Secrets
"I hate losing," Said Regulus, laying with his head on Annabelle's lap by the Black lake, her hand ran through his hair as he stared up at her face,
Her beautiful perfect face.
The size of Regulus' deception was beginning to wear on him, pretending everything was perfect, that there was not going to be a dark mark on his arm within the next four months. He had been abandoned for far less than this before, left alone, he did not want Annabelle to go.
Regulus found her other hand and pressed it to his lips before holding it to his chest,
Regulus may not be able to control his own life, but he had to ensure that Annabelle knew how much he loved her.
"With the passion of a thousand suns," he added, knowing it would prompt a smile on Annabelle's face, "Thousand and one if I am really being honest with myself,"
"You caught the snitch," Said Annabelle, "Doesn't that make it at least a wee bit better?"
"That was only to end the embarrassment," Said Regulus, "I bloody hate Potter, properly,"
"Passion of a thousand suns?"
"Thousand and two."
Annabelle allowed a small laugh to pass through her lips,
"I am utterly heartbroken at my loss. Heart shattered into a million pieces," Said Regulus matter of factly, "And the way he grinned at me at the end-"
"Whatever can I do to make you feel better, your Majesty?" Asked Annabelle, looking down at him with bright playful eyes,
I love you. I can't believe you can't see how much.
The words were written plain as day across Regulus' face as he lifted his head to connect their lips, before pulling away, and glancing at where his broom sat idle beside them,
"There is one thing." He said, looking between her and the broom,
"When books say to sweep her off her feet, this is not what they mean," Said Annabelle, as Regulus pressed his lips to hers again.
"I think it is exactly what they mean." Said Regulus, pulling away, and standing up, broom in hand offering her his hand.
He would offer her his whole heart, but each time he showed her vulnerability she took such good care of him that he was certain, absolutely certain three little words would slip from her lips,
Three little words that would fill him with such divine joy and despair.
That he should be loved so completely by her and have the privilege of breaking such a heart as hers.
A forced privilege he knew would be abused the instant that mark was on his arm. Showing her who the man she loved truly was.
"Who even is this 'they'? God?" She scoffed, before a serene expression crossed her face, "That would make so much sense."
"Belle," he said, wearing the most dazzling smile, urging her to set her hand in his, "Don't you trust me?"
"I do, I do," She should not be allowed to say that, thought Regulus, put ideas in his head, "Believe me, I would swear on a bible if I could, or in your case tales of beadle the bard, you know what? We should discuss what sort of drugs that bard was on when he wrote about babbity rabbity and that cackling stump, cause in all my years as a witch I have never encountered a cackling stump once and it's very disappointing. Like when I saw my first mermai-"
"Belle,"
"I just have plans right now, your majesty, and while you are typically my sun and my moon and all that romantic crap you like so much,"
"I do like the romance," Said Regulus, Annabelle would tear pages of muggle books out for him, sometimes funny, sometimes romantic, sometimes dirty, "And you know what I think would really make my heart soar?"
"You know I was going to get on but then you made that joke and I think I'm gonna go drown myself," Said Annabelle, and Regulus let out a bark of laughter,
"That's not true. You find this side of me adorable if memory serves." Said Regulus, smiling cockily at her, Annabelle's face heated to the point she had to look away from him, smiling at the ground before wrinkling her nose and covering her face with her hands,
"Shut the fuck up." Said Annabelle,
"Belle. Fly with me I beg of you," he said rather formally, and she looked back at him, standing up,
"I do have those plans,"
"Cancel."
"Can't cancel."
"What plans then?"
"Sort of late, no time to explain. Really crazy sto-" She stopped herself, Regulus suppressed a grin. "It's just very important. And you know, I made a commitment."
"With who, can I ask? If not me, your committed boyfriend of almost seven months?" Asked Regulus, and she blushed furiously, "Hmm?" he said, one hand propping his broom up beside him, the other, holding her hand so delicately so that if she really wanted to leave she could,
"People. And, um, thestrals," Said Annabelle, spotting a dark horse in the sky, which allowed the lie to come easily,
"Thestrals?" He queried, thinking she'd thought of the first magical creature to pop into her mind, "Really?" He asked, eyes softening as he wondered just how far she may go with this,
" you know lonely skeleton bird horse things need companionship too, and they are so annoying when I'm late, always with the where have you been Annie? Would it kill you to actually cook the meat first? Maybe with a little spice? I know this is technically Britain but salt isn't the only spice under the sun? Little shite? So you know, can't, uh, can't miss that. One of them classic thestral human shindigs,"
"A shindig? How could I ask you to miss that?" Asked Regulus, suppressing his laughter with very little success,
"Thank you, your majesty, my prince, my princess, my significant other, dearest human to me personally, darling, gorgeous human being, he who would make adonis jealous, hell he who would make aphrodite jealous, your understanding is one of my favourite things about you besides your eyes, and humour and eyes, and morning voi-"
"Are you scared?" Asked Regulus, fighting his blush,
"I'm not scared of anything."
Except for admitting that you love me apparently. The pages torn from love stories she gave him in class were their own mix of cruel and kind. He just wanted to hear her say it back.
"Anything?"
"Anything. Except for, sharks, alien abduction, drugs don't mess with those, and you getting hurt, your majesty," she said, hand rising to touch the side of his face, causing a blush to flood his cheeks,
"I make the cut?" He asked, and she nodded, wicked smile softening as she looked at him,
How could anyone not love you, Belle? If you really can't requite me, it would help if you did not show me so much love.
"Dinosaurs making a come back was close behind. That twat with no nose isn't even on the list." Said Annabelle, tilting her head up to look at him,
Regulus found envy alongside admiration grow inside of him at her utter lack of fear towards the man that would run the remainder of Regulus' life.
"Dinosaurs?" He said, "What are dinosaurs?"
"Like dragons but without the firepower,"
"You fear dinosaurs but not dragons?"
"Dragons are a lot cooler, so it's more of an awe filled death rather than fear filled, you know, priorities,"
"Priorities." Repeated Regulus,
"Speaking of, I should get going, to the forest to see the unicorns,"
"Thought it was thestrals,"
"That's what I said,"
"You said Unicorns,"
"I don't think I did, you runnin' a fever yer majesty?"
"You realize I could simply pick you up and place you on the broom." Said Regulus, Annabelle huffed, removing her hand from the side of his face and waving it slowly from left to right,
"This is not the Annabelle you are looking for," She said in a Londoner accent and Regulus bit the inside of his cheek to keep his smile from spreading too far, Regulus loved her so much.
"Belle," he said, "Please,"
Annabelle's eyes went soft and she flush on her cheeks turned a soft pink,
She felt herself fold like a really shit hand during a poker match.
"I loathe you." She said, and Regulus beamed knowing exactly what that meant, "Playing dirty like that, if you drop me,"
He held the broom out for her and she stood in front of him as he looped an arm around her waist,
"I'll hold you and everything, if that makes it better."
He pressed his lips to her temple, waiting for her to speak before taking off,
"It would." She said, glancing away from him,
"What was that?" Asked Regulus,
"It really wou- Fucking shit!" She exclaimed as Regulus took off at full speed, she shut her eyes tightly,
Comforted only by the steady beating of Regulus' heart against her back, and his arm around her waist holding her to him as wind whipped through her hair,
Regulus had not the slightest clue how anyone could expect him to remain separated from Annabelle for an entire two months.
"Do you have to go so fast?" Asked Annabelle, as he dipped low to graze over the top of the black lake, glancing at their reflection, he wished he had a camera to capture this moment. He wanted to have it framed.
