Spare. REGULUS BLACK

chapter three

chapter three, i'll be there for you

"your mother warned you there'd be days like these, but she didn't tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees, i'll be there for you."
i'll be there for you - the rembrandts

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It had begun to rain. Fat little droplets of water fell from the sky, plopping against the window and rolling down the glass. Thunder cracked from the heavens and lightning fell from the sky above, illuminating the grey atmosphere of for only a few seconds. Veronika loved the rain, but she adored thunderstorms. They made her shoulders tense with anticipation, waiting on the sounds of the earth splitting as thunder rolled above. Not to mention, in the wake of a hearty storm, the sky would be tinged yellow, and a cool breeze would ruffle her hair.

Storms also seemed to lull the girl to sleep more times than not. The quiet pitter-patter of the rain drops tapping against the window, the low rumblings of thunder as it cracked, the glow of the lightening strike as it flashed - it was like her own persona lullaby, sure to knock her out.

However, Veronika was wide awake, regretfully so, sitting pin straight in her seat at the largest compartment the train offered, her back pressed flush against the booth she was sharing with Black. Around her other Prefect's sat, some looking utterly bored, others talking animatedly to one other. Some had unashamedly eyed Veronika and Regulus and their close proximity to one another with curious gazes.

It was not the rowdy collection of teens that had Veronika sitting so stone-like, but rather the fact that her own friend would not dare to cast a look in her direction, simply speaking clearly and with authority to the others. Veronika's heart felt like it was getting poked with sewing needle, again and again, each time that Gerry Ollivander's dark eyes passed over her to the next.

"- now, with the dangers of the war, we're going to be a little more strict this year," Gerry was saying in her firm way. She gave no room for argument, all while sounding more akin to a mother than an authority figure. "Students out last curfew will be given detention with Filch, and House Points will be taken - yes, Xenophilous?"

Gerry sighed heavily, rolling her eyes sky ward as the blonde boy lowered his previously raised hand.

"What if they're sick and headed to Madam Pomphrey's?"

Gerry pinched the bridge of her nose, but it was the HeadBoy, Fabian Prewett, the youngest of the Prewett children, who answered the question, "Then escort them there. It'll be obvious if they're really sick or using it as an excuse. Gerry, continue."

Veronika sank back into her seat, trying to vanish from the room as Gerry began to speak once more about the strict new policies the Prefect's would need to uphold. It was wartime, and everyday reports of death, torture, or those who were missing were being made. Just the day before Veronika had read an article about a family of Muggle's who had been blasted off the earth for harboring a fugitive. Veronika thought that although they hadn't deserved t.l. die for their crimes, they also shouldn't have been helping a criminal.

"Whats the matter with you?"

Veronika jumped at Regulus's hoarse whisper, so quiet she would've missed it if the boy hadn't lowered his mouth to hover just above her ear. His hair tickled Veronika's face, the rambunctious little strands trying their best to escape whatever styling product he had combed through them.

"Nothing," she responded. She might have to marry the boy, but she certainly didn't have to share her feelings with him.

"Do not lie to me," Regulus chided as if she was some petulant child, "Lying seldom gets anyone anywhere-."