The Unusual Friend

"Thank you." Regulus thanked as he cleaned the blood from his mouth with a handkerchief. He, Lily and Harry were sitting at the Hog's Head, since James and Sirius were at the Three Broomsticks.

"Why were they beating you?" Lily asked worried. Regulus sighed.

"I saw them doing something they shouldn't. Thanks for helping me."

"Can I ask you something?" Harry asked seriously.

"Yes?"

"Did you see them showing the Dark Mark?"

Regulus instantly paled and sat in front of Harry, widening his eyes in shock.

"How do you know about the mark?"

"Heard of it. You're doing yours?"

"My mother told me they've got a good cause. Bella's in and everyone likes her." He answered simply.

"I can't believe you're risking your life just for your mum to like you more." Lily said shocked. "Sirius ran, Regulus. Unless you intend to die for a mad man who wants to conquer the world, you have a choice!"

Harry nodded in agreement and for a second they stared at Regulus. Sighing, the boy dropped his head.

"I don't have Sirius' strength to confront my mother." And rose up.

"Ask for help. I would." Harry advised, and Regulus opened the door to go out.

"Thanks again." He thanked one last time, and then left.

Harry and Lily exchanged looks, and the red – headed nodded.

"Ok, you don't want anything with me. Can we at least be friends?"

"Course." Harry laughed, and after paying the barman they left for the Three Broomsticks. James and Sirius were sitting at the counter, talking with Rosmerta. Seeing the opportunity, Harry poked Lily.

"Why don't you give James a chance? He got really mature recently, and I'm basing on the train experience."

"It's not that easy to take back my promise of never getting out with him. " Lily giggled. "I've got my pride, you know."

"If you put your pride aside you'd see James is as good as you think I am."

They sat at a table, and the bar became suddenly silent. Harry and Lily turned in time to see Regulus talking to Sirius at the counter, and they saw Sirius suddenly get serious and James went towards them.

"Regulus said he talked with you and wants to speak to Sirius. What happened?"

"We just told him not to join the Death Eaters." Harry explained, shrugging his shoulders. "The Slytherin bullies were beating him up, and Lily took him out of there."

"Well, anyway Sirius wants you two upstairs, room ten. Let's go?"

Harry and Lily, surprised, were guided to a private room on the second floor, where Regulus explained something to Sirius. James knocked the door and it opened.

"I dunno what you did for this loser to jump off, but thank you." Sirius said, gazing severely at Regulus, who blushed. "Brother, you shall do the following: on the Christmas holiday you pack and wait for us with your window opened. I don't care what you're saying to mum, leave her a note if you wish."

"What about Narcissa?"

"Stay away from her." Sirius sighed. "Unless you want to be snitched by someone. If you want to, you can have lunch with us, and if you tell someone about this talk, you're dead. Understood?"

"Ok. When you're going to like me again?" Regulus asked hopefully. Sirius, who was already going down the stairs, shouted:

"I never said I didn't like you."

Minutes later they were sitting at Rosmerta's again, and Harry commented:

"Regulus needed just a push. Now that you helped him, Sirius, we've got a new friend."

Below the table, Harry felt someone kick his ankle, and didn't believe in his luck when Lily motioned discreetly to him and then to James. Suddenly Harry cleaned his throat:

"Hum… Sirius? You know Zonko's very well, don't you?"

"Great! Could you help me, then? I've wanted some new funny goods…"

"Course! James, let's take Harry to-"

"Oh, I'd rather if just you came with me. Lily hates the store, she would get bored. James, stay here with her, please?" he rushed to say, dragging Sirius by the sleeve.

"Lily will leave only the corpse behind, New Kid." Sirius said as they got into Zonko's. Harry laughed, beginning to pick up some toy rats.

Meanwhile, at the Three Broomsticks, silence hung over Lily and James' table.

"So, Evans…" James begun, cleaning his throat. "How was the day with Harry?"

"He dumped me." She said relaxed. "We wouldn't do very well dating, you know. What about you and Sirius?"

"What?" James asked confused. "We're not dating!" he shouted, but then saw Lily's giggling face. "Ah, smart."

"Sorry." Lily laughed. "Couldn't help it."

"Newly discovered sense of humor?" James asked sarcastically.

"I've always had one, just never cared about showing it to you." She replied with the same tone.

"Started showing for what reason?" he asked curious.

"Our mental ages are the same now." Lily answered simply and sympathetically. "I noticed your change of character recently, and today Harry told me some things that made me sure that you had finally grown. May I know why?"

Surprised, Lily saw James' face become serious, and his voice lost the excitement.

"My father's sick. He was already old when I was born, anyway, but now he's paying the ageing charge. Maybe he won't last until next year, so I had to grow up to take care of my mum."

"I'm sorry."

"It's ok. I've always known someday I'd lose my parents… Anyway, this is one of the reasons I decided I'd have to act like a seventeen year old guy instead of a seven year old boy."

"One of the reasons?"

"Yes. I've changed for my father… And for you." James blushed "But when I saw that you were interested in Harry, I jumped off. It must've hurt you today."

"I wasn't that interested in him to get really hurt. I think he got my attention for being someone new and handsome at Hogwarts."

"I'm glad for that. I mean, not that he dumped you, I wasn't expecting this as I said before, I had already jumped off and everything, but I didn't want to see you sad, not that I'm hitting on you or anything, it's just that I don't like to see people-"

"I got it, James." Lily giggled, and James stopped.

"Sorry."

Lily smiled and James stared her for a few seconds before slipping his hand over the table to hers, which was over the napkins.

"But if you want me now, I'm all yours."

Feeling herself blush she continued smiling, and decided to risk.

"You have one single chance."

James rose up from his chair and sat beside her.

"I'll use this chance very well, I promise." And kissed her.