II
The weather started to become frigid and the first snowfall of the season appeared in Hogwarts prompting everyone to bundle up and the Holiday season to begin. That marked some crucial events at Hogwarts, one being the second quidditch game of the season. Regulus was itching to get out on the pitch he had gone to every practice and put in his entire being into the sport today was the match. Regulus was sitting at your usual table in the back of the library where you also sat sitting across from him glancing up from your book to stare at him, his knee bouncing causing the table to tremble and his face had a nagging impatience.
“ Regulus, what in Merlin's name is wrong with you?” You asked, raising your eyebrows as you set your book down crossing your arms and legs.
“ Today is Slytherins first match of the season.” He stated like it was an obvious fact and surprised you didn’t seem to be aware.
“ And that has to do with you how…?” You asked further, your voice trailing off, looking further perplexed.
“ You seriously do not know?” Regulus scoffed in disbelief at your lack of knowledge which he immediately knew had come off as snarky and you did not look pleased.
“ No I do not know so would you just bloody get on with it.” You responded impatiently, tilting your head to the side. This made Regulus feel a little bad with what he had done but he knew you wouldn’t hold it against him or anything.
“ I'm the seeker for the Slytherins Quidditch Team.” The male across from you started with an air of pride as he sat back in his chair with a small grin. Your eyebrows just raised even further, your face returning to one of perplexity. And in that moment Regulus realised that you knew nothing about quidditch.
“ Come to the match later and you’ll see what I mean.” He continued his grin turning more into a sly smirk. One thing Regulus always liked was to show off even if it was subtle and the chance to show off for you wasn’t an opportunity he planned on passing up.
“ Fine” You said, giving a slight smile back when you pulled out your book and went back to reading.
You stood in front of the masses climbing up to the quidditch pitch and several flights of stairs you found yourself in the front row of the Slytherin section. The wind whipped around your ears and nose and you further buried your face into your scarf which was decorated with the Slytherin house colours. Each section was filled to the brim with people and while other houses who were not playing were adorning their own gear but also the other houses. With Slytherin and Hufflepuff being the houses the other houses primarily chose to side with Hufflepuff however Ravenclaws were pretty split between the support for the two houses. Soon the flying coach came out to the centre of the pitch and started to announce the beginning. You had not really paid attention to them so much as to try and spot Regulus. And shortly you saw him. His black curls being slightly brushed by the wind, his green jersey reading the number 10 on the back and the large blocky lettering of the name “Black”. You let out a small cheer of which you had thought got lost in the flood of applauses, cheers, and boo’s but Regulus’ gaze wandered up to you a small sly smirk making its way upon his face as he gave a slight nod towards you his hand gesturing as well with that people in your section swooned, squeals increased, but you just replied back with a decently sized smile that had pierced through Regulus’ heart. And so the game commenced, Regulus whirled past the stands at great speeds diving low to the ground and soaring up into the clouds, his arm perpetually outreached following a tiny golden object that buzzed around at an unthinkable pace. A heavy object seemingly almost hit him several times in which you gasped screaming for him to look out only for another player with bats to hit it away from him or for him to narrowly dodge it with it brushing upon his curls giving you a heart attack luckily this only happened once. Then when you had felt your heart pounding through your ears in anticipation Regulus flew by with the Hufflepuff seeker right next to him both elbowing and shoving each other as they both tried to reach their arms further than they could go. But just at the last second Regulus dived only slightly but enough for the Hufflepuff seeker who had hoped to shove him go barreling away. Regulus’ arm reached out once more and this time his fingertips were able to wrap around the little golden sphere. The crowds erupted into roars as the announcer screamed of Slytherins success guaranteeing them a place in the semi-finals for the quidditch cup and the start to a very good season.
Regulus slowed making a loop around as he tossed the snitch up and down but as he passed each section suddenly adorned the green and silvers of Slytherin turning the stands into a sea of Slytherin pride. However as he passed the Slytherin stand he let out a smirk raising his eyebrows towards you nodding his head downward. Your eyes followed in confusion as to what he was referring to and then you saw it at the end of your scarf magically stitched in were the initials “R.A.B.” Regulus Arcturus Black. You smiled at him with him giving a slightly cheeky smile before retreating back to the ground of the quidditch pitch.
While you had exited the stands you lingered outside of the quidditch pitch till you were sure everyone was gone and inside you saw the boy you were looking for. Regulus’ black curls remained glued to his forehead by sweat; his face and hands had a thin layer of shininess due to the sweat despite the nippy air. He held his broomstick in his left hand as he tilted his head.
“ Well how did you enjoy it?” He asks you, curious at your response, taking a step closer towards you.
“ I enjoyed seeing you in your element.” You responded back carefully as the game itself wasn’t that interesting to you but watching Regulus seem so happy, so focused, and not his usual uptight self made you happy in turn.
“ I was wondering how do you fly like that, let alone keep you balanced?” You continued awe seeping through your tone as you observed his broomstick that had several small dents, minor cracks, and chips. Looking back you see Regulus’ face in minor bewilderment as he stares at you once again with disbelief.
“ You don’t know how to ride a broom? Isn’t it a requirement to take flying 101?” The boy in front of you asks, still a little shocked at the revelation.
“ No I do not, it wasn't ever in my skill set, so much so that I couldn’t even get the broom in my hand, I had to switch classes.” You say slightly embarrassed at the fact. Regulus let out a small huff of laughter as he put the broom so it was floating slightly below his waist.
“ Come over here,” Regulus stated, gesturing with his head. You took a couple steps forward towards the broom, your eyebrows raised in a look of knowing.
“ Regulus no I am not getting on that death trap.” You replied back shaking your head slightly.
“ It is not a death trap, just try it.” Regulus stated plainly as he took a further step towards you reaching out carefully grabbing your hand but only the fingertips as he gave a gentle tug towards himself.
“ Fine but if I die you bet your arse I will haunt you.” You lightly threatened as you let him tug you right in front of him. Regulus didn’t really let go of your hand, his fingers still lingered over your hand, neither of you acknowledged it like most things in your complex relationship. He however slowly let go as he climbed onto the back of the broom his hand waved slightly referencing for you to get on.
“ Get on the same way you’d a horse only closer to the ground.” He started nodding towards the broom. Your arms crossed as you looked at him with your “really?” face.
“ And what makes you think I’ve ridden a horse before?” You questioned watching his face morph into one of mild surprise.
“ Just swing one leg over.” He responded, shaking his head as you swung your leg over the broom, careful not to kick him as you sat quite uncomfortably in front of him. Not due to him but more of the design of the broom itself, it really was a wonder how one could sit on it for long periods of time. You grabbed onto the part right in front of you.
“ Now just push off.” Regulus stated as he weaved his arms around you grabbing on to the part right below your hands so he was caging you into the broom. You pushed your feet off the ground slightly causing the broom to slowly hover upward until you were a good roughly three metres off of the ground. Regulus quickly explained how to control the broom and soon you were flying over the black lake. A huge smile crossed your face as you let go with one hand to skim the surface, the water was ice cold but still felt amazing even with the winter fronts breeze whipping at your face. Regulus drank up every moment, he loved watching your eyes fill with fascination and your laugh of delight slip from you. Soon enough the day started to turn darker and the both of you had agreed to land.
“ Thank you Regulus,” You started staring at him softly. “ That was the best thing I’ve ever done.”
“ You're welcome.” He smiled back in the dark of the quidditch pitch. That while the first of that type of outing didn’t prove to be the last.
Thank You For Reading <3