Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

I drummed my fingers against my desk for, probably, the hundredth time today. I'm sure people were used to seeing me staring blankly so no one would be suspicious of anything different about the way I'm acting. However, I couldn't help but develop the habit.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

I blame my lack of focus on yesterday's events. That stupid wax seal-

"Miss Rosier?"

I blinked and redirected my stare to my teacher.

"Pardon me, yes Professor?" I asked, looking at him expectantly.

"Are you quite alright, Miss Rosier?"

Soft snickers and whispers filled the room. I turned to see a few of my classmates giving me looks. Adeline was frowning. Probably wondering what's wrong with me today. I mentally sighed. This behavior isn't acceptable.

"I was asking you a question, my dear" Professor Slughorn cleared his throat.

"I apologize, sir. I'm afraid I wasn't feeling well yesterday. It must have been my lack of sleep. May I ask what the question was"

He looked like he was about to protest but thought better of it. I straightened up in my seat, determined to focus on the present. Salazar, I can't afford any more distractions.

"Very well… What is the use of a Herbicide potion?"

"It is a potion brewed to either kill or damage plants"

"And the composition?" He added.

The whispers seemed to increase in volume. Now that they were aware I wasn't listening, everyone was expecting me to fail. Let this be a lesson to them then. They should learn not to expect.

"Mainly horclump juice, spines of a lionfish, and flobberworm mucus" I replied.

"10 points to Slytherin!" Slughorn looked so proud. His exclamation was followed by a series of disappointed scoffs. I almost smirked.

Lesson learned.

As I went back to writing down notes, I could not help but feel someone's burning gaze on me. I refuse to acknowledge it. This sort of thing shouldn't be bothering me. A complete waste of time. The more I think about it, the more I'll be distracted. Acknowledging it will make it more real to me. My thoughts won't stop racing. Merlin!

I turn my head to see him making a proud face. If this happened 2 days ago, I would have dismissed it. I would think to myself that he's Slytherin, of course, he'd be proud and amused by how I showed everyone. But now…

Snap!

I heard Adeline gasp.

"Fin, your quill!" She pointed at my hand. The part holding the nib was now separated from the feather. I continued to stare blankly. Time seemed to slow as I let the broken parts drop to my scrolls. I felt ink drip from my palm. It never shows on my face, but I felt quite shocked at my actions. My quill was destroyed too. I have never wanted to slap myself so badly.

"Um…Miss Rosier, that's a nasty cut you've got there. Better see Madame Pomfrey"

I looked at my palm once more. The ink was flowing from the lower part of my hands. What I failed to notice was the part just below my fingers. Crimson ran from a cut that started just below my pointer finger. My grip was tighter than I thought. My shock was starting to wear off and I managed to release a small noise of discomfort at the pain. I grasped the wrist of my wounded hand tightly and released a breath a didn't know I was holding. I struggled to keep my expression blank. Luckily, I was used to doing so. Not an ounce of the said struggle can be seen on my face. It was much harder to contain my frustration when I hear a voice say,

"I'll take her there myself, Sir"

I kept quiet and lowered my gaze, away from my injured hand. I didn't dare turn in the direction of the voice. At the moment, I swear I felt Slughorn radiating happiness and mischief. It was confirmed when I looked. I could not help the small twitch in my left eye. Especially when my classmates started giggling at his gesture.

"I'm very much capable, Professor. I promise there is no need for Black to miss his class-"

"Nonsense! Mr. Black is a very bright student in my class, Miss Rosier. I believe it won't be a problem for him to miss one class. I, myself, would be more at ease if he will be accompanying you to the hospital wing" Slughorn insisted.

Well, I don't want to embarrass myself any further. I just nodded my head as a way of showing my cooperation. Black, the gentleman he is, quickly helped me pack my things and hung my bag on his shoulder despite my refusal. I noticed his was already packed and ready to go once he moved to help me with mine.

"You certainly didn't have to" I stated as I pressed the handkerchief he gave me to the wound on my hand.

"I wanted to"

I finally decided to talk to him when we were already a good distance away from the Potions classroom. I kept my expression firm after hearing his response despite the amount of annoyance I was feeling. My gaze never met his. I did not speak again, allowing a few more moments with only our footsteps filling the silence. Until I could not stop my curiosity.

"Why do you always do this?" I asked with a soft sigh. This time I looked at him to ensure that he understood how serious I was.

He mocked a look of confusion. "Do what?"

Regulus Black adjusted my bag on his shoulder.

"You know what I mean. You really should stop it. People will get the wrong idea. I will get the wrong idea"

He looked thoughtful for a moment.

"…and that is?" He probed. A small but noticeable smirk was on his face and I saw a faint glimmer of mischief in his eyes.

The audacity. He thinks it's a joke.

