"Are you okay?" asked Regulus when they were far enough.

"Yeah, I'm fine," was her curt reply but he knew well that she wasn't. Greeting Lily was just as tense as last time. Lily and James  couldn't look away from the Slytherin and it was the same during the ride.

"Adena? You're quiet. Are you okay?" said Noah hesitantly.

"Yes I am."

"Oh no, did you two have your first fight?" asked Ivanna, feeling really curious, almost excited.

She instantly calmed down when her eyes met Regulus' cold glare while the Ravenclaw completely ignored her. He reached down under the table to take a hold of her delicate hand. Barely a second later, she let her head down on his shoulder. The slightest touch from him was calming her. It had always been like that, even when they weren't dating yet.

As he was soothing her with his caresses on her hand, Lily called them out.

"Black, Flint. It's your turn."

Regulus let go of Adena's hand as she looked up at him with a sad expression.

"We'll see each other after dinner, okay?" murmured the boy.

"Yeah, okay."

"Black, stop wasting time," called out James from his spot and both teens glared at him. Regulus and Ivanna finally left the compartment and as soon as they did, Lily went to sit next to the brunette who ignored her.

"How are things going with your boyfriend?"

"Perfect, thank you. Now mind yours and your boyfriend's business instead of caring about mine," spoke harshly the girl, looking out the window where snow was falling.

"Adena, I'm not your enemy."

"Anyone who hates on Regulus and who disapproves of our relationship is my enemy."

"Actually... I wanted to know how things went with your sister?"

Adena turned around, staring at her expressionlessly. Only her eyes betrayed the anger living in her. 

"She apologized. Even though it looked like she didn't want to and didn't change her mind the slightest bit."

"Oh... But she did the first step at least."

She scoffed, spitting these words, "Of course she did, who else would have done it?"

Lily clearly felt uncomfortable seeing as Adena was not in the mood for a chat.

"I told Candace you looked really happy..."

The brunette was a little surprised but didn't show anything. "I guess you'll stop observing us now then."

"As you could guess, Candace wasn't happy to apologize but she argues with you only because she wants to protect you and hopes you'll realize by yourself he's not the one for you. We all share her opinion," she tried to say reassuringly.

Noah who was quietly witnessing the exchange could feel the bomb coming. And that was when Adena snapped.

She turned to face the redhead girl, pointing her wand at her which she had quickly grabbed. Her glare was hateful. She felt despise for the girl for the first time.

"I told you to mind your own fucking business. Leave us alone!"

Feeling a little frightened, Lily backed away, standing up. The outburst attracted everyone's gaze. James had walked to them.

"Adena, we're just trying to help."

"Help with what exactly?" she yelled, feeling completely angered.

"Dealing with that Slytherin prick, he's bad for you- "

"Shut the fuck up Potter! You're no better than him, in fact you're worse, you bully! I don't need anyone's help!"

And with that she stormed away, slamming the door behind her. She walked until finding the train's restroom where she locked herself up in it. She didn't tend to get angry as easily before, but it seemed like since she started hanging out with Regulus, people had a talent for upsetting her.

After a while, she heard light knocks on the door before hearing a soft voice saying hesitantly, "Adena, it's me..." She got up and unlocked the door to face Noah. "It's our turn."

She nodded and got out and they started patrolling, Noah kept on comforting her at the same time and she felt way better after that. He was such a nice person, trying his best to pacify. Even his presence was peaceful since he was usually so calm.

Being back at Hogwarts felt too good to everyone. Hogwarts was like their second house. As always, the food was great, and the students felt joyful during dinner.

Once she was done eating, Adena looked up at the Slytherin table where Regulus was still eating, conversing with his housemates. He eventually caught her gaze and sent her a small grin that unsurprisingly made her heart flutter. When he was done as well, he instantly got up, and the brunette followed him. A few other students had started leaving as well but it was still early.

"Did you eat well?" he asked as they reached each other's side by the exit. She nodded, walking out then grabbing his hand when they were out.

"Yeah, you?"

"Me too. How were your holidays anyway?"

"Not so good... As I told you my sister exposed us. That little..." she trailed off, sighing.

"And how did they react?"

"Good, actually. My mother was overjoyed and kept asking questions. My father asked about your parents since he apparently knows them. But my sister again said mean things about you, about your projects..." she wouldn't meet his gaze as she said that. "I kept saying you weren't someone bad so I guess they trusted me, but I don't think they would appreciate knowing about your plans."

"I see. At least they support you in your choice."

"Yeah, unlike my sister... Lily confronted me in the train, she said Candace was only trying to protect me, and Potter joined in and I got mad... but I can't understand. Protect me from what?" as she asked that, her sad gaze looked up to meet his worried eyes.

"I'm sorry, they think you're in danger because of me..." murmured the boy. By now they had walked into a completely empty corridor, and had sat down against the wall.

"But they're wrong! I feel safer with you than with anyone else."

He looked at her, touched by the sincerity in her voice and in her hazel eyes.

"Thank you. You know I'll always do my best to protect you even after joining the Dark Lord."

"I guess you will yeah," she whispered before silence fell upon them. After some seconds, she turned her face towards his. His eyes were looking at the floor. She admired his side-profile before whispering again, "Can I have Reg's healing kiss..."

He lifted his grey eyes to meet her hopeful ones. The warmth her hazel eyes held was always so softening. He held up his hand to place it on her cheek as he smiled.

"I'd be happy to kiss you," he said before delicately placing his lips on hers. Both of their eyelids fluttered shut as they enjoyed the light kiss. She turned a little to face him so her hand could fly to his raven hair where it got lost. The kiss was so enchanting, the feeling of it so addictive. Adena had never felt so alive than when he was kissing her. Without noticing, his movements became gradually more tempting, more daring, but she was too focused on following his lead to realize. He carried her through the kiss, and the brunette followed as he deepened it. She loved the deeper connection. Everything felt so much warmer and more intense and she adored the feeling of it. Their kiss changed from their usual soft and loving ones, but it felt as good, even better. They got lost into each other's embrace for a moment, none desiring to put an end to the heated kiss they were sharing. However, they eventually detached themselves. He looked at her and she looked at him. Adena could feel his hot breath fanning her lips, making her want to feel him again but the fact that she was out of breath as well refrained her from doing so. Instead, she gazed in his beautiful grey orbs displaying so many emotions, and she had the impression he was hypnotizing her and even if he were doing so, she would gladly fall into his illusion. Suddenly the brunette felt a tight feeling in her chest. The words that she had repeated so many times in her mind, that got stuck in her throat, she felt the need to say them now, she felt the need to tell him. 

And before she could think, she was speaking them out loud for the first time ever, "I love you, Regulus."

Regulus hadn't thought it could have so much effect on him, hearing her say these words. He had guessed their feelings were mutual, but finally hearing them out loud made him feel so delighted. He was loved. Regulus was loved by the person he loved.

"I love you too," he let out after a while and her lips formed a smile before she went to hide her face in the crook of his neck, her arms holding onto him so tight. She stayed there a while, adoring the sensation of feeling intoxicated by his unique and comforting scent.

author's note: just saying that this chapter marks half of the story (i know it's terribly long!) which means we're starting to approach the end even this will most likely take another 6 months or more. because this has been 6 months since i published for the first time, and actually 1 year and a half since i started writing. crazy really. thank you for reading my story during these last months, it makes me so happy