"I have an answer to that," He said, speeding up as he soared higher in the air, "I just don't think you'll like it very much," he wore the largest smile on his face,
He loosened his grip on her ever so slightly knowing she would- Annabelle held his arm across her waist,
"If you drop me I swear to Merlin, and God, and Jesus, and Godric, and Salazar, that I will, I will,"
Regulus had heard her threaten people in the past. She and Barty had a particularly hostile relationship. Anyone who was mean to a mudblood younger than fifth year, Annabelle dealt with personally. He recalled watching Snape trudging into the common room blood dripping from his nose and a bruise on his face in the indent of Annabelle's rings. Not to mention Anthony had had his hair transfigured into feathers. That was traumatizing.
He was rather determined not to hurt her in a way that might provoke that sort of reaction. But,
Annabelle could not threaten him. Anything that might hurt him she found herself incapable of.
"Will what?" He asked, trying not to laugh,
"Don't fucking laugh, I happen to be threatening you... sort of-" he abruptly took a dive and Annabelle turned to wrap her arms around him, holding him tightly, "Don't say a word," she whispered,
Her hand clutched the fabric of his jersey and he felt his heart melt.
"I was just going to land," he said softly, setting his feet on the ground and standing her up in his arms, pressing a kiss to her lips, "I would never terrify you for longer than ten to fifteen minutes,"
"I appreciate that." Said Annabelle, still hugging him tightly, he could feel how quickly her heart was beating,
"I just really enjoy taking you flying," He said, "Combination of two things I love," he said, wondering if she might say it back,
Unsure of whether he would prefer to hear her say the three little words or go without them,
Maybe he could live with his growing deception if she did not say I love you,
Instead she kissed him, as lovingly as he kissed her,
Regulus grew so lost in her kiss that the rest of the world fell away, the black lake, the school, the expectations, responsibilities,
It was only Regulus, Annabelle, and a love shared between them that grew in the most secret parts of their hearts until it was impossible to become anything but lovers,
Annabelle's narration is something of a confusing jumble of analogies as she tried to figure out how to tell Regulus that she loved him, or if it was even the right word to use. He truly deserved nothing short of perfection for any confession she made, love or not.
"I have your snitch." She whispered,
"You can keep it," Said Regulus,
"I already have one,"
"Now you have two." Said Regulus, "It's really simple mathematics, Belle,"
"I hate mathematics."
"But you adore me, Belle. Funny thing life."
Annabelle smiled against his lips,
"I'm really gonna miss you," she said, the slightest shake appearing in her voice,
"I don't want to think about that," Said Regulus, hating that he might need her more than she might need him,
That of course was utter bullshit born from his anxiety,
"But it's true, I really, um, I never thought I would get to be with you like this even for a while," Said Annabelle, Regulus pressed his lips to hers again, "I never thought I'd get to have something like this," another kiss, knowing more sweet words would need coaxing, "It was different before, you know? leaving for the summer,"
"It is." confirmed Regulus, "We've still got another three weeks. Not enough time is it?"
"Not even close," Said Annabelle,
"I'll miss you too," Said Regulus, "I-" He started, "Next year, we're still together the way we are now," his heart pounded against his chest with guilt as her lips pressed to his,
"We make it work for as long as possible." Said Annabelle, then she reprised one of the most romantic things she had ever said to Regulus, "One day at a time is fine by me so long as those days are with you, your majesty,"
She knew how he adored that particular sequence of words because he had told her as much.
Regulus pressed his lips to hers indulgently,
"I want to take you to Hogsmeade," he said,
"What like a date?" She asked,
"Exactly like a date." He replied, "But, um,"
"Majesty, they would string me up for turning you into a blood traitor, I'm not exactly antsy to take it public either," Said Annabelle, she would face the consequences head on if that was what Regulus wanted,
But this was what he wanted to hear.
"There's a passage," He continued, "Sirius showed me in first year, takes you right into Tomes and Scrolls,"
"What the hell was Sirius doing in Tomes and Scrolls?"
"It's a mystery, but, if we get there, I could take you on a date in Hogsmeade," Said Regulus, "Like, like a proper boyfriend would,"
"You are a proper boyfriend,"
"You'll be there?"
"Of course." Said Annabelle, then Regulus pulled away and looked up as though in thought, deep meaningful thought, "What is it?"
"What sort of flowers do you want?" He said, scratching the back of his neck nervously, "Just you've never said which are your favourite, and you know, I want you to love them."
And me.
"I'll love whatever you get me."
-*-
"What is that?" Asked Annabelle, taking her hair down from her ponytail, looking at the map spread across the table before glancing up at Regulus who walked into the great hall with the most satisfied expression on his face. It was nice to be appreciated.
"Annie," Said Sirius, as the marauders sat around him all rather red in the face,
"I'm sorry in advance," Said Lily, holding her head in her hands,
"Did you see," Started Annabelle and Lily perked up,
"Yes, I did, you were so right," She continued,
"I told you Slughorn's moustache moved on it's own," Said Annabelle,
"I thought you were exaggerating, then... I saw it with my own eyes, now it just needs a name,"
"Nastacha?" Said Annabelle, moving her hands chauvinistically,
"Perfect or maybe-"
"Annie, focus." Said Sirius, "Cool map, right here,"
"Right, right," Said Annabelle, turning to face him where he sat across the table from her,
"This, here is the marauder's map," Said Sirius,
"Siri-" Began Remus in an attempt to save Annabelle from the humiliation that she was about to face,
"She should know what it does," Said Sirius, a mischievous smile on his face,
"Are those people?" Asked Annabelle, looking over the map, at all the little footprints,
"Yeah, rather nifty bit of spellwork there," began James, his arm around Lily, "Even Lily was impressed-"
"That is not the point we are making here, prongs," Said Sirius, putting a hand up to silence him dramatically, "It shows everyone in the castle at all times. By the way," He reached for a bowl of cherries, "Would you like one?"
Remus begun an argument with James over just who had done the bulk of the spell work, Peter was somewhere in the kitchens, Annabelle had never payed that much attention to him,
"No," said Annabelle sceptically, Lily looked at her apologetically, "I'm not big on the poisoning thing."
"Why? You are such a fan of popping them." Said Sirius, and Annabelle froze,
The map showed everyone in the castle at all times. She looked between the map and Sirius, she could see the outline of the astronomy tower,
Sirius seemed utterly pleased with himself on that one,
Annabelle's jaw set and she looked at him dead in the eye,
"I shagged your brother for the first time a month ago and that's the best you could come up with you dunderheaded plonker?" She said in a monotone, "I expected better of you. Also I can tie one of those cherry stems into a knot. It's really cool."
Sirius liked his future little sister.
"Anything to crass, Evans said was not appropriate," Said Sirius, rolling his eyes, and pouting at Lily,
"It was not," Said Lily, and then she looked at Sirius and he nodded and made a hand gesture urging her forward,
"Have you seen Claire?" Asked Annabelle, looking to the door of the great hall for her friend,
"No. Go on, Lily," Said Sirius, and Annabelle's gaze returned to the red headed witch inquisitively,
"After graduation," Began Lily, "Marlene and I are getting a flat in London,"
"Aren't you and Potter-"
"As though I'm going to deprive Sirius of his soulmate," Said Lily, with a scoff,
"I thought that was Lupi-"
"Marly is travelling a lot this summer, and agreed it's not right to let the room simply sit empty," Said Lily, and Annabelle froze for the second time that day, "If you want to go home, or find your sister, I completely understa-" began Lily, Annabelle cut her off with a tentative hug,
"Can we get a cat?" She whispered,
"Yeah, of course we can get a cat," Said Lily, hugging her back,
"And you can help your favourite big brother fix his motorcycle," Said Sirius, who had put the idea in Lily's head to invite Annie to stay with her for the summer,
The horror Annabelle showed each time the school year came to an end was something the old Black heir had shared,
"Only because I feel bad for it," Said Annabelle, releasing Lily from a hug,
"You really are a danger to yourself and others, you know that?" Said Lily,
"It's one of my favourite things about myself quite frankly." Said Sirius,
"If you go down you take the world with you?"
