February 24th, 1979

"This is an awful idea."

Emmeline threw a pillow at Maggie, sitting her in the arm.

I stifled a laugh, watching them through the mirror.

"Seriously," Maggie continued, "I would've never thought that my two best friends would be going to Hogsmeade with Evan Rosier and Regulus Black."

I scoffed, "Hey, I'm only going for moral support."

"It's still a bit odd," Maggie added.

Our roommates had already left for Hogsmeade with their other friends or significant others. Maggie was going to meet her boyfriend, Rory Mitchell.

I turned away from the mirror and sat on the edge of my bed, putting on my shoes.

"You're lucky you don't have to see them shamelessly flirt with each other in potions," I said.

Emmeline's jaw dropped, "Oh, you're one to talk! You and Black are always making eyes at each other."

I blushed, suddenly becoming very interested in the laces of my shoes.

"That's a load of shite," I claimed.

Soon after, Emmeline and I left our dorm and found ourselves in the common room.

"What's got you two dressed up?" Thomas asked when Emmeline and I entered the common room.

Jack, who was sprawled out on the couch next to him, looked up. He raised an eyebrow.

"We're meeting people," Emmeline answered.

Thomas raised an eyebrow this time. "Who?"

I shrugged, "Just people."

"People or boys?" Jack asked.

"Why? Does it matter?" Emmeline responded.

Thomas shook his head, "No, not at all. Actually-, it depends who it is."

I rolled my eyes. "Bye boys, see you later."

Before they could say anything else, Emmeline and I left. We walked through the corridors, and I could tell that she was jittery-, in a good way. When we reached the courtyard, Regulus and Evan were already there, the former leaned up against a stone pillar.

He no longer had a sling around his shoulder. Madam Pomfrey cleared him last night, but he still has one week of off quidditch.

"Hey, Evan."

The blonde smiled at Emmeline. "Hey, Emmeline. You look great."

"Thanks," She said, blushing slightly.

"Black," I acknowledged, trying not to smile.

Regulus winked at me, "McKinnon."

"Alright, let's go, yeah?" Evan asked.

The four of us set off to Hogsmeade, Evan and Emmeline walking ahead of Regulus and I.

"I've missed you," Regulus said, bumping his arm against mine.

I smiled, "You saw me yesterday."

"Yeah, but I haven't actually seen you in a few days," Regulus suggested.

"Well, I've missed you too," I said.

We fell into a comfortable silence, listening into Evan and Emmeline's conversation. He would say something, she would laugh. She would say something, he would grin like an idiot.

"You think they'll start dating?" I asked, watching the pair.

Regulus shrugged, "I'm not sure. He definitely likes her though. I know he acts like an idiot most of the time, but I think he's pretty serious about her."

I smiled, "Well, that sounds promising."

"I think so."

A gust of wind blew through the trees, making me shiver.

Regulus noticed, and glanced over at me. "I would give you my scarf, but I can only imagine the rumors that would start."

I shook my head, smiling. "It would be such a scandal. But, I'm okay, it was just the wind."

"Are you sure you don't want to ditch them and go back to the castle?" Regulus whispered, leaning in close to me. The smell of expensive cologne filled my senses.

I smirked, "Don't tempt me."

When we reached Hogsmeade, the four of us decided to get a booth at the Three Broomsticks. Emmeline and I secured a table while the boys went and ordered drinks.

I slipped in the booth across from her. "So? How's it going so far?" I questioned.

"Good, I don't know-, it was only a twenty minute walk," Emmeline answered, blushing.

I grinned, "Good, that's really good, Em."

"Are you and Black managing to be civil?"

"Yeah," I replied, "I think we'll manage."

Emmeline reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "Seriously, thank you so much. I know this probably isn't how you wanted to spend your Hogsmeade weekend, but you're the best."

The boys came back with butterbeers, and slid into the booth on either side of us.

Regulus handed me a drink, a blank expression on his face.

It's a bummer that we have to act like this, especially around our friends, one of whom already knows. But it's better for everyone this way.

"How're you guys feeling about the match next weekend?" Evan asked.

Emmeline grinned, "Oh, we're definitely going to win."

"Oh yeah?"

I stifled a laugh at Evan's attempt at flirting. "We're going to kick Ravenclaw's arse," I added.

"Then I guess we'll be playing against each other in the final," Regulus pointed out.

"It doesn't matter, we're still going to win anyways," I announced.

Evan scoffed, "No way."

"Yes way," Emmeline said, "Just wait."

My hand found Regulus's underneath the table, and I interlocked our pinkies together.

He smirked, not looking at me. "Well, I guess we'll see," Regulus said, glancing over at me.

Emmeline and Evan started their own conversation, heads bowed together as they spoke. This left Regulus and I. It wasn't awkward, but it was weird knowing that I couldn't just lean over and kiss him.

In the past week, I've gotten very accustomed to kissing him. On our patrols, before class in an empty corridor. Stolen kisses are kind of our thing recently.

I took a sip of my butterbeer, glancing at Regulus over the rim of the glass.

Regulus took my hand underneath the table, intertwining our fingers and resting our clasped hands on his knee.

"What's everyone doing for Easter?" Emmeline asked, bringing my attention back to reality.

Regulus shrugged, "I'm going back to Grimmauld Place."

"I'm pretty sure I'm going home," Evan said.

"Well you already know," I replied, "But I'm going home. James and Lily are getting married so I'm going to their wedding too."

"Weddings are fun. What about you?" Evan asked, looking at Emmeline.

She smiled, "I'm going home."

The four of us talked for another hour and sipped on our butterbeers before Emmeline and Evan decided to go to Honeydukes. They invited us, but Regulus declined and said he should be going back to the castle.

Regulus and I walked back to the castle together. Our arms bumped each other, and we kept glancing over at each other.

Some people walking by gave us a second glance, but if anyone says anything about it, I can just say it's because we're Head Boy and Girl.

"When will I get to see you again, Meredith?"

I glanced over at him, trying not to smile. "I don't know, you'll see me in class on Monday."

"You know that's not what I meant," Regulus said, smirking at me.

I shrugged, "Maybe tomorrow."

"Alright, I'll take that."

When we reached the castle, instead of going our separate ways, Regulus dragged me over to one of the hidden alcoves in the courtyard.

"What're you doing, Reg?" I asked, leaning up against the stone wall.

Regulus smiled, "Just wanted a goodbye kiss."

"And what made you think you were getting one?" I teased.

Regulus placed his hands on either side of my head, leaning towards me. "Well, if you don't want to, then I can leave right now," He whispered into my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

I leaned forward, pressing my lips against mine. Regulus smiled against my lips before kissing me back.

He leaned against me, our bodies pressing against each other through our coats. My hands rested on his waist, while his rested on either side of my face.

I sighed contentedly against his lips, which made him smile again.

"Oh-, sorry. I didn't mean to impose."

Regulus and I broke apart, and I quickly looked down, trying not to be seen.

"Oh hi, Regulus!"

I slowly looked up, my blonde hair falling out of my face.

Pandora stood a few feet away from us, her cheeks pink from the cold, a small smile on her face. "Meredith? I didn't know that you two-," She interrupted herself. "This actually makes a lot of sense, both of your auras have been really good."

"Uh, thank you?" I said, slightly confused.

"Pandora, you can't say anything," Regulus said. "We don't want people to know."

Pandora smiled, "I know, your secret's safe with me."

She glanced up at the sky, smiling to herself. "I must be going, it's going to rain soon," Pandora stated. "Good to see you both!"

"Bye, Pandora!" I chimed, staring back at Regulus.

He just shrugged. "She already knows everything, what's one more thing?" He suggested.