The rest of the day was rather quiet. The other houses and the Ravenclaws were all surprised at the sudden appearance of Adena Winsten, but she didn't mind them as she went to her usual spot. The class was calm, their teacher being a little boring from time to time but nothing out of the ordinary. The usual same boys at the back, Noah Lee, Chad Becker, Isaac Greenwood, and of course the biggest troublemaker in this classroom, Jacob Brett, were giggling for no particular reason. And as always, the teacher paid no attention to them, probably thinking they were deranged.

The day just ended normally. They all got back to the common room and Adena didn't waste time to set herself to work. She already had Eugenia's notes under her eyes. She was lucky she was taking mostly the same classes as her. She was kind of a nerd like her after all. All the others chose to go with either Divination and Care for Magical Creatures or Muggle Studies, well only Millie took this one as she was so proud of her genetical background. Eugenia chose Ancient Runes like Adena did, but like the nerd she was, she also took Arithmancy classes but couldn't catch up on this class. And she barely knew the other few Ravenclaws who took this class as well, she wouldn't dare to ask them anything. But she would obviously find a way, however for now she had to focus on her actual work. As for her prefect duties, she had missed the patrolling sessions for the past days, and she wasn't planning on restarting so soon. Surprisingly, she hadn't crossed paths with that filthy Dale Penley, not that she would complain. She just wanted to cut off his gross hands since she loathed him so much. He just made her feel disgusted by men. Not that she was too fond of humanity in the first place. But this one guy was the one she hated the most at the moment.

The weekend was boring. Adena just kept working and working, even more than usual. She had to stay up late to finish up her two essays in Transfiguration and Charms. She would finish the one for Ancient Runes later that week. The clock was striking two in the morning when she finally went to bed, completely exhausted. Her left hand was sore from writing to much and her eyes were stinging. When she laid in the comfort of her blankets, she didn't even bother removing her glasses as she was already drowning in a deep slumber.

When she woke up the next morning, her hair was a complete mess. Sometimes she would hate having curly hair, no matter how many people would tell her it was pretty. The other girls were starting to wake up as well. Mornings were quiet in their room, nobody was usually in the mood for being energetic, until eating breakfast and meeting up with a certain over-joyed housemate. Jacob Brett never seemed to run out of energy and would already be crackling dad jokes at seven in the morning. That morning was no different, Jacob was cackling like an idiot while everyone was rolling their eyes at his stupidity. Adena had stolen his Daily Prophet like always and was reading while sipping on her morning tea. Another missing has been reported. This time it was an old wizard going by the name of Roger Tibbs. People were suspecting he had probably gone insane, after having been living by himself for ninety years in a lost village of Scotland, but everyone knew what had really happened to him. Those missings were becoming more and more frequent, and times becoming more and more unsafe. In many moments Adena had felt very grateful of her pure blood, but she knew many others didn't have that much luck. As she continued reading, she noticed a small article involving Muggles that was saying:

'The murder of a Ministry employee had been reported earlier this morning. This murder was caused by an engine Muggles call 'car'. A Muggle seemingly inebriated drove  in him with his engine. The man had died before the Healers of St Mungos could do anything.'

Those Muggles could be so stupid sometimes, thought the young girl.

Before she could read any more, everyone started directing themselves towards the exit. She did the same, she couldn't be late to class after having missed a whole week.

When she entered the classroom, her eyes turned towards the seat she usually sat at. Before she could think too much her body directed itself in direction of the last raw, where Regulus Black was sitting at. He just glanced slightly at her side when she sat down, not asking any question for her sudden appearance as she tried to act normal. Being in the young Slytherin's presence, she realized she didn't want to be alone anymore. At least not for now. As her eyes roamed around the room, she spotted the back of a certain male, chatting casually with a Slytherin boy by his side. She glared at him with daggers in her eyes. Her fists were clenched tightly on her lap. She could feel tears of anger welling up in her usually shining hazel orbs. But she wouldn't break down, she didn't want to look weak anymore. Her train of thoughts was interrupted by Regulus' concerned voice.

"Hey Winsten, you're okay?"

She noticed how his voice was unusually soft, changing from his cold, nonchalant tone, and instantly calming her down. She nodded, a small fake smile plastered on her lips.

"Yes, I am."

"Don't mind him. He's just a stupid git that doesn't deserve your attention nor anyone else's," he just murmured in a cold but calm voice, sounding almost frightening to the young girl who didn't let out any emotion.

They didn't talk anymore for the rest of the class, focusing on Slughorn's lesson of the today. Theory lessons were always much more boring but Adena had to pay attention to not be any more late.

When class ended, Slughorn waddled rapidly to Adena's table with a smile on his joyful round face.

"Miss Winsten, I'm glad to see you back in my class! I hope you recovered well."

"I did, sir, thank you for the concern, I appreciate it."

"It's normal of course, it was worrying to not see my best student in class for the first time-  I mean one of my best students, sorry for the mistake Mr Black."

"It's fine, sir," just answered the male with a small reassuring smile for the big man.

"I hope you caught up with last Monday's lesson. Well I guess you did with Mr Black being such a good student, he must have helped you." He had a joyful and knowing look in his eyes as well as an amused smile while talking.

Adena, too confused at his words to give out any response, just stayed quiet and Regulus answered for her.

"Oh yes Professor, she understood everything we studied last week," he said going along with the teacher's words.

"As expected. Well isn't it time for your next class, go students, don't be late."

They both said a quick goodbye as they left the classroom, directing themselves towards McGonagall's classroom. They were obviously late.

"Good morning, Professor," they both said while heading to Regulus' usual spot, Adena following behind unconsciously. All eyes turned in their direction, obviously curious.

"Mr Black, Miss Winsten, you are late. I require some explanations," said the aged woman, her lips in a tight line as she fixed her gaze upon the two.

This time, the young Ravenclaw decided to speak, "I apologize Professor, we were conversing with Professor Slughorn at the end of his class."

"Well. I expect this to be the first and last time, if you don't want to finish in detention," she said with a nod and her stern voice as she went back to her lesson, all heads turning around once again.

The girl let out a quiet exasperated sigh before starting to take notes.

At the end of the lesson, they all gave their essays to Professor McGonagall. Adena wasn't too proud of herself but it was better than not giving back anything and going straight to detention.

Regulus had left the classroom before and she had to slightly jogtrot to catch up with him.

"Black! Wait!" was all she said for the young Black to stop and face her. She was a bit panting.

"How can I help you?"

"I was wondering if you could help me catch up with Arithmancy before the next class, if I'm not bothering and if you're free- "

"Tomorrow, 4pm at the library. Okay with you?"

"Yes, thank you."

"And don't be late."

And with that, they both parted ways.

author's note: i'm still caught up with exams and i feel like it's confusing to start a new chapter after a few days because i take time to update... (at least there's only one exam left so i will post all i want after :D)

also i hope i write clearly, i'm really not sure of my conjugation lol so please tell me if the verbs are in the correct tense 'cause this is confusing me-

anyway thank for the reads and the votes, as always it means a lot <3