After four more hours, the train arrived on platform 9 ¾. Adena had a hard time getting out of it. She was dragging her luggage, Regulus doing the same with it. When she got down on the platform, she walked to the back, telling Regulus to follow her since she couldn't leave him like that. Her house-elf, Pimchin was standing behind the people waiting for Adena and Candace, and luckily for her, her sister hadn't appeared yet.

"Hi, Pimchin!"

"Oh, Miss Adena! Pimchin is happy you again," squeaked the little creature.

"Here's Regulus."

"Hello, Pimchin."

"Oh, nice to meet you M-mister... Regulus," said the elf turning to her mistress who nodded in approbation.

"Pimchin, can you wait for a few moments please."

"Yes Miss!"

She put down her luggage before walking away with Regulus. They were behind all these people, no one was looking at them. She stopped behind a small wall, ready to say her goodbyes to her beloved. The Slytherin boy started patting her head, staring at her with the same fondness as usual.

"Don't be sad, okay, it's only a few days."

She nodded then replied, "Can you give me a goodbye kiss?"

"I guess I can..." And he smiled at her, his hand gliding down until his palm was against her cheek. His other hand went to her waist. The closer he got the more he was smiling. Her arms circled his neck and she smiled giddily at him. Adena closed her eyes and angled her head when their lips got in contact. The soft sensation of his lips gliding onto hers still had the same effect as usual. Millions of butterflies in her stomach, and heartbeat going insane and the liberation of his kiss. It lasted for a few more seconds before he put an end to it. He looked deeply into her glistening hazel orbs then bent down again to kiss her cheeks lightly and she laughed a little. He ended this by a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Did you get enough goodbye kisses to remember me?"

"I think I did but..." She gave him another kiss before whispering, "done."

Not too far away Candace, Lily and Maylyn were observing the exchange.

"Eww," said the blonde.

"They were close also in the train and at every Slughorn's dinner," just said Lily then.

"Candace you may despise him, but you can't admit she doesn't look happy with him. And it seems like he treats her well as well."

"The devil's hiding behind that façade and he'll end up corrupting my little sister. I don't want her to end up by You-know-who's side."

"I don't think this would happen..." reassured Maylyn.

"We can't be sure."

Adena gave one last smile at Regulus before they both parted ways. She ignored her sister as she arrived by Pimchin's side. She took her luggage and her elf's small hand before Apparating at their mansion. It was still the same as usual, it was her home.

After greeting their parents, the girls had dinner with them and they tried to do the conversation but both sisters were hardly speaking. The room stayed in silence for a while, until Candace suddenly spoke up.

"Adena's got a boyfriend," casually said the girl, in a disinterested manner.

Every eye in the room turned in her direction, surprise reflecting into them. The brunette was frozen in place, only fixing her sister.

"What? Is it true?" exclaimed their mother, turning her head and meeting Adena's gaze who was still surprised.

"Merlin's beard, it is, right?" The girl's expression was enough to show the truth before she could even say anything.

"That's incredible. What's his name?"

"Uh, Regulus," blurted out the girl, feeling uncomfortable.

"And his last name?" asked her father this time.

"...Black..." murmured Adena.

"Oh, a Black? What a good family," replied her mother. Adena's parents weren't exactly supremacists but they found a certain reassurance in rich proper pureblood families. However, they were not really supporters of Lord Voldemort. But of course, they wouldn't hesitate to show him support if asked. Like many purebloods, they were good as playing hypocrites.

"Orion and Walburga's son? And none of their sons are mad?" snorted a little Marshall.

"In fact, one of them is. But that's not my friend Sirius. You met him already, you know how he is."

"Sirius is a good boy, yes," agreed her mother.

"But Regulus is not mad," hissed Adena.

"I guess he isn't since you chose to date him. How is he? How long have you been dating?"

"Uh... he's good and we've been dating for two months..."

Candace laughed in a fake way at her words which made Adena glare at her from across the table. "I wouldn't define him as good."

"But he's good to me."

