"What did I do now?" I entered the great hall to be greeted by smiles. Regrettably, they were too wide to be considered friendly or innocent. Then again, the people wearing them were Slytherins.
There was a space between Regulus and Bulstrode so I decided to sit there. I almost instantly felt the boy tense beside me.
"Is something the matter?" I stated while turning so I faced him.
He just replied by slightly shaking his head.
"Oh Fin, You really don't remember anything do you?" Bulstrode smiled softly.
"What in the world are you talking about?" I asked calmly.
The only response I received was a soft giggle from Adeline.
"Can't you recall?" It was Lucius who asked with a knowing look.
I searched my memories for whatever happened yesterday. I remember walking to the common room with my brother and friends. I was studying for Charms using Adeline's notes. A 2nd year told me Madam Pomfrey wanted to see me…Oh. The Common Room… Regulus…Merlin! When I get my hands on Parkinson-!
I was still staring at my breakfast, trying to focus on calming down before meeting anyone's gaze.
"I honestly have no clue if she realized it or not…" Mulciber muttered several spaces from where we sat.
I cleared my throat.
"Don't worry…I remember most of it" I stated before munching on my toast.
I looked around to see a lot of disappointed expressions. I internally scoffed. Did they think they can break me with that? Honestly! After what happened last night they should expect me to keep my guard up more. My brother entered my line of sight.
"Good to have you back, Fin," Evan said with a smug expression he knew would tick me off.
"I agree. I'm glad to see you're all better" Narcissa smiled with a hint of laughter.
"Pleased to be back" I replied with a bored expression.
Everyone returned to their meals after that. They knew that the show was over. I discreetly looked at the boy on my left. I can't express how thankful and sorry I was about how I acted around him. Before he could catch me looking, I went back to eating. I quickly finished breakfast before anyone else to have an early start. Salazar knows I need it after missing 4 days of school. I went to grab my bag and books.
"Leaving already? Class doesn't start for another hour" Bulstrode asked.
"I know. You'll have to excuse me though. I missed 4 days of school so I better start working on catching up" I shrugged while standing up. I was about to tell Adeline that I will have to get going but she just shook her head with a smile.
"I'll see you later, Fin" She waved, already used to my antics.
I nodded. I was about to leave when a hand caught my wrist. I traced it back to the grey-eyed boy. Salazar, I've never been more embarrassed towards a person.
"Um…Sorry Fin I-I was just wondering if I could join you?" He stuttered quietly, suddenly unable to meet my eyes.
I gave him another blank expression. I swear could feel Narcissa and Adeline's grins from behind me. I thought that he wouldn't want to spend any time with me after everything he had to do since I got poisoned. He had to carry me for crying out loud. I didn't want to face him alone after all that's happened. However, I also couldn't forgive myself if I didn't thank him somehow. When he met my eyes once more, I nodded.
"Of course. We both have Ancient Runes first thing this morning after all"
He flashed me a smile that I surely would have missed, had I not been intently focused on him. He grabbed all his things before nodding goodbye to his friends who gave us weird looks. Probably because I was allowing him to accompany me in front of everyone. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have said yes to Regulus in regular circumstances. The consequences are often too bothersome when I'm seen with another pureblood boy, not to mention an heir. I just wanted to thank him that's all.
"Are you alright?" Regulus asked after a few moments of silence and being alone together. He offered to carry my books a while back. He just looked so hopeful I couldn't say no.
"Just dandy I guess. Still quite annoyed at Parkinson that's for sure" I replied.
I heard him laugh lightly. It was a pleasant sound. I rarely hear it from him now.
"Regulus? " I met his questioning eyes.
"I can never thank you enough for what you've done these past few days. When I fainted and then when I woke up at the hospital wing. I'm also sorry for all the trouble it may have caused you" There I finally said it. Maybe a bit too formally but it'll do.
"No, no it was no trouble at all. It was my pleasure" He smiled the same one he wore at the great hall. You'd surely miss it if you weren't facing him directly. I noticed he was always looking at his feet whenever he wore this smile, it seems as if he was thinking about something. I wonder what goes on in that head of his.
"We're friends, right?" The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. I was genuinely curious at this point. He has done so much for me. I couldn't just brush him off as an acquaintance.
He was silent for a moment. My face was unchanging as I waited for a response. Did I say something wrong now? For a moment there he looked a bit…dejected. He then just smiled and shook his head.
"Right we are. What are friends for?" He smiled.
A bit too wide to be genuine though. I almost felt bad. Did he not want that?
"You are fine with it? It seems to me that you are uncomfortable with the idea. It's alright of course I understand that I'm not exactly the kind that everyone wants to be friends with" I shook my head. I could hear myself saying these words but they came out quite wrong. I sounded cold and offending. I was going to apologize once more but he beat me to it.
