All your fault

Part 5

After a while, Remus got up again. It surprised James again, he even knew the right time to leave. Because just at that moment, the silence between them had become unpleasant.

"I'll leave you the cloak. I also took the map with me, Sirius won't find you," Moony pulled the piece of parchment out of his pocket and handed it to James "I'm proud of you. Don't give up, it's going to be okay again"

"Thanks," he murmured.

Oh Godric, Moony really always knew what he needed. Then he turned around and left. James put on the cloak and plugged in the map. Then he began to eat slowly, only now did he realize how hungry he was. Saturday morning, James was startled and saw a Slytherin second-grader leaving the common room. He took the chance, jumped up, and slipped into the common room. Now all he had to do was find Regulus' room. Easier said than done. The dungeon was bigger than expected and eternally long corridors went out in all directions. They reached under the Black Lake and were at least three times the size of the Entire Griffindor Tower. He went to the first door and read the name tag. Only one name was written on it, it could be that the Slytherins actually had single rooms. They had enough space for it. It took him an eternity until he had the sign on which Regulus A. Black stood in beautiful curved writing. Carefully he turned the knob and the door actually opened. He entered as quietly as possible. Only when he stood all the way in the room did he see him. He sat in a cozy-looking armchair and stared into the Black Lake. Only a huge window separated him from the cold water. James shivered down his spine. Just as he was about to say something, Regulus got up and walked pretty close to him. Only now could he get a good look at his face. His eyes were swollen and red and on his cheeks, there were traces of dried tears. Shit. James was not prepared for this. He would wait a little longer. It hurt him to see Regulus like that and he could only guess it was because of him. Sirius was so stupid. James sat down on the floor next to the door. That wasn't what he expected, Regulus didn't care before. Why now? He shook his head. He should not get into it, that would only stir him up. He sat on the floor for several hours and waited. It didn't bother him, he liked Regulus company. Even if he didn't know he was there. At some point, Regulus went to the bathroom and came out after some time. He looked like nothing had happened. The Slytherin Prince as he lives and breathes. James smiled. But that smile bounced off his face after just a few seconds. 

Before Regulus had even opened the door, he once kicked the wall and shouted "Fuck you, James Potter!" 

James couldn't breathe anymore and curled up. Reg had kicked him directly in the stomach. Regulus looked surprised. He crouched down and stretched out his hand. He recoiled when he felt the soft fabric of the cloak under his fingers. 

"What the ...," he whispered "Revelatio" 

The cloak was pulled away by the spell and James lay on the floor feeling naked.

"James!", Regulus bent down to him "Salazar! How did you get in here?!" 

Only then did his face darken, "How long have you been here?"

"I came to apologize," James gasped, still unable to breathe properly.  

"As if", Regulus got up and just wanted to leave the room. 

"Please," Whispered James, he wasn't able to do more "Sirius is an asshole" 

"You noticed quickly", his smile was rather weak and his voice full of sarcasm. 

Then he looked James in the eye and said, "I was just a bet?" 

"Yes, I mean no. At first, you were a bet, but not anymore. I swear!" 

"Are you seriously thinking I believe you?" 

"I was hoping" 

"You were wrong" Regulus turned to walk and James saw his last chance, he jumped up, despite a sore stomach, and tore Regulus around. He pressed his lips on Regulus. Regulus was frozen. Then he pushed him away. 

"Out. Now," was all he said. 

"Reg-" "I said!" 

"Please. Listen to me" 

"Why would I ever think about listening to you," then he slammed the door shut. 

"Didn't you want to eat?" said James loudly. 

"Move," was all Regulus said. 

Only now did James register that dozens of people were staring at him. And the invisibility cloak was not in Regulus' room. And the invisibility cloak was not in Regulus' room. "Hi," he grinned insecurely, "How are you?" After being shooed out of the Slytherins' common room, he sat down again in the same place where he had sat all night. Some Slytherins came out of the common room and looked at him strangely. 

"Potter, do you really need to beg? Are Mummy and daddy not sending you enough money anymore? Pathetic" 

"Pathetic yourself!" 

"What do you want to do about it, Potter? you are completely alone. No blood traitor Black and no Loony Lupin. And we don't even start about Pettigrew. He's useless anyway. I happened to try a new magic potion yesterday, it just needs to be tested. And somehow you would be perfect for it," Snape took a small bottle out of his cape and began to open it. 

James groped for his wand, it took him a while to notice that he had left him next to his bed last night. Snape has already dropped a few drops of the potion on James Arm. A stabbing pain twitched through him and burn blisters formed where the liquid had touched him. 

"Interesting," Snape murmured as if he didn't know what the potion did. 

"Fuck off Snape. He isn't worth it. Just another dirty blood traitor", a similar voice said.