Black Rose [Regulus Black]

38 - strange grass & missing women

"This is it," Regulus said sarcastically. "You think some grass will help me perform a complex charm."

Alessandra rolled her eyes at him. "It's not the grass, silly. It's the atmosphere."

"The atmosphere," he repeated skeptically. "Do tell, what it is about the air that makes this place special?"

"It's not the air," she growled, flustered. "It's the atmosphere."

"I dunno, the air seems the same to me," he teased.

She stomped her foot. "It has a different... I don't know how to say it. Doesn't standing here give you peace?"

He inhaled deeply, considering it. They stood on top of a hill somewhere, able to see a good part of the city, buildings glowing under the orange sunset, their lights flickering on as pink and purple ribbons were beginning to streak the sky. Chilly gusts of wind were blowing but thanks to the heating charms, they seemed like soft breezes, making it all the more pleasant.

"Yes. But I don't think a nice place is going to bring me happiness."

"No, but it's to set the mood. Your surroundings also impact your mood. If you're in a quiet, calm place with nobody watching you and pressurizing you, and you're surrounded by nature, you might actually be able to do this."

"I mean... you're watching me."

"I will set Moody on you," she threatened him, her nostrils flaring. "Now, do it."

"Nobody's watching you, she said. Nobody's pressurizing you, she said."

"Regulus," she whined. "Come on, try."

"I'm sorry, I just don't think this is going to help."

"You haven't even tried!"

"At best, a few wisps of smoke will come out. Why are we wasting time here? I could take you somewhere on a nice date, and then we could-"

"I will push you over the hill if you don't start trying. Come on, at least try. You've made so much progress already."

"Yeah, from grey smoke to white smoke."

"It's gotten thicker! That's progress."

"If the standards are that low for you, my work is easier than I thought it would be."

It took her a moment to get the double meaning, and when she did, she glanced away, cheeks burning. "Just- just do it."

"Alright, alright," he snickered, enjoying the way she was blushing so hard it was visible even in the sunset. He inhaled deeply, thinking of the happy memories he could find. Him and Evan going to Hogsmeade, his father gifting him a watch for his birthday, his parents telling him they were pleased with his O.W.L.s. "Expecto Patronum!"

Pale wisps of smoke came out of the tip of his wand, and he lowered it, disappointed. He turned to look at Alessandra, who was clapping. "See, practice will get you there!"

"At this rate, the bloody Dementors will start laughing."

"This is depressing."