The following days became colder, winter slowly but surely establishing itself at Hogwarts. Adena started using this excuse to get into Regulus' arms.

"You can't always be that cold?" had chuckled the boy on one cold day of November, as they were sitting together in the library during one of their free periods which was supposed to be used for homework.

"Yes, this is exactly what happens," said the girl, trying to hold back her laughter as she looked at the boy she adored in front of her.

"Just say it if you want a hug."

"I just want you to keep me away from the cold so hush," she murmured before nuzzling her face in his neck, his raven curls tickling her face. That behavior coming from her was unexpected for Regulus. She was growing more and more affective. Not that it bothered the boy, he would gladly return the gesture.

But in fact, Adena wanted him to warm her cold heart. Since the argument with Candace, her words had left her heart sore. That was the main reason why she would prefer to melt in his comforting embrace. The young Ravenclaw hadn't told him about that but she could only guess he knew. He always knew.

Every time they would cross paths with Candace, Sirius or even James, the Slytherin would hold Adena's hand tightly, sending them a glare as she chose to keep her gaze on the floor, not ready to face her sister. He made her stronger than she was but deep down she was still weak in front of Candace. She wasn't ready to confront her sister. The brunette was already thinking about the next holidays, becoming nervous at the idea of living two weeks in the same house as her, even though she would probably escape for most of that time. Unconsciously Adena was also slowly distancing herself from her Ravenclaw fellows. From the beginning they weren't into Regulus, and they continued being hostile to him. And now only his presence was comforting.

One day, Jacob eventually found out about them. Isaac had already guessed that, Noah too but she also confirmed that to him one night when they were patrolling. It was a Thursday morning when Jacob realized that. After breakfast, when barely anyone remained in the Great Hall, Adena and Regulus stayed a little behind, just to share a few kisses before parting ways for class. The others didn't have to ask her why she was trailing behind but Jacob who had been clueless from the beginning became confused. And so, seeing she wasn't following he went to look for her not expecting to see them so close.

"Eh? What are you two doing?" asked suspiciously the blond boy, even though it was pretty obvious. They put some distance between them. Jacob dragged out his wand, pointing it at Regulus who stayed unmoving, frowning at him, not showing any fear. "Put your filthy hands away from her."

"Jacob, you better take that back," muttered Adena, pointing her own wand at him now. She gave him an angered glare, returning the one he was addressing Regulus.

"What the fuck are you saying Adena? He had his hands all over you!"

"Mind your own business," spoke the girl more curtly.

"What's your fucking problem? Are you two dating or something?"

"Yes, that's the case!" shouted Adena at him, not being able to hold back her anger.

"Out of all the boys you choose a Slytherin prick! Don't you know the kind of things he can do? Especially in those times? That's the stupidest thing you've ever done!"

"Jacob, you better shut up right now. I won't hold back," she answered coldly, walking towards him, the words probably hurting her more than it did to him.

"You've changed Adena. I thought that was in a good way, but you just caught his evilness," he spat scornfully.

She widened her eyes as he left them. She could feel Regulus place a hand on her back, rubbing it slowly.

"Why do I mess up every relationship I have? Why can't they understand or at least respect my choices? I'm so sorry he has been such a jerk." She didn't notice the tears rolling down her cheeks but eventually her eyes became blurry. The girl hid her face into her palms as she let out her tears of anger and sadness. She was tired of this.

"I'm sorry," said Regulus as he wrapped his arms around her.

"But... it's not your fault..." And yet, guilt wouldn't leave him.

That argument with Jacob had really hurt Adena. After all the anger dissipated, she felt extremely sad just like the one with her sister. It had put tension in their group, so the girl decided to distance herself even more. But of course, it couldn't stop her from talking with the girls in their room or with Noah when they were patrolling. Still, she felt really lonely. She remembered her first years at Hogwarts, how she had a hard time getting close to others. Except that now, she had Regulus by her side. Whenever she was with him, she felt better. That boy was erasing any negative feeling just by his presence. Adena wasn't sure if all the stuff happening was making their relationship more fragile or stronger.

"Please, don't think about that kind of things," had he said with a worried frown, his thumb giving soothing movements to her hand.

"I can't help, I'm sorry. I just can't stop thinking that I'm sacrificing my other relationships to be with you and that such negativity is bad."

He sighed, a knot in his stomach forming as she said that. "It's not your fault. They are the dumb ones, they should realize they are sacrificing their relationships with you because of their stubbornness."

"What if they never do?"

