Chapter twelve
Holly approached the window sill silently and Black didn’t look up from his book. She considered clearing her throat, asking to sit with him, but to her surprise he moved over on his own. No words passed between them, and she was decently confident that he hadn’t even looked at her. Throwing all rational thought out the window, she sat next to him, pulled out her book, and began to read as well.
The pair sat in silence for a while, and Holly felt strangely comfortable observing Black from the corner of her eye. He looked much like he always did, his black curls falling loosely over his forehead, his uniform pressed and pristine. His colorless eyes scanned over his book quickly, and his brow was pulled low over his eyes. He seemed concentrated, and curiously she peaked at his book. The cover was one she recognized easily. The Herbology Guide to O.W.L.s. It was one of the required exams for the O.W.L.s, and one she had helped Lily study for last year.
“I love that book,” Holly murmured looking back to her own. She didn’t want to startle the boy, like he was a wild dog she was approaching in the forest. One wrong move and she might scare him into attack. He let out a huff and closed the book with a snap, though his frustration didn’t seem directed at her.
“You would, Hufflepuff. It doesn’t make any sense, this Herbology nonsense. It’s useless.”
Holly’s face scrunched up and she shut her own book, looking at Black. He was running a tired hand down his face, and she noticed now just how tired he seemed to be. Had he slept at all?
“Herbology is necessary and you know it. Just because you don’t understand it, doesn’t mean it’s unimportant,” Then, idiotically, she said, “If you need help with studying I’d be happy to tutor you.”
Regulus’ head shot up and he narrowed his eyes at her. They were sharp, a suspicious look on his face.
“Why in Merlin’s name would you do that? We are not friends.”
Holly, taken aback, blinked at him. “Because you need help? And I’m about the only person in this school who might be willing to help you.”
Silence reigned around them as the two stared at each other. Then with a heavy sigh Black stood up, his eyes never quite leaving Holly’s. Without another word, he walked away.
“The gall of that boy!” She huffed to herself. He had a massive attitude problem, though given his status she should have assumed as much. She half regretted offering her help to him, no matter how little he wanted it, but the other half of her was fascinated. Holly was good at reading people. She knew what they were thinking, often. Regulus Black however was an enigma. He seemed to like, or at least tolerate her, and even allowed her to sit with him twice. All in spite of her blood status. But, then he acted like that? Rude and dismissive? She had no idea what to think about the heir of the house of Black.