𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 - regulus black

chapter forty two

The next day, she was again sitting next to Regulus. It was Arithmancy class. He had been so quiet for the whole class. He was of course a serious student, but he would always exchange some words with his Ravenclaw companion. When it was almost the end, he whispered something quietly, looking disinterested even though his question was unexpected and sounded serious.

"Do you like Sirius?"

Adena widened her hazel eyes before a frown appeared on her forehead as she turned her face towards Regulus who wouldn't return the gaze.

"Why would you say that?"

"Asking out of curiosity that's all."

"I do not like him."

"You spend a lot of time with him these days..."

"So what ? I think I already told you, I spend time with my sister, and he happens to be there. I don't care about him." She was starting to feel irritated, she didn't even know why his remarks were annoying her.

"You laugh and smile with him..." he sounded gloomy as his cold voice continued. He had a hard time keeping a straight façade.

"What's the problem? Does it bother you if I hang out with your brother?" she hadn't realized she had slightly raised her voice, and a girl in front of them turned around, only to be met with Regulus' glare.

"Yes..." It was almost inaudible, but he admitted it. He didn't know why he was jealous. He could have been jealous of his brother spending so much time with the brunette, or her spending so much time with his brother, unlike him.

"And why?" She sounded a bit calmer now. Her gaze wouldn't look somewhere else than his face, but he kept fixing his textbook.

"I don't like the idea of you being with him, with all the shit that happened you know..." The Slytherin also felt a bit insecure. What if Sirius ended up being her favorite of the Black brothers. She would probably end up leaving him, just like Sirius did. That thought was scaring him so much, but he couldn't get it out of his head.

"I see. But you shouldn't be mad at me for that. His company isn't bad even though I don't go out for him..." murmured Adena, writing again, but Regulus finally decided to look at her.

"Do you prefer his company over mine?" he quickly asked, his grey eyes boring into her surprised ones. His orbs looked almost afraid, that emotion in him was frightening her as well.

"No... I don't know what you're thinking about, but no. No, I don't prefer hanging out with him. Your company is much more enjoyable- "

"But what if it changes," cut off the raven-haired boy's serious tone.

"Change? Do you think the relationship I have with him can become the one I have with you?" She sounded serious as well. "There's nothing similar in these two relationships. If even I can call that relationship. I may act friendly with your brother but I'm not close to him. Not as close to you."

When she talked, her warm hazel eyes bored into Regulus' apprehensive ones. Maybe she couldn't let out feelings through words, but she hoped he would understand. Adena's eyes were giving off seriousness but it became a source of comfort for the Slytherin male. She wouldn't lie. Anyone but her. He knew he could trust her.

He let go of his quill and Adena didn't hesitate to take a hold of her hands, giving them a soft squeeze. She couldn't look away from his stormy eyes, wanting to reassure him. It was the first time she had ever witnessed a vulnerable facet of Regulus. She automatically got the urge to comfort him and protect him.

"Can you attend my upcoming Quidditch match, please?"

He broke the silence after a few long seconds that felt like eternity, but that could have lasted twice as this time, she would not mind looking into his eyes for so long.