unceremoniously on the bench at the Slytherin table beside Barty and cast a muffling charm over them. 

“Tell us what’s going on then,” she ordered, piling toad in the hole onto his plate and smothering it with gravy. 

“About what?” He asked, worry marring his features. He’d thought they’d found out about him beginning the lengthy procedure to become an animagus. Dorcas rolled his eyes at him. It was very irritating. 

“About you and Potter. How did it happen? Why did it happen? Are you dating? Does your brother know?! Is he plotting your murder?” Dorcas asked, getting louder and louder with each question. Regulus wished he could melt right into the stone floor. He was about to protest her incessant questioning when a firework exploded over the table above them. The room went silent until all hell broke loose. 

Firework after firework exploded above the four tables. Regulus used the distraction for what it was. A way for him to escape. He grabbed his plate and made a run for it, unnoticed by his friends as they stared up at the enchanted ceiling, lit by the fireworks. 

Regulus chanced a glance over at the Gryffindor table and caught James’s eye. James winked at him, and he knew James was behind the unexpected fireworks show. ‘Thank you’, he mouthed as he slipped out of the doors and went down to the unused potions classroom he used to brew his potions in. His fingers were itching to open those notes as soon as possible. 

Chapter Text

“All those fireworks I gave you and not a single one hit Snape?!” Sirius exclaimed as they slowly walked out of the Great Hall after finishing their meals, so they didn’t gain attention.

“It wasn’t about attacking Slytherin,” James said as he looped around a group of Hufflepuffs standing in the middle of the entrance hall swapping chocolate frog cards.

“It was about his sweet little Regulus. Poor little baby Black was getting bullied by his little friends and big, brave James had to save him.” Remus stuck his lower lip out in a pout that had Sirius jumping up to catch it between his teeth. 

Their affection towards each other had James and Peter discreetly going their own way. 

“Do you mind if I go find Liz?” Peter asked, looking longingly at the fifth floor landing high above them. 

“Yeah sure,” James chuckled fondly. Peter was spending more and more time away from their little group, but James supposed that was what growing up was like. The only two spending more and more time in their dorm room were Sirius and Remus for obvious reasons. James himself thought more about Regulus than he did on coming up with their next prank. 

Thinking about Regulus, he took the Marauders map out of his pocket and scanned the map as the black line spread across the scruffy parchment. He spotted him quickly. Regulus was in one of the unused Potions classrooms. 

Satisfied he knew where he was going, he put the map in his pocket and turned around to walk back towards the entrance hall and down to the dungeons.