☼✯?𝒟ℴ ℐ ℒℴℴ𝓀 ℒ𝒾𝓀ℯ ℋ𝒾𝓂?✯☼ JEGULUS/STARCHASER

☼✯1✯☼

✯ℐ 𝓁ℴℴ𝓀 𝓁𝒾𝓀ℯ 𝒽𝒾𝓂..☼

✰𝕃𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝔹𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕜✰

Regulus Black liked routines. They gave structure to his otherwise chaotic days at Hogwarts. Every morning, he woke at precisely 6:30, dressed in crisp, neatly pressed robes, and headed to breakfast before the Great Hall filled with noise. He sat in the same spot at the Slytherin table, near enough to his friends to not be questioned but far enough to avoid unnecessary conversation.

This morning, however, his carefully planned routine was disrupted by an unwelcome presence.

James Potter's laugh echoed across the hall, loud and carefree, as if the entire world existed solely for his amusement. Regulus' grip tightened on his book, his knuckles white against the silver band of his ring. He kept his eyes down, focused on the lines of text that blurred under his gaze.

"Are you reading again, Reggie?" Dorcas Meadows' voice cut through his thoughts.

He flinched slightly, not because of her tone—it was playful, not mocking—but because she'd caught him off guard. Regulus raised his head, meeting her sharp, knowing gaze. Dorcas always had that way about her, like she could see right through him.

"Yes," he replied, his voice soft and almost hesitant.

Dorcas smiled, ruffling his curls as she passed. "Try not to disappear into that book, alright?"

He gave a small nod, his fingers twitching to fix the strands she'd displaced. As soon as she turned her attention back to the rest of the Pythons, Regulus let out a quiet breath and resumed reading. Or at least, he tried to.

Because James Potter was staring at him again.

Regulus felt the weight of the Gryffindor's gaze before he looked up, his gray eyes flicking toward the other side of the hall. Sure enough, there James sat, all wild curls and golden skin, his head tilted in a way that suggested he wasn't even trying to be subtle.

Regulus' cheeks burned. He ducked his head, pretending to read, but the words on the page swam in front of his eyes.

"Why does he keep looking at you?" Evan Rosier's voice was low, his sharp blue eyes narrowing at James.

"I don't know," Regulus whispered.

Pandora, perched beside Evan, hummed thoughtfully. "Maybe he thinks you're interesting."

Regulus frowned. "I'm not."

"You are to us," Pandora said with a soft smile, her voice light and soothing, as always.

Regulus didn't reply. He didn't know how to. Compliments made his chest feel tight, and not in a good way. Instead, he focused on breathing, counting each inhale and exhale until the heat in his face subsided.

At least, until James Potter stood up.

"Baby Black!"

The words cut through the morning chatter, drawing attention from more tables than just Slytherin's. Regulus froze, his heart dropping into his stomach.

Why does he always have to be so loud?

"Don't respond," Evan muttered under his breath, his hand twitching toward his wand.

But Regulus couldn't help it. Slowly, reluctantly, he turned toward the source of his discomfort.

James Potter sauntered toward the Slytherin table, his grin wide and utterly obnoxious. The kind of grin that said he knew exactly what he was doing and was enjoying every second of it.

Regulus swallowed hard, his voice caught somewhere in his throat.

"What do you want, Potter?" Evan's tone was sharp, bordering on threatening.

James ignored him, his eyes fixed solely on Regulus. "What, no hello for me, Little Black?"

The nickname made Regulus flinch. His hands clenched into fists under the table, his nails digging into his palms. He wanted to say something, to tell James to leave him alone, but the words wouldn't come.

Instead, he just stared, wide-eyed and silent, as James leaned closer.

"Not feeling talkative today?" James teased, his tone light. "Don't worry, I'll do the talking. You can just sit there and look pretty."

Pandora's hand brushed against Regulus', grounding him.

"Go away, Potter," she said gently but firmly.

James straightened, glancing at her with mild curiosity. "Oh, Pandora. Didn't see you there. Keeping Baby Black safe, are you?"

Pandora tilted her head, her expression unbothered. "Always."

James chuckled, taking a step back. "Alright, alright. I'll leave him alone."

But as he walked away, Regulus couldn't shake the feeling that James had achieved exactly what he wanted.

Regulus escaped to the Astronomy Tower that evening, as he often did when the day became too much. The cold air was sharp against his skin, the stars above distant and comforting. He traced the constellations with his eyes, whispering their names like a prayer.

"Orion," he murmured, his gaze lingering on the star his family had named his father after. His voice wavered slightly. "Sirius."

The sound of footsteps behind him made him freeze.

"Should've known I'd find you here," James said casually, his voice breaking the quiet.

Regulus turned slowly, his heart hammering in his chest. "Why are you here?"

James shrugged, his hands shoved into his pockets. "Wanted some fresh air. Saw you sneaking off and thought I'd say hi."

"You already said hi," Regulus pointed out, his voice barely above a whisper.

James grinned. "True. But I don't think you said anything back."

Regulus turned away, his gaze fixed firmly on the stars. "I don't have anything to say to you."

"Harsh," James said, though his tone remained light. He took a step closer, his presence warm against the cold night. "Why don't you like me, Little Black?"

"Don't call me that," Regulus said quietly, his voice trembling.

James blinked, the grin slipping from his face. For the first time that day, he looked genuinely confused. "Why not?"

Regulus hesitated, his throat tightening. He couldn't explain it, couldn't find the words to tell James why the nickname made his chest ache in the worst way.

"You don't need to understand," he said finally, his tone firmer than he felt.

James studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, no more nicknames. Just Regulus."

Regulus didn't respond. Instead, he turned back to the sky, the stars above steadier than anything else in his life.

Behind him, James lingered for a moment longer before quietly leaving.

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𝔸/ℕ: I STARTED THIS A WHILEEEE AGOOO 😭