Year Four
"Did you seriously think you could burn all of Anthony's clothes and get away with it?" Asked Regulus, looking at Annabelle who shrugged, flipping the page of her magazine before smiling wickedly at him,
It shouldn't be legal to make another person's heart beat that quickly. I liked your letter, he practiced saying it in his head, and had been for the past fifteen minutes.
"I haven't the slightest idea what you are talking about," she said, shrugging, as Regulus lifted her legs to sit beside her on the bench,
"Really? I happen to remember you telling me that you'd bide your time before striking,"
"I am biding my time," she said, sitting up, "See, would I have had time to paint my nails if I had been setting Avery's clothes aflame, including his heart boxers," she was giggling a little bit now, "I would never."
He smiled a little, "You certainly look less than guilty," said Regulus, as she smiled at him, and he looked away, his cousin had been disowned over the summer for her mudblood. Regulus had to be careful.
"Are you saying that I'm not innocent? Because if the court reporter reads back my statements, I'm sure you'll find that I have said nothing that would implicate me in the crime," said Annabelle, and he laughed,
"I made the Quidditch team this year, you know?" Said Regulus, and she looked at him proudly,
"Seeker?"
"Yes."
"Good. Yours is the most important job," said Annabelle, "Always knew you had potential," She'd closed her magazine, her attention now focused on him, he liked that about Annabelle.
He could always get her to pay attention to him. It was only fair considering how little she had to for him to pay attention to her.
Earlier in the week she'd caught his attention simply by sparing him a glance before nodding to Slughorn and making a face. And he'd suppressed a laugh.
"Would you come to my first game?" He asked quietly,
"I'll come to all your games." Said Annabelle, not quietly at all, "A seeker. While I enjoy watching wizarding sports I still prefer the ballsiness of muggle ones,"
"What's more intense than flying at hundreds of kilometres an hour hundreds of meters above the ground?" Asked Regulus, and she flipped backwards in her magazine, turning it around to show skiing, "Is that muggle walking on sticks?"
"It's skiing," said Annabelle, sitting so that the magazine could be between them and she was leaning on Regulus' shoulder, "Basically you stand on flat sticks attached to your feet and go down a snowy mountain trying not to die,"
"And you wonder why we think that Muggles are barbarians," said Regulus, and Annabelle laughed,
"It's rather fun. I went with my mum and stepdad a while ago," said Annabelle, "And as you can see?"
"You succeeded in not dying," Regulus finished, "Why don't you play Quidditch?" He asked, and then he looked at her in realization, "You're afraid of flying,"
"Oh, shut up," said Annabelle, hiding her blushing face behind his shoulder,
"It's really not that scary," said Regulus, absolutely smug because something scared her that didn't scare him.
"If I am going to die making stupid decisions they are going to be mine, alright, not some beater with a vendetta against me," said Annabelle,
"Vendettas are for the Italians. In Britain we poison each other's tea," said Regulus, and the joke was rewarded with Annabelle's laughter,
He felt colour rising to his cheeks at the sound. She didn't have a pretty laugh, but he adored it nonetheless because it meant he'd returned the favour and made her happy.
"Must have missed the memo on that one," said Annabelle, "I've been challenging everyone who crosses me to a duel,"
"Far less subtle than the whole tea thing," said Regulus, before looking at her and smiling,
He had such a lovely smile. It always seemed to break out of nowhere like he just couldn't help himself. The light broke through the window only illuminating the raven haired boy's smiling face more. Annabelle didn't even make an effort to look away,
"What?"
"You really are just scared of flying aren't you." He said, "I've never seen you scared before," it's adorable, he thought as he watched her blush,
"I'm not scared."
"Then you have so much potential," said Regulus, and then she moved, pulling something out of her bag,
"I do have potential, look, McGonagall gave me an O," said Annabelle, showing him the assignment, "First one I've ever gotten in transfiguration,"
"Always knew you had it in you. But just between us," he said, leaning closer to her,"Did you steal that from someone else,"
Annabelle hit his arm, "Piss off you, you, little shit," said Annabelle, "Or I'll do it the Italian way, Sei uno Cazzo,"
"You can speak Italian?" He asked, he was in a particularly good mood, he'd just found out he would be a seeker, yes, reader, that's all.
