I see you in the stars - Jegulus

Chapter 11 - James

TW: Panic attack

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"I met him."

A hushed voice says to the side of him during James' breakfast. Startled, he looks to his right to find Remus, with a small smile on his face. James raises a brow whilst he sips his tea. There wasn't much to guess about who this he was.

"You're right. There's something about him.. different, from what Sirius described." Remus continues, putting jam onto his toast. James breaks into a grin, nodding as he carries on taking sips. It felt like a massive relief knowing that Remus had finally talked to Regulus, and seen some of what James knows is in him. That goodness.

"When did you meet him?"

"This morning, was on his own wandering the corridors."

"He does that a lot." James says, which makes Remus look at him with amusement.

"Well anyway, it makes me feel a bit better, about whatever it is you have going on with him." He says with a rueful smile. It did feel like a minor weight was lifted off of James' otherwise heavy shoulders, knowing that his best friend was more supportive of indeed whatever it is they have going on .

"So would you defend us if Sirius ever finds out?" James questions hopefully, Remus' smile immediately dropping as he turns his head away from James.

"Don't ask me to do that."

James winced but nodded nonetheless, his eyes soon wandering over to his starboy. His heart immediately dropped when James saw his face.
To any other person, it would seem like Regulus had his usual blank mask on, not caring about anyone or anything. But James could see through that. He could always see through that.

There was pure panic in his eyes, and tension in his jaw as he was listening to someone opposite him. It only took a second for James to recognise the greasy shine of Snape. Whatever he was saying was obviously god awful for Regulus to be showing even an ounce of anything. It worried James, really worried him. His friend next to him, Barty, James remembered, had a much more readable expression. He seemed to be trying to contain his rage, rather unsuccessfully as he argued with Snape. But what was the reason..

A bump of his shoulder broke James out of his stare, and he turned to see Marlene sitting down, with Dorcas beside her. They were both rosy-cheeked and smiling as they greeted James and Remus whilst putting food on their plates.

"What's got you in such a good mood Mar?" James asks with a knowing look. The past day the two had been very close, after that party. He had felt bad for not asking before, but in all honesty, his mind was too consumed with Regulus. Marlene turned to him with a sheepish grin, before glancing at Dorcas who nodded.

"We've worked some stuff out." She replies casually, though a grin grows on her face. James hums, nudging her teasingly. She wags her eyebrows, and mouths later at him before turning back to Dorcas. So it was not only him who finally got something they desired. He shares a look at Remus, who seems to be eying the two girls like him, before standing up with a stretch.

"Going for a smoke, coming?" He asks Remus, who stands up so quickly he almost knocks over the mug in front of him, making James snicker. As they walk out, James catched the eyes of Regulus, who seems to be in total shock.

What's wrong? James asks silently, to which Regulus simply sends back.

Not now.

It sent alarm bells through James, who exits the Great Hall before he can do anything else. He would have to wait until later that night, when they would meet in the requirement room.
What the fuck was happening?