𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 - regulus black

chapter twenty four

Adena eventually had to come back inside if she didn't want to freeze on a bench of the courtyard. The girl entered the castle without that much energy, she was walking slowly, watching everywhere if there was anyone. It must have been after lunch, so people were probably in their common rooms already. She was taking step after step, at a slow pace, her body shaking a little from the cold, not that she cared. And she met someone inside, by a window. It could have been anyone, but it had to be one of the people she most wanted to avoid.

"What are you doing here?" asked Regulus, his eyes a bit wide in surprise as he watched her frozen state enter the large hallway.

"Taking a stroll... you?" she muttered through her shattering teeth, not looking at him as she passed by him.

"Same, I was just watching the snow fall before you came."

"Then continue," the girl replied, not turning around, but he did, walking behind her, at a safe distance.

"Are you cold?"

"No," was her short and stern reply even though it was clearly a lie.

Suddenly, she felt something wrap around her. The brunette's wide eyes glanced up at Regulus, his Slytherin robe now wrapped around her shaking body.

"What are you doing?" she whispered, her gaze now stuck on the floor as he was closing his much larger robe on her, facing her.

"Preventing you from having hypothermia," replied his monotonous voice.

"I didn't ask," she whispered again, but accepted the gesture, nonetheless.

"Stop being a stubborn child, idiot," he said as he wrapped an arm around her shaking shoulders, bringing her close to him so he could share some of his warmth.

"Tch," was all she answered as they started walking. She couldn't lie, his warmth was welcomed after staying in the cold for hours.

"So, what was the real reason for you staying outside until you were freezing cold."

"Clear my mind, calm down..."

"Because of your sister?"

"Hm... yeah... did you hear what she said?"

"I heard everything," his voice was still calm, and his face was unreadable, not showing any emotion regarding what had happened.

"I'm sorry you had to witness this-"

"No, I'm sorry for being a bad influence for you. Now people hate on you for hanging out a few times with me."

"Don't say that! It was also my choice! I don't care what others say, I do what I want."

"If you say so..."

"And there's nothing wrong with that anyway. We're classmates and we're both prefects doing what we have to do. They're the ones with a problem," her voice sounded irritated and angry as she said that.

Regulus felt somehow touched she was defending him and the relationship they had built these past few months. He knew she was sure of herself but deep down he didn't want her to argue with people she appreciated because of this.

"Anyway, I hope you won't catch a cold. Make sure to warm up you when you arrive."

Adena appreciated his somehow care and answered with a smile, "I'm already warmed up, thank you."

"That's not enough, idiot..." he whispered, continuing to lead the way to the Ravenclaw common room.

And when they arrived, Adena distanced herself from him, taking off his robe to give it back.