"You get it."
"All you need is a leather jacket,"
"Absolutely."
-*-
"The best kiss is when eyes meet and lips barely touch," Read Regulus where they sat very much alone at the very back of Tomes and Scrolls,
Regulus was attempting to find passages as as Romantic as the ones torn from books she'd taken to passing him in class,
Annabelle scoffed,
"That's utter bullshit, whoever wrote that has never snogged you," said Annabelle, rather matter of factly at that, Regulus fought his blush with very little success,
He rather liked it when Annabelle stroked his,
Ego.
What did you think I was gonna write, reader? Get your head out of the gutter. That explicit stuff is for year seven.
"Ah, achievement," Annabelle said, and he peered over at the book she had pulled,
'how to make flower crowns'
The book was open to a diagram of how to braid flowers together, and the flowers he had brought her had been braided into a crown,
Annabelle smiled, satisfied with her work, at she set the crown on Regulus' head,
He raised his hand to remove it as a blush begun to coat his cheeks from the proximity,
"Keep it," she said, pressing a kiss to his cheek, "please."
"You are not playing fair," said Regulus, as she fixed the flower crown atop his head, He liked it when she played with his hair, she then glanced at the book he had been reading,
"This, this is in french," Said Annabelle, leaning away from him as he pouted at the lack of proximity, "You can speak French?"
"Yes." Said Regulus, furrowing his eyebrows at her astounded expression,
"What else don't I know?" She asked, a far more fascinated expression crossing her face,
"I can also play the piano." He said, wanting to impress her, and it was working, as she looked at him like, well like she loved him,
"Now I'm contemplating whether I know you at all," Said Annabelle,
"It's not like I know everything about you," Said Regulus, shutting the book and sitting up to look her in the eye,
"What do you want to know?" Asked Annabelle, "If I'm a Russian spy?"
"Well I know you are not a Russian spy," Said Regulus,
"And how's that?" She asked,
"What are the odds of two Russian spies meeting each other?" Asked Regulus, arching a brow,
"Comrad?" She asked, and it took everything in him not to burst out in laughter before he said,
"Da," Said Regulus, the pair burst into small bouts of laughter,
Annabelle allowed him to look through her notebooks, and suffice to say that Regulus knew far more about the soviet union, dinosaurs, dragons, beet roots, Merlin, Grindelwald, the MANY uses of yarn, and something called 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' than he ever cared to,
"I'm serious though-"
"I thought you were Regulus," Said Annabelle, still laughing a little, that wide perfect smile spread over her features,
"What's something I don't know about you?" He asked, there was so much he did not know,
"A secret?" She asked, almost teasingly, "Deep and dark?"
"Preferably, make me feel special." Said Regulus, smiling at her, he always took on this lovestruck expression in Annabelle's presence,
"Like if I have any bodies to be buried?"
"I'm wearing this insipid flower crown aren't I?"
"If insipid were not such a cool word I would be cross with you for insulting my creation." Said Annabelle pointedly,
I love you.
The words crossed Regulus' mind live a haze of fog preventing rational thought and causing them to slip from his lips,
"I love you," he said calmly, and she looked thoughtful for a while before saying,
"I wouldn't let anyone kiss me before you because I wanted you to be my first kiss," Said Annabelle slowly, and a soft smile spread over Regulus' face, "Do you feel special?"
"Extremely." Said Regulus, "Did, did you have a crush on me or something?" he asked, as Annabelle blushed furiously, hiding her face in her hands,
She did try to open up more.
"It's fucking embarrassing." Said Annabelle, as she felt Regulus gently remove her hands from her beautiful perfect face,
That was how Regulus would describe her at least. Every small freckle, every scar, everything that might be conceived as an imperfection were void because they belonged to her,
"I personally enjoy it." Said Regulus,
"No, just, first bloke that ever tried to kiss me, I ducked and ran away,"
"As you should." Said Regulus
"It was the worst moment of my life. And that is really saying something, and the next time I saw the little shite I entered the conversation with a knock knock joke,"
Annabelle moved closer to him so she could rest her head on his shoulder to hide her blush,
"What was it?"
"That one with the cow that interrupts you," Said Annabelle,
Who he had seen wipe the floor with half his class in a duel, threaten to quote 'string that snivelling arse up by the balls in front of the whole school, that is if he even had bawbags anyways' with nothing but the most vindictive glint in her eye,
Annabelle, Stumbling over her words because some muggle boy had tried to kiss her,
Annabelle lifted her head from his shoulder and Regulus tried to control his laughter, an arm rising to cross her shoulders as she turned and leant against him, Regulus pressed a kiss to her temple,
"You'll live." Said Regulus, "Now I will need his name and address because he may not,"
Annabelle's nose would wrinkled when she smiled too wide, dimples would appear and her eyes were so full of light,
"You are an idiot." She whispered looking at him so sweetly that the words could pass off as a confession of love,
An idiot who loves you.
-*-
Regulus sat in front of his head master in one of the most uncomfortable positions he had ever been in in his life. Regulus had challenged a figure of authority.
"Excuse me, Mister Black?" Said Dumbledore as Regulus' nerves ate at him,
"Professor, I apologize for my candor," he said, as his body rejected what was happening at the moment, "However you cannot in good conscience place a second muggleborn student in harm's way by making her head girl."
"This is not your decision to make, Mister Black." Said Dumbledore,
"Evans is facing death threats as she leaves Hogwarts." Said Regulus, "There has essentially been a bounty on her head since you gave her the post. There is a precedent."
He attempted to sound as civil as possible, and seem as though he were a pureblood protecting the headgirl spot from a mudblood, and not a love sick fool who wanted to keep his girlfriend from harm's way.
"Miss Aelin is a perfectly suitable candidate." Said Dumbledore, "Times have changed, Mister Black, I need to ensure that at least one of the head students will protect the younger muggle borns entering the school."
"I understand that, sir. However is it not reckless?" He asked, remembering the hushed words over Christmas about the 'mudblood problem' that was Lily Evans.
Regulus gripped the armrest of his seat, his heart thundering in his chest at the thought of a file on Annabelle joined the pile of mudbloods the dark lord wanted gone,
The first time Regulus had ever hidden anything from his parents was Lily's file, he had Kreacher destroy it.
Lily was important to Annabelle.
Regulus did not really need another reason.
"You are basically handing her a death sentence." Said Regulus, his eyebrows creasing ever so slightly,
The old man leant back in his seat as he observed the young Black heir. So set on protecting this one particular muggle born from harm.
"The decision is Miss Aelin's to make." Said Dumbledore, and Regulus let out the smallest breath of frustration because he knew that Annabelle would not care how many hit lists this put her name on,
Regulus turned the head boy pin over in his hand,
"Forgive me for asking, Mister Black, but Miss Aelin has been your rounds partner for the last two years and I can't help but wonder..."
"I simply don't wish to see a student in harm's way." Said Regulus, lying quickly,
"Of course,"
"Professor, is this to advance your own political ideals?" Asked Regulus, in a last stitch attempt to change the old man's mind, "To show that you are not afraid by placing an innocent student in the dark lord's path."
"This is not your decision to make. And you will not change my mind. Miss Aelin was chosen to act as a balancing force for you, if you are willing to step down at head boy and allow someone more open minded to take your place then by all means, I will consider choosing someone else."
Regulus set the pin on the table,
He was already set to be Quidditch captain the following year, he did not need to be head boy.
If it meant keeping Annabelle safe.
Shock spread over the old man's face, Regulus seemed so set on this decision, then a flicker of fear paced over his face,
"Have you already owled my parents?" Asked Regulus quietly,
"Yes."
Regulus picked up the pin and looked out the window, wanting to shout at his own cowardice,
"You weren't going to change your mind." He told himself,
"Maybe she will refuse it."
