Bright Lion and a Stag (Regulus Black, James Potter, Marauders)

Chapter 7

October 1975

The next day Regulus had his detention with McGonagall at 4:30. He had plenty of potions assignments to catch up on so that was alright. He still wasn't looking forward to it and he felt as if he had much more he could be doing. 

At 4:15 he made his way to the Transfiguration hallway where he saw none other than James Potter standing outside the door. His heart sank for some odd reason, which Regulus made the smart decision to ignore. There was also Peter Pettigrew who Potter had been laughing with. 

"Potter, Pettigrew truly delighted you came. Hello Mr. Black." McGonagall said, "You are all here on time, how nice."

"Minnie you gave Sirius detention with you? I thought he was stuck with ol Sluggy," James quickly turned around and his smile faded seeing it was Regulus. "Never-mind then, Padfoot is stuck with Slughorn. Poor him. At least me and Wormy have you Min Min."

"Cut it out with those absurd nicknames Potter they are absolutely ridiculous." Professor McGonagall cautioned.

McGonagall, James, and Peter all entered the class and Regulus followed. Regulus sat down at a desk and James sat in the one to the right of Regulus which made his stomach feel all strange and tingly. Regulus decided to just open up his potions textbook and read the section Wit-sharpening potion. He could feel James Potter's eyes on him, but he thought ignoring him would make him feel better. 

After nearly half an hour of detention and doing his assignment Regulus realized that James was still staring at him. He looked over and James made a large smile.

"What do you want?" Regulus whispered. 

"Nothing much, just wanted to know what you're in for." He replied.

McGonagall looked up from the parchment she had been writing on and turned her head back down with a slight smirk on her face. 

"Oh she just pretends to be harsh Reggie, but really she loves us and could never punish us more than the occasional detention, and that's only when we do something really bad." James told him. 

For some reason James referring to Regulus as 'Reggie' didn't make him want to gag which was odd because he detests that nickname. "Okay then."

"You never answered my question. Whatcha in for?" 

"Yelling at my mate."

"Well that's not a bad thing. All your mates are wankers I mean that should be justified." 

Regulus just stared at James but didn't say anything. James wasn't entirely wrong but he didn't want to speak poorly of Evan or Barty or anyone else for that matter. 

He continued to read about wit-sharpening potions when he realized something.

"Wait, if McGonagall only gives you lot detention for something terribly wrong than what did you do?" He asked James. He found it a bit hard to believe the stern women hardly gave his brother and his troublemaking friends detention, but McGonagall like most teachers likely 

James looked back up and smiled at Regulus. He looked to his right to a few chairs over where Peter Pettigrew was sitting doing his work. 

"Pete" James whispered loudly and Peter ignored him, "Pete, Peter, Wormy, cmon Wormtail."

"James be quiet we're in detention." He finally whispered loudly back.

"Minnie doesn't care y'know and you need to tell Reggie what you did." James whined jokingly.

"Wonder how Padfoot would feel if he knew you were getting all buddy buddy with his little brother in detention James." Peter told him harshly, "Do you have the mirror on you maybe. Perhaps you can tell him right now."