This Trying Affair • Jegulus •

VII. The Thing about Illicit Affairs

"Regulus Black.. Black! James Fleamont Potter, what were you thinking!" Remus said in his paternal scolding tone. James opened his mouth to respond, but snapped it closed once more when Remus turned around suddenly from leading James back to the dorms to face him. "In the hallway, James! What would have happened if a Slytherin saw you both or heaven forbid, Sirius?" 

"Wait, what?" stumbled James. Remus crossed his arm and raised his chin at his friend. "You're mad we could have been seen? Not that it was Sirius's brother?" 

"Of course not. I find Regulus to be quite perfect for you to be honest. I just don't want that boy in any more danger than he already is." 

The two paused and stared at each other briefly before James beamed at his friend who offered a small smile in return. 

"You don't think that Regulus thinks I am upset with you both, do you?" Remus asked, suddenly worried that he had given the younger Black the wrong impression as well. 

After shockingly discovering the pair and getting over the deadly silence, Remus had cleared his throat and said hello to Regulus, before reminding both the boys that it was after hours and that they should both head up to their respective rooms. Regulus had blushed before hurriedly nodding at the older boy he respected. He turned to James and froze, glancing at Remus next to them. He had bit his lip and whispered a small, "Night, Jamie," before scurrying off to the Slytherin dorms. 

"I'll clear it up if he does," James said dismissively, not worrying much about the idea. He was still floating from the kisses he had shared with his Reggie. 

James had drifted off until he heard words from Remus that stopped his heart. 

"So are you going to tell Sirius you're dating his brother?" Remus said as if talking to a child. 

James stopped and once Remus realized this he stopped as well. "Firstly, I will not be telling, Sirius anytime soon and I would appreciate if you didn't..." James bit his lip as he stared at stone faced Remus. Finally, Remus nodded slightly. "And secondly, we are not dating. We are just friends." 

"Friends?" James nodded. "Friends who kiss in school hallways?" 

"I know how it looks, but we are just friends, Remus," James pleaded. "Regulus just admitted he was gay to someone else for the first time. He's not ready for a relationship. I'll scare him away. So, yes, we are just friends." 

"And you plan on continuing to kiss him as just friends?" 

James bit his lip and winced at how this sounded. "If Reggie wants to... I just got him, Remus. I don't want to lose him already!" 

Remus sighed, shaking his head as he thought about the many dangers of the situation James just placed himself in. 

"I get it, James. I do. It's why I hid my feelings for Sirius for so long... But James, it sounds like you're sticking yourself out pretty far to get any tiny scrap Regulus gives you. It's just... I... I just want you to be careful. You've got to protect yourself sometimes too, okay?"

"Okay," James nodded eagerly. He pondered Remus's words, but he wasn't really sure what the boy meant about protecting himself. 

"And you need to tell Sirius eventually if this is going to continue. Am I clear?" 

"Crystal." 

The friends exchanged smiles before beginning their walk once again and finally reaching Gryffindor Tower. When they entered the common room, it was mostly empty with a few older students still up working on assignments. The boys split as Remus went into their room and James decided he would head in after he showered first.