Midnight || Sirus Black

chapter 12

The night after the Hufflepuff party, the castle was cloaked in a heavy silence, a stark contrast to the laughter and music that had filled the air just hours before. Esther found herself wandering through the corridors of Hogwarts, her mind racing with thoughts of Sirius and their kiss. The thrill of the moment still pulsed through her veins, but now it was tangled with confusion and uncertainty about what it meant for their future.

She slipped into the empty Astronomy Tower, seeking solace under the stars. The moon cast a silvery glow, illuminating the ancient stones of the tower and making the night feel almost magical. She leaned against the cool stone wall, drawing in deep breaths, trying to clear her mind. But every breath was filled with the lingering scent of him—the warmth of his body, the spark of their kiss.

"Why did I let it happen?" she whispered to the night. "What does it mean?"

A soft rustling broke her reverie, and she turned to see Regulus stepping into the moonlight. His expression was solemn, the shadows dancing across his features. "I thought I might find you here," he said quietly, glancing at her with a mix of concern and curiosity. "You looked... lost at the party."

Esther forced a smile, trying to hide the whirlwind of emotions inside her. "Just... thinking."

Regulus stepped closer, leaning against the wall beside her. "Thinking about Sirius?"

"Is it that obvious?" she sighed, looking out at the stars.

"Not really," he replied, his voice gentle. "But you've been acting differently. I can tell when something is bothering you."

She let out a shaky breath. "He kissed me, Regulus. Right there in front of everyone. It felt incredible, but now..." She trailed off, unsure how to articulate the conflicting feelings swirling in her chest.

Regulus studied her, his brow furrowing slightly. "And you regret it?"

"No! I don't regret it," she rushed to explain. "But what does it mean? I'm supposed to marry him, and I'm a Death Eater. I don't even know if he feels the same way. I mean, he has this whole reputation—"

"Reputation?" Regulus interrupted, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You mean the one where he's brooding and handsome?"

She rolled her eyes, but a smile crept onto her lips. "Yes, that one. But it's more than that. He's Sirius Black, for Merlin's sake. He's supposed to be this rebellious, free-spirited person who defies expectations."

"And yet here you are, feeling drawn to him."

"Exactly," she agreed, frustration creeping into her tone. "I feel trapped, Regulus. And I don't want to hurt anyone. But I can't stop thinking about him."

Regulus fell silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. "Sometimes we can't control who we're drawn to"

"Do you think it's worth it? Pursuing something that could turn out so bad?" She turned to him, searching his eyes for answers.

"Love is messy," he said simply. "But if it feels real to you, it's worth exploring. Just... be careful. The last thing you want is to get hurt."

Esther nodded, absorbing his words. "You're right. I just wish things were simpler."

Regulus shifted slightly, glancing toward the stairs leading down from the tower. "Do you want to talk about something else? Maybe distract yourself?"

"Like what?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

He shrugged, a grin breaking through his seriousness. "I could always share some scandalous gossip about the Slytherins. You know how entertaining they can be."