"I still think," it's selfish and wrong, "that it is not right to use a student as a political pawn."
"I don't see it that way."
-*-
"So you want to use me as a political pawn to show how progressive the school is and what not and further your own secret Dumbledore agenda?"
"Lemon drop, Miss Aelin?" Asked Dumbledore, a small smile on his face as he pretended he hadn't seen her steal about twenty,
"Don't mind if I do," said Annabelle, "Nice suit by the way," she added, sitting rather comfortably in her seat across from him, she'd known Dumbledore since she was a kid, he took her shopping in Diagon Alley up until fourth year.
"Thank you," said Dumbledore, "You understand the dangers being in your position comes with,"
"Do I get a cool pin?"
Dumbledore set it on the table, and she looked between him and the red headgirl pin,
"That's really nice. Far nicer than the prefect buttons." She muttered, "How much do you reckon I could get for pawning this?" She asked, he chuckled.
"Miss Aelin, if you accept,"
"I accept. Anything to piss off that wanker who's got his knickers in a twist over a couple dozen muggle borns and people who don't want to see his ugly arse as minister. Please," she said, her scottish accent thickening as she thought about that snake faced shit for brains dark lord that caused Regulus anxiety,
No one should be allowed to hurt him
"If you accept you are placing yourself in danger." Said Dumbledore, "These are dark times we're living in,"
"What was it you said about turning on the light? You did that thing with the candle," said Annabelle, "And you know my affinity for fire,"
"It was really quite simple,"
"But very theatrical, I mean I enjoyed it," said Annabelle,
"Thank you," Said Dumbledore, as Annabelle attached the head girl pin to her robes and conjured a mirror to look at it, "There was one other thing I wanted to ask you about, Miss Aelin,"
"Yeah?"
"There is an order I am assembling to combat the dark lord's growing numbers," Said Dumbledore, revealing a piece of parchment with names and signatures with five words written across the top,
"The order of the phoenix," She read, "Can I ask a favour, professor?"
"Depends on the favour,"
"My, my sister," Said Annabelle, "Olivia, she's a muggle, and if I accept this position she might be in danger,"
"That's undetermined-"
"I read the papers. I know it for a fact." Said Annabelle, "My parents I don't want them dead or anything, just they would deny being my family which makes them safe. But Olivia wouldn't."
"What are you asking?"
"I want her out of the country. I want her safe."
"That's all?" He asked,
Annabelle thought about Regulus for a moment. She had a feeling about those black envelopes he had been receiving, but if she mentioned anything to the professor, she was afraid his intervention might mean more harm than good for Regulus' life,
"Yes." Said Annabelle, "That's all."
"Alright." Said Dumbledore, and Annabelle glanced at his phoenix feather quill, "Go ahead."
Annabelle smiled, picking up the quill and happily signed her name as a member of the Order of the phoenix, Gryffindor pride gleaming in her eyes as she read some of the other names,
"Thank you sir. It will be an honour to piss off that wanker with no nose."
"Glad you see it that way, Miss Aelin. Would you like tea?" He asked, as the tray hovered over to the desk,
"No cream just sugar and honey." She said.
"I know, Annie." Said Dumbledore. "Madam Pomfrey says a few Slytherins have been turning up in the hospital wing now with burns, she cares for you, and was reluctant to name names but-"
"There are floating candles all over the castle headmaster, accidents are bound to happen." Said Annabelle with a small scoff, adding more sugar to her tea. "Besides, not that I did it, but if they were bein' racist little pricks whose to say whatever force burned them was wrong?"
"Just don't get caught." Said Dumbledore.
-*-
"Reg," said Sirius, "You came," he said, wearing his cap and gown and beaming at his brother who seemed rather uncomfortable, "Thought this is it. Little Regulus is going to defy expectation,"
Regulus had done that plenty already,
"I had to be here. It's mandatory." Said Regulus shortly, Annabelle had convinced him,
"I'm still appreciative, this is the first year you'll be at school without me, can you bear it?" He asked, and rising to poke his brother's cheek, Regulus swatted his hand away,
"I can manage." Said Regulus, rolling his eyes,
"There's that stick in the mud attitude we all know and love," Said Sirius, "Mother and Father-"
"Don't." Said Regulus, not even wanting him to start,
"What? I assume the fireplace is-"
"Closed now." Said Regulus, and a flicker of guilt flashed through Sirius' face, "That cap makes you look intelligent. It's unnatural."
A bright smile crossed Sirius' face as he forced Regulus into a hug it was a rather strange display of affection given that the pair had shared about five over the course of their entire time as brother,
"I'm gonna miss you deflating my ego." Said Sirius, "Why are you so freakishly tall?"
"I'm just as tall as you,"
"I'm your big brother, I think that means you ought to at least slouch in my presence. Out of curtesy,"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." Said Sirius, pulling away and putting a hand on Regulus' head in an attempt to shrink him, again Regulus had to swat his hand away,
"You are a neanderthal."
-*-
Regulus sat quite still at the edge of his bed, staring at the horror of the living death floating before him,
He was seven years old and had never seen something so horrifying.
His eyes were wide, clutching his blanket. A hand lifted slowly, water dripped from the figure eyes dark grey and sin sunken, not a man, not a ghost, Regulus' breathing picked up as tears of fear begun to prick at his eyes,
He tried to crawl back into bed, back under the covers to hide from this vision of living death but he could not move. Paralyzed in fear as it inched closer and closer to him,
His heart felt like it would pound out of his chest and he couldn't even close his eyes, it had to be real it was so real,
The room was so cold and the monster was so close, Regulus managed to let out a shaky word "Sirius!" He called for his brother, Lip trembling as a sob escaped him,
"Sirius!" He called again, feeling like his heart may just explode, it was getting closer,
His door was slammed open, and he saw his brother but when he looked back to where the monster had stood it was gone, "Reg, don't shout like that unless you're getting attacked by spidermonkeys," Said Sirius, currently holding a fairly large stick he had found in the park,
"I- It was, And I didn't know what- and I couldn't," Said Regulus rather incoherently, before hiding his face behind the covers of his bed, "I'm sorry," he finished, face shielded by the duvet as he wiped up his tears, utterly terrified,
"What did this thing look like?" Asked Sirius, sitting next to his brother on his bed,
"Like a ghost but- but- a human, but dead," Said Regulus, sniffling and not looking up at his big brother,
"Do you want me to leave the stick in the room. Just in case?" Asked Sirius,
"What will mother say?" Asked Regulus,
"We could hide it," Said Sirius, "Like a secret weapon. Like, like a second wand," he said,
"But we don't have wands in the first place," Said Regulus,
"The monster thing doesn't know that," Said Sirius, and Regulus let out a small laugh, looking up, "I'm not sure what you know about dead people, Reg, but not only are they scared of sticks, but they are also dumb, and ugly." Sirius hopped up and set about hiding the stick under Regulus' bed,
"Dumb and ugly?"
"Things we are not." Said Sirius arrogantly, and Regulus smiled, "Of course, thats only because you sorta look like me." Regulus scowled as Sirius plopped back down onto the bed beside him, "Of course I'm the brave one," He said proudly,
"I could be brave too," protested Regulus, "someday, when I'm older," he added, glancing down, "Ill be brave. Ish."
"You want me to stay don't you."
"Well I never said I'd start now," Said Regulus and Sirius laughed quietly, careful not to wake their parents,
The year that Sirius was at Hogwarts without him was one of the scariest of Regulus' young life,
"Master Regulus," Kreacher would say, popping into his young master's room at all hours of the night whenever he was called, "Would you like some tea?"
Regulus would nod, and the elf would apparate them to the kitchen,
Evenings spent in relative silence as the elf set biscuits and tea in front of him, and created stories about how he was 'already up anyways and liked his young master's company.'