"But he isn't good. That boy's a future Death Eater. If he isn't one already," said the blonde in a harsh tone. Her mother gasped, not expecting to hear that.

The brunette was fed up with her. She got up from her seat, dropping her head down as she said, "I'm not hungry anymore. Have a good night." And she quickly went up to her room. The holidays were already starting in a horrible way.

Just like the last holidays, and the ones before, Adena mostly spent her days in her room. She had tons of homework which were occupying her during the day. She avoided her sister at all costs, keeping food in her bedroom so she wouldn't have to leave it except when her parents came home at night and they all had dinner together. Their mother asked more questions about Regulus which was irritating both Adena and Candace. It seemed like she had forgotten pretty fast about Candace's assumption on him being a Death Eater.

Christmas Eve had a much lighter mood. Their grandmother came which made her happy since she would only see her a few times a year.

Regulus was in Adena's mind from morning to night. And from night to morning. The thought of meeting him again in some days was the only thing making her wake up. Remembering every moment they had during the past year was the only thing making her smile.

She didn't know when, but Candace eventually left to Maylyn's place and she felt less tense. Two days before the return to Hogwarts, Adena asked her parents about sleeping at Eugenia's the next day and they agreed. They said their goodbyes that night.

"Say hello to your boyfriend from me," had said her mother.

"If that Black kid does make you happy, I guess we'll have to meet him," added her father.

"I'll make sure this happens," had told them the girl with a smile.

She was touched by their support. They were the only ones to really support this relationship but they didn't know Regulus. They didn't know about his views and projects. It made her a little worried, but she thought she should enjoy their support for now.

The next day, Adena woke up early to prepare her stuff. She was soon going back to Hogwarts and she was rather excited about it. Some days ago, she had received a letter from Regulus. And just seeing it had made her heart flutter. The letter said:

'Dear Adena,

I hope you are doing well and that you had an enjoyable Christmas.

These past days have been very long without you by my side. The day of our meeting is coming closer and I feel very exalted about seeing you again. 

I miss you dearly. Take care of you.

Yours truly,

Regulus'

When she finished reading, her heart was beating so fast. Even without being in his company, he could have a such a strong effect on her. She didn't wait long before writing back something.

'Dear Regulus,

As you most likely know, my days without you have been very lonely. However, Christmas Eve was a good night, I hope it was for you as well.

I feel like I should tell you now, my parents know about us, but I will give you more details next Saturday.

I cannot wait to be with you again.

With all my affection,

Adena

P.S: I will be coming by the Muggle entrance on Saturday, please wait for me there'

She really couldn't wait to see him. That thought was accompanying her once again as she prepared everything to go back and to attend Eugenia's little party. She kindly asked Pimchin to bring her luggage down to the fireplace as she put on her Ravenclaw cloak over her clothes. Once done, Adena went down to the living-room where the fireplace was. In a few seconds, she appeared in Eugenia's fireplace.

"Adena!" exclaimed the girl as she brought her into a hug, surprising the brunette.

"Hello to you too."

"I've been so lonely, I'm so happy to have you and the others here."

"Are they here yet?"

"There's Noah, he's discussing with my parents in the kitchen. You should meet them."

The redhead girl dragged her to the kitchen where Noah and Eugenia's parents were talking. Upon seeing her, Noah gave her a hug as well. "Wow it's been so long," said the boy.

"Mum, Dad, this is Adena Winsten."

"Hello Adena, pleasure to meet you," said her mother, smiling nicely at her.

"Hello, nice to meet you as well." The girl was surprised none of Eugenia's parents had red hair.

"Let's bring your stuff upstairs." She told the two of them who dragged their luggage up with difficulty.

"Don't you have a house-elf?"

"No, my parents think it's unnecessary since we have our own magic." They were right except that Adena still couldn't use her magic outside class for next eight months.

author's note: i have stats on this story and i can see where the readers are from. and many people are from countries that don't speak english and it makes me happy to see non-native speakers reading this just like i do as well and read others' stories despite not having english as my first language. thank you all :)