Professor (jegulus)

Back home

After graduation, James went overseas to teach. He left with Lily to escape the war only coming back 13 years later with a new born and wife. They moved back to England to raise their son, Harry, in a better environment.

James got a job at Hogwarts in defense against the dark arts and was excited to go back to the place he had considered home for many years.

On his first day, he was greeted by some of his old teachers, some teachers older than him that he didn't in know and someone.. familiar.

At first he didn't recognize the young adult but when James heard Dumbledore call him Sir Black, everything started to come back.

He was never close to Regulus. He was just his best friends brother and when Sirius ran away, Regulus was never spoken of again.

He had definitely changed a lot. He had fluffy, tamed black hair, wore sweaters everyday with dark jeans and seemed more comfortable with himself than he ever did in school.

"Black, you must remember Potter from when you went to school together. Why don't you show him around the new layout while you two catch-up?" Dumbledore said, the day before the students came back.

"Um sure, follow me" Regulus said with a smile.

The two walked around the castle with Regulus' classroom as the first stop.
"This is my classroom with the office in the back. I teach potions for year 5 and up and assisted charms for years 1 to 4. I don't give them tests that often so I'm usually available if you have any questions." Regulus said.

He had changed, a lot. He seemed nice, mature and open. He didn't remind James of the cold blooded Slytherin he always knew.

After talking and visiting the castle and the surroundings, Regulus invited James to hogshead for a butter beer.

"You've changed a lot" James said without thinking.

"I know. You have too, a bit. Less energetic but that might be because my brother isn't around you 24/7 anymore." Regulus replied before taking a sip.

"Yeah, how is he? I haven't been available much since I came back from the States."

"He's great honestly. Works as an auror and makes good money since Remus can't work legally."

"Wow, when did you get back in touch with him? I thought after he left you, you hated him?" James asked ,once again, without thinking.

"Well.. you know.. the war affected a lot of us. I was forced to Voldemort's side by my parents but once I graduated, I didn't need to live with my parents anymore and Sirius found me in the streets. He welcomed me back even though I was broken. I worked as a spy and it helped a lot to get rid of Voldemort. Now, I just live with them because he doesn't want me to be alone again. I think he doesn't trust me. .. Sorry I rambled" Regulus said before apologizing.

"No, no you're good. It's interesting to listen to you talk." As James said that, Regulus' face turned slightly pink.

"A-anyway, why did you come back from America?" Regulus asked.

"Lily, she wanted to be near her family and our friends again to raise our child. She also thinks the schools are better here. I honestly disagree, where I taught was at a much higher level. Their 1st year courses had subjects I did in year 5!" James replied making both of them laugh at the absurdity.

"Well it makes sense, they had their war much earlier than us. Want to train the remaining wizards into stronger ones in case anything were to happen again." Regulus pointed out.

After that a comfortable silence was established. None of them tried breaking it, both appreciated it a lot.
After finishing their drinks, they paid and walked back up to the castle.

"So, how old is your kid?" Regulus asked awkwardly as they left the bar.

"Harry? He just hit 2 months. Once he was able to keep his head up we guessed he'd be fine to travel with. Especially since Lily insisted we move by boat and train. Took 3 weeks to move but at least he didn't need to go on an airplane. I have pictures back in my trunk if you'd like to see some sometime." James replied as they started to walk up the hill in the late summer breeze.

"I'd love too! I've always had a soft spot for babies. My cousin Narcissa had a baby this year too and I was lucky enough to meet him. His name is Draco." Regulus said looking in front of him with a smile.

"Sounds like a Malfoy" James commented.

"You're not wrong. Yeah, Cissy and Lucius actually made it past graduation. Shame she stayed on the dark side during the war." Regulus said with an awkward smile when thinking of their couple. (😬)

"Means Harry and Draco will grow up together. That might be nice. Maybe if you're ever babysitting him I could bring harry around. Not for a while obviously seen as Harry can't go 3 minutes without his mother." James said as they reached the castle doors.

They walked in and joined the other teachers in the teachers lounge for dinner. After eating, Dumbledore brought out a few bottles of fire whiskey and they celebrated the beginning of a new school year.

When everyone was cheering, Regulus and James made eye contact. It was like a scene out of a movie. The cheers from the other people were tuned out and their long lasting gaze only really lasted a few seconds. Both of their faces tinted after breaking eye contact. This was surely going to be an interesting year.