HERBOLOGY 101 ( REGULUS BLACK ) ✓

CHAPTER SIX

Noah, Ankita, Jessica and Ash were sat inside The Three Broomsticks, having a butterbeer and simply having a chat. As Noah was starting to get closer to Regulus, he didn't want it to seem as if he were neglecting his friends – which he would never do as they were always there for him.

They were discussing various things ranging from family, to school, to what they would be doing over summer break. They even talked about the upcoming Quidditch match – which Noah would be playing in. He was a backup chaser for the Hufflepuff team as he wasn't all that good but Macavoy, another chaser, was sick so Noah had to fill in for her. He was extremely nervous as he hadn't been in many matches and the Hufflepuff team usually wasn't the one to beat. It didn't help that they would be going up against Gryffindor, who had won the Quidditch Cup for the past three years.

Noah wanted to change the subject badly (not liking to talk about the match as it only made him that much more nervous) and he found the perfect excuse to when he saw Betty with a certain 'enemy' of hers. Andy Smudgley and Betty had been rivals since anyone could remember. They were both aspiring writers for The Daily Prophet and were always trying to be the first to get gossip. However, Andy liked to insist that he never wrote about gossip, only the truth, unlike Betty who exploited others for her own personal gain.

Noah and his friends had heard Betty complaining about Andy on more than one occasion so he was surprised to see the two all cozy, as if they were on a date. He pointed them out to his friends and they all 'oohed' and 'awed' – well it was mostly Jessica, ever the romantic.

Much to Noah's displeasure, this caused the subject of love to come up. They all went around, talking about their love life and if they were interested in anyone.

Noah wasn't surprised to hear that Jessica fancied some Ravenclaw girl in her year. It seemed as if Jessica always had a crush on some girl or another, yet she never did anything about it, simply pined over a girl until she found another one to obsess over.

Noah once again wasn't surprised to hear that Ankita wasn't interested in anyone. Ankita seemed to have this personal vendetta against every human being so it wasn't surprising that's she never fancied anyone. Noah would never tell this to Ankita's face, but he had a feeling that she was struggling with her sexuality, and that's why she's never been interested in anyone – at least from what she's said.

Even though Noah and his friends hadn't known Ash for all that long, it seemed, to him at least, that he's always known Ash, they got along so well and after such a short time, they already knew everything about each other. Or at least, Noah thought they did. Apparently he was wrong as Ash confessed that he fancied someone – a bloke no less. Noah was a little hurt but none the less happy that Ash had found someone. Jessica tried to get him to say who it was but Ash refused, so now they were all curious about this mystery boy.

Luckily for Ash, but not so lucky for Noah, they switched their attention to the Hufflepuff.

"What about you, Noah?" Jessica asked with a smug smirk as if she knew what Noah would say – which Noah would be surprised at as even he didn't know how he was going to reply.

So instead, he did as he usually did; blushed.

Apparently that was enough for the pink haired girl as she squealed in excitement. Ankita covered her ears and glared at Jessica in annoyance while Ash flinched from the loud tone. Noah however, grew even redder in embarrassment as those around them glanced at their table in curiousity. Noah shushed Jessica as he didn't enjoy other people staring at him and although she pouted, the Gryffindor did as was asked.

"I knew it!" Jessica exclaimed in a much quieter tone, "You and Regulus totally have a thing going on."

Noah blushed again and looked at Ash, only to see the boy looking glum. Noah wanted to ask him what was wrong but he couldn't at the moment as Jessica kept bugging him about Regulus.