The students quickly finished their breakfast this morning as class was staring very soon. The Ravenclaws made their way to the DADA classroom just as quickly. On the way, Adena was unconsciously trailing behind. Fingers brushing slightly against her hand brought her out of her reverie.

"Good morning, Regulus..." said the girl, addressing a smile to the boy beside her.

He savored the moment when her soft voice said his name before replying, "Good morning, Adena."

Saying her name felt so good. It was so pretty, it suited her so perfectly, unique name for such a unique girl.

Upon arriving Regulus took Adena's usual seat which confused the Ravenclaw.

"What are you doing?"

"Just sit at my left," he said, not looking at her he was taking his stuff out. She just sat without any more questions, doing the same. He was watching her, waiting for her to finish before talking again. "Now, can you give me your right hand please?"

She arched a brow, not understanding much but let her hand fall on his palm, nonetheless. His fingers wrapped gently around her smaller hand, brushing the soft skin.

"I'm confused..."

"I noticed many times that the skin of your hands is so soft. I can't help wanting to touch it. I don't want to prevent myself from doing so anymore." As the boy was talking, his thumb started rubbing circles on top of her hand. That sudden confession surprised Adena a little but she let him do so. She wasn't really a fan of physical affection, but she appreciated the little gestures and displays of affection she received from Regulus.

"What class do you have next?" asked the boy.

"Divination," she replied as she started writing, with her left hand obviously.

"It's okay if I wait for you?" his voice seemed a bit unsure as he said these words.

"It's fine."

And some hours later, after Divination class had ended, Adena found Regulus waiting outside the classroom, guessing he had a free period. She only noticed she had missed him the moment her hazel eyes fell upon him and the urge to be close to him appeared.

She let her classmates walk in front of her before moving towards the Slytherin male who was leaning against a wall.

"I hope you don't mind walking with me before eating."

The girl chuckled at his words. "Of course, no. You're of good company. You've always been of good company." And that sentence made the corners of his lips turned up.

"Let's go then." And he started walking by her side. Much closer than usual she noticed but it wasn't bothering her at all.

A few students were walking in the hallways, some going to eat and some going back to their common room. Adena would rather enjoy her free time with Regulus. Suddenly, the raven-haired male stopped, and the girl noticed no student was walking there anymore. He turned to face her, and she looked up at him, just to see him bending forward to her height. He captured her pink lips in a soft kiss before distancing himself. He smiled at her flushed face before walking again as if nothing had happened. Adena strolled back to his side and grabbed the sleeve of his robe to stop him. He looked back at her, and her skin was still tinted in a crimson shade, her lips looking so kissable as they formed a little pout. In his eyes, Adena looked so adorable.

"Again..."

"What?" he laughed lightly.

"Kiss me again..." she answered with a little frown, avoiding his gaze.

Regulus smiled more softly at the rare sight; her bashful expression made her much more adorable than before, he couldn't resist. He placed his large hands on her warm cheeks, guiding her face to his before meeting her lips with his own. She melted into the kiss, closing her eyes to feel the full sensation of his lips. It lasted for a few seconds, but it was enough to daze both.

They started walking, this time hand in hand. Even after several minutes, the sensation of Regulus' warm, sweet lips would linger on the brunette's lips. The noises coming from the Great Hall were audible, the entrance just a few feet away. Before parting ways, Adena cupped his cheeks, bringing him down for a last goodbye kiss, then she entered the room, trying to regain her calm.

The following days were different than usual for Adena. She would meet with Regulus between classes to exchange a few kisses or just any form of sweet affection, and it never failed to make her heart flutter as well as her stomach exploded with billions of butterflies. She wasn't recognizing herself. She had become a completely different person in his presence. Her feelings were so confusing as well. She enjoyed every single second with him and every single gesture he shared with her and each time she only wanted more. Every time they were together it was like they were in their own happy world.

Adena had a hard time hiding the amount of joy that had burst into her recently. It was like a rebirth. She was feeling such intense things. She wanted to show how happy Regulus made her, but the fear was preventing her to do so; she decided only him would witness that, and she liked the idea of sharing this secret with him.

The students were invited to their first Slug Club dinner of the year. The two teenagers were barely listening to any word that their teacher was saying, mostly focusing on each other and their own conversation. But the brunette felt someone bring her out from that conversation. Eugenia was nudging her and suddenly she heard,  "And for the new members of the Club, here are my top students, Miss Winsten and Mr Black. Who seem a little dissipated tonight," laughed heartfully Slughorn.

