Les Misérables | Regulus A. Black [1]

Chapter Thirty-One

[Chapter Thirty-One]

Éponine truly had every intention of keeping her friendship with Emmarentia, despite the awkward tension between them. As much as she wished that she could be a person that functioned properly on their own, Éponine had the sort of personality that enjoyed being in the company of others. She wasn't exactly the most sociable, but she liked being around other people, sitting and listening to them. So if Emmarentia was willing to put her developing feelings aside and focus on having a friendship, it would work out quite well.

But Regulus wasn't exactly convinced.

He held some resentment towards Emmarentia, fully aware before the girl's confession to Éponine that she shared feelings for her. He knew very well that she had purposely tried to foil the date between the two and that left him feeling somewhat bitter. There he was trying his best to fix things between him and Éponine after years of being on unfriendly terms, but he felt like Emmarentia was a barrier that would keep getting in the way. Éponine reassured him that she had spoken with Emmarentia and that everything was sorted out. However, Regulus knew that Éponine held a very forgiving heart unlike many people, it seemed she always wanted to look at the better side of people if they gave her a chance to. 

Even that morning when they agreed to go to breakfast together, Regulus was trying to figure out what he was going to do about his brother and his friends, turning to her for any assistance. The fact that she had nearly been attacked twice and wasn't rushing to the Headmaster office to report it, spoke volumes about the girl's character in Regulus' mind.

As the two sat at the end of the Slytherin table, Éponine finally gave her opinion on the matter at hand, hoping once and for all to help Regulus make up his mind.

"He didn't ask to be a werewolf," she pointed out to Regulus, "I don't think anyone ever does. When it comes down to it, it's a horrible life, plagued by something completely out of your control. I can't imagine how frightening that must be, to lose control of your body in such a way. It's like a parasite has full control and you only wake up after to see what damage has caused.  It's almost like the Imperius Curse and the Cruciatus Curse working together. The process of becoming one is painful and then losing all control of your own actions..."

She turned her head only to see Regulus watching her intently causing her to go red in the face. She figured she had been rambling on at some point, but Regulus seemed fixed on listening to her.

"I-I-I also don't think your brother and his friends meant to bring anyone harm by letting him roam free in the forest. They weren't thinking of anyone but themselves at the time, but there aren't too many people stupid enough to venture into the Forbidden Forest as it is. I can't say much though since I ventured in there myself, but it was only because I thought you were hurt."

She didn't know where she was going with her conversation and decided to wrap things up before she made things worse.

"If they get expelled, that's practically ruining their lives, that follows them everywhere. I know your brother has hurt you and I know your family still hurts from his departure, but hurting him back won't solve anything. It might offer some quick satisfaction but it's only temporary and in the end, you might be just left with regret. But at the same time, it is your decision to make, I do not feel as you do because I haven't gone through what you and your family have because of Sirius and his friends. Whatever decision you make, I will support you. Not the decision, but you."