"No. It would be an honor for me to be f-friends with you" he stuttered.
"Good" I replied after a few moments of observing him.
It sounded like he was having doubts but I wasn't going to ask him. It was bad enough that I started this awkwardness due to my question. I would hate to prolong this conversation. Besides, if he despised my accompany so much he could just ignore me. I wouldn't be bothered. At least that's what I tell myself.
I struggled to listen to today's lecture. I was so tired from studying all morning before Ancient Runes started that I was ready to pass out by the time the last period was here. Nevertheless, I still kept writing down notes as Professor McGonagall continued to inform us about the limits of transfiguration.
I couldn't help the inaudible sigh of relief that left me when it was finally time to go to dinner. After packing my things, I made my way to a more secluded route to the great hall. I certainly couldn't handle facing a lot of my housemates after what transpired last night. I heard nothing but my own footsteps as I paraded along the deserted hallway. Until there was shuffling from somewhere behind me. I couldn't see anything as I was standing a few strides away from a dark corner.
"Hello?" No one answered. I put a hand in my pocket where my wand was. I was sure that my knuckles were already white from the tight grip I had on it. I pulled it out and raised it so it was pointed toward the darkness. That's when I heard obnoxious laughter from around the corner. Then came the Sirius Black with the most infuriating grin.
I almost rolled my eyes, instead, I gave him an unamused expression and dropped my wand to my side.
"You are unbelievably childish"
He started laughing once again. This Idiot.
"Are you serious? I could have hurt you "
He ceased his laughter to give me a smug smile. He was about to reply before I realized what I said and beat him to it.
"Bloody hell…" Though I didn't show it, I was sure he was giving me a headache.
" Nothing about you is serious besides your bloody name. Now, what are you doing here?"
His expression changed for a moment before returning to his smug smile.
"Walking. I could ask you the same thing, Little Rosier"
I inwardly smiled.
"You're hiding something"
"Excuse me-" He looked very hurt. Such a dream queen.
"You're definitely hiding something"
"…"
I pretended to think about it for a moment. I knew about the Marauders' jokes and pranks. I happen to be impressed by their work if it wasn't almost always targeted to Slytherins. Just a few months ago they made it so that all our uniforms were colored hot pink instead of black and the snakes on our crest were changed into unicorns.
"Are the Marauders pulling another great prank? Your friends must be escaping while you volunteered to distract me" I said without moving my gaze from his. I'm not that stupid. I heard shuffling before and after he revealed himself.
The reaction I was looking for was something of shock or panic even. That type of response would've given me more satisfaction. Sadly, the older boy just raised his hand in surrender and smiled.
"You got me" He laughed lightly while taking a few more steps forward so I could see him more clearly. Then I saw another hint of mischief in his eyes.
"You should help us! "He said it as if he came up with the most brilliant idea.
"No" I turned around and continued walking in the dark empty hallway. Sirius groaned as loud as he can.
"Fin Come ooooon. I just need teensy weensy little favor" He gestured to the small space he made with his thumb and forefinger.
I stopped so suddenly that his shoes squeaked when he tried to follow the action. Sirius stumbled until he regained his balanced and smiled as if it would make me forget what I saw.
"I'll do your favor…" I started slowly.
He pumped his fists and was about to say something when I interrupted him once more.
" If you tell me every detail of your plan and if you promise I won't be included in any of your pranks for the rest of the year"
Again, he pretended to think about it.
"Sirius, we both know you're going to say-"
"Alright! Deal! My little sister…" He shook his head and wiped at nonexistent tears.
"I'm so proud" Sirius sniffled.
I continued to stare at him. Sometimes I think he's great at being funny, other times I wonder if he's insane already.
"Good, what do you need?" I started to walk again. He matched my pace while swinging his hands back and forth.
"I'll have to check in with the boys. If I need anything, you'll either be in the library or your common room every day after school anyway" He shrugged.
There's no denying it. I'm incredibly boring. Way to make it obvious Black, I wanted to say but I kept my mouth shut and faced forward instead.
"So, I heard you and dear Reggie have been spending so much time together since you vomited all over Parkinson. Which was brilliant by the way!" He snickered at the last part.
I released a breath.
"I'll tell you what I've told everyone else. One, believe it or not, I didn't mean to do that to Parkinson. Two, yes your brother was being a great friend. He helped me a lot during the past few days and I'll always be grateful for the things he's done"
His face looked weird for a moment. It was quick but I saw the shift in his mood before it went back to his usual smile.
"Good"
I nearly convinced myself to ask him what he really meant. However, judging from the way he changed his expression quickly, I don't think he'd tell me even if I did.