The next days, it rained. It shouldn't prevent Ariel and Regulus from meeting, but they didn't reach out to each other after that night. Both needed time to reflect on what had happened, to think about their relationship and their own feelings as well. Ariel liked Regulus, a lot, he was sure of it. He tried to think of the moment he stopped seeing Regulus as a mere friend. If he was ever considered a friend. He tried to think of the moment he started considering Regulus as someone he wanted the attention of rather than someone worth his attention. It took him a while to feel attracted, and maybe he had been playing with him the whole time before he started catching feelings for the boy. Considering how far they have gone already, he realized it was too late now. Too late to stop everything. They couldn't be stopped. Both. Ariel couldn't refrain himself from getting close to him. And Regulus couldn't stop the blooming feelings in his chest, the affection, the envy, pushing him towards Ariel without being able to control himself. And he didn't want the contrary to happen.

The end of August approached slowly. Way too slowly for the blond boy. But he was glad it was finally there so he could meet with the other boy. He even decided to send him some words the day before coming back.

'My dear Regulus,

I cannot express how much I want to meet you again and I am glad this day is coming soon.

You have been missed at home, and I missed you as well, in my bedroom, my garden, I missed you everywhere you have been. I missed swimming with you and kissing with you. I missed you Regulus.

I hope these last days have been pleasant for you and that you have been doing well ever since we left each other.

Affectionately yours,

Ariel Orson Malfoy'

The words flew so easily out of his quill, as if he had been wanting to tell Regulus this for so long. And it was true Ariel always had a lot to talk whenever he was meeting back with Regulus. Even when the youngest would stay quiet, Ariel would perfectly fill the conversation, pleasing Regulus as well.

As hours approached, the blond boy could feel the void in him reducing little by little, being replaced by an excitement he had never felt. He, who could barely feel anything aside from emotions like satisfaction, pride, annoyance and such, he discovered the need of someone. The need to be close again.

Much to Ariel's displeasure, platform 9 ¾ was crowded on September 1st. It made it difficult for him to spot the one he had been longing to see. And Regulus spotted him first. He appeared from behind, showed his presence with a touch of hand and making the older boy turn around immediately.

"Regulus," he whispered, looking at him with intensity in his blue eyes before taking a hold of his emotions again. "It's nice to see you again."

"As you say," he replied, a small, barely visible, grin placed on his lips.

Ariel then drew out his hand, surprising the raven-haired male, confused by such greeting especially thinking about everything that had happened between them during those holidays. But he took a hold of his hand in return. And he loved the warmth. A warmth he had missed. He loved his hold on him. Something he had missed as well. And he loved how soft it felt. And of course he had missed Ariel's soft touch as well. For a moment it felt like he forgot how to breath before he let out a small sigh. Shaking hands with Ariel made him want to throw himself in his arms. But he knew that was impossible, not in such a crowded place, not at school, not anywhere where they could be seen. And the blond boy knew it too. He had the urge to touch him more, as he let his fingers discreetly caress his hand and wrist. But he couldn't. And it frustrated him so much.

"I missed you. A lot," he said at last.

"I did too," replied the other boy, only agreeing to his words as their feelings were so similar.

They detached themselves and made their way to the train, staying close to each other. As they were walking towards the prefects' carriage, Ariel side-glanced at Regulus and started smiling.

"I see you cut your hair. I was afraid I would have started mistaking you for your brother," he told him with a light teasing chuckle.

Regulus turned his face towards him, one of his brow arched up in confusion. "Really? We aren't that similar, are we?"

"You are. Except for the insolent look he has in his eyes. But anyway, you look much better..." he whispered, bringing his head down so the words would reach his ear, making the boy shiver. "I like it better when it's short."

"I like it better too." And Ariel let his hand go through his raven curls as he said that, through his smooth hair that was barely going past his ears now, and messing it up a little.

"I just realized but, am I not the same height as you now? I grew up during the summer, and since we haven't seen each other in days..." he stopped as he said that and Ariel did too. They faced each other in the middle of the corridor. They looked straight into each other's eyes and realized they were indeed about the same height.

"You'll see. I'll grow again," told him Ariel.

"Me too," answered Regulus with a small smile and Ariel's blue stare caught that smile and fixed it for a moment. He fixed those pink lips forming that beautiful smile and Regulus caught his staring. The blond boy wanted to get a taste of these lips, these lips he had so wanted to kiss these past few days. Regulus chew on his bottom lip lightly and Ariel caught his breath in his chest unconsciously.

"Hurry up here! The meeting's about to start!" exclaimed a voice, coming closer to them.

The boys jolted up in surprise and put some distance between them before turning to look at the person walking up to them. James Potter was there, looking as insolent as his friend who surprisingly wasn't by his side.

"What do you want Potter?" asked Ariel once he had reached their side.

"I want you to hurry or you'll be late for the meeting," he said with a smug look.

"What are you even talking about," chuckled sarcastically the blond boy.

"I'm telling you to go to the meeting so, I, the Head Boy, can start it," he answered with even more arrogance than before and Ariel's smile dropped.

"How come it's you?" he asked more curtly.

"Dumbledore's choice," answered shrugging Potter while walking past them.

"Well Dumbledore surely has favorites," muttered Ariel so only Regulus could hear him. He of course didn't run after the position of Head Boy, he just found it stupid a Gryffindor git like James Potter had been chosen for that position.

It was less of a surprise to discover that Lily Evans was the Head girl. He knew she was a smart girl, much smarter than Potter, she was also well-behaved which made her the perfect candidate for the Head girl position. He greeted her with a nod of head to which she didn't answer. Ariel didn't hate her, but she did without a doubt and that was understandable. He obviously knew about her blood status but thought she was worth his attention which was the reason he would greet her.

Ariel and Regulus reached Ivanna Flint and Moira Goyle, the older boy greeting both with a charming smile and a few words making them squeal in excitement. Regulus ignored that and only sat down next to Ivanna Flint. The blond boy quickly found out he hated receiving orders from Potter. And Potter took great satisfaction in ordering around Slytherins. He would especially send Ariel his smug smirk and the boy would keep a straight face, only glaring at him. James Potter was a guy he wouldn't bother have a friendly attitude with. They disliked each other and it wasn't a secret. He was so focused on him that he wasn't even noticing Regulus' discreetly observing him.

author's note: ahhh i've been so busy with both work and classes, i haven't written in a while... btw i'm seeing rina sawayama and arctic monkeys next year! are you a fan :D i don't know if you listen to my playlists but i've put i wanna be yours in it, it's so great and the vibes always fit my stories. anyway i've got writing ideas the other day and for once this isn't a story about regulus haha-

hope you enjoy!