Stars and Mist | Regulus Black

c h a p t e r. n i n e t e e n

The first Hogsmeade weekend of the 1977-1978 school year was in Mid-October, and it just turned out that Mirabel was busy meeting Ennalise Greengrass, and Liora had no other friends that she explicitly wanted to go with. This was a problem because Liora wanted to get some more quills and inkwells, and quite frankly it just wasn't safe for Slytherins to travel alone anymore for fear of harassment and Death Eaters.

So that was the dilemma Regulus found his newfound 'friend' in when he went down towards the Slytherin Common Room. Hearing movement, Liora glanced up in surprise to see Regulus standing there with his arms crossed and eyebrows raised into a little smirk, so different from last year. Liora shot a glare at him and continued thinking.

A soft thump beside her, then the scent of rain filling her nose. Liora looked up in surprise to see Regulus casually sitting beside her, resting his head on his hands and staring straight into her eyes.

"What's wrong?" He asked curiously.

Tempted to ignore him, Liora tried to turn away but was stopped by Regulus's hand tightly gripping her wrist. She glared at him, annoyed, then pulled her hand away. His eyes were now hardened and what she would assume what students in other houses would see, the cold and calculating poker face that was the picture of Slytherin stereotype.

"Tell me what's wrong."

"I have no one to go to Hogsmeade with." Internally cringing at herself, Liora turned away in embarrassment; it must've seemed like she was begging for a date when in reality she just needed a friend to help carry her stuff and talk to. Also, it was advised for students to go out in pairs.

As expected, Regulus broke out into a laugh as he looked at her, his eyes softening. After a moment, he straightened up.

"If it really bothers you that much, I can go with you," He offered. She raised her eyes, questioning his intent. The last time they'd spoken other than a few misplaced 'hi's and 'bye's was when she was crying, and they weren't really friends; just acquaintances.

And information sources, Liora added in her head. Regulus was just a stepping stone in Liora's life, and in two years she would be able to laugh about it with Mirabel. She looked at him and nodded, rolling her eyes as he smirked at her. Standing up, Liora winked at Regulus and made her way back up to her dorm, not bothering to look back.

***

You're in it for the Dark Lord. In two years' time, you'll be able to laugh about how you manipulated a dumb pureblood girl to trust you when you were actually just doing this for him, Regulus told himself as he paced in his empty dorm. He knew these things were true, but the Hogsmeade thing still felt like a date. Silently regretting ever agreeing to go with Liora to Hogsmeade, he paced even faster. He was dressed and ready, but for some reason, he got quite nervous.

Finally walking out of the dorms, Regulus spotted Liora waving at him. She had her bookbag with her, something that confused Regulus to no end. He followed her carefully, confused when she moved upwards.

"Where are you going?" He asked skeptically as they continued moving upwards, passing the first, second, and third floor. The two Slytherins got strange looks as they continued moving, and Regulus unconsciously moved his hand over his left arm. He continued following Liora until she stopped on the fourth floor.

"What are we doing?" he asked again, this time slightly more impatient. She whipped her head around to look at him.

"Wait." She went back to the mirror they stood in front of, fumbling behind it until it popped open. Entering the passageway, Regulus followed Liora as the pair walked towards the end. Behind them, the mirror popped back in place.

"How do you know about this?" Regulus asked, the third question in the short time they'd been talking. Liora smiled coyly at him but didn't respond, causing Regulus to become even more infuriated. Soon, they reached the end of the passageway and appeared in one of the farther alleyways in Hogsmeade, where students didn't usually go. Casually strolling out into the sunlight, the pair walked towards Tomes and Scrolls.

The Hogsmeade trip was mostly uneventful, and Liora and Regulus returned to the Hogwarts Castle with some goodies. Splitting, Regulus returned to his dorm room and sat cross-legged on his bed, holding the notebook that he wrote letters that would never be sent. Opening it's worn pages, Regulus picked up a quill and began to write.