𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 - regulus black

chapter sixty seven

Adena just stayed in a corner of the large ballroom of the Malfoy Manor while waiting for her boyfriend. One third of the people originally present had left to go to the meeting. A blonde girl came to her after a moment. It was Ivanna Flint, which she didn't think would be here.

"Hey there Winsten. I didn't think I'd see you here tonight."

"Me neither."

"You came with Black's family then? You made a good first impression on the Dark Lord at least," said the girl with a smile. How could it make her smile, Adena still felt disturbed.

"And why are you there?"

"I'm with my family. My brother's one of them actually"

"I didn't know... "

"Of course, you didn't," laughed Ivanna. "Half of the Slytherins want to join the Dark Lord's army, I thought it wasn't that surprising."

Adena had never bothered thinking about that kind of things but it made sense after all. With Voldemort becoming more powerful, either people were joining out of fear or just by pride of serving who they considered to be the greatest wizard of their time.

Some people started coming out and Adena walked through the crowd, looking for Regulus. When she spotted him, she also noticed his sour expression. She had a hard time defining what thoughts were running through his mind.

"Are you okay?" she asked worried, placing a hand on his arm.

He nodded, not looking at her as he walked. "Let's find my parents and go home."

When they got home. Regulus was awfully quiet. And Adena was growing worried. She decided to leave him alone in his room for a while, going to the bathroom, preparing for the night even though it was not really late.

When she came back, Regulus was sitting on his bed, unmoving, his gaze fixed on the floor.

"Are you okay?" she tried again, more hesitantly, sitting by his side.

"Yeah don't worry," he said in a detached voice, not letting out anything that was pestering him inside. He stood up, went to open his closet, taking out what Adena supposed were his nightclothes, and as he started to get rid of his shirt, the girl just turned away, avoiding the sight. When she looked back, he was putting on a t-shirt. "Make yourself comfortable, I'll brush my teeth."

He disappeared from her sight and Adena couldn't help but feel tense. She knew something was off about him, something was clearly bothering him since the meeting.

When he came back, completely changed in more comfortable clothes, Adena was already under the sheets. He joined her, and he stayed quiet. The girl was only getting more worried. She knew he wasn't too talkative but right now, he wasn't even trying and remained oddly quiet.

She turned to face him. He was lying on his back, his eyes dark, fixing the ceiling.

"Regulus..." she whispered. He hummed. "Look at me," she said more firmly, also placing her hand on his cheek making him face her in the process. He looked deep into her eyes, her usual warm and shining hazel eyes. Just by doing so he felt better.

"What are you thinking about?" she whispered again, caressing his cheek in a comforting manner.

"Nothing in particular."

She frowned at him and continued. "Is it related to this meeting?"

He let out a sigh, avoiding her eyes for a few seconds. "Maybe."

"Do you really want to be one of them? And please, answer honestly."

Regulus hesitated for a while before replying, "I'm not as sure as I used to."

He tried to look for any reaction of shock or disappointment in her, but he didn't find any of those. She just stared at him with the same sincerity her eyes have always showcased.

"But it's too late, right?"

"Exactly." And he sighed again.

"How long has it been since..."

"The first meeting wasn't too pleasant in the first place, nor was the second. It was my third today. I feel the same."

He was looking back at the ceiling while Adena's eyes were still looking at him, her hand was now caressing his hair, hoping to soothe his nerves.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No, I'd rather not. Sorry for worrying you, I'm fine."

"You don't have to lie Regulus..." Of course, she would easily read through his façade but at that moment he didn't want to admit the truth. She knew at least and that was enough for now. She placed a kiss on his forehead before cuddling close to him and he was finally giving in, his arm gently pulling her close by her waist.

Unsurprisingly the two stayed awake for a long time but the room remained silent. The atmosphere wasn't as tense as before, they were just enjoying each other's presence while waiting to fall asleep.

The next day, Adena had a hard time leaving. They had woken up late and had stayed in bed for a long time together, sill not saying anything. Regulus was slowly brushing through her brown curls; not even hunger could make her leave his comfort. No other thing could be as comforting than the warmth of his arms and the softness of his touch. No matter how strong the summer heat could be, she wouldn't leave his arms. Laying in bed late, it sounded like any summer day for Adena except that she wasn't alone, no feeling of loneliness; Regulus could erase any negative emotion in her.

They kissed for a long time before Adena finally hopped in the fireplace. She definitely did not want to let go of him. They had barely exchanged a few words for the whole morning but that was enough to express their unsaid emotions.

"Come visit me as much as you can please." I don't wanna be alone anymore. Thought the girl, while she gave him a sad smile.

"I'll try." I will definitely. Meant the boy, showing the same bitter expression but smiling, nonetheless.

Once she was home, the loneliness feeling came back again, replacing any feeling of love, happiness and comfort that Regulus had created with his presence. The house was empty, quiet, nobody to welcome her, she was all alone again, and she hated this. She got up to her bedroom, leaving her stuff on a chair. She then opened the drawer of her bedside table, taking out the same picture Regulus had pinned on his wall, and for a few moments, the brunette looked at it, watched their happy expressions. Adena then laid on her bed, clutching the photo to her chest as some tears silently glided down her cheeks. She dived into those happy memories she had with Regulus, and she felt a mix of joy and sorrow in her. She was smiling through her tears as she remembered just how happy she had felt minutes ago, in Regulus' arms. And when she was feeling such sadness and loneliness, nothing could make her smile the way Regulus could.

author's note: 16k omg thank you that's crazy