"Really?" Asked Regulus,
"Yes, master Regulus, it is Kreacher's duty to serve the noble and most ancient house of Black. It is an honour." He would say, and Regulus would finally eat something,
"Do you think I'll make friends like Sirius has when I go to Hogwarts?"
"Of course, master Regulus,"
Sometimes Regulus wondered what these future friends might be doing right now. He was a rather sweet boy, and if he was forced to have an imaginary demon, he ought to be allowed an imaginary friend too.
Someone, someone who understood him. Regulus thought he might like to be understood. Sounded nice.
Regulus knew he would have himself placed in Slytherin, his mother had given him three hour lectures each evening over dinner about how important it was that at least one of her sons was placed in Slytherin.
Andromeda was a Slytherin, so really it should not be all that bad, and she was older so she could help him around if Sirius did not want to,
Or maybe his new friend would explore with him, that was a pleasant thought,
-*-
"Someone stole my stick," Said Annabelle, seven years old and rather put off because the last time they had been to this park, Annabelle had hidden a stick in a bush, it was a really good hiding place too,
The side of the park near those creepy town houses that no one ventured within twenty feet of.
But Annabelle was not scared of an awful lot.
"People tend to steal things in big cities," Said Olivia, looking around them warily, London was far to large and noisy for her taste, "Or maybe you lost it,"
"I put it right here. You should have seen it, Olivia, it was soooo big, bigger bigger than, than this," she said, stretching her arms as wide as they could go, "It would have made the perfect sword, or princess sceptre, and it was magic, real magic, I swear to god,"
"God?"
"All of them." Said Annabelle, doing sparkle fingers, "Whoever stole this is, a, a, a jerk."
"That's mean,"
"An asshole."
"Where did you even learn that?"
"Dad. That's what he calls uncle Rick," Said Annabelle, before looking through the bush,
"I like uncle Rick. He buys me stuff." Said Olivia, "And you shouldn't call someone you don't know a jerk. Or," She looked around to ensure their mother had not come back before whispering, "an asshole," she said as quietly as she could before turning red in the face,
"It was a really special stick," Said Annabelle,
"You know there is this rumour that there are other sticks in the world." Said Olivia, picking one up from the ground,
"Not like this one, it was magical," Said Annabelle,
"Really?" Asked Olivia, and Annabelle nodded,
"It made a bunch of wind and then a fire," Said Annabelle, "And then this bench, wen boom, see?" Asked Annabelle, pointing to a destroyed bench across the park,
"A magic stick," repeated Olivia thoughtfully, still rather set on playing 'magical fairy princess' with Annabelle who was currently scowling at the spot she had hidden it in as though attempting to will it into existence, "I'll help you look." Said Olivia decidedly,
Annabelle set about climbing a tree to get a better vantage point,
Olivia looked under bushes before looking up at Annabelle,
"See anything?" She asked,
"No," Said Annabelle, looking everywhere, scanning the area before lifting her gaze to the townhouses,
"Don't look over there, Robbie from the other day, he said that a witch lived there, and she's already got like a hundred children hostage," Said Olivia fearfully,
"Someone was clearly pulling the pisser on that one." Said Annabelle,
"Don't talk like that." Said Olivia before whispering, "Don't say," She mouthed, 'pisser'. looking over her shoulder to ensure no one had seen her,
"I mean she's got such easy access, lives right by the park I'll bet it was two thousand kids," Said Annabelle, holding onto a branch to keep her steady, truly not all that far off the ground at all,
"Not helping, Annie." Scolded Olivia, taking a step away, "Witches like to take young girls. It's basically the premise to every fairytale ever."
"Just the Scottish ones."
"And the Irish ones." Said Olivia, shifting on her feet, "And that's basically all of them, Annie, all. Of. Them."
"All of them?" Said Annabelle, looking down at her sister, then back out the house and she saw the scariest thing ever,
"What is it?" Asked Olivia, now standing at the base of the tree,
It was like a shrivelled Christmas elf looking around wearing a ragged pillow case and dusting, then it made eye contact with her,
Annabelle yelped, flinching and falling from the tree, getting the air knocked from her,
"Annie, are you okay?" Asked Olivia, crouching at her side,
Annabelle didn't like having the air knocked from her. It felt like when the bow of the boat had hit her in the back, but worse,
Annabelle coughed, sitting up and nodding, "I'm fine," She lied,
"Did you see the witch?" Asked Olivia,
"I saw, I saw this wrinkled santa elf," Said Annabelle, her eyes wide,
"Do you think it was hired by the witch? Like Santa fired him?"
Annabelle nodded as they scrambled to stand up, "We should go," She said, and they moved to the other side of the park, "Who is that with mum?"
"I'm sure he is just a close friend," Said Olivia,
"Do close friends kiss?"
"Clearly, Annie, honestly they are right there."
-*-
"He's only eight, Trix, undo it," Said Andromeda,
"I'll undo her whole head!" Said Sirius, as Regulus' nose would not stop bleeding bright purple blood,
"Like you could." Taunted Bellatrix, as Regulus held his nose, "You don't even have a wand yet,"
"Trix," Said Andromeda, "Come on,"
"No, I think it's funny," Said Bellatrix, as she held Sirius back using magic,
"Well I'm not laughing," Said Sirius,
"Cissy is." Said Bellatrix, and the blonde guiltily held in her giggles,
"I'm so sorry Regulus, it's just such a funny colour," Said Narcissa, Regulus flushed bright pink and tried to stop the bleeding, "Undo it, Bella, torture Sirius instead,"
"Huh. Okay,"
"No," Said Andromeda,
"You want me to keep torturing Regulus?"
"I don't want you to torture anyone!"
"Well that's just boring,"
"We can, we can play exploding snap instead."
"Fine." Said Bellatrix, "Come here, Regulus," after a few more laughs, the blood finally stopped,
"Thank-"
"Don't thank her." Said Sirius, pulling Regulus away from their deranged cousin,
"I was thanking dromeda,"
"Oh, right, Thank you!"
A few years later the pair of them sat listening to their mother's rantings about how this girl was nothing but a 'hussy'.
"What do you mean?" Said Regulus quietly sitting next to his brother on the couch aged fourteen years old as their parents explained why Andromeda's picture had been burned from the family tree,
"She's getting married isn't that a good thing?" Asked Sirius, frowning, "So what if he's a-" Sirius was struck across the face, his mother's rings bruising his skin,
"Mudbloods and bloodtraitors are our enemies. Don't forget that, Sirius," Said Walburga,
"All of them?" Said Regulus so quietly that only a shocked Sirius heard him,
Regulus did not think of Annabelle as his enemy, frankly the school year would be far less pleasant without her. Not to mention she was rather pretty, and he liked the way she looked at him,
And her pretty scottish accent. She altered it a bit sometimes but then ocassionally a word like lass, or wee, or crouss, would make its way into a sentence,
He wondered if she missed him t-
"Andromeda will never be considered a Black again." Said Walburga, the singed portrait getting struck with another blow of fire,
"She's family," Said Sirius, and Regulus nodded, "We can't turn our backs-" a shriek left him as he crumpled under the weight of the cruciatus curse,
"Please stop," begged Regulus as Sirius refused to, "Please, mother,"
"Fine." Said Walburga, lifting the curse, "Mudbloods are nothing. Mudbloods are not worthy of magic. They are muggles who have stolen magic for all we know. Uncivilized, brutes, who will try to corrupt you as that boy corrupted Andromeda,"
"Can we go to the wed-"
"Don't." whispered Regulus, not wanting to watch his brother get tortured. Again.
"Bloodtraitors are as filthy as that which they associate with." Said Walburga, "Toujours Pur. Do you know what that means?"
"Always pure." Answered Regulus,
"To be Blacks you must maintain this moto," Said Walburga, "Do you understand that, Sirius?"