"You are aware that it is annoying. It's bad enough that I get a lot of marriage proposals at this age. Most girls might feel flattered but I'm not enjoying it" I said quietly. This time I did not stop myself and let a small frown make its way to my face.

"You know you don't have to take it so seriously. I don't even know what it is that I'm doing" He spoke without a hint of humor. I've got to hand it to him. Regulus really is a great liar.

"I am pleased to know that I amuse you enough for you to keep this charade going, but it really isn't a good joke. I don't need to be the model you use to display your chivalry. There are lots of ladies desperate for that kind of attention. Not to mention the gifts. The gifts are a bit much if you haven't noticed"

"Well then, I apologize. And what gifts? I didn't realize giving you food I thought you might enjoy after you've just been poisoned was too much" He replied. His tone and expression showed that it wasn't a big deal. I decided to go straight to the point.

"Those books must have cost you a lot though"

As I predicted, he stopped walking. And after a few steps, so did I.

All traces of mischief and carelessness were gone from his eyes. I simply received a guarded expression. I thought I finally got him to take my opinions seriously. Surprisingly, he released a scoff. Then he smiled.

"You weren't supposed to figure that out till later…but then again, I never underestimated you" He smiled to himself. The action made me speechless for a few moments. Finally, I shook my head and started walking again.

"You also didn't have to do that. How I wish you were like the other dimwits who used their parents to get permission from my parents to get my hand in marriage. Instead, you decide to target me with these displays-" I rambled quietly until he matched my strides and took my uninjured hand.

Though I fell quiet for a moment, I kept my expression blank once more and decided to continue walking,

"Let me go, Black. There's no need to keep this going for much longer"

"You think this is another ploy to get your hand in marriage?"

"What else could it be?" I asked without looking at him.

An answer to my own question appeared in my mind. But I was not about to allow myself to believe it. I have worked so hard to build my walls. Him being my friend first wasn't enough a reason for me to trust his words. These gestures weren't genuine. Maybe he was my friend once, but he's still a Slytherin pureblood. A new heir at that. It's all a means to an end.

I slowed my steps as I prepared to wretch my hand out of his tight grasp. The Hospital Wing was but a few meters away. I faced him once more and was about to pull when I felt his hand on my shoulder.

"Don't be daft, Fin. You've stated your thoughts now you have to hear mine" He spoke calmly. My previous words clearly have not affected him at all.

"Let's be honest. I approached you with your title in mind but my intentions changed when I saw you as a friend. Someone I could share my opinions with. Someone who shares my interests. If I wanted your hand in marriage immediately, I could've asked my father to persuade yours. We both know your parents won't be able to refuse an offer made by my family. A lot of people are willing to go the lengths for me. Especially, now that I'm the sole heir…but I refused to do that. Instead, I've been making these 'displays' as you called them. To get your attention, not your family's, not our peers…" He said all these calmly. However, there was strength in his words. Enough strength to crack the walls I have worked so long to establish.

He moved closer and lifted my chin gently so we could see eye to eye.

"Is it so hard to believe that somewhere amidst this friendship…I fell for you along the way?" When he asked this, his face was calm and only showed a hint of frustration directed at me.

As usual, I did what I was good at. Just because there were cracks does not mean that they could be seen. When he saw my usual expression, he slowly dropped his hands and let me go. He moved so there was a distance between the two of us. I looked away as he sighed in disappointment. He turned and I watched as he walked away from me. It wasn't until he made it to seven steps that I frantically moved to snatch his wrist. When I saw his expression of surprise, I dropped my gaze to the floor. My hand shook as I grip his wrist tightly. For the first time in years, I felt my face warm. I felt the blood rise to my cheeks.

"I-…" I struggled with my words.

"Yes?"

When I looked at him, I noticed his brows were furrowed in amazement. I saw his expression soften as I raised my head to look at him more properly. I certainly had trouble expressing myself. My thoughts were racing and so was my heartbeat. He must have realized it too. Regulus placed a hand over the one that gripped his wrist. I let go and he took this as an opportunity to lace his fingers with mine.

"I must've put too much pressure on you" He frowned.

I released a breath.

"You have no idea" Finally, I was able to form some words.

We were quiet for a few moments.

"Though….I'm assuming that my feelings aren't one-sided then?" He probed once more.

Instead of replying I pulled on our interlocked hands and we made our way toward the Hospital Wing. When we reached the entrance and it was almost time for him to go, I finally replied.

"Just…" I sighed as let go of him.

"Not a word to anyone, Regulus"

A/N: Hello again! I will try to update more regularly since I'm quite attached to this story. I've been a Potterhead for as long as I can remember and all I wished for was content from the marauder's era. And here I am making one myself. Again, thank you so much for the reviews and follows. I hope I haven't disappointed you yet :'D hahaha. How was today's chapter?