"Just the bad words," said Annabelle, rolling her eyes, then he spotted a bruise on her arm it was faded, he hadn't spoken to her until October this year,
"Let me guess, it's a funny story," said Regulus, looking at her arm,
"Not that funny," she muttered, "Let's just say the boat and I had a bit of a fight,"
"Yet you're still scared to fly."
"Shove off."
-*-
"I'm confused," said Annabelle, currently on a pair of Rollerskates next to Claire also wearing roller skates as they faced an apologetic Remus Lupin, an uncomfortable Peter pettigrew and an excited pair of idiots.
"We want to be the marauders, on wheels," said Sirius dramatically,
"Question, could you teach a stag, a dog, and a rat to roller skate? And on a totally unrelated note, how are you with magical creatures?" Asked James,
"Merlin's beard," said Claire, "Normally at this point in the conversation-"
"Is that Evans?" Asked Annabelle pointing behind them,
"Thank god," said Remus, as James immediately grew distracted,
"Go, go, go," said Claire and Annabelle and she proceeded to roll down the hallway to avoid them, between bouts of laughter they heard their names being cursed,
"Should we be concerned?" Asked Annabelle,
"For the last time, Annie, you cannot actually curse someone's name," said Claire,
"You can never be too careful, I always try to be precocious," said Annabelle, "Now, do you reckon I could go down that railing and survive?"
"Only one way to find out," said Claire, pushing her and she was wobbly but she landed, before proceeding to a very scary experience on the stairs, and getting caught by Justin McKenna, "Sorry, McKenna, I take full responsibility for my idiot!"
"Wotcher, McKenna, you really should be more careful," said Annabelle as Claire very carefully made her way down the stairs,
"You lost something, DuPont," said McKenna, "Would you prefer if have let you fall, Aelin?"
"I could have gotten a gnarly scar, something to add some character you know?" Asked Annabelle,
"Cause she was dreadfully bland before," said Claire, "Hey, McKenna," she said,
"Hey, DuPont," said McKenna, "Are you going to the next Quidditch game?"
"Wouldn't miss it,"
Annabelle was awkwardly gliding away, not knowing how to really exist in romantic situations. Discomfort was a word too weak.
"Found you," said Sirius, and she yelped, nearly falling down but Porter caught her,
"Merlin's saggy balls," she exclaimed,
"What is it with you and jump scares?" Asked Sirius, "You're like Prongs when he sees a bright light,"
"Or Padfoot, when he has too much chocolate," said James, as they rolled her away,
"Do either of you have a life outside of each other?" Asked Annabelle,
"Well there's scaring you." Said Sirius,
"Admiring Evans," said James,
"Admiring Moony,"
"I would say admiring Wormtail, but really it's his personality," said James,
"He always has snacks," said Sirius fondly, as Annabelle tried to get away, "Up, prongsy,"
"Of course," said James, and Annabelle was lifted off the ground, "Would you mind telling Evans how strong I am?"
"You aren't about to murder me are you?" Asked Annabelle,
"No. At least not until we can rollerskate perfectly," said James,
"This is so weird, you know that don't you?" She said, to God more than them,
"That's bullying. Do you really want me to report you to Moony for bullying?" Said Sirius,
"Which one of us is being carried, against her will I might add to an undisclosed location?" Asked Annabelle, before adding, "You piece of Shite. You're like a book, right? Where the covers? Pure shite, and you sit there wondering what's so bad about it that they covered a full book in shit, and so you open it and then oh- it's shite." She hated being touched.
"I'll have you know I am the most handsome bloke in my year,"
And Sirius let out a bark of laughter,
"Which one of us has better hair?" Sirius asked,
Annabelle grumbled in defeat,
"Potter." She said, and they laughed,
Regulus had been walking to the library when he'd heard the laughter. He could recognize his brother's laughter anywhere, but he hadn't expected to hear a disgruntled Scottish accent along side it.
