Don't Blame Me

Sleeping In The Library

"Glad to see you're doing better, Ms. (L/n)."

I smile at Professor Sterling, sitting at my desk. Regulus walks in behind me, sitting next to me quickly. Sterling leaves the room, smiling at the two of us before disappearing back into his office.

"What happened to your face?"

Regulus touches the bruise on his cheek. "Nothing."

"Sure," I reply, rolling my eyes.

He sets his parchment down and turns to me. "Mulciber didn't like me saving you."

"He punched you?!"

"It was barely a punch. He's much weaker than he looks."

Professor Sterling looks around the room in confusion. "Class started five minutes ago. Where is everyone?"

No one else is here, not even Addie. I pull my phone out and check the date. "It's Saturday."

Regulus takes my phone, checking the date for himself. I stand up and begin gathering my stuff.

"Well, that would explain the lack of students."

Regulus sets my phone down and sighs. I slide it back into my pocket and walk to the door. "I guess I'll see you on Monday."

I walk out of the room, using a spell to transport my stuff back to my room. Regulus is beside me now, loosening his tie. "How did you not notice?"

"Nobody was in the common room, and I always skip breakfast. So, I just assumed it was a regular school day. Why didn't you notice?"

"I was too busy avoiding Mulciber."

"There you are, (Y/n)!"

Lily slows down when she notices the boy next to me. "And you're with Regulus. Interesting."

The Slytherin nods and walks away, leaving Lily and I standing in the hallway. She smirks, "What are you doing with Sirius's brother?"

"Nothing."

I walk around her, going back to the Gryffindor common room. She follows me, giggling over something she had said. I make my way to our room, not paying attention to the four boys that sit by the fire.

When I'm in regular clothes, I walk back downstairs. James is the first to notice me, "There's our beauty queen!"

People turn around to look at me, whispering amongst themselves. I roll my eyes and sit next to Remus. "How have you put up with him for so long?"

"I ask myself that every day."

James leans over the back of the couch, wrapping his arms around us. "That's hurtful, I can feel my heart breaking."

"Can it break quietly? I'm trying to enjoy my weekend," Remus says.

James jumps over the couch to sit on the other side of me. "Speaking of... why were you in uniform (Y/n)?"

"I was making a statement."

Peter laughs, "Bullshit! You thought it was Friday!"

The Marauders laugh amongst themselves, ignoring my glare. I roll my eyes, "I wasn't the only one. Regulus and Professor Sterling thought it was Friday as well."

"Ooh, Professor Sterling," James says, nudging me.

Sirius holds his hands over his heart and speaks in a high-pitched voice, "Oh, how I love my dear Professor Sterling! He's the most handsome man ever!"

"Damn, Sirius. I didn't know you felt so strongly about him," I say.

His smile drops, "Wait, that's not-"

"There's no way to come back from that, mate," Peter says, resting his arm on Sirius's shoulder.

"I'm going to the library," I announce, grabbing my bag.

James boos, "Lame!"

I wave goodbye and walk to the library, bumping into a Slytherin along the way.

"Sorry," Regulus says, taking a step back.

I raise my eyebrows, "It's fine."

We both stand in front of the door to the library, neither of us making a move. We both take a step at the same time, resulting in us bumping into each other again.

"Oh, I'm sorry. You can go first," I say, looking down in embarrassment.

He chuckles and steps inside, I wait a few seconds before walking inside. Hoping that he would be further away. He waits right by the door, nodding when he sees me.

"What are you here for?" He asks, following me closely.

I sit at a table, pulling a book from my bag. "Nothing, I just wanted to get away from the Marauders."

He sits across from me, setting a book down on the table. "I'm hiding too."

"From Mulciber?" I ask.

He nods, "Yeah, he's still mad at me. He really doesn't like you."

"Really? I couldn't tell with the whole trying to murder me thing," I joke.

He laughs, a real laugh that makes the librarian shush us. The two of us nod apologetically before turning back to each other.

I speak in a lower voice, "It's been five minutes, and we haven't argued."

"That makes me want to argue," he says.

"Please don't, I don't want to get kicked out."

He smiles softly, "I'll try to contain my snide comments."

"Thank you, you're doing the world a favor."

He shakes his head and opens his book. I watch him for a few seconds before opening my book as well.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"What an unusual sight this is."

"Positively sickening," another voice adds.

I open my eyes and raise my head up to look around. I must've fallen asleep while reading because I'm still in the library.

My eyes land on the person in front of me who is looking back at me with the same confused expression. Regulus fell asleep, too.

"Sneaking off to read with Regulus in the library? What a turn of events," James says, sitting next to me.

Sirius glares at Regulus, "What are you doing here?"

"Reading, something I'm not sure you can even do."

Sirius scowls, "Don't be a smartass."

"It seems your Marauders have found you now, so I'll leave," Regulus says, walking away.

I sigh deeply, resting my head back on the table. Remus rests his head on the table in front of me, staring back into my eyes. "Did we interrupt something?"

"Yeah, the next war," Peter jokes.

Remus frowns when I don't answer. I feel conflicted. Part of me wants to chase after Regulus and spend more time with him. While the other part of me wants to avoid him at all costs.

The feeling of wanting to be with him feels more sincere, and that scares me.

"Come on, we need to go eat dinner," Sirius says.

I follow the boys to the dining hall, sitting in my usual spot in between Remus and James. Regulus and I make eye contact, leaving me frozen in place. He gives me a subtle nod, which I return.

My heart beat quickens.