𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐞, Regulus Black

twenty

•••

Velda's lungs were collapsing from the growing pressure of all the words she hasn't yet screamed at Regulus Black and Meadow Smith. It felt like an eternity had passed ever since she had seen them, not only morphing out of an unregistered Animagus form but also into two devils, stabbing a knife into her back.

Forgiving them would imply Velda taking out that knife and not using it to hurt anyone else. And this was easier said than done, especially if one of them was her favourite Black brother. But who said that she had to forgive him? She never did in her past and in her eyes, he has a lot of things to apologise for... but of course he never would. She doubted that Regulus Arcturus Black ever felt sorry for a single thing he has wronged in his life.

There was this strong urge screaming in her veins, to confront both of them, especially Meadow. She knew that she would eventually. She also knew that in the end they would probably be fine again. Just like they've always had, just like they will will always be. But this time was definitely something different than stealing her favourite Blueberry muffin, this time Velda needed some time and distraction. And what would offer a better way out then Quidditch?

Sadly, today she would not play herself but rather see a game that might improve her mood a lot. However, only if Slytherin loses to Hufflepuff. Instead her hope for joy would crumble to pieces. Even though she was not willing to even look into Black's direction, let alone meet up with him for Astronomy, she would never forget their bet. How could she, if said bet literally implied that he would need to do anything she wants?

Even though winter is said to be the time for comfort, where she could cuddle up in a dozen Ravenclaw scarfs and blankets, surrounded by the welcoming warm hands of the common room fire, outside the wind blew strong around her ears. Ash and her stood closely huddled up in the Ravenclaw stands, their eyes fixed on the pitch.

As usual and surprisingly not yet stripped of his job, Sirius Black was still commenting on every Quidditch match.

"30-30! EDGAR BONES MANAGES TO SCORE THE EQUALIZER BY ALMOST KNOCKING OF SLYTHERINS KEEPER VANITY FROM HIS BROOM!"

Cheers erupted from every side, except Slytherins'. Velda would have pitied Slytherin, as they are booed by the other houses every game, if Regulus Black wouldn't have been their Seeker and Captain. Because of this, she couldn't care less and only cheered louder than before.

"JIMMY KANE SMASHES THE BLUDGER TOWARDS LUCINDA TALKALOT BUT SHE IS ABLE TO DUCK JUST IN TIME! Maybe if she wouldn't talk so much she would be able to focus on the match, ow- Minnie, that hurt! OH IS MY EYESIGHT FAILING OR IS MY BROTHER REALLY SEEING THE SNITCH?! BROWN HURRY UP! I HAVE BETS RUNNING ON YOU PUFFS!"

It seemed indeed as if Black had seen the snitch, much to Velda's dismay and apparently also for Jameson Brown, Hufflepuffs seeker, who seemed to be doing anything but his job but more trying to keep his broom from pushing him off.

"BROWN WHAT ARE YOU DOING?", screamed Sirius, truning towards an equally concerned Professor McGonnagal, "Minnie I think his broom is hexed!"

Of course Black couldn't win a fair game. Luckily for Velda, Melanie Dawson scored another goal, while Black was still seeking for the snitch and Brown struggling to find his grip. Velda looked around the stands but couldn't see anyone suspicious.

"Is Slytherin never able to play fair?!", exclaimed Ash angrily next to her. He always tried to deny it but the loss of the Quidditch cup last year pained him as much as Velda, with the exception that he did not end up in several weeks of detention by hexing Black and Avery for simply existing.

"BONES WITH ANOTHER GOAL FOR HUFFLEPUFF! 60-30 FOR THE PUFFS! THAT'S RIGHT; LET THE SNAKES SSSUFFER!" hissed Sirius. Of course, Asher grinned at his hideous snake joke.

Brown was still dangling on his broom. Unsure whether the incantation would help, Velda muttered a short "Finite" while aiming her wand at his broom. Finally someone had put an end to his struggle and he was able to roam free over the pitch again.

"SEEMS LIKE BROWN HAS GAINED HIS GRIP BACK! NOW HURRY UP! REMEMBER THAT WHOEVER CATCHES THE SNITCH WILL GAIN 150 POINTS! THE GAME IS NOT OVER YET!"

Velda did not believe in a god but in that moment, she prayed to any saint in the heaven above that anyone but Regulus Black would be the lucky one. Her hopes started to raise with twenty more points to Hufflepuff and the frustrated face of Slytherins pug-faced keeper Parkinson. By Rowena, she hoped that he would not be able to inherit his genes.

Looking up, she watched as Black flew across the pitch, stopping near the Ravenclaw stands to search for the snitch. His black hair was tousled by the strong wind, contrasting to his usually perfectly put together appearance. She liked it more this way, he looked less like a stuck-up and more like someone... human, with empathy and social skills. Velda snapped back into reality when she heard some fourth years, giggling and swooning at the given sight... idiots.

And then, suddenly he pulled his broom upwards, just when her own seeker eyes noticed the snitch a few feet above him. Much to her dismay, Brown was still at the other side of the pitch, not even realising what was happening near the Ravenclaw stands.

Vela's brows furrowed and it took all her willpower to not hex him off his broom. Yet she stood up and screamed, "Turn around Brown! This is your chance to actually do your fucking job and prove that you are capable of winning a game for once!" and threw her hands up in frustration. She could not loose this bet.

Regulus seemed to have noticed her yell, his eyes snapping towards her own for a split second before reaching out his hand with an infuriating grace, his fingers closing around the golden snitch.

"NO WAY! REGULUS BALCK HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH, SLYTHERIN WINS! And I'll loose my bets. Thanks brown!"

While some of the Ravenclaws around her, unreasonably stood up to cheer for the Slytherins, Velda fell back into her seat, her lungs empty of air and her heart filled with hate. For a second, the whole world seemed to move in slow motion, when her dark eyes connected with a familiar grey pair once again. Black' s stupid smug grin brought up the insatiable feeling in her to throw something at him, a chair, or maybe herself. But before she could do such thing, Velda was pulled up by Ash and Black was surrounded by the snakes.

"Come on Vel, no need to cry," whispered Asher into her ear, as he pulled her away from the stands. Before she could reply that she did in fact not cry, his face smile into a grin, "Whatever your deal is with Black, besides the good old lovers quarrel, you need to get these emotions out of you, or else you'll explode."

"So," Velda removed her arms from his grip and send one last glance at towards the pitch before teasingly tilting her head at him, "What do you have in mind Juneberry?"

"You do know that the Slytherins will stay on the pitch for a while, celebrating..."

"Yes, thank you for rubbing that into my face once again idiot."

"... And their common room will be left unattended..."

"... Just like the dorms and their clothes you say?"

"Well, technically I never did but now that you mention it-"

"Don't you think pink would be a much more fitting colour for their robes?"

"And hair..."