For Jas for the Advent Calendar event at Hogwarts.

Also written for the Hogwarts Muggle Art class, Assignment #2, Task #2: Write about a character taking a risk despite being told not to.


"Come on, Regulus, I promise you it'll be fun! Plus, it's only in town for a week," James said with an arrogant grin. All Regulus wanted in that moment was the wipe it off of his face. Then again, he never thought rationally when it came to James Potter.

"But we'll be caught easily, and then we'll get in trouble, and I can't think of any way that we'll be able to sneak in and out in time..." Regulus trailed off because James had already slipped away. Of course. Regulus sighed and ran after his friend.

When Regulus found James, he was already attempting to slip by into the circus entrance without paying for a ticket. Regulus tapped him on the shoulder and he whirled around instantly.

"Finally decided to join me?" he asked with a smirk. "Now let's move quickly before the ticket lady notices us just standing here." James started to slip away again, but Regulus grabbed his arm to stop him. He felt a jolt of electricity.

James glared at Regulus and tried to pull away again, but Regulus's grip was firm. "Don't be so reckless and idiotic, James. There are cameras at the entrance. However, there are no cameras around the back of the circus, if you know what I'm saying."

He stared at him blankly for a moment before finally realizing what Regulus meant. "Alright then, so let's go," James said, already rushing around to the back of the circus. Regulus moved more slowly behind him. It wasn't like he wanted a "thank you" or anything.

"Hurry up, Regulus, you're so slow," James said, falling back a few steps only to poke him in the side. Regulus unwillingly let out a laugh.

"This is all that you're getting, James. Be glad I even let us sneak into the circus."

"But what if I want more?" James asked. Regulus's breath hitched and he tried to think of an acceptable to response, but luckily they rounded the corner to the deserted back entrance of the circus.

James immediately dashed inside of one of the abandoned tents. "James! Be careful! You don't know that there's nobody in there," Regulus hissed after him, but it was too late. Sighing, Regulus followed him inside.

In the middle of the tent was a tightrope. It wasn't particularly high or long, and there was a net under it. Naturally, James began to climb up the structure to the top of the rope.

"James! Get down from there right now!" Regulus said as fear shot through him and refused to leave. James was either immune to Regulus's orders or deaf, however, and he continued to climb.

"You should try it, Regulus. We'll do it together," James called down, and before Regulus could think his decision through, he found himself climbing up to the tightrope, too.

Regulus got to the top platform and hesitated. "... Have you ever done this before?" he asked nervously, trying not to look down.

James nodded. "Yeah, of course. One or two times. Just wrap your arms around my waist or something and I'll keep us balanced," he said, and without giving Regulus time to consider, he moved Regulus's arms and stepped out onto the tightrope.

All other thoughts were washed out of Regulus's mind, and the only thing he could think about was the proximity of his body to James's and how they were seriously walking a tightrope in a circus that they had snuck into together. He felt invincible.

Together, we could do anything. Together, we could fly.