𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 [regulus black]

Vivien had gotten the hang of the concepts however, she still faced slight difficulty. She sighed, her head in her hand, as Black corrected her for the umpteenth time that lesson. The light breeze brushed against her face, making her hair flutter- the movement catching Regulus’eyes. As she looked at him, she noticed the moonlight shining on his face, making him seem paler than usual.

“How are you so good at this stuff?” She asked him exasperatedly.

“I’ve been learning it since I was seven, and our mother only expected the best from us.” He replied.

“Ah, right. Why did you have to learn it so early though? I mean- 7 years old?”

“Well, it’s not like I exactly had a choice. Our parents made us learn all these things, without exception. According to them, we had to be good at everything to uphold the name and pride of our family, especially since- you know, we’re pureblood and everything. “

“Good at everything? That’s not possible. There’s got to be something you’re not good at,” she looked at him skeptically.

He smirked. “What can I say, Evans? I’m great at everything I do.”

She scoffed. “Yeah, right. Don’t worry, Black. I’ll find out what you aren’t good at. I bet I’m great at it. “

He shrugged “Be my guest. I can do- and excel at everything.”

“What else can you do?”

He paused to think for a second, “Let’s see, I know five types of dances, I can play the piano, speak French, and-“

“Wait, you can speak French?” She interrupted him, wide-eyed.

“Fluently,” he bragged.

She rolled her eyes. “I love French. I only know a little, though since we had it in muggle school.” She said. “Say something in French.”

“Ah, but where’s the fun in giving away all my secrets? You’ll just have to wonder how amazing I sound.”

“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes. “Anyway, didn’t you hate studying all this? Especially since you were so young.”

“I did. But I didn’t have a choice.” He adjusted the telescope and his eyes caught hers, as she stared at him. “I used to hate Astronomy as a kid. But now, I love it - staring at the stars. I usually come up here, when I’m overwhelmed.”

Gazing up at the stars, she mentioned, “I used to come up here often, back when Petunia, my other sister, and I had frequent disagreements through letters. Now, we don’t even talk. Looking up at the stars induces a sense of calmness in me.”

“Ah, you mentioned her previously. She’s your muggle sister, right?”

“Yes. We used to look at the stars together late at night when everyone was asleep. She used to be my best friend, but now it’s like we’re strangers. It’s strange, but, being here gave me a sense of greater closeness to her.

Black nodded, “I felt closer to Sirius the same way. Sometimes, I’d talk to his star, when I couldn’t talk to him.” He glanced at her hesitantly, “It made me feel - not alone.”

Silence settled on them for a while. Then, “I also wanted to apologize to you, for calling you a Mudblood back in our third year.”

She glanced at him surprised. “I didn’t think you still remembered that. Especially, considering the amount of people you must have called a Mudblood since then.”

He flinched. “I was naive back then, I only knew what my parents had taught me my whole life. I mean, sure, Sirius rebelled against it after he got into Hogwarts but I never followed him. Since my parents were so against him. I don’t like to admit it, but I wish I had the same courage as him to go against our parents.”

“I used to believe in the pureblood system because that’s what I was taught. But not anymore.” He said. “Everyone deserves to live, and no one’s better than someone just because of their blood status.”

Engulfed in comfortable silence, the pair stared out into the sky, their minds wandering. Perhaps, he wasn’t as bad as she’d originally thought; just misunderstood. After a while, Vivien glanced at him only to find his eyes already on her.

“What?” She asked.

“Huh? Nothing.” He shook his head. “We should go, it’s getting late.”

Nodding, she fetched her bag and handed him her muggle book.

“Thank you.” He took the book from her and handed her one from his bag. “I thought you might enjoy it; it’s one of my favorites.”

“Thanks.” She smiled, reading the title of the magical book before looking up at him with a playful glint in her eye. “But seriously Black? You thought of me, and what I might enjoy? I know we don’t exactly hate each other anymore, but try not to fall for me.”

He rolled his eyes, “Don’t flatter yourself, Evans. I promise I won’t fall for you. Besides, I prefer someone a little less likely to kill me in my sleep.”

~~~

A/N : comment if you liked the chapter, i hope you did! also, add it to your library. btw, sorry for the late update, from now on, i’ll be updating it every sunday (to my best efforts). thanks to everyone reading, i appreciate it! <3

-- V.