Regulus must have looked more serious but Adena couldn't wipe off the silly grin off her face as her confused gaze looked around the people of the table, noticing for the first time some of them.

Nobody questioned her odd behavior anymore, but it was confusing everyone. From her fellow Ravenclaws to her sister and her friends but she didn't care. They could ask anything, she had nothing to tell them.

Having alone times with Regulus was now part of her schedule. Whether it was for two minutes or one hour, she enjoyed every one of these moments. It may look like the sixth-years were busy with classes and homework but Adena and Regulus always managed to find themselves together. She couldn't get used to any of his touches or kisses and every time, it still felt as exalting. That change in their relationship had completely altered her as well. Not only she felt happier than she had even been but after some time she managed to find the confidence to initiate affection with the boy. Even though it was as simple as pressing a kiss onto his cheek or taking his hand, it would leave her blushing madly but it only made the Slytherin boy more content as he adored every reaction she had.

The only thing they haven't mentioned yet was their feelings. It was very clear they liked and trusted each other very much, but to Adena, some things needed to be said. A part of her was still afraid he might not like her the way she did. Even though these negative thoughts would leave her as soon as she was in Regulus' arms again. However, like she had repeated many times, the brunette didn't care about dating so their relationship without any status was fine for her. At least she thought.

For several weeks these changes have been on going. Stolen glances in the Great Hall, stolen touches every time they passed by each other in the corridors or were in the same class, and the stolen kisses quickly exchanged so nobody would suspect anything. But the girl was starting to fear they were becoming too obvious. She especially felt nervous when her sister asked about their relationship once.

"Adena... you still hang out with that Slytherin git?"

"What? Who?" answered the girl as innocently as possible even though the anxiety crept in her stomach at the mention of Regulus.

"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. Sirius' brother."

Candace wouldn't say his name and she had noticed.

"Oh, you mean Regulus Black. Well, yeah I still hang out with him sometimes," said coldly the young Ravenclaw.

Her sister sighed then said, "I talked with Sirius again recently. He keeps saying the same thing. That jerk isn't someone you can see. He said he was bad, very bad, and dangerous, all twisted by his insane mother- "

"Candace," interrupted the brunette with a stern voice. "Why are you telling me this?"

"To warn you."

"Well, thank you but I don't need your warning. I'm old enough to make my own choices."

"Don't act like you're old enough because you're sixteen. You're just a naive child if you can't see his evilness. He's like all the Slytherins. Trust Sirius, he knows his brother better than you do."

"Really?" hissed Adena. "Maybe he used to know him but not taking any news from Regulus in three years means he doesn't know him anymore."

She gave her sister a glare before leaving the confused girl in the middle of the hallway.

That afternoon, Regulus and Adena found themselves in the library as they decided to work together on their Transfiguration essay.

"My sister keeps annoying me about you," she muttered as she tip-toed to grab a book way too high for her.

"Is that so?" said Regulus, not really interested by what that stupid girl had said again. He got closer to her as he spoke, grabbing the book she wanted easily and giving it to her.

She glared at him before saying, "I'll grow taller you see." And he laughed. She fairly knew she would never be able to close the distance between them.

"Anyway," she said, leaning a little onto the bookshelf and opening the book. Regulus got closer to her, but she didn't mind. His fingers slowly glided into her soft brown curls as he looked at the book as well.

"She again told me many things about you. I swear she keeps getting on my nerves with her mean words..." Adena now sounded almost sad. She cared a lot about Regulus and all these things affected her. "And so, I tried to defend you in the best way I could..."

"You defended me?" he uttered right away, surprise visible in his grey eyes.

"Yeah, 'cause she brought up your brother, saying he knew you better than me and that's why he was supposed to be right when he said that you're just a Slytherin prick and I shouldn't hang out with you.."

"You told her it wasn't right?"

"About what?"

"Him knowing me better than you."

She glanced up from the page she was trying to focus on, noticing only now how close his face was to hers.

"I told her this couldn't be true since he didn't take any news from you in three years."

"Unlike you..." he said sadly, looking deep into her hazel eyes.

"Yes, I'm not like him..."

"Thank you, Adena," Regulus then said, his knuckles caressing her soft cheek.

"It's normal..."

author's note: i love that part too, i love romance

anyway thanks for reading, even if not a lot of people do, it makes me happy