The Untold Story of Regulus Black

2.4

Eira

Sparks - Coldplay

'But I promise you this, I'll always look out for you.'

1978

The following day Eira felt like she had entered an alternative universe where time went extremely slow. She dared to say excruciatingly slow. During classes she managed to not glance too much Regulus' way. Strangely he hadn't paid her any attention, this should have made it easier for him not to cloud her mind too much but unfortunately it had the opposite effect on Eira. Her mind was racing, filled with how she was going to tell Regulus that she wanted to remain friends. Wanted was the right word though was it, it needed to happen. It would only cause too many problems if they continued whatever this was. It was unfair on themselves to complicate their complicated friendship even further. She knew that this friendship was good, no matter what Sirius said, Regulus was not a bad person and she valued their talks. These were trying times and she knew that they both were not swimming in good friendships. So she would try to let Regulus down gently. She was not at all experienced and normally she would go to Marlene for some advice but of course that was not possible. That thought just confirmed for Eira that she was doing the right thing, if she couldn't talk to her best friend about it it can't be meant to be.

-

At dinner Eira managed to distract herself enough from the conversation she was about to have by talking with Marlene. Marlene's mind was filled with stress over the upcoming exams and her coping mechanism was to plan extravagant parties. It was quite literally always a bad idea for everyone but Marlene. Because though stressed Marlene was always the best prepared and therefore rarely got bad marks. Eira sometimes wondered if it was all a strategy, get everyone hungover so they could never get higher marks than Marlene. That theory only confirmed her intelligence though. 

'Eira, what should we do as the theme?' 

'Marlene I don't think it really matters what the theme is. When everyone is drunk they will not really notice.'

'And that is exactly why I hold the title of best party host.' 

'It's not a very sought after title.'

 'Well that's not true, do you know how hard the marauders try to take it from me. But their parties always lack character. They need a woman's touch, in more ways than one.'

'Whatever you say, party queen.'

 'Eira, a little enthusiasm would be nice. This could be the last Hogwarts party I throw.'

'I highly doubt it, seeing as you're still here for a few months.'

'Well anyways, should it be a masquerade party or classic black and white? Help your best friend out.'

'Mmmm, after careful consideration I choose masquerade.'

'Is this a completely unbased decision'

'Yes.'

-

When dinner had come to an end Marlene made her way to the Gryffindor common room where Sirius was waiting for her. In search of her own Black brother EIra made her way to the room of requirement. Anxious to get this talk over and done with, she played with her cardigan. A small thread had gotten loose and as Eira pulled on it, it reminded her of the situation she was in. If she pulled too hard on it the whole cardigan would fall apart. Much like how she was playing with fire when it came to Regulus and keeping this from Marlene and the Slytherin boys. She knew it was the right thing to do. She would fix the cardigan, the thread would not pose a threat to her anymore. As her mind finally was empty of thoughts the room of requirement had finally appeared, as did Regulus. 'Hello.' 'Hi.'

The room of requirement had transformed into a simple living room. In it was a couch and an armchair and a small table. It was simple but it would suffice for what needed to be done. Eira took a seat in the armchair leaving the couch for Regulus to sit down. It was very strange to think that only on monday they had their moments in the broom closet but now they sat in silence in this room. This same room where they had had their first kiss. 

'Eira..' Regulus started but before he could speak more Eira interrupted him. 

'I think we should be just friends.' This was not at all the way Eira had planned to tell Regulus but she did. 

'I mean I really like you but I just feel like we shouldn't ruin our friendship by taking this further.'

Eira had finally had the guts to look up and make eye contact with Regulus. He had a very unreadable look on his face. He wasn't mad, at least he didn't look mad. But what emotion he was feeling was a mystery to Eira. 

'It's just, I feel like everything is moving so quickly. I wanted to keep spending time with you but just as friends.'

Regulus still hadn't said anything and his look remained the same. Eira had started to feel some sort of annoyance. It can't be that he has absolutely no thoughts on the matter. Not willing to fill the silence, both of them sat there staring ahead. Just as Eira thought it had been enough, Regulus finally opened his mouth. 

'I agree.'

The two words brought a sense of calmness to Eira, although she had not expected them. Had Regulus not been the one to pull her into that broom closet. 

'I am not saying I don't want more. Because I would be lying if I didn't enjoy our moments alone together. But I realise that we are playing with fire here.'

'How do we move on from this? I've never been in a situation like this before.' Regulus laughed a little 

'I haven't either but let's just keep seeing each other. Just no kissing.'

'No kissing.'

'I can't promise I won't secretly want to though.'

'Regulus.' Eira tried to say it in a somewhat stern voice but she didn't manage to quite get the tone right.

'Eira.'

As her name left his lips she realised this was going to be a bit harder than expected. She sighed and put her head in her hands. Regulus kept quiet but leaned over and pulled at her hands so she was forced to look at him. 

'We are going to be fine.'

 'Thank you for being so understanding.'

 'It's one of my core qualities aside from being handsome.'

'I think you should add humbleness to that list.'

Her hand had found its way into Regulus' and even though she didn't want it to, it felt nice. As if Regulus knew what she was thinking he gave her hand a small squeeze. 'Let's get out of here, before it's curfew. I don't want you getting more detentions on my account.' Their hands intertwined, he pulled her up from the armchair. Just before they leave the room of requirement Eira holds him back by tugging on his hand. She reaches over to push one of his stray curls back behind his ear, 

'You are treading dangerous waters now, Eira.' Ignoring his words Eira leans up and puts her lips on his. She only let them linger there for a moment before she pulled back. 

'Something to remember this by.'

a.n. 

ewa ja