His insides hurt. Because he hadn't made Sirius laugh like that in years, and what If Sirius was winning Annabelle ov-
"Black, your brother is far more handsome than you are," said Annabelle, "Not to mention he wouldn't fucking kidnap me,"
"Do you know how to transfigure shoes into roller skates,"
-*-
"Are you not going home for Christmas?" Asked Regulus, furrowing his eyebrows as he spotted Annabelle sitting by the window, watching the carriages leave with students heading home for Christmas,
"No. I never do," said Annabelle, shaking her head, her father had her over Christmas and he'd made it clear he didn't like celebrating much of anything since Annabelle's mother had left, "You don't exactly seem to be in a jolly mood yourself,"
Sirius has decided on the Potters' for Christmas. Leaving Regulus to field a sequence of pure blood events all on his own,
"Well, my mother is a rather... unique person,"
"So the lesser Black isn't exhaggerating?" Asked Annabelle, and Regulus scratched the back of his neck,
He liked how frequently Annabelle made sure he knew she preferred him to his brother. Made him feel nice.
"No, he's not. And that's saying a lot for Sirius," said Regulus, and then Annabelle, handed him a small box with a bow on top,
"Read that pureblood events are a thing," she said, "Also knew you like to use all three of your initials,"
He opened it to see cufflinks, they were silver and had his initials on each, and he smiled, because there was a subtle lion indent on one and a snake indent on the other,
"Now please wear them to all your events, if you please," she said, and he scowled at her,
"I was young."
"And adorable," said Annabelle,
"Well I love the cuff links," he said,
"Good, do you know how hard it is to steal from the jeweller in Hogsmeade?" She asked, the owner had the eyes of a bloody vulture, so in truth she hadn't stolen, just polished every bit of silver in the store until he said she could keep a set of plain silver cuff links, "Just the silver the rest was magic,"
"I assume very difficult," said Regulus, "Do other people stay for Christmas?" He asked, concerned she might grow lonesome.
"A handful. Mostly, shockingly, I do my homework, give Lila attention, and make the dumbest things, last year I made a knit cup holder," said Annabelle, "Not to mention my growing collection of notebooks, right now I'm on an anti Merlin kick, I'll let you know how it turns out."
Regulus found a smile on his face, and he scratched the back of his neck nervously, because of how she looked all warm and welcoming against the snowy window behind her,
"That's all I ask,"
"I'd ask you to stay but then the cuff links would go to waste," she said, "And you know, priorities,"
"Always in order," said Regulus, smiling now because she wanted him around, and then he heard his friends coming down the hall, "Happy Christmas, Aelin,"
"You too, Black," said Annabelle, before standing and walking away, her cat joining her at her feet before being picked up and carried away.
And Regulus couldn't help but smile, had she been waiting for him?
-*-
*A letter from Regulus*
Aelin,
I'm terrible at writing letters. I hope that some day I'll get better. If this letter comes at a strange time of night and wakes you up, I'm sorry,
But I absolutely cannot have my mother find out what I'm about to write. You mentioned electricity in your notes in class, and then your pens. I actually think that muggles might have those things right.
I sent you a magical gift for Christmas, just so that the magical can regain some of our dignity. The quill will never run out of ink (yes like a pen) but professor Binns will stop being so cross with you in history of magic.
Happy Christmas,
R. A. B.
As much as I'd like to hear from you, after mother found muggle magazines in Sirius' room it's too risky,
-*-
"Hey," said Annabelle, running into the depths of the library, carrying her bag, and catching her breath, leaning her hand on Regulus' table, "Just, need, hide,"
"And pick up a book on English Grammar apparently," he said, setting his quill down, as she sat next to him, hidden by the bookshelves, "Who are you hiding from?"
"Evans is mad at me because I've been taking bets on hers and Potter's relationship, and when I offered to split the pool money with her, she got mad," said Annabelle, "Claire is hiding in a broom closet, and Potter doesn't see an issue,"
"Are you seriously hiding from Evans in the library?" Asked Regulus,
"Well I can handle everyone else being angry but Lily is so smart, they would never even find the body," said Annabelle, "
"Let me say it again, you are hiding from Lily Evans in the library?" Asked Regulus, and then Annabelle shrugged,
"Added bonus of getting to see you," she said, locking eyes with him for a moment and Regulus was about to say something when an angry Lily stormed into the library, and Annabelle hid beneath the table,
"Black," said Lily, narrowing her eyes at him, "Have you seen Annie?"
