Childhood Memories

Chapter 9

The next month was by far the weirdest one I've ever had.

It was as if there is never a corridor without Regulus in it and because of these coincidental meetings, I ended up getting to know they boy very well.

I knew about his friends and what they like, I knew about his love for muggle literature and even what time he generally goes to bed (which I learnt was extremely late and even then he finds it hard to get to sleep for another hour).

We often talked by the black lake as the water is strangely calming for us both. I soon came to trust Regulus almost as much as I trusted Marlene despite knowing her for years and him only a month.

I even got to know his friends, though he couldn't get to know mine because of his brother.

In Sirius' eyes I was dead to him. A lot of the people at Hogwarts who thought they could be as popular as Sirius ignored me too. The rest of the group, however, remained civil and sweet whenever I was around. Admittedly, James wasn't very pleased at first but he came to realise that he can't stop me, just like before their argument, he couldn't stop Lily from hanging around with Snape.

Alice didn't seem to notice anything was wrong, she was wrapped up in her own world, Remus reassured me Sirius is being overdramatic and he's secretly jealous of my friendship with the younger Black, Marlene wasn't pleased with my Slytherin friend but she tried to not bring it ip. Lily tried her hardest to act like nothings changed but of course it has. Mary avoided talking about, already focusing on something else. Peter generally forgot about it, already caught up in the boy's next big prank. Dorcas just asked if I liked him. Which lead me to the question. Did I?

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Me and Regulus are sitting by the lake.

"What's the best book you've read?" I ask.

"Little Woman"

"Really?"

"Yeah, I've always liked the way Jo acts. Just like she's ahead of her time and eventually she will be recognised. Meg is the sweetest thing and I'm glad she found love. Beth didn't deserve any of the shit she got."

"And Amy?"

"She seemed vain at first but the way she says she's been second her whole life to her sister really hit hard."

Somehow I get what he means and what he's referring to.

"And Laurie?"

"An absolute delight."

"He reminds me of you"

"Yeah. That's why he's a delight."

We laugh and in that moment I've never felt happier.

"Umm, excuse me? Sophia Lock?..."

I turn around. A first year is standing behind us.

"Yeah! Ruby is it?"

I try to make an effort to learn everyone's name, it just adds an air of friendliness. James agrees.

"Um yeah..."

I smile.

"How can I help you Ruby?"

"Professor Dumbledore wants to see you. He says he's a fan of Every Flavoured Beans?"

I turn to Regulus.

"I guess I have to go then."

"Every flavoured beans?"

"It's the password I think."

"Oh that makes sense. Bye."

I walk off with a fond smile.