castle — word count: 888 — @jeggyverses-jegulus-microfic
Regulus sits on James’s bed in his animagus form. He had slipped into James’s dorm room—a small black cat goes easily unnoticed in the Gryffindor common room—and was now waiting for the older boy.
He’s not entirely sure what the plan is. He’s pretty sure James likes him back. Maybe? Possibly?
James doesn’t see him at first, too busy in his own mind. Regulus lets out a meow, causing James’s head to swivel in his direction.
“Oh, hello,” James says softly. He makes his way over to the bed. Over to Regulus.
Be cool, be cool, be cool, Regulus repeats in his brain. BE COOL.
James looks around the room, which was empty apart from them two. “Who brought you here?”
How the hell am I supposed to answer that? I’m a fucking cat, for god’s sake.
“Mm, yes. That makes sense,” James jokes. He reaches to pet Regulus.
Regulus purrs, rubbing his head against James’s hand.
A soft awwww escapes James’s mouth. “You already like me, huh?”
If cats could blush, Regulus would. But it’s fine. He can be affectionate as a cat. James doesn’t know it’s him. It’s fine.
“Okay, you’re ours now.” James puts his arms out, and Regulus walks over willingly, settling himself cozily in James’s grasp.
“You’re so cute,” James murmurs as he stands up. “I’m gonna name you Pudding.”
Regulus immediately hisses. No way was his name going to be Pudding.
James just ignores him and starts walking, heading for the stairs.
“Guys!” James calls out as they reach the Gryffindor common room.
There’s two other people in the room—Peter and Sirius.
Their heads turn around at James’s yell.
Peter runs over to him and James. “Awww, who's this?”
“Found him on my bed. His name’s Pudding.”
Peter reaches to pet Regulus. Regulus hisses and turns around to stick his face in James's chest.
“Don't think he likes you.” James chuckles.
Peter scoffs. “Please. We've just met. Give him some time and he'll adore me.”
Sirius walks over to look at Regulus—and then immediately starts laughing.
“Oh, that's hilarious,” he chokes out, wiping a tear.
Shit. Regulus had forgotten Sirius knew about him being an animagus.
“What’s hilarious?” James raises an eyebrow.
“Ah, nothing. Nothing at all.” Sirius sighs, a smile wide on his face. “Hey, you should show the cat to Reggie! He’ll love him.”
Regulus reaches out to smack Sirius on the face.
Sirius just bursts out laughing again.
James grins. “That’s a great idea, Padfoot!”
“What’d you say the cat’s name was, Prongs?”
Sirius’s lips twitch. “Oh wow, that’s an amazing name. Well, you better head off now to find Reg.”
James nods excitedly. He exits the common room and starts heading through the hallways of Hogwarts towards the library.
It takes a few minutes since the castle is huge, but eventually they reach the library.
Regulus’s eyes widen as he spots Pandora and Dorcas in a corner.
And then James starts heading towards them.
“Hey, James! What’s up?” Dorcas greets, putting their book down.
Pandora just stares blankly.
“D’you wanna know where Regulus is?” Pandora interrupts.
“Uh—yeah, actually. How’d y—”
“He’s closer than you think.”
“Um…” James looks at Dorcas like he’s asking if she’s crazy. “What do you m—”
“Okay, Pandora, I think you’ve spooked him enough,” Dorcas cuts in. “Reg’s not here, James. I think you’d have better luck asking Remus, he’s over there.” They point in a vague location to their right.
“HEY, GUYS. What’s going on ‘ere, then?” Barty’s arm lands on James’s shoulders, who startles and drops Regulus.
Regulus hisses as he lands, eyeing Barty with a sour look.
“Regulus! What were you doin’ in Potter’s arms?” Evan asks, wiggling his eyebrows with a cheeky grin.
“Regu— What?” James turns around to face Barty and Evan. “That’s Pudding.”
Barty snorts. “Pudding? Is that a nickname? How the hell did Reg let you call ‘im that?”
Regulus decides he’s had enough. He changes back into a human, ignoring the bad idea, bad idea, bad idea, that his brain is repeating. He feels the cat fur and tail go away and, in a flash, he comes back to his regular body.
“BLOODY FUCK!” James exclaims, dropping down to the ground unceremoniously.
“Hey, James,” Regulus says sheepishly.
“Y-you’re an— You’re an animagus.” James looks up with his eyes wide.
Regulus chuckles weakly. “Yeah…”
“Ohhh, I see what’s happened now,” Barty says. “We’ll leave you alone.”
Dorcas, Pandora, Barty, and Evan all walk out, some of them shooting Regulus encouraging or knowing looks.
“Do you want to go on a date with me?” James blurts out.
I still haven’t said anything.
I should probably say somethi—
“Uh—sorry, that was weird. That— I shouldn’t have said that. Ha. Never mind me. You don’t have to—” James stammers, awkwardly clutching the back of his neck.
He mentally slaps himself. Gosh, who says ‘pick me up’, get a grip, Regulus.
James’s face suddenly morphs into the biggest grin Regulus has ever seen, and just like that, he knows he made the right decision.