Sirius scowled at the ground,
"Do you understand that, Sirius?" She asked again, lifting her wand,
"He does, he does," Said Regulus,
"You should be more like your brother, Regulus," Said Walburga, and Sirius leant away from his brother eyes downcast, "At least he is able to look me in the eyes,"
"Yes, mother," Said Sirius scornfully,
Later that evening, or rather early in the morning, really early in the morning, a small bird with a letter attached landed at his window,
Annabelle Aelin.
A mudblood. The filth his mother hated.
But she missed him too. And she wanted to learn French from an Austrian. Shame she did not want to learn it from a British wizard who was developing a rather large crush on her,
Regulus rather liked her.
He could hear yelling from Sirius' room. So he picked up an old book, and hid the letter within it's pages. So what if he had chosen a romantic story. It did not have to mean anything.
No matter how much Regulus secretly hoped it did.
-*-
Regulus had to tell her. He would tell her today he decided, that within the week he would, that within the week he would be a death eater.
Regulus followed the directions Annabelle had given him rehearsing the words over and over in his head,
I love you.
I'm sorry.
Please forgive me.
Please don't leave me.
I love you.
I'm sorry.
Please forgive me.
Please don't leave me.
Please stay.
You, me and us, remember? I am still me, and I know I don't deserve you, I probably never have and never will, but I love you, so please at least for a while longer, stay.
Regulus was going to say this to her, he truly was. He was going to admit all that he needed to, and hope she would still want to stay with him,
Then he saw her.
And time stood still.
As though the universe was giving him time to memorize everything about her, the curl of her hair, the pink of her lips, the way she looked at him as she always had,
One final look.
He tried in vain to remind himself as her eyes lifted to his, so bright and full of joy, and what he hoped was love as she looked at him,
"Your majesty," She said happily, "I brought you flowers,"
"Why?" He asked, accepting the three flowers from her, trying to keep himself on task,
"First off they matched your eyes," Said Annabelle, and Regulus fought a blush, how could he tell her today- "I was going to only bring you one but then I remembered how irritatingly beautiful and multicoloured your eyes are,"
"Irritatingly beautiful?" He asked, looking at her, his words getting lost in a haze of warmth that flooded his chest each time he looked at her,
"Just can't stop staring," She said, and the blush won their fight, coating his cheeks and causing a smile to begin to form on Regulus' face, "Second, I am taking you on a date,"
"A date?"
"A real date, like a real girlfriend would," Said Annabelle, mimicking him,
"Are you ever going to stop giving me a hard time about that?" Asked Regulus, dimples appearing his his cheeks as he smiled down at her,
"What? For all you know I'm imaginary," Said Annabelle, Regulus glared at her half heartedly, she did sparkle fingers and he took her hand
Annabelle rose on her toes to press a kiss to his cheek,
"Just an illusion," Said Annabelle, smiling wickedly at him, "Speaking of, I got tickets to a muggle magic show to blow your mind,"
His gaze softened,
"So, uh, thank you for that incredible segway," She said, "Now, to the underground-"
"This is your petty revenge for the flying isn't it." Said Regulus, holding her hand tenderly his thumb running over the back of her wrist,
"Yes. It is. Astute observational skills, Black, really, just incredible, now, off we go," Said Annabelle, holding his hand and making to pull Regulus to the subway,
He took hold of her hand an pulled her back to him, wrapping his other arm around her waist and releasing her hand to touch the side of her face, tilting her chin up and slanting his lips over hers,
There was this concept that Annabelle spoke about sometimes as she explained what this whole 'religion' thing was and why muggles were so attached to it,
Heaven.
Regulus thought certainly this, as Annabelle kissed him back and he could feel her smile against his lips, was what Heaven must feel like,
"You don't call me Black." said Regulus, his hand still delicately placed on the side of her face,
He could live without the sound of his surname leaving her lips unless she was professing how much she preferred it to her own.
"Anything for you, your majesty," she said, and Regulus looked at her for any indication that it was a joke, he found none, pressing his lips to hers once more and lacing their fingers together,
She could say that but not I love you?
"Right then," Said Annabelle, clearing her throat, and giving his hand a squeeze, she tried to pull him with her towards the subway,
"Is there any other way to get there? That does not involve frightening me?" Asked Regulus, she was about to say something else then Regulus said, "please."
"The way I despise you." She muttered, and Regulus grinned happily, knowing he had won, "We could take a bus,"
"There were busses this whole time?" Asked Regulus,
"Yes-"
"So last summer, you brought me down into that, that, what do you call places when you don't like them?"
"Hell hole."
"Hell hole?"
"Yes, your majesty,"
"Thank you," he placed a chaste kiss on her lips,
"No problem." she replied,
"That hell hole. And there was actually another way to get around?" Asked Regulus, but she was smiling sweetly at him, rising on her toes to press a kiss to his lips, "You're forgiven," he muttered,
"What?" She said, not having heard him,
"Forgiven. You. Because I love you and everything else is just confetti," He said absently, placing one of the flowers in Annabelle's hair as she blushed furiously, "That didn't make a lot of sense did it?"
"Not at all," Said Annabelle,
"You're still blushing," he said, smiling smugly at her,
"Shut all the way up," She said, pulling him towards the bus stop,
"All the way up?" He asked, as he sat on a bench with Annabelle beside him, "Are you sure partially wouldn't be satisfactory?"
Annabelle hung her head in attempt to hide her growing flush, which only resulted in Regulus wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer to him,
"I missed you." she said,
"And I you."
"I even missed the posh way you say things,"
"Where else are you taking me on this date?" He asked contentedly,
"Museum, thought you'd like that, then there's a bookshop Evans took me to and it was perfect for you, and then food, because sustenance,"
"Appreciated,"
"And finally, a movie or I could break into the bible money and-"
"The bible money?"
"Yeah, I've got this hollowed out bible where I hid my money when I lived at home," Said Annabelle,
"I may not be the most familiar with muggle religion but isn't hollowing out the holy book generally frowned upon?" Asked Regulus,
"No, no, it's fine, you see I had a chat with god, right? And apparently there's a bunch of stuff wrong with the bible that the whole ever loving crap god was on about didn't include. So you know. God said okay," Said Annabelle, nodding wisely as Rowena Ravenclaw herself might, "Hollow out that bible, might be an improvement, just- just don't kill anyone and we we should be good,"
"God said all this?"
"How would I even make that up? You think to much of me."
Impossible.
A bus stopped and Regulus' hand slip into Annabelle's once more as they boarded and she payed for him,
They found seats by the window,
"So you might break out the bible money for what exactly?" Asked Regulus, extremely amused with his girlfriend, he loved her so much, she leaned close to whisper in his ear,
"Well, hotel rooms cost a bit more than museum passes, Regulus," She said,
Heat rose to Regulus' cheeks,
"Belle," he said slowly, "I can live without the movie. There is one thing that I did not mention,"
"What?"
"My parents are gone until sunday," He said, "Business out of town."
"We have all night?" Asked Annabelle, Regulus nodded, "The bible wasn't gonna use that money anyways,"
"My thoughts exactly," Said Regulus,
"You lied to me," Said Annabelle, and Regulus' heart stopped, how was it even remotely possible that she knew- "You told me you were not a good flirt,"
Relief flooded him.
She did not know,
"I got practice," Said Regulus, "Now my faults include but are not limited to my ability to prepare tea, and go on those underground trains,"
"I like your tea," Said Annabelle with a scoff,
"That's insulting to tea as a whole." Said Regulus, "And to Britain probably," he added sheepishly,
"I like it because you make it for me," Said Annabelle, Regulus scratched the back of his neck and looked away for a second, the other two flowers she had given him, he turned over in his hand, he dipped his head almost nuzzling against her neck before pulling away,
"Belle, if you keep flirting with me I might fall for you all over again," Said Regulus, his confession completely forgotten and stowed away for a later date in the very back of his mind,
It was not important right now.
