𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 - regulus black

chapter twelve

That day, during lunch time, Candace was really a pain to her sister. She kept pestering her and being overprotective after the whole incident of the past week. She wouldn't leave her side for lunch, but Adena just ignored her, not that it was the first time. She finally felt free when classes began, making them go in opposite directions.

"Your big sis really likes you hmm," said Jacob's teasing voice when they were heading to the Charms classroom.

She didn't reply, only looking more irritated which made the boy laugh.

Professor Flitwick started by picking up the essays, not leaving any more time to add a few words if some hadn't completed their essay. After that the lesson began, being as normal as ever. They started by practicing their new learned charm which Adena had practiced a little before going to bed that night. She surprisingly executed it perfectly even though it was no surprise for her teacher and the other students.

"Really, really good Miss Winsten! Mr Wiggins! This is what I expect from you!" said the high-pitched voice of the teacher, sounding angry.

This remark made the students' laughter explode in the room as the Wiggins boy's ears turned crimson. Adena wasn't even looking at him, not interested by a random Gryffindor being embarrassed.

At the end of the class, as everyone was leaving, the teacher called out Adena, before joining her as fast as he could with his small legs.

"Miss Winsten, I heard that some incident happened last week, is that true?" asked hesitantly Flitwick. The young Ravenclaw only nodded in response, her expression showcasing boredom she didn't bother to hide.

"And so, you've been missing classes since then, as well as your prefect duties?" She nodded again.

"Do you want to... give up on your duties?"

"Not really. It wasn't a problem at first."

"Is it now?"

She was thinking of an appropriate answer as she didn't want to dwell on the subject, so she just said, "Dale Penley is the problem. Either I stop or he does."

Flitwick nodded in understanding.

"Another girl would be paired up with him in case I step down from my duties so I would appreciate if you could dismiss him of his functions instead."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Fine. Have a nice day, Professor."

That night in the four girls' bedroom, as they were preparing to go to bed, all chatting, and Adena reading quietly, Jade suddenly asked.

"What did Flitwick want from you?"

She took a few seconds to answer, "Prefect duties."

"Are you quitting?" asked black-haired girl, her black orbs slightly widened in surprise.

"No. Penley will surely though."

"So, it's related to him uh?" rejoined Eugenia's voice.

Adena looked up from her exemplary of Nineteen eighty-four, a Muggle book she had found out in the library not too long ago, very well hidden. She always thought they had strange novels, hardly understandable but somehow interesting.

"Yes. Stay away from that filthy git. It's for the best I assure you." She then went back to her reading, anger slightly burning through her veins, while the three other girls just looked at each other confused.

Adena woke up in fear. The same nightmare was haunting her again. She stayed in bed, lying wide awake, panting and sweating. She stayed in that position for another hour or so, until her roommates started waking up as well. This would happen almost every day at random moments of the night, and she would rarely manage to go back to sleep after this, the images more vivid in her mind, as if she had just relived this horrid moment.

When her three roommates started moving, she started doing the same. She didn't waste too much time before going into the bathroom for a quick shower. After finishing, being all dressed up and of course not forgetting her glasses, she left the room with her bag, without a word. Yes, she didn't really want to be alone anymore, yet she couldn't help detaching herself from others, adoring and hating her solitude at the same time. She didn't waste time in the corridors. Her lonely strolls in the castle were finished. She would now always take the shortest ways.

It was no surprise she had no appetite this morning. She was looking rather disgustingly at Jacob gulping down his crumpled eggs, as if someone was about to steal his food, making the knot in her stomach tighten even more. She glanced away, sipping her tea silently.

"You're not eating Adena?" asked her Isaac.

"Not hungry this morning," the girl said with a shrug.

"Going back to Herbology makes you in such a bad mood, huh?"

"Exactly, Jacob," she just replied with a sigh. And he went back to his meal.

She realized Jacob was in fact right, and it irritated her even more. Herbology was her least favorite subject and this would never change.

She wanted to skip lunch that day. Nobody dared confronting her about this, almost scared about her unusual irritated mood. She walked past the Great Hall, quickly climbing up the stairs, deciding to head to her common room, but barely a few steps after doing so, she bumped into Regulus Black. She stumbled back a little but he grabbed her arm so she could regain her balance. The Slytherin boy looked down at her as she was groaning in irritation.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice emotionless, not betraying him regarding his curiosity.

Adena was looking up at him, her brows furrowed.

"None of your business. Why do you care anyway."

"Are you planning on skipping lunch?"

Her eyes widened slightly before her frown returned, proving the boy he was right.

"You didn't answer my question."

"Neither did you."

He was starting to get on her nerves. "Leave me alone Black," she spat while glaring at him.

"Why aren't you leaving."

Why wasn't she leaving? She didn't know. And for a moment she calmed down and avoided his piercing grey eyes. She suddenly noticed his hold onto her arm. It was so light, she forgot it. With a smirk she said.

"You're holding me." Regulus realized that too and finally let her go.

"You didn't try to go." Her smirk faded away as he said that.

"Whatever just... mind your own business."

"You should eat, you already look frail," he said as he passed her, directing himself towards the Great Hall. In the end, the only person who dared confronting her despite her bad mood was Regulus Black.

She stayed there for a while, pondering over his words, not even noticing the weird stares directed at her when students passed by her unmoving body. After a few minutes, she turned around, going back the way she came and heading to the Great Hall. As she entered, Adena's hazel eyes instinctively turned towards the Slytherin table, finding Regulus' own pair already staring back at her. The exchange barely lasted a few seconds before he went back to his food and the little chat he was having with some of his housemates. She made her way towards the Ravenclaw table after that, sitting next to Eugenia wordlessly.

"You changed your mind?" said Millie, sounding rather happy, for no particular reason, Adena thought. She just shrugged and started digging into her food, that she actually enjoyed.