"Did I have to take you here the day of the Hogsmeade trip of all times?" Bellatrix whines.
"That's the whole point," Regulus scoffs while searching through the shelves. "When else would we get into the restricted section without people asking questions?"
I look up, realizing where we are. In times like these, I see why James loves his invisibility cloak so much. The librarians are more likely to be lurking over here than anywhere and expose me, though I didn't see any when entering.
"So, you just expect me to tell you where it's hidden?" Bellatrix teases. I so badly want to know what they could be searching for, which is why I don't move.
"I mean, yeah," Regulus says, "It's not like I just want to hang out with you... no offense."
It takes everything in me to hold my laugh as Bellatrix looks away, failing to hide disappointment. Sirius' whole family was horrible to him, but Bellatrix was always especially bad. Not even just to him, but to pretty much the whole school. She desperately needed someone to put her in her place.
"You don't always have to be so harsh, Reggie. I have a million other things I could be doing right now," she defends.
"You and which friends? The nonexistent ones?"
"Don't tell me all this sudden attitude is because you're still mad about the thing with that brainless professor? You know I find out everything, I just made your little issue more beneficial to both of us. A little enchanting his mind and poof! You have the perfect opportunity to get her on the right side! I don't understand why you care so much."
"It's a stupid plan, that's why! I needed help, and I said anyone but her. I don't care that my parents want us to get her so badly, she's not made for this life. Why can't you just brainwash her or something?"
"Serving him has to be a fully conscious decision. Why would he want people who aren't loyal? You know how gifted she is just as much as your parents do, she would uplift our force so much more. She would never listen to me, we hate each other. You on the other hand... you could have any girl falling at your feet without even trying."
"She hates me too, idiot. I mean, we hate each other, too. She would make our side miserable."
"For people that hate each other, you two seem to find yourselves together a whole lot. You didn't look too miserable when I caught you reading a letter from her for the hundredth time."
"Enough! Just show me where the damn book is before I tell all of Slytherin about your secret crush."
"Fine," she scoffs, tapping her wand in a strange motion against different books until a black one appears. "For the record, I only looked at Pettigrew because I heard him asking your worthless brother about me!"
She shoves the book into his chest and storms off so angrily that she doesn't notice me. That meant Regulus would likely leave soon... I slowly got up and quickly made my way out of the library, looking behind me each step of the way until I bump into something. I turn around to see that I was so distracted, I ran into the librarian by the entrance.
"Dear, are you alright?" she asks, concerned.
"Uh, yes, I was... looking for you!" I stumble out, my brain swirling with hundreds of thoughts.
"My apologies, I went to grab some lunch! Have you been here terribly long?"
"No, no, I just walked in a minute ago!" I see Regulus out of the corner of my eye and start to turn towards a further section, saying, "I was hoping you could show me something this way, follow me!"
I speed to a far section, not even checking if the librarian is following. Once I make it there, she's trailing close behind and Regulus is nowhere to be seen. I let out a sigh of relief.
"Um, what exactly is it you need help with?" she asks, slightly concerned.
"Oh! I just..." I grab the closest book to me and blurt out, "Nevermind, found it! Thanks for your help!"
She pauses and gives me a strange look before walking away. Once she's gone, I sink down to the ground, burying my head in my hands. In the back of my mind, I know what they were talking about but I refuse to acknowledge it. It just can't be what I think it is. I mean, it was no secret that Regulus supported the Dark Lord. Sirius told me he had posters of him all over his room. But all that talk about "joining our side"... he couldn't be becoming a Death Eater? More importantly... is it me they want? I try to come up with anyone else who they could have meant, but the talk about a professor, needing help, spending time together... Sirius did say that his parents admired me... but no, the House of Black would never consider me part of their side if they don't even acknowledge their own son because of the friends that he has that I have too. He must be getting tutored by another girl, I decide. Regulus would never even keep a letter from me, much less be visibly happy re-reading the rude one I sent him. I settle on this, deciding I would investigate the matter further later on. I pick my head up, jump, and nearly scream when I'm met face-to-face with someone's legs standing in front of me. Before I even look up, I know who it is by the maniac cackle in response to my scared reaction. I feel like I'm going to throw up.
"I thought you'd never pick your head up out of your hands at this point," Regulus laughs, "You should've seen your face. I couldn't help myself."
"How did you know I was here?" I ask, trying to hide my nerves.
"I saw the librarian walking away and thought 'What loser would be in the library today of all days?' So I looked where she came from and saw you in this pathetic position on the floor and figured it was my opportunity to get back at you for last night."
"You're in the library, too," I defend, realizing I could try to get some answers. "Are you, uh... meeting someone for different lessons?"
"What I do with my time is none of your business," he proclaims. "Time which you have yet again wasted."
He starts to walk away, holding his bookbag which I assume contains the book and before I can think better of it, I yell out his name. He stops, waiting for me to say something. If Regulus is going to be a real Death Eater while going to Hogwarts, I need to find out. I need to get him to trust me.
"I... wanted to thank you again. For last night," I start, standing up. "Honestly, I was in a bad place and I was embarrassed that you of all people caught me there."
"What do you mean?" He asks with a face I can't quite read.
"As in mentally..." I trail off, starting to walk towards him. "I never thought I'd ask this, and don't laugh but... are you busy right now?"
He stares at me, deep in thought as I hold my breath awaiting his response. "Follow me," he states before turning to walk out.
YOU ARE READING
Unrequited (Regulus Black)
Fantasy"I hated you from the moment I met you. But I've loved you for what feels like lifetimes longer." Kaia Claire was never even supposed to go to Hogwarts. She was never supposed to date her best friend. Especially considering this, she was never suppo...