"Out of curiosity, is this what the night bus is like?" He asked,
"The night bus is much more fun than this. And you know the driver, even let me try," Said Annabelle,
"When did you need the night bus?" He asked,
"That was a trap," She realized, and he smiled mischievously at her,
"Perhaps."
"You should know that I respect your cunning, but I also hate you for it," Said Annabelle, tilting her chin up and narrowing her eyes at him,
Regulus let out a light laugh,
"Good to know." He said,
"First year my parents forgot to pick me up at kings cross," Said Annabelle,
Regulus wanted to harm them.
A small hatred for Annabelle's parents had begun to form inside of him ever since Annabelle had responded to the words 'I love you' with 'did I do something wrong?'
"Then in after third year the train was cancelled so I was technically I was a stranded witch, and I was allowed to drive for a bit, because magical driving laws are really dodgy," Said Annabelle, before glancing at the stop, "We're almost there,"
"The magic show?"
"Now, if they ask for volunteers from the audience," Said Annabelle, "Putting your hand up means that you don't want to go, okay?"
"Belle, I may be naive at times,"
"He admits it." She gasped, Regulus pressed a quick kiss to her lips,
"However, I am not that naive about social norms," Said Regulus, "Even in the muggle world,"
"You read a book didn't you." She said, a wicked grin appearing on her face,
"Of course. Who do you think I am?" He said without an ounce of shame,
"You're the best, you know that?"
I know that I love you completely. I know that you'll never look at me this way again when I have that mark on my arm. I know every moment I share with you from here until you learn the truth may be my last.
"This is our stop," She said, pulling him out of the bus and thanking the driver, "Are you ready to have your mind blown?"
"Yes."
-*-
"You fell out of a tree?" Said Regulus, touching a scar on the back of Annabelle's shoulder, "What on Earth were you doing in a tree?"
"I was seven. And I was looking for a stick. Obviously," Said Annabelle, as though it were plainer than the prairies during the grasshopper infestation,
"So, just so I have all that facts," Said Regulus, "You hid a stick,"
"A large stick."
"A large stick, in the park, in a bush, and then a week later it was gone," Said Regulus, "So instead of finding a new stick you climbed a tree for a better vantage point,"
"Precisely,"
"And that's when you fell, hit a rock, and acquired your fear of heights," Said Regulus,
"I think. It's a working theory," Said Annabelle,
"Why did you fall?"
"Can't remember really, just hit the ground really hard," Said Annabelle, "It was not fun. Don't really understand what you see in heights anyways,"
Regulus pulled the comforter tighter over them, wanting nothing more than to remain as they were right now forever,
"I like to fly," Said Regulus, "It's freeing,"
"And you're good at it,"
"That always helps," Said Regulus, "And whenever I'm in that jersey there is this gorgeous Gryffindor who can never take her eyes off of me,"
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah, sort of annoying actually-" said Regulus, and Annabelle sat up and hit him with a pillow, "How much I love, adore and cherish you, Belle, that was uncalled for," he said, sitting up, and removing the pillow from her hands,
Annabelle's hand moved to his jaw as she kissed him once more, far slower than the first kiss, deliberate in each movement as she got closer to him,
"Do you like the date so far?" She asked, her lips centimeters away from his,
"What sort of a question is that-"
"Answer it."
"Yes," Said Regulus, pressing another kiss to her lips, "Although that may be a rather large understatement,"
"The magic show?"
"How did muggles do that?" Asked Regulus, utterly astounded by what he had seen, "It should not be possible, those card tricks? Unbelievable, I mean that was my card you know, then I didn't know muggle paintings could be so moving,"
He paused for a moment, looking at her,
"I understand the joke. I do." Said Annabelle, pressing a kiss to his lips, "You are really lucky you're so pretty, your majesty,"
"That's all I am to you? A pretty face?" He asked, as though gravely offended, though his smile gave him away,
"You're also phenomenal in the sack," Said Annabelle, and Regulus laughed, pressing kiss after kiss to her skin, adoring the way Annabelle looked in the afterglow of orgasm,
"Annabelle," he whispered, and she froze, "I must have said it a thousand times at this point but-"
Regulus pulled away to look at her properly, her beautiful perfect face,
"I really need you to hear it," Said Regulus, "I don't need you to say it back or anything, but I love you, and there is no catch, and that I only say it so often because I can't help it. I just need to know that you believe me."
Annabelle nodded slowly, and Regulus allowed her to set her lips on his,
"It's you me and us, right?" He said,
"Us," she repeated, allowing Regulus to show her all the love he wanted to,
A far cry from rushed encounters during prefects rounds, or stolen moments under the Quidditch stands, this was their first time sharing a bed together,
Spending a night, a full night with no fear of getting caught, only the fear that it might end before they were prepared to leave the other's side,
"Regulus!" He tore his name from her lips in ecstasy over and over again,
It was a sound Regulus was certain he would never grow tired of hearing, one of the more beautiful sounds in the world he was willing to wager,
"Belle," he would say in her ear, "Annabelle" would be a whisper, and a chill would ravish her spine, as her legs wrapped around his waist, urging him forward,
It felt as though she were stealing something, that a love so precious and pure should have belonged to someone else, anyone but her,
He lay next to her on the bed, catching his breath as he enjoyed the euphoria of being with her,
"Regulus," she said, "You really are the most beautiful person in every way."
Regulus in a haze of serotonin and love murmured,
"Ditto."
A burst of laughter left Annabelle, as she looked at him, "I tell you you are the most beautiful person and you reply with 'ditto'?" She asked,
"I can't be held accountable for anything remotely idiotic I say if you are completely naked in my proximity," Said Regulus in one breath, as he rolled onto his side to look at her as they spoke,
"So if I flashed you,"
"I would like to rescind my previous statement,"
"You have an incredible vocabulary,"
"Thank you, Belle, nice to be noticed for something other than my looks," he said to the girl who saw all of him, all of him that mattered anyways, and adored and accepted each part,
She smiled, hiding her face in the pillow, before looking back up at him,
"Anyhow, I cannot be held accountable if you are naked in any way in my proximity, for anything idiotic, or dumb, that I say," Said Regulus, "You can now feel free to kiss me and whisper sweet things to me while I pretend to be sleeping,"
"How often were you awake when I-"
"You really think that I'm your dream-" she cut him off with a kiss,
"Keep speaking and I will never do that again, do you hear me, your majesty?"
"Fine." said Regulus, touching her hand delicately beneath the covers, his eyes flickered all over her face, her beautiful perfect face,
"I really don't want to fall asleep," He admitted quietly,
"Neither do I," she said, "Sorry, I mean ditto," she added with a wicked little smile, he chuckled, a moment of pure joy before his lips tugged downwards,
Her hand was on the side of his face, thumb moving gently over his skin, he held it there, turning to press a kiss to the palm of her hand,
"I really don't want this to end," Said Regulus, "I don't want you to go,"
He shut his eyes as he felt gentle kisses placed on each cheek before they reached his lips,
"Regulus," She spoke his name softly as she moved closer to him,
"I wish we could just stay here," he said, "together," his breathing begun to pick up and she set her forehead against his,
"There are other nights and there will be other nights," Said Annabelle, and his breathing begun to ease,
"How do you know?" He asked,
"It's you and me,"
Us. He thought, the idea easing every worry to cross his mind,
His guilt rising like bile in his throat before he pushed it back to the back of his mind, asking,
"Do you promise?" He asked,
She had no idea what she was agreeing to. Regulus had the feeling that she did not quite care as a loving kiss was pressed to his lips, he was correct,
"I promise." she said, and a smile formed on Regulus' face despite it all, his breathing slowed as he eased into her company once more,
"I cannot believe you fell out of a tree and that is what keeps you from flying," Said Regulus,
"It's perfectly valid to be afraid of-"
"I have literally seen you on those roller skates go down railings, and stairs, which is far more dangerous, especially considering the staircases at Hogwarts move,"
"It adds to the challenge," Said Annabelle,
"And yet you won't hop on a broom and play Qui- are you just bad at it? The first time on a broom, did you just... suck perhaps?"
