"How did you know it was time to leave?"
"Do you feel sick to your stomach every waking moment in that house?"
Romina stepped back for a moment and let out the breath she did not even realize she had been holding. "Y-Yes." she admitted sheepishly...
Romina found herself walking through the crowd towards the doorway. Her eyes flitted across each face as she went, ignoring the sound of Avery and Mulciber beckoning her over to join them.
"Reggie," Romina reached over and slipped her hand into her friends. By the look on his face, she could instantly sense that something was off with him. So, without thinking of the consequences, she pulled him with her so that they were in the hallway and out of the view of everyone in the ballroom. "What's wrong?"
"He left."
"What? Who?"
"Sirius."
Romina took in a deep breath and gave his hand a squeeze. No matter the animosity between the two brothers, she knew that they loved one another.
"Like, he went home?" Romina questioned, keeping herself close to Regulus' side as she noticed the tears filling his dark eyes.
"No. He left. For good. He just lost it with Mum and said that we'd never have to see him again." Regulus sniffled and wiped at his nose with his free hand before he looked down at the ground. He didn't want anyone else to see him becoming emotional – especially over his brother who was branded the filthy blood traitor.
"Oh... Reggie, I'm sorry." Romina whispered softly. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held herself against his chest. A small smile appeared on her lips as she felt him wrap his arms around her shoulders, keeping her against him as he got a hold of himself.
"I know I shouldn't be crying over him but he's still my brother." Regulus found himself telling Romina, his lips brushing against her ear as he remained wrapped up in her warmth.
"It's ok. You don't have to explain to me." She whispered back, gently brushing her lips against his cheek before she reluctantly pulled away from him. "Come on, let's go sneak out to the gardens. It's snowing."
Regulus chuckled softly, finding himself feeling extremely grateful for having Romina in his life. He wasn't sure how he would survive without her. She was his saving grace. She helped balance him out. And he knew he would take as much of her as possible before he lost her to Avery.
"Sure." He wiped his face and ran his fingers through his hair to try to put himself back together.
They were just about to make it to the end of the hallway before she heard their names being called.
