Snake Charmer

Chapter Seventeen

Asteria made her way into the Great Hall. She and Albus had returned in time for dinner. Asteria glanced at her friends and then her eyes made their way toward the Slytherin table. She smiled brightly as she watched Regulus talk to Barty. She slowly made her way over to him, leaning down on the side that he was facing away from, she smiled at Barty, who chuckled a little.

Regulus's eyebrows drew together as he turned toward whatever Barty was laughing at, he flinched as Asteria's face was only a few inches from his. She laughed softly, Regulus's heart caught in his throat when she gave him a quick kiss on the mouth, He blinked too stunned to say anything as he watched her rush off to the Gryffindor table.

Lily's eyes were wide as Asteria sat down, giving Lily a curious smile.

"What?"

"You just kissed Regulus in front of the whole great hall, and you don't seem the least bit embarrassed!" Asteria tilted her head at Lily curiously. Of course she wasn't embarrassed. She had nothing to be embarrassed about.

"I'm not. Should I be?" Lily giggled and shook her head a little bit.

"Well, I suppose not. Are you feeling alright Ria?" Lily's smile never faltered but you could see the hint of worry in her eyes.

"Yes? I'm fine. I just feel. Lighter. Not as stressed out as I have been all." Lily snorted and glanced over at Remus, who was eyeing her suspiciously. Asteria gave him an unimpressed look.

"Oh, Ria have you seen Peter anywhere?" Asteria eye twitched at the mention of Peter.

"He's not here again?" Lily shook her head in confusion. Asteria looked over her shoulder at Regulus until he could feel her watching and Regulus's eyes turned toward her. He smiled gently and tilted his head at her.

'Peter is missing AGAIN.' She shot the thought straight at Regulus and his mouth dropped open and his eyes widened as Asteria gave him a cocky smirk. One of the many things that her papa had implanted into her head. It was neat trick, and it amused her how easily it was to transmit one of her thoughts into someone else's mind so easily.

Asteria let Remus and Lily distract her the rest of dinner. She knew that Regulus would figure out where Peter had gone this time. As soon as dinner was done, Asteria said good-bye to them, and she headed up to the astrometry tower. She wasn't ready to deal with James and Sirius and their horrendous amount of teasing that she was going to get when they found out about the kiss.

She took the steps two at a time, and she halted at the top of the stairs, Regulus was leaning against the railing looking up at the stars. Asteria watched him, the way his eyes shined as they scanned the night sky. He seemed so peaceful.

"Are you going to come over or are you going to continue to stare at me?" Asteria laughed softly and moved over to him. He stood straight turning toward her, giving her a slightly amused look.

"You kissed me and ran away." Asteria's eyebrows drew together as she fought a smile.

"I don't remember running away. I just sat down at my table." Both his eyebrows rose as he smiled.

"Is that what you are calling it?" Warmth spread through Asteria's body as Regulus placed his hands on her hips and moved her closer to him. Her eyes were trained on his chest. Now she was feeling a little on the embarrassed side. One of Regulus's hands slide into her hair, his fingers pulling through the length of it. 

"It was an impulse, and I apologize." She spoke quietly afraid that someone might hear her. Regulus sighed and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"It's okay starlight." Regulus knew that she cared for him. But he also knew that her heart would never be his the way that he wanted it to be.