𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 - regulus black

chapter one hundred and one

Unsurprisingly, Regulus looked tense when his meeting with the other Death Eaters ended. He was mostly quiet, clutching to Adena's hand, and following her around as she greeted some of the other guests like recommended by Walburga earlier. She hated how his activity as a Death Eater was slowly destroying him. 

As they walked, they suddenly became face to face with a group of three guys she recognized right away since they used to be fellow students. Peter Pettigrew, one of Candace's friends, Dale Penley, a fellow Ravenclaw of Adena whom she despised very much and Severus Snape, a fellow Slytherin of Regulus.

"Good evening," she started, greeting all of them. "It's a surprise to see you there Peter."

"Oh... Adena... it's a surprise to see you there too..." answered Peter, visibly uncomfortable. Peter Pettigrew has always been a shy and quiet boy as far as she knew about him. He would most likely agree to every word James Potter and Sirius Black would say. So, that was the reason why she was shocked to see him there.

"You've become a Death Eater?" asked the girl curiously.

"Y-yeah recently..."

"Have you become one of them too Winsten? I don't remember seeing you at our meetings," taunted Dale Penley.

She glared at him. By her side, she could feel Regulus, who had stayed quiet until now, becoming agitated.

"No, I am not. I'm just accompanying Regulus."

"Of course, you guys have always been stuck to each other," snorted Dale with a cocky expression.

"So what? Are you jealous? Don't even start to annoy me, you know I can't stand you," spoke the brunette harshly, her anger more visible in her hazel eyes usually so calm.

"Penley," finally spoke up Regulus in a cold voice, "I recommend you to not get close to her. Or maybe you didn't learn your lesson last time. We're not in Hogwarts anymore." Suddenly, his wand flew up to Dale Penley's neck in a threatening manner.

"Black. I won't touch your slu..."

He couldn't even finish his sentence. Regulus, with a slight wave of wand and no word spoken, had made a small cut on his neck, almost invisible if blood wasn't slowly dripping from the cut. For a moment he looked surprised, but his face returned into a scowl once more.

"Snape, I thought you worth better than that kind of scum."

"Don't compare me to that Black," snickered Severus Snape, eying his fellow through his long black bangs.

Regulus was still holding his wand up to Dale Penley's neck, and so Adena reached out to take a hold of his wrist while looking at him.

"Regulus, we're in the middle a family reunion. Your family."

"Right... I'm holding myself back for now," he said, his fingers clutching around his wand in anger, knuckles turning white. "But next time. You better be prepared."

With his last words, he turned around, leaving the group. Adena made sure to stomp on the boy's foot as she left the group, she then turned around but she managed to take one last glance at the three guys. One looked frightened, the other, angry - glaring at her - and the last one seemed uninterested in this drama.

They walked through this mass of people until reaching the garden they had once visited together at the back of the house. The sun was setting, creating a beautiful sight but Adena wasn't interested in watching it.

"Are you feeling unwell about your meeting again?" asked Adena softly, not wanting to rush him.

He took some time to answer, pondering over how to form this. "You've heard about that assembly that calls itself the Order of the Phoenix?"