"I did not,"
"Right?"
"Slander. That's what this is." Said Annabelle,
"It is not slander,"
"Hearsay then,"
"Do you know what that means?"
"Well, I have seen witness for the prosecution more times than I'm proud of so. You know. I'd say fifty percent chance," Said Annabelle, "You know, flip a coin,"
"A coin?"
"Galleons might be a wee bit heavier. but there is a certain feeling you get when you touch gold," Said Annabelle, Regulus chuckled against her lips,
"Tell me another story," Said Regulus,
"What?"
"You know all about me," Said Regulus, "Even the time my cousin hit me with that spell,"
"The pretty one? With the curly Black hair and that manic look in her eyes?" Asked Annabelle,
"That's the one,"
"I'll avenge you someday. Fight that beautiful woman and duel her until she apologizes," She proclaimed, "Make her nose bleed. What colour was it?"
"Pink and purple,"
"Pink and purple and then I will show you the memory," Said Annabelle,
"While I appreciate that," Said Regulus, "I would rather not you duel my most violent relative."
"Fine. I will earn her trust and then when she least expects it bam,"
"Bam?"
"Bam. In her really symmetrical face. Well it won't be all that symmetrical when I'm done with her, will it? Hmm?"
"You don't have to-"
"It's not like Black the inferior has got the balls to take her on."
"Not to sound like I'm defending him, but she has threatened him with death a few times,"
"Fair point. Counter argument."
"Let's hear it,"
"You are my favourite human being and someone hurt you. Therefore I want to at least balance the scales," Said Annabelle, kissing him chastely before pulling away,
If Regulus lived by that philosophy, there were far too many people he would have hurt.
The only reason he didn't is because at school Annabelle did that herself, and he was certain she would grow cross with him if he hurt anyone she was related to,
Then he realized,
"You've changed the subject,"
"What? Pff. No." Said Annabelle, looking away,
"Is there something more embarrassing than ducking and running away from the first boy that ever tried to kiss you?" He asked, "Because I quite enjoyed that anecdote,"
"Piss. Off. You. Arse." Said Annabelle, hiding her face in her pillow,
"Never." he said, and she looked at him, "In I think it was fifth year I told you to piss off during a Quidditch match and you replied with never, were you not prepared to face the consequences?"
"I was happy to."
"Then tell me a story," He said, wanting to know more about her,
"Once I was almost mugged but I knew the bloke so we just sort of chatted for a while before going our separate ways." Said Annabelle,
"Really?"
"Yeah, his name was Robbie." Said Annabelle, "Wonder where he is now. Now you tell me something," she said,
"That match in fifth year, when I got my broom pulled out from under me,"
"I did avenge you on that one." she said with that lovely little vindictive glint in her eye,
"And I appreciate that." Said Regulus, lifting her hand to his lips and kissing her knuckles the way he knew caused the most fantastic flush to spread across her cheeks,
He was not disappointed,
It was like roses bloomed beneath her skin, she wrinkled her nose and glanced away when her blush grew too strong,
"I got so jealous that the other seeker got to blow a kiss to his girlfriend that I had him hit with a bludger by Crouch. Which is particularly cruel." Said Regulus, Annabelle snickered, "What?"
"Nothing,"
"Tell me,"
"It's 'crass'." she said, glancing away from him,
"Well now you have to tell me,"
"I mean you really shouldn't be complaining anymore," Said Annabelle,
"And why is that?"
"You blow me plenty now, doesn't that make up for it?"
It took a moment for Regulus to process what she had just said, as she struggled to suppress her laughter,
Then it clicked and unabashed laughter left the boy who so rarely smiled in the summer, rolling onto his back, staring at the ceiling, wondering how he had gotten so lucky,
"That," more laughter, "Was," it only grew, he could not finish his sentence as Annabelle's laughter joined his,
As it died down he turned to look at her,
"I do enjoy that." Said Regulus, "Do you?"
"It's safe to say that I'm a fan," Said Annabelle,
The only thing she wore was his necklace around her neck, he touched it delicately, happy that she wore it,
"Good." He said,
"What happens when we graduate?" She asked quietly, and Regulus froze,
When he was hesitant to kiss her in fifth year it seemed there was an endless amount of time to spend with her,
"We make it work, or who knows maybe you'll finally grow sick of me." Said Regulus, "Of all the sneaking around," the words coming out strained as he imagined a world where Annabelle might no longer want him,
"I really doubt that," Said Annabelle, "We just make it work somehow? One day at a time and all that jazz?"
He paused for a moment before speaking,
"Belle. We are having an intimate moment. I hate jazz first and foremost. Could you please refrain from saying 'and all that jazz' in your adorable scottish accent because it makes the very prospect of a world without you just, just not okay," Said Regulus,
"I'll try to be a bitch from now on," She said, and laughter burst from Regulus once more,
"I love you," he breathed once more, his breath threatening to turn shaky once more,
"I don't mind the sneaking around, you know," Said Annabelle, "And I don't think I could ever get sick of spending time with you at all really," she rambled, "And you can't act like your accent isn't the most beautiful one in existence,"
"How can you say that when you hear yourself speak everyday?" Asked Regulus, a soft smile forming on his face,
"Not every day. Some days I need vocal rest after screaming about my existential ennui," Said Annabelle,
"Of course," Said Regulus, "but, you know, every other day."
"You wanted a story?" Said Annabelle looking up at him and he nodded, "Do you want one with crime, or with ponies, or both?"
"All of the above." She was about to argue but then he said, "please," and really, who was Annabelle Aelin to say no to him,
"Fine," Said Annabelle, "It all starts when I'm a wee little Lass- I'm going to stop if you keep looking at me like that,"
"A wee li'l lass," he mimicked, the most dazzling smile on his face,
"I will stop."
"No, no, carry on," He said, "You are a very young person and...?"
She told him every last detail he asked for, divulging each and every secret he wanted to know, she knew the grand majority of his anyways,
He wished that the head students got their own dorms, then this could be his life every day for ten whole months,
"You poisoned the jockeys?"
"The blokes on the horses." Said Annabelle,
"I realize."
"Well I'm not about to hurt the ponies, and humans can take rat poison, honestly your majesty, you and your priorities," Said Annabelle, he chuckled,
"My apologies Belle, but I'm afraid I've never poisoned anyone,"
"I only poisoned the bad ones," Said Annabelle, "They're lucky I didn't set the horses free with how they treated them,"
"Sometimes I wonder if you should have been placed in Slytherin. With me." He said, wondering what a world that might have been, "Then I remember your earlier attempts at deception. And I realize."
"I'm improving." she insisted,
"I'm sure you are."
"Shut up."
"All the way up or just half way. You haven't specified this time," Said Regulus, rolling onto his side with her back pressed against him, lacing their fingers together,
Annabelle smelt like the ocean,
"I liked the museum. The eyes on the paintings were practically moving, I can see why the Royals like it so much,"
"You would have the inside track, your majesty," He smiled before deciding he wanted to hear it again, the closest thing he could get to 'I love you' from her,
"Belle?"
"Yeah?"
"Say that thing again," He said, Annabelle turned over to look him in the eye as she spoke, she was about to say something when he stopped her, "If you add and all that jazz I will be cross,"
"Damn you."
"Just say it,"
"One day at a time is fine by me, so long as those days are with you, Regulus," she said before adding, "it's us, your majesty,"