Starry Serendipity || R.A.B

27. Valerie and wolfstar

January 1976

The moonlight casts an eerie glow as I walk the corridors of Hogwarts, my footsteps echoing in the stillness of the night. It's my first patrol round with Regulus Black, and the air is thick with tension – both from the knowledge of the full moon and from the unease that seems to hang between us.

My thoughts are consumed by Remus, my friend who transforms into a werewolf on nights like this. I've worried for him since the day I learned about his condition, and tonight is no different. The castle feels unusually empty, as if it's holding its breath, aware of the danger that prowls within its walls.

But amidst my concerns for Remus, there's also a growing sense of unease about my own situation. I've been avoiding Evan, unable to sort through the conflicting emotions that have taken root within me. And now, here I am, walking side by side with Regulus, the source of so much confusion and frustration.

As we turn a corner, I can feel his eyes on me, his gaze like a weight I can't shake off. I try to focus on the task at hand, but his presence is unnerving, and my steps falter slightly. It's not just his enigmatic persona that unsettles me; it's the way he seems to see through my facade, as if he knows that something is amiss.

"Valerie," he says, his voice breaking the silence between us.

I glance at him, caught off guard by the intensity in his gaze. "What is it?" I ask, trying to keep my tone neutral.

He raises an eyebrow, his expression almost mocking. "You've been acting strangely. Avoiding people, lost in thought. What's going on?"

I swallow hard, my heart pounding. I hadn't anticipated him noticing, and his directness catches me off guard. "It's none of your business," I retort, my response sharper than intended.

He narrows his eyes, his gaze piercing through me. "You're right. But if you're going to snap at me like that, I can't help but wonder."

My frustration bubbles to the surface, mingling with the anxiety that's been plaguing me. "Why do you even care?" I challenge, my voice tinged with a mix of defensiveness and exasperation.

He scoffs, a hint of annoyance flashing across his features. "You're infuriating, you know that? I'm just trying to have a normal conversation."

I clench my jaw, my patience wearing thin. "Well, I'm sorry if I'm not in the mood for 'normal' conversations right now."

The tension between us escalates, the air practically crackling with animosity. It's as if every word we exchange is a spark that ignites a wildfire of emotions. I'm on edge, my emotions running high, and it seems that Regulus is equally wound up.

Our argument continues, words becoming weapons in a battle of wills. I can feel my face flush with frustration, my heart racing with a mixture of anger and confusion. It's almost as if this argument is a culmination of all the unspoken tension that's been building between us since the beginning of the school year.

But amidst the clash of words and emotions, there's also a part of me that can't help but notice the underlying complexity of Regulus. He's not just the aloof and enigmatic Slytherin; he's someone with his own frustrations, his own struggles.

As our argument reaches a fever pitch, I find myself at a loss for words. The silence that follows is heavy, the tension still lingering in the air.

The cold stone walls of Hogwarts seem to close in around us as our argument escalates. Each word is a shard of frustration and confusion, our emotions tangled like the branches of a thorny vine. Regulus's piercing grey eyes lock onto mine, challenging me to meet his gaze head-on.