i really loved him

chapter 35

Regulus POV

Thursday, 16th December, 22:23 – There is a fine line between worry and suspicion. Regulus wasn't sure where he currently lay.

He had just finished his prefect rounds for the evening, and was heading back down to the dungeons. Alone, listening to the clip of shoes against stone echo around the silent walls. The other Slytherin prefect, Martine Baudin, was somewhere on the other side of the castle. They were technically supposed to patrol together, but Regulus usually proposed that they split up. Although he put this down as being a more efficient method to complete the rounds, which was true, it was more because he liked to visit the elves in between stalking the halls on the search for troublemakers.

Either way, she seemed all too happy to get away from him, so had readily agreed.

Worry and suspicion. The uneasy thoughts that drifted circles in his head as he walked. Reflecting. Evaluating.

In the past couple of months – all year, if he really considered it – James had been acting off. No less lively, or charming, or infuriating as he usually was, though at the same time he seemed... different.

Tripping over himself, fumbling and dropping whatever was in his hands, scarcely leaving his glasses alone as he constantly re-adjusted them even though Regulus always felt they looked just perfect. Granted, these were all things that James did anyway. Recently, however, they had all become more frequent than before.

And sometimes, much more unnervingly, he would go quiet for a while; not just in the library, but as they walked and took breaks from flying, too. He would be silent, thoughtful. Which wasn't like James at all, and if Regulus spoke to him, he would often give a little start, as if plucked too abruptly from his own mind.

Then there were the days that occurred once every few weeks upon which James would turn up to the pitch or to the library so exhausted that he would waver on his feet, eyelids drooping, before they had even begun. It had happened perhaps four times since the beginning of term, Regulus estimated, and on each occasion the older boy would give an excuse that they both knew was drivel.

He was being strange.

Regulus didn't like it.

As if to prove that point, when Regulus turned a corner into a particularly narrow passage on the second floor, James' head was floating by the wall.

Not the rest of him. Just his head. Hovering in mid-air, a few steps in front, facing away until Regulus inhaled sharply in shock. His wand was already drawn by instinct as James' head whipped around and caught sight of him.

"Shit!" it exclaimed, eyes wide. "Reggie, what're you doing here?!"

"What are you doing here?" Regulus demanded, not lowering his wand. "And where is... the rest of you?"

Glancing down at where his body should be, James' face broke into an impish grin.

"Oh, right," he sniggered. "Forgot about that."

Regulus stared as he pulled off what looked like a cloak made of gossamer; it shimmered silver, moving with a fluid-like quality as it slid away. James' hands were entirely invisible where they held it, while the rest of him had come into view.

"...Surprise," he said, still grinning. "Could you maybe put that down now? Don't fancy having my arse hexed off, thanks."

Realising that his wand was still raised, Regulus slipped it back into his pocket. Without a word, he walked towards James and put out a hand to touch the bizarre fabric. It was weightless, smooth, feeling almost like water against his skin. He recognized it. But at the same time didn't understand how it was possible.