I see you in the stars - Jegulus

Chapter 3 - James

"And that's why we all think you should die."
"Jesus."

James was doubled over in stitches, tears running down his eyes as he looked across from him in the Great Hall. A horrified Sirius was looking at Mary, who stared back at him rather smugly. James wasn't sure exactly how they got into the conversation of Sirius' grand hookups before Remus, but, well here they were. Mary was just one of the many girls who had slept with Sirius, who back then liked to do a bang and dash one too many times. She liked the flair of dramatics, and had begun drawling on about how many hearts Sirius had broken. She was exaggerating a bit, recounting one time a girl had cut all her hair off because she was broken hearted that Sirius had fucked a girl with a buz cut after her. James remembered that girl, who had left Hogwarts now - it was technically true, the girl had shaved all her hair off. But the reason actually was because she had somehow gotten some magic glue in her hair that even Madam Pomfrey was unable to get off, and therefore had to shave it. Not because of Sirius. Still, Sirius' terrorized face was golden - even Remus who didn't particularly like talking about Sirius' past relationships was chuckling quietly, gently rubbing his boyfriends arm in comfort. Mary nodded solemnly, before saying,

"It's all your fault, but I guess it's okay now. You've redeemed yourself with Remus." Sirius still looked at her in genuine fear, terrified the girls he slept with were actually going to murder him.

James started laughing again, finding the distraction welcoming. He'd barely been sleeping the last few nights. For the last week or so he had been meeting Regulus under the tree. Their tree, he was starting to call it. They never talked. James just sat with Regulus for a few hours, simply staring at him whilst the other boy looked at the stars. Then Regulus would suddenly stand up with no warning, look at James for a while before leaving. Again, without a single word. And then the little sleep he was getting was riddled with nightmares.

They had somehow gotten worse, which James didn't think at first was possible. There now seemed to be a figure accompanying his dreams. Sometimes they were on the land he was swimming towards, simply looking at James. But usually, whoever it was, they were in the water with him.

Drowning with him.

James was always trying to get to them, but like the land he had dreamed about before, they were always out of reach. It sent shivers down his spine as he thought about it. He didn't like the fact that he couldn't seem to get to the person. To save them. Maybe it was his saviour complex talking, but he just wanted to help.

Like he wanted to help Regulus.

Stop.

He sought out the Slytherin, finding him quickly among the masses of green at their table. He was again reading a book, sipping some tea whilst he turned the page with those hands. Fuck those hands. What he would give to- Oh.

Regulus had looked up from his book, immediately making eye contact with James. His face held no surprise, as if he had known James was looking at him the entire time. He cocked his head slightly, not in confusion it seemed, but in amusement? James couldn't work it out as he narrowed his eyes at the Slytherin, trying to figure out the game that was suddenly taking place. James saw a hint of a smirk grace Regulus' face, before dropping the stare and going back to his book. James blinked. Once. Twice. The fuck just happened?

"James!"

He jumped as he felt something on his arm, shaking himself out of his trance he seemed to constantly find himself in as of late. Marlene was looking at him with an amused expression, while nudging her arm against his. "Quidditch practice, remember? You're the one who said they wanted to get the team practising everyday." She pulled him up, James barely having time to grab the bit of toast he was just about to eat. Over the week, they had done bits of training here and there as they got settled in, but from tomorrow they would be sticking to the tight schedule James had made. He chuckled at the thought, oh he was going to put the team through hell, and enjoy every second of it.