Sirius Expelled

Sirius Expelled: Part 25

Hi! Okay, new chapter. Lots of Jegulus angst but also fluff! A bit of Remus and James interaction which is also cute. All in all, a light chapter because I'm warning you. Every chapter after this is mostly if not all angst so good luck! :)

James went to the Astronomy Tower every night but Regulus never appeared again. Every time he checked the map, the Slytherin boy hadn't left his dorm except for classes and meals. He was never in the library, the tower, even briskly walking through the corridors. It was like he didn't want to see James but he didn't know why.

James was desperate to meet up with Regulus again. Ever since his talk with Remus, he could only think about Sirius. Something was wrong and try as he might, James couldn't stop himself from wanting to save him.

"What do you want, Potter?"

Regulus's voice rang out as James snuck up to the Astronomy Tower for the eighth night in a row.

"Re-Regulus?" James asked, almost surprised that he was there.

"What?"

His tone was cold with no hint of emotion.

"I uh, I have your Snitch." James said, hesitantly.

For a second, Regulus's mask fell, slightly. He turned, desperation in his eyes, before he regained control of himself. Without speaking, he snatched it from James, turning it over his fingers as he clutched the Snitch in his hand, tightly.

"Th-thank you." he said, with some difficulty.

"Yeah, of course." James responded, running a hand through his hair and flushing slightly, his glasses sitting crookedly across his face.

Regulus rolled the Snitch around his fingers for a few moments, refusing to look up at James in discomfort. Neither boy spoke as James stood on the staircase, watching Regulus.

"So uh, where have you been?" James asked, trying to break the silence.

"Not here." Regulus said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

James flushed and shrugged at him, his heart fluttering and his stomach in knots. Something about this boy was tugging at his heart and he couldn't shake the feeling that it was more than just wanting to know what was happening with Sirius.

"Well yeah, but why?" he pressed.

"I waited for you. You didn't come. You sent a letter then bailed on me. Why?"

"I sent the letter because I wanted to give back the Snitch. I-I didn't mean to bail on you but Remus had a mental breakdown and I had to help him."

Regulus didn't respond and James felt guilt roll in his stomach. He'd hurt him. James was confused why he felt so bad about hurting Regulus. The boy had hurt Sirius and didn't mean anything to James. He shouldn't care but his heart ached, telling him that he did.

The realization struck like lightning and James suddenly felt like an idiot. Yes, he was looking for information about Sirius, yes, he wanted to save him and maybe even Regulus from that house, but it was more than that. He liked Regulus, the way Remus liked Sirius. It was undeniably true and he felt guilt curdle in his stomach at the thought. For a second, he didn't move before slowly stepping backwards.

"I-I-I just- the snitch- I was here to bring it to you and I-" James fumbled over his words as he began to try to leave. "B-bye Regulus.

Without waiting for a response, James turned and nearly ran back to his common room, his heart pounding, leaving Regulus standing alone in the Astronomy Tower. His hands were shaking and his mind was whirling as he stumbled into his bedroom to see Remus looking at him with disbelief and anger.