Golden Retriever Black Cat

Part 21

"We should play UNO!" James shouted, launching himself onto Sirius and Remus.

Regulus sat back, smirking.

"I think that UNO tears families and relationships apart." Remus frowned.

"Then Monopoly!" James exclaimed.

"How about Poker?" Regulus offered.

Sirius chuckled softly, pulling out a deck of cards. "Are you shuffling, Reggie, or am I?" 

"You shuffle, I'll get the chips," Regulus decided.

"We're in over our heads, aren't we?" James asked, looking over to Remus.

"You're on your own, mate," Remus said.

"How am I the only one who has not played poker before?" James asked.

"I grew up with no money, I don't know what their excuses are." Remus picked up his hand.

"It's okay, James, you can play the first round with me," Regulus assured.

"You're the best," James moved.

"I know. Now, let's play!" Regulus grinned.

-

"And you said you've never played Poker before?" Remus asked with a laugh, counting out two chocolate frogs.

Even though they had money, they had decided gambling was probably not smart.

And it was a good thing too, because Sirius and Regulus had both lost at least seven hands to James.

"I guess I just got lucky?" James collected the fourteen frogs they had on hand and wrote out a slip for two more each.

"Love, you got more than lucky. You're really good at this," Sirius corrected.

"Okay. Well, I am going down for dinner." James jumped off.

"I'm coming with you," Regulus sighed.

"Wonderful!" James smiled, kissing Regulus before he realized what he was doing.

Sirius growled something unintelligible, and James took it as a good time to leave.

"Love, they're not going to break up just for you. They're in love, Sirius," Remus reminded.

"I know! I just don't like the idea of them being together, Moony!" Sirius sighed, putting his head in his hands.

"Sirius, I want you to try to imagine that James is feeling the same way about Regulus that you do about me." Remus said, opening a window in their dorm room.

"But-"

"No. Think about it."

"But-"

"Sirius, compared to them we had it easy. We never had to hide this," Remus pointed between them.

"I guess so."

"Sirius, they have hidden their relationship from you for so long. That could not have been easy."

"Okay. I'll go talk to James," Sirius sighed.

"Good. And please be nice! Oh, and I love you."

"I'll be nice. I love you too."

As Sirius wandered through the halls, he thought about what he could say.

He felt bad that they felt forced to hide their whole relationship from him. Granted, he reacted exactly as they expected.

"Prongs!" Sirius shouted, running through the great hall.

"Padfoot!" James ran to him.

"I give you my brother," Sirius said solemnly. 

"I give you Moony," James smiled.

"Best friends?" Sirius offered his hand.

"Forever, Pads." James enveloped him in a hug.

"Now," Sirius patted James don't he back, "get back to your lunch."

"You are the best!"

"I know."

James returned to his seat, grinning to himself as he relayed the story to Regulus.

"Well, I'm glad he's okay with this." Regulus held James's hand.

"Even if he wasn't, I would have stayed with you." James assured.

"Really? You would have given up your friendship with my brother for me?"

"Well, yeah. As important as friendships are, I have other friends who supported our relationship well before he even knew. Like Marlene and Peter, Remus too."

"But he's your closest friend, James."

"And you're my favourite boyfriend."

"James."

"Regulus."

"You're rediculous."

"You're handsome."

"I hate you."

"I love you too."

"Sickening," Mary tossed in.

"Absolutely," Lily agreed from her lap.

"Like you're not!" James rebuked.

Lily shrugged, throwing her ginger hair out of both her and Mary's faces.

"Are you both coming to mine for a few days this Easter?"

"Of course. Your mum is lovely," Lily agreed.

"Terrific!" James exclaimed.

"How about you, Mary?" Regulus asked.

"I still have to check with my mum, but I think I'll be able to get there for a day at least," Mary nodded.

"Yay!" James bounced.

The young man was not unlike a hyperactive toddler.

"When's the next Hogsmeade day?" Regulus wondered.

"Tomorrow. And you and your friends are coming with me and my friends for some Butterbeers. Mary, Lily, care to join us?" James invited.

"Absolutely. That's where we were headed anyways." Lily spoke for the both of them.

"Well, Regulus and I have some business to attend to. We will see you both tomorrow." James excused.

"We have business to attend to?" Regulus chuckled.

"No. I wanted to take a walk through the halls with my wonderful, lovely, handsome boyfriend." James smiled, kissing Regulus.

"I think we should do that," Regulus blushed.