This Trying Affair • Jegulus •

VI. What Started in Beautiful Rooms

The boys continued to meet up every night after their break for the full moon. Both could feel the change between them that came with their new whispered nicknames for each other, but neither wanted to acknowledge it.

Especially James, whose friends were getting increasingly suspicious about where he was going off to at night.

"I told you, Sirius," he dragged out. "McGonagall has me tutoring a couple of fourth years." And while this lie was believable at first due to James being exceptional at Transfiguration, they found a flaw in it.

"You're tutoring these kids every night?" Sirius said suspiciously.

"Yes," James groaned. He had his cloak and other items ready to leave to meet Regulus, but the boys were preventing him from leaving the common room.

"Then why do you take the Marauder's Map with you every time," Remus said, raising his eyebrow at James.

James bit the inside of his lip as he thought quickly for a reason.

"Sometimes after tutoring, I go on walks on the grounds. Can't get caught coming back after hours."

His three friends still stared at him with narrowed eyes, but no one knew what else to say.

James glanced at the time before muttering to himself.

He looked up at his friends, "Look, I have to go now. You lot can question me some more later tonight."

"Jame-" But Sirius's call was cut off as James let the Gryffindor portrait close.

"Do you think he's dating someone? Lily finally said yes?" Peter said. "They have been getting along okay recently."

Sirius and Remus seemed to be pondering this, but quickly knew it was not Lily Evans as the portrait opened up to reveal the red head.

"Hello, boys," she said with a smile before making her way to Marlene on a different couch in the common room.

"So, not Lily," Peter said, his shoulders dropping.

"No, not Lily," Remus continued. "But he's definitely not tutoring a group of Hufflepuffs..."

"Someone has captured the attention of our Prongsie," Sirius finished for his boyfriend. "Wonder who the lucky guy or gal is."

The three grinned at each other feeling happy for their friend, but also some want to discover who it was soon.

James ran up the Astronomy tower stairs when he realized how late he was. He gasped for air as he reached the top and relaxed his tense shoulders when Regulus worriedly looked up from his book to glance at his exhausted figure.

"Sorry - I'm - late," James gasped out between his breaths.

"Jamie?" Regulus said staring at him confused. "Are you okay? Why were you running?"

After catching his breath, James straightened up and nodded at Regulus as he walked over.

"Just the boys questioning me... again."

Regulus was biting his lip. James had explained that his friends were beginning to become suspicious of his late nights and Regulus did not want Sirius to become aware of their growing friendship - especially since Regulus could feel himself wanting more than just a friendship with James Potter. He pushed those thoughts aside as he remembered the boy's fascination with a certain red head.

"Maybe we should take a break? Not come as much," said Regulus.

"What!" James exclaimed, turning on the bench next to the boy to face him. "No, Reggie, it'll be fine. I promise."