the holidays - a jegulus microfic
When James first starts bothering Regulus, Regulus is fourteen. James is fifteen. Regulus doesn't entertain him, only gives him short comments, mostly to insult him.
The first crack comes the week before Christmas holidays.
"Are you excited to go home for Christmas?" James asks him while Regulus dips his quill in a pot of black ink. He let James stick around for most of his time in the library that day, said he was to busy to be bothered trying and failing to get James to leave.
James knows Sirius hates going home for the holidays, but Sirius told him before that Regulus is much fonder of their parents. So maybe he enjoys Christmas holidays.
Regulus furrows his eyebrows without looking up at James.
"I don't go home at Christmas," he states blankly, as if it doesn't hurt him in the slightest. James tilts his head to the side in confusion. That can't be right.
"Sirius always goes home during the holidays, you don't join him?" James sees Regulus' hand start to shake as he asks the question.
"Sirius has duties at home. Mother says it's best I stay here so I can catch up with studies instead of falling behind."
It's the bluntness of his tone that worries James most. Even as his lip starts to quiver, his voice never falters. He keeps writing, answering robotically as if he's explained the situation many times before. He doesn't look James in the eye.
"Your parents don't want you home for Christmas?" Regulus doesn't answer this time, he keeps gliding his quill over his parchment. "You just stay here in the castle by yourself? I heard Dorcas say the twins and Crouch are going home. She's going to Marlene's. They let you stay here alone—"
Regulus' quill tears through his parchment. James pauses. Regulus' knuckles have gone white with his grip on the quill but before James can apologise Regulus drops it in frustration.
He picks up his belongings, crumples the torn parchment and shoves everything into his bag. When he starts to walk away, James trails after him, trying to apologise.
Regulus stops, James almost banging into him. "Do us both a favour, Potter," he suggests, turning around. "Stop asking me questions and leave me the fuck alone."
Without another word, he briskly leaves the library, leaving James to watch his retreating form.
James needs to owl his parents about staying in Hogwarts for Christmas.
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