AN- First off, thanks for the reviews everyone. Hope you like the chapter and keep on reviewing.

Second, school starts in less than a week, and I still have to finish my AP summer homework by tomorrow. That means less updates. -Laura

Chapter Thirty-Two: Away From Curious Ears

"Regulus?" I called as I entered the disappearing room that was set up as usual. A small library with a few chairs and a nice and warm fireplace. "Are you here yet?"

My friend peeked his head out from behind the large, plush sofa he was currently seated in with a huge smirk on his face,
"'Bout time you showed up, don't you think?"

I small smile found it's way upon my face, "Sorry to keep you waiting. I can see that you can't manage without me for long. Next time I shall be faster."

He chuckled at my antics, "Yes, Sophie, you must grace me with your presence as much as absolutely possible."

I dropped on the spot right next to Reg and plopped my feet up on arm of the couch so that my head rested in his lap. "Well, if you insist..."

Regulus rolled his eyes, but then looked at my seriously, "Okay, now what is it that took you so long? And what did you call me here for exactly?"

"Well, I didn't wake up until a half hour ago when Carrow slammed the door after one of her tantrums with her bloody twin. The reason I wasn't up was because of Narcissa. Then after I ate I had a rather mature talk with James. Didn't even yell at him once... Don't look at me like that! I didn't!" I shouted at him when he gave me a look full of doubt.

"You have to admit that it does seem pretty doubtful, Soph. You not screaming in someone's face is really rare," the youngest Black child teased quietly.

I heaved a heavy sighed, "I guess I'll let that one slide. Just this once though. And the reason I asked you to meet me here? Well, it was just to talk without any curious ears hanging around. You never know who could be listening in on something."

Regulus nodded in agreement, "Yeah. So are you happy to be back at Hogwarts?"

The flames in the fire across the room caught my attention as I replied, "I don't know. I guess I'm happy to get away from London and everything that happened, but I don't know if I am exactly happy to be back at Hogwarts. What about you?"

"I'm glad to be back. Anywhere with no Mum and her ideals is good for me. I think that I'm just happy to get away from it all too," he said while running his fingers through my wavy hair.

I turned back and looked into Regulus' stormy grey eyes with a small smirk on my face, "Looks like we have another thing in common, huh?"

"One out of many," my friend whispered back to me.

As I stared into Reg's never-ending gaze I felt that unknown emotion that kept popping up whenever I was around him. While I tried to think of what it was I swear I saw something in his eyes that I had never noticed before. Something that looked familiar. I didn't even notice the space between our heads decreasing because Regulus was moving closer to me.

Then all of the sudden he looked away. And I felt disappointed. But why did I feel disappointment? I have no idea, but I had a feeling that I would find out soon. When I was about to say something Regulus began to speak.

"What are you going to do think break? If you don't get on with your mother then where will you stay?" he asked with a hint of a nervous tone to his voice and I could only wonder why it was there.

I pondered on this question for a moment before answering, "Well, I was thinking about going and apologizing to Mum. After all, there is a war going on for who knows how long. Then I was planning to go to the Leaky Cauldron or to my Grandmother's house. I'll be staying here for Christmas too. You staying this year? Or is your mother planning something earlier than the summer?"

Reg frowned deeply and then replied with, "I hope not. I want to put working for him as far off as I can. I think that I can hold it off until break."

"Good. That means that I can hopefully have someone to talk to that is an intelligent being unlike third year," I muttered with distaste.

The other Slytherin just chuckled, "I am so upset that I didn't get to see you hex Evan because he wouldn't stop bothering you. Roiser was complaining about it forever. You gave him antlers and turned his whole body bright pink. You even made him sound like a horse whenever he talked so he couldn't reverse it."

"Yeah, and everyone hated him so much that they just let him be. Then McGonagall had to ruin it by giving me a month worth of detention and turn the bastard back to normal," I said happily.

Regulus stopped laughing and then caught sight of a clock, "Time for quidditch practice. We should start to head down. We play Hufflepuff next month."

I just groaned, "Can't we just skip?"

"No, Soph, we have to be prepared. So you want to lose?" my friend said a bit too seriously.

"No," I mumbled as I pushed myself into a standing position. "Let's go."

Regulus grabbed my arm and pulled me down the hall almost in a sprint.

AN- How was it? Good I hope. Sorry for the late update once again. Been really busy. Hope you all leave wonderful reviews.