"Don't worry, we're in this together if they turn their back completely. Just stop with these negative thoughts, it worries me." Especially talking about making our relationship more fragile, wanted to add Regulus. But he didn't want to appear selfish by telling her he was scared about her breaking up with him one day because of that.

"Regulus. You're the best," she said, smiling fondly at him.

"There, I prefer your smile," said Regulus, grinning as well. He placed his hand on her cheek, caressing it, looking deep into her beautiful eyes. She got closer, sensing the look he was giving her and then, closed the distance between their lips. Regulus' healing kiss. It always felt perfect. The way his lips moved so gently against hers was so intoxicating. The Slytherin boy was so sweet every time they kissed but the tingly sensation, she felt in her body just made her lose her mind. The young girl could never get bored of this. Regulus will never not have any effect on her. It was impossible. Just the way he held her in his arms, with such force but so much softness at the same time, made her legs weak. It has been weeks since their first kiss, but she was still so reactive to his touch, which was almost her own obsession at this point.

When he detached himself, he could feel her smile and so he let out a low chuckle.

"You're smiling more now."

The brunette looked up into his grey orbs, her cheeks turning pink at his words. 

"It's Reg's healing kiss."

"What?" he chuckled again.

"A kiss from you that makes everything better," answered the girl, with her smile becoming brighter.

"Reg's healing kiss hm? You're so strange Adena."

It only made her laugh. His eyes had reflected pure adoration as he was saying these words, it could hypnotize her. She had heard many rumors about them these days, saying Regulus would manipulate her and turn her into an evil witch. It wasn't totally untrue, but she wouldn't say he was manipulating her, no, that boy was enchanting her. Just as she thought that he dived back into another kiss, just as magical and perfect as the previous one.

Holidays were coming closer and closer. It could easily be guessed by the huge Christmas tree in the Great Hall or the snow that had started falling at the beginning of December. Slughorn had also announced the date of his Christmas dinner, that would again take place the day before the departure. Even though the sixth years had many essays at the end of this semester, the atmosphere was still lighter in class. Today, in DADA class, they were learning the non-verbal spells. Their teacher had asked them to find a partner for practice. That year, Regulus and Adena shared this class and so it was obvious they wouldn't separate themselves. The more time she spent in his presence, the more she was falling for him.

"We'll start today with a simple disarmament charm. Not something else, especially spells that could do harm. Now start."

Adena stared at Regulus, in seriousness, focusing on her goal. The brunette was the first one to use her wand.

"Go ahead, darling," said the boy, the corners of his lips twitching as if he was containing his smile. Adena couldn't help but laugh. The couple wasn't into that kind of lovey-dovey nicknames; Regulus had once told her he preferred much more for her to call him by his name, it sounded more special. And so, these nicknames became more of an inside joke between them.

"Stop distracting me or I'll have to switch partner."

"You would never."

"That's true."

The Ravenclaw calmed herself down, and then waved her wand gracefully in her boyfriend's direction, while she spoke the formula 'Expelliarmus' in her head. To her surprise and Regulus' as well, his wand flew into her second hand.

"Good job, Miss Winsten!" exclaimed the teacher from the other side of the class. She smiled then unconsciously crossed eyes with Eugenia who smiled excitedly at her.

She gave his wand back to Regulus. "Your turn, baby." He almost choked on his saliva at the word she used, and she burst into laughter again.

He then went into position, doing the same movement as she did before, the same formula in his mind and her wand flew up.

"Very good Mr Black! I suggest you try the shield charm now."

Everyone was looking at them, wondering how they managed to do that.

"Your turn again, Adena."

She nodded, placing herself into position as he did the same, their wands pointing at each other. She spoke the formula, but this time the boy's wand didn't fly into her hand.

"I guess you managed to form a shield, I'll try too."

She spoke 'Protego' in her head and the result was that she kept her wand. She was very satisfied in herself. Noah who was by her side, whined desperately.

"How you two manage to do that..."

"I don't know. We just do as told and it works." As he said that, they could hear a little scream of victory coming from behind. They turned around to face Eugenia who seemed completely delighted.

"I did it! I did it!"

Adena laughed lightly as she watched her. Her partner, Millie looked so happy for her as well.

"Congratulations Miss Hawlins but now you all shall go back to work!" said the teacher and calm returned.

Adena and Regulus continued together but it was getting boring for them, they started chatting instead while some students managed to execute their non-verbal spells.

author's note: hi, it's september, are y'all going back to school too? i still have a few days before starting class and i'll be skipping the first day to go to a concert lol but whatever. i hope you guys are doing well despite school staring, i know it can be hard sometimes. take care<3