Little Dark Age | Regulus Black x reader

2

The past week was eventful. I barely left the library most days. I was busy enough studying and trying to keep up with my mother's ridiculous demands. Sometimes I wonder how she ever got married, but then I remember that it was arranged.

This year the professors are going harder on us. 5th year is going to suck. I've had to write three essays in the past two weeks. But on the bright side, I've run into that Hufflepuff a few times.

I look up from my book at the sound of tapping. Think of the devil.

"Hey, um. I understand that you're studying, it's just that I need to use that book." She smiles sheepishly.

My lips curl slightly and I move my parchment.

"Unfortunately, I need to use the book too. But, there is two seats at this table." I gesture towards the empty chair beside me.

She smiles, tilting her head and setting her bag down on the floor. She sits and pulls out her parchment.

We work in silence until both of our parchment pages have been filled and put away. We still sit, neither of us wanting to leave.

I look down and notice the book in her bag. My eyebrows draw together at the muggle book, but I brush it off.

"So, what page are you on?" I ask.

"Pardon?" A look of confusion settles on her face.

"Little women, what page are you on?" I point toward her book.

Her smile returns, "Oh I've just gotten to the part where Beth gets sick. It's quite sad really."

"Ah yes. That part was pretty sad," I remark.

She turns away, but I see the confusion of her face.

"What's the matter?" I ask.

"Oh well, it's just- I didn't think you read muggle books," she confesses.

"Well I do," I say, defensively. "Sorry that was rude of me. I just don't read them in public, my parents would kill me. I suppose Sirius rubbed off on me, at least a little."

She nods, as if my response was perfectly normal.  "May I ask you a question?"

"Of course." My response is immediate.

"Why are you hanging out with me? You always hang out with those pure blood friends of yours and we'll, I'm a half-blood." 

I bristle. "I should get going," I announce, grabbing my stuff. She waves slightly, surprised at my sudden departure. I hurry out of the library, towards the Slytherin common room.

Why was I hanging out with her? What was wrong with me? My parents would kill me if they ever got word of this. I wouldn't be surprised if they already knew. With stupid Malfoy hanging around and running his mouth. I don't know how cissy deals with him.

These thoughts occupy me until I arrive at the common room entrance, a large barrel with a large silver snake coiled around the edge. The snake looks up as I approach.

"Hello Nitor," I greet, waving. He nods his head at me.

"Password?" He hisses.

"Dreki," I reply. He nods in reply and pushes the seemingly stone door open with his tail. I crawl through the opening, managing to keep my stuff in my arms.

I pick myself off the bottom of the tunnel and stride towards the Slytherin dorms. On my way past I check the notice board. Our password changes every fortnight, or in other words, tomorrow.

I open the door to the dorm I share with Barty, Evan, and Avery. Snape used to room with us but he was always complaining. We just told Dumbledore that he had an allergy to my cat, Wallace or as we like to call him, where's Wally.

I set my stuff down on the lid of my trunk and flip down on my bed. I roll over and stare at the dark green of the canopy.

I think about how much I miss Sirius and how I don't want to be the Black heir. I think about how depressing my life is and mostly, how much I enjoy spending time with the Hufflepuff.

She has this aura around her, that gives off happiness. She's like the sun, drawing other people towards her and into orbit around her. Or perhaps it's just me she draws.

Well isn't that an interesting thought. Just imagine if my parents found out. But what if they don't? Maybe they had eyes and ears everywhere, but when they aren't here, I'm the bigger influence.

I'm still staring upwards when Avery throws the door open.

"Whoa dude. Are you alright? You look all depressed and shit," He exclaims. I roll my eyes and turn my head to face him.

"Yeah and you look all gay and shit," I shoot back. He holds up his hands in surrender.

"Well I can't exactly deny that," he chuckles. I snort and sit up. It's almost dinner time anyway. I grab my robe from where I left it, slung over the back of a chair and put it on.

I move to stand at the door while I wait for Avery to pull himself together. When he finally finds his tie that he 'misplaced', we head towards the great hall.

Tonight was almost like any other except for one thing. Y/n is sitting at the Hufflepuff table, and staring at me. Like directly at me. I can see her friends sending her weird glances. I raised my eyebrows at her and she blushes as if she's surprised to be caught in the act.

I sit down at my usually place and fill up my plate, trying to concentrate on the conversation my friends are having. But I can't. The weight of her stare is distracting me. I glance in her direction. Yup, she's still staring.

I'm in some weird place between spaced out and concentration for the whole meal. Barty doesn't say anything about it though, which is surprising. He prides himself on being the most observant, which he's not. Evan's been crushing on him for months and he still hasn't noticed. What a dolt.

After turning in for the night, I toss and turn. And it's all her fault. I just can't help but wonder what she's staring at me for. After an hour or two, exhaustion takes over and I pass out cold.