The Noble One: Part 1

Chapter 2: Keep your friends close

"James!" Ginny yelled. As loud as she possibly could, if louder, the whole street could hear her. "James Sirius Potter!" She yelled once more. James was out of his trance. Reading the mysterious journals has kept him far too occupied. And his mother started to notice. He went downstairs and hid the book under his pillow. He ran downstairs before he got his mother to an angry state he could not escape from. "Mum, sorry, I didn't hear you, I was so swept up in-" Ginny raised her hand, making him stop speaking. "You've been swept up more than once lately. What in Merlin's name have you been doing?" James was an expert at deceiving people. A white lie never hurt anyone, was something he lived by. "I found old Quidditch magazines and I was just so intrigued by these legendary players. I'm sorry." He looked at his mother and could see his father in the background holding in a laugh. "Okay, I understand. I want you downstairs in an hour. Dinner will be ready then. Understood?" James nodded and ran back upstairs. 

September 6th, 1976

"Today I could not sleep. The American has been snoring since the first night but it was not him that kept me away from the land of dreams, it was the thought of the Dark Lord thinking of me so highly as mother described, but it was moreso my older brother that kept me up. I stare out the window wondering after a year why I feel myself longing for his company. I must hide these thoughts away. If it gets known I care for him still I will be damned to hell."

The night was filled with sparkling stars, they stood out because of the dark canvas that goes by the name of 'sky'. Regulus was lost in it but also in his thoughts. The snoring of Rodrick had turned into background music. It was soothing even though the thoughts he was having weren't. Suddenly the night turned into day. And each passing day became more exhausting for Regulus. Ignoring the American and his brother all at once was a burden Regulus didn't foresee. He did all he could to survive. It has been a week since he returned to Hogwarts and had neglected his studies. Something his father would beat him for. He sighed and walked towards the library. He walked inside and time seemed to stop. He watched his brother and his friends turn around and stare at him. Stare him down as if they inherited the powers of Medusa, trying to turn him into stone. But the death stare was an inheritance a true Black had. He used it wisely. Regulus turned around and sought elsewhere a place to study. He sat down on the floor near the staircase. He had just opened his books and felt someone hovering over him. He didn't need to look to know who it was that disturbed him. "What do you want now?" He asked with slight agression. 

"My anger towards this outlander is beyond. He won't leave me be. Why me? I must ask. There are plenty of other Slytherin's who would be happy to be his friend. He has earned us enough points in lessons to earn their trust but the only one he seeks is me. He must have a plan, perhaps he knows of my support to the Dark Lord. I need to avoid him more."

"There is still room at the library. You can't sit here. People will disturb you constantly." He said. Regulus knew it to be true but was far too stubborn to ever take his advice. "I'm fine. Leave." Rodrick sat beside him. Looking at him. "I may not have a brother but I know a thing or two about distress in a family, how a family causes the distress. People talk. You feel your brother betrayed you by leaving,  am I right?" He asked. Regulus looked at him with a face of disgust. "Even if you were, it's not your concern. I told you before we will never be friends. Must you be so annoyingly determined." Rodrick chuckled and didn't move once. "I know you don't like me. That's fine but you suffer. I can see it, and perhaps everyone does too. You're gonna need friends to survive a whole year of mental torture." Regulus stood up and cleaned up his books. But Rodrick wouldn't take no for answer. He grabbed his arm and quickly removed his wand from Regulus' pocket. "How dare you?!" Regulus yelled. "My mother killed my father out of self defence but I wish I was the one to kill him. Now, friends or foes?" Regulus saw the hand he wanted to give. If he trusted his stubbornness he would walk away, but this boy had more darkness than he presumed. He'd be a fool to decline. He shook his hand and nodded. "I guess we're acquaintances. For now." He smiled and grabbed his wand before wandering off. 

"Another night, but I felt my eyes getting heavy. Has this strange friendship saved me from a sleepless life? Perhaps. But I ought to be careful. I know nothing of him, what if he is like his cousin, a friend to the unnatural. I guess the phrase 'keep your friends close but your enemies closer' can be used as a valued advice."

"Older brother?" James wondered. Within each page James collected more pieces to his puzzle. But the name he wanted to know never appeared. Desperately he wanted to seek out his father, to just ask what he knows but too many questions would arise, questions he feels would only make his father angry. James has always been close to Harry. This might be the first secret he held that had any true importance. The hour had passed and James joined his family at the dinner table. He was awfully quiet, but his siblings, especially Lily Luna, wasn't. "You know, dad, Jamie still hasn't apologised." She said with a smirk plastered on her face, she stuffed her face, so she could peacefully watch her brother crumble. But to her surprise he did no such thing. "I am sorry for calling you dumb and yelling at you. I'm sure dad has told you to knock now. Right, sister?" He looked at her and saw how her smile faded. "Mum, this is great, it tastes just like grandmother makes it. Maybe even better." He said almost genuinely. Ginny smiled and rolled with her eyes. "James, do you need something, you better not let  grandmother hear you." James did need something, a chance to get out of the house and read the journals elsewhere, there were too many distractions at the house. "Actually, mum, I was hoping if I could spend a few days at this Muggle library, it's nearby." Ginny and Harry looked at each other with utter confusion. "Why?" They both said. James cleared his throat and had to lie his arse off. "Muggle studies. Dad, you've lived your whole life like them. I just want to know what it's like." Harry and Ginny had this unlikely language, without words they could have endless conversations. "Fine, but I want you to take a phone with you. When your mum calls you, you return at once." James nodded happily. 

Regulus and Rodrick were alone in their shared chamber. Regulus was reading a letter he got from his mother, Rodrick never got mail. "Why did you wanna kill your father?" Regulus asked nonchalant. As if he was asking what weather it was today. Rodrick looked up from the drawing he was making. "Do you ask everyone about their sad life story?" Regulus smiled. "Only those who interest me. And I'm bored out of my mind. So why not tell me your story, you got nothing better to do anyways as your life revolves around me." Rodrick moved from his bed to Regulus'. "Well, since you asked."

part 3 will be up by the end of the week.