Arielle followed reluctantly behind Regulus as he led them outside the castle and towards the lake. She practically had to run to keep up with him, the entire time her mind kept drifting back between her heated kiss with the Slytherin, and the fact that she was ditching Charms class.
Regulus paused as soon as he reached the tree. She couldn't help but notice it was the tree which she unknowingly used to hurt Potter. She stood awkwardly as he dropped his bag on the floor and sat down leaning his back against the sturdy trunk.
"I can't believe you convinced me to ditch charms." Arielle sighed as she took a seat on the grass across from the bloke.
Regulus snorted. "Don't be so proper Malfoy, it really doesn't suit you."
"You wouldn't be saying that if you had made it into the class." She smirked.
"As much as I want to listen to you rant about how your marks are better than mine, I'd rather hear your explanation."
"Ha. ha." Arielle said sarcastically. "What do you want to know?"
"How did you break the tree branch without your wand?" He asked eyeing her curiously.
Arielle swallowed. "James cast a levitation spell on Severus and I in order to throw us into the black lake, but Sev doesn't know how to swim...I remember a feeling of absolute panic overcome me...and I just looked at the tree branch and thought that if it would only break we would be saved."
"And then it broke?" He asked in disbelief.
"And then it broke." She repeated firmly.
"What about Evans? I saw her fly across the field."
Arielle shook her head. "I don't know...She was running towards me, and I just put up my hand in defensive by instinct."
Regulus contemplated her answers for a moment.
"I've never even heard of magic like this." He said after what seemed like a long silence.
"Sev has been desperately trying to research for any information."
"And you haven't?"
His question threw her off guard. She stood confused for a moment.
"No."
"Well why not?"
"I have other things to worry about right now, like my marks in charms class." She said standing up and putting her hands on her hips.
Regulus snorted. "Your marks in charms class...that's rich."
"Why do you even care?" Arielle sighed.
"Aren't you curious at all about what's happening to you?" Regulus asked dodgingly.
"Yes….yes of course."
"Then why aren't you trying to figure it out?" He asked again with a more stern tone.
"I'm scared okay!" Arielle practically yelled gaining the attention of some second year Ravenclaws. Regulus merely glared at them and they ran away in fright.
"What if there is something wrong with me." She nearly whispered.
Regulus sighed, stood up, and roughly grabbed Arielle's hand in his. "There is nothing wrong with you."
Arielle looked up at him with her watery dark blue eyes. Regulus suppressed the urge this ignited in his chest.
"Come on let's go, it's nearly lunch." He commanded dragging the Gryffindor behind him.
After a few yards Arielle pulled away from his tight grip on her wrist. He turned around to find her crossing her arms defiantly over her chest. He dreaded the confrontational expression on her face.
"Why did you kiss me?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"What? Were going to be late." He breathed out. He knew this was coming, but he couldn't help the surprise seep into his countenance.
Arielle took a step forward, a hint of smirk playing on her lips. This infuriated him.
"Since when do you care about being on time, and lunch isn't for at least another thirty minutes…..Why did you kiss me Regulus Black?" She said again with more confidence.
"Isn't it obvious...I wanted my explanation and I got it." He answered smugly.
Arielle's demeanour went from curiosity to rage as soon as the words left his mouth.
"You selfish arrogant bastard." Arielle spat.
"I should've known better." She said shaking her head as she marched off towards the castle.
Regulus watched her for a few moments debating on whether he should go after her.
He sighed. " For fuck's sake."
"Arielle wait a minute." He called jogging to catch up to her. She kept walking and refused to look at him.
"Can't we be civil about this?" He groaned.
Arielle stopped and whipped around to face him. "Um let me think about it for a minute...no."
She turned around and began walking away again.
"I like you."
Arielle stopped dead in her tracks. He couldn't help but smirk at the effect his words had with her.
"What?" It was her turn to be in shock.
"I like you." He whispered into her ear before smirking down at her. Arielle tried to act angry but the burning sensation in her chest made her act otherwise.
"Now let's go… I'm starving."
"What the hell?" Avery said mouth full of chicken wing.
Wilkes looked over his shoulder. "Well would you look at that."
The entire Dining Hall became quiet when they saw Arielle Malfoy enter with Regulus Black. She dared to look over at the Gryffindor table where her old friends were shaking their heads and scowling. She inhaled deeply, when she felt a rough hand intertwine in her own. She glanced up at Regulus but he kept his gaze forward and guided her to the Slytherin table.
"Good afternoon Regulus…..Arielle." Mulciber said with a huge smirk looking back and forth between the two of them. The Gryffindor met Severus's questioning gaze causing her to shrug in response.
The dark-haired boy let go of her hand and sat down at the table. She paused for a moment but quickly followed suit. She began to pile food onto her plate ignoring the mischievous glances being exchanged amongst the Slytherins.
"So what are we doing today Arielle?"
Arielle nearly choked on her pumpkin juice before looking up into the eager eyes of Lucinda Talkalot. Her gaze drifted to Emma Vanity whose gaze was glued to her plate, the blonde hadn't said a word.
Arielle cleared her throat. "Well I was going to go to my Potions class, and then I have choir practice...and then to the library to complete my assigned work…I also have patrol tonight…"
"You're so dedicated." Lucinda cooed. Arielle couldn't even hide her appalled expression before catching Regulus smirking out of the corner of her eye.
"You should come watch our quidditch practice. Regulus is an amazing seeker, he's sure to be captain of team when Emma's gone."
Arielle glanced over at Emma who was still unmoved. She couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.
"Only if it's okay with Emma, she is the one in charge Lucinda." Arielle said politely.
Emma lifted her gaze to meet Arielle's. It was full of hurt, betrayal even. She nodded meekly in the Gryffindor's direction.
"You don't have to ask." Emma forced out before standing up and leaving.
"She's quite put out." Avery chuckled. Regulus shrugged.
"So you are coming right? I mean you're kinda obligated too." Lucinda said glancing between Arielle and Regulus.
"Well I will have to check my schedule and see if I can fit it in." Arielle said with sweet smile trying to mask her aghast expression. She was starting to become annoyed with the indifferent look on Regulus's face as if there was nothing strange about this entire situation.
"I'm going to head to Potions." Andera said standing up and removing the napkin from her lap.
"Great we will escort you." Lucinda said jumping out of her seat along with two other Slytherin girls.
"I got it this time." Regulus said standing up as well and motioning for Arielle to leave. She smiled down at the girls before directing her gaze forward.
"Of course Regulus." Lucinda replied with a flirty voice.
As soon as they were out of the Dining Hall. Arielle crossed her arms over her chest and began to tap her foot.
"What the actual fuck?" Arielle said more in surprise than anger.
Regulus shrugged.
"Looks like you got your crown back." He smirked.
There was a long silence in which Arielle seemed to be in deep contemplation. Regulus rolled his eyes.
"Don't let this go to your head Black." She huffed pushing past the Slytherin.
Regulus let out an amused laugh before following her to class.
:) Hoped you guys liked this chapter!