jegulus ♡

chapter 7: His truth

Regulus sat in the bustling classroom he shared with Ravenclaws and Gryffindors, next to Finn Mickley, a Muggle-born whose affable nature and striking resemblance to James Potter had become a source of quiet fascination for him. Finn was not only approachable but possessed a magnetism that drew Regulus in. Their burgeoning friendship quickly developed into a series of discreet encounters, occurring with an encouraging regularity that seemed to validate Regulus’s complex emotions.

Their clandestine moments came to an abrupt halt when Severus Snape, ever the harbinger of discord, caught them in an intimate embrace. The fallout was immediate and far-reaching: Snape’s revelation spread through the school like wildfire. Regulus’s cousins, known for their disdain, responded with palpable animosity, their glares sharp and unrelenting. His former housemates, too, displayed their disapproval with cold disdain.

Amid this turmoil, Sirius’s reactions were notably restrained. A faint, almost melancholic smile was the extent of his acknowledgment in the hallways. Regulus struggled to comprehend this subtle shift, which felt both comforting and disconcerting. The hostility from his cousins and former peers, however, was unmistakable. The pervasive question lingered: Why had his personal truth become such a matter of public scrutiny?

Regulus’s reverie was abruptly interrupted by a collision.

“Sorry, I—James?” Regulus looked up, his gaze meeting that of James Potter.

“Regulus, right?” James inquired, his tone betraying a hint of curiosity.

Regulus, slightly disheartened by the tepid recognition, responded, “Yes, that’s me. Hi.”

James leaned in, lowering his voice. “How did you know you were… you know?”

Regulus raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What do you mean?”

James hesitated before continuing, “How did you know you were gay? I’m asking for a friend…”

Regulus’s lips curled into a wry smile. “I realized I was gay when I found myself more attracted to guys than to girls. It wasn’t just about physical attraction; it was about a deeper connection.”

James’s eyes widened. “But you’re only fifteen!”

Regulus shrugged, his expression nonchalant. “I’m turning sixteen next week. It’s not unheard of.”

James’s face grew serious. “Still, Regulus, that’s not exactly legal…”

A long, weighted pause followed, thick with unspoken implications.

“So?” Regulus finally asked, his tone defiant.

James’s expression softened. “You can’t just... engage in that with others.”

Regulus’s gaze sharpened. “Jealous, Potter?”

James’s cheeks flushed. “Well… yes.”

Regulus was taken aback. “What?”

“Yes, Reg, I’m jealous,” James admitted.

In that moment, their conversation took a dramatic turn. The intensity of their emotions transformed the air around them.

Just then, Sirius rounded the corner, his face a mask of astonishment. “James? Regulus?” he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of disbelief and confusion. “What on earth are you doing?”

The scene was a revelation of raw, unfiltered emotion, marking a pivotal moment in Regulus’s journey—a moment where personal revelations collided with the expectations of those around him.