"Never heard of her," he replied, feeling Annabelle swat his leg beneath the table, and suppressed a smile,
"Aelin." Said Lily,
"Is that a sauce?" He asked, and Annabelle had to cover her mouth to keep her laughter from spilling out,
"Why do I get the impression that you are lying?" Asked Lily,
"Natural distrust for pure bloods born out of years of tyranny," answered Regulus, Annabelle could see Lily's foot tapping on the ground from beneath the table,
"I know you're friends," she tried, bluffing, she knew that Annabelle likely had a crush on the boy from the way she praised him in front of Sirius,
Something very few were brave enough to do.
And from the amount of times she caught her staring in the great hall,
"I didn't know you were that inventive, Evans," said Regulus,
"I'm serious," said Lily,
"Funny. I always thought my brother had dark hair. Guess we'll have to update the family portrait then," said Regulus, and he could hear Annabelle's hidden laughs from beneath the table, coughing to hide the sound,
"Are you Serious?"
"I'm Regulus."
"I hate your family," groaned Lily, but it became too much for Annabelle who legitamately was unable to suppress a laugh, but Lily decided not to find her, "If you see her tell her I want my cut."
"But I won't see her," said Regulus, and Lily scoffed walking away, and Annabelle re-emerged,
"You are bloody brilliant," said Annabelle, a great big smile on her face, as she retook her seat next to him, setting her bag down on the table again, "I swear you should have a comedy set,"
"I am a far better liar than you,"
"I'm getting better,"
Then Regulus looked at the ceiling, "Crazy story, true story, you are a terrible liar, also I could hear you under the table,"
"Sorry my spy training isn't complete yet," said Annabelle, "Sheesh, tough crowd,"
"Never become a spy, you should honestly quit now." Said Regulus, and Annabelle rolled her eyes,
"Am I that hopeless?" She asked,
"Dumbledore would never give a speech about you," said Regulus, and Annabelle laughed, dimples appearing in her cheeks, and causing butterflies to erupt in Regulus' stomach,
"Fine, fine, but you were so obvious that we are, we are, friends," he hated that platonic word. "Some sort of sauce may have been the joke of the century but, too convivial,"
"So should I be sullen and removed?"
"With everyone but me." She said,
"Of course," replied Regulus, looking at her bag and pulling at a notebook with a page of the daily prophets sticking out, "By Merlin, you have too much spare time on your hands,"
"Would someone with too much spare time have figured out that Voldemort is a descendant of Slytherin?" She asked,
"Well... did you do that?"
"Yes,"
"Then yes," he said, wanting desperately to see her dimples again, and he was filled with butterflies once more when he did, forcing himself to look away he opened the notebook, looking over the pages, "Why is there yarn in here?"
"Well. There are a grand total of twenty seven uses of yarn that you can look at on page twenty seven, and this just so happens to be one of them," said Annabelle, and he smiled a little, enjoying the time with her,
"Why is there a blank space here?" He asked, flipping to a page filled with pictures of her friends, some were cramped so he didn't understand why there was a blank space,
He saw Sirius had gotten his hands on the notebook from the signature in the cornered accompanied by a drawing of himself, and that Lily had apologized for him, her photo half covering his,
"I didn't have a picture of you," said Annabelle, Regulus flushed pink. "And I wasn't about to ask your brother. Will you give me one?"
"Eventually," he muttered, flipping the page to see a drawing of a dragon from History of magic when she was meant to be taking notes, "Still on the anti Merlin kick?"
He asked, looking at the drawing of Merlin with what he assumed were devil's horns and a pitch fork,
"Yes." Said Annabelle solemnly, "Hes a ruddy piece of shite who needs to be taken down a peg or two,"
"Tell me how you really feel." Said Regulus,
"I thought I just did, he's a ruddy piece of shite who needs to be taken down a peg or two," said Annabelle, and Regulus laughed,
And she bit her lip as he decided he wanted to ink her drawing, testing the ink on the parchment to see if it would bleed through before starting, he had such a nice laugh.