Adena felt weird when she woke up the next morning. The memories of the moment she had spent in Regulus' arms were still fresh in her mind. Another night to replay in her head to keep her awake, she thought sourly. When she went to the bathroom, she noticed how puffed her eyes were after having cried so much last night.

"Eugenia, can I use your makeup please?" said the girl through the door of the bathroom they shared. The redhead replied she could without questioning, and after washing her face she put some make up around her eyes and lids as best as she could. She wished she knew a spell to remove the swelling. She didn't take too much time in the bathroom as her three roommates had to go in as well. She quickly put on her glasses before leaving, hoping it would hide her eyes well enough.

She made her way to the Great Hall, expecting to see Regulus. She needed to thank him, or maybe she just wanted to see him, but the first option sounded more right. She made her away to the Ravenclaw table, quickly spotting her three male comrades. When she sat down, Jacob looked at her strangely before yelling, "Damn, you look awful!" getting the attention of people around.

She glared at him, hissing, "And good morning to you too Jacob, you look as great as ever."

Her words were obviously sarcastic, but Jacob being Jacob replied in a flirty manner.

"Aw Adena, you're finally recognizing my supreme beauty."

The brunette completely ignored him, drinking her morning tea. She hadn't realized how dry felt her throat until she swallowed the liquid. She reached out to the pitcher, pouring herself a glass of fresh orange juice as Jacob passed her his exemplary of today's Daily Prophet before she could ask for it. She was reading it quietly as the girls arrived, the morning starting normally. Except there was still no sign of a certain Slytherin boy. He had maybe overslept, just thought the girl, not dwelling on it too much as the Ravenclaws made their way to their Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

The brunette had decided that today, she would pay attention. And that was what she did for the whole morning. That was until she spotted Regulus Black sitting at her usual table in the afternoon's class. She had already noticed him the Great Hall for lunch. They had barely exchanged glances when she entered the room. She was planning on thanking him at their next class. But she hadn't expected him to be sitting where she would usually sit. She left Eugenia's side who glanced back at her with a sly grin, having noticed the raven-haired male as well. She squinted her eyes at her, sending her a stare that said 'fuck off' before sitting down on the chair at Regulus' left.

"Good afternoon, Black," she said in her usual calm voice. Last name basis, instantly noticed the boy.

"Good afternoon, Winsten." They were avoiding each other, maybe feeling just a little hint of awkwardness after what had happened last night, a rather odd situation for people who didn't know each other that much.

"Feeling better?" he said, his voice barely over a whisper as he took out his stuff.

She glanced at his face for the first time since she entered the room. Sensing her gaze, he turned his head towards her, falling again into her soft hazel orbs.

"Much better, thank you for asking. And thank you for yesterday. I'm sorry that happened again..." , the young Ravenclaw replied quickly, hanging her head down in slight embarrassment.

"No, it's okay, I already told you that, didn't I?" he tried to sound comforting, but it seemed more difficult today. He even tried to reach out to hold her hand but refrained from doing so.

"Yes, but still..."

"Stop babbling nonsense now. You should focus before losing tracks. Not that, it's much of a problem for you I think..." he said plainly, but thinking his teasing words would make the girl smile. She noticed his teasing through the cold tone and Regulus knew he had succeeded. She started taking down notes and he side-glanced at her, finding a small smile tugged on her lips as  expected.

The teacher gave the students an exercise in the middle of the lesson. The quills were scribbling down answers, Adena doing the same but Regulus decided to interrupt her studious working.

"When's your next patrolling round?" he asked cautiously, his voice a soft whisper. It still made her tense up.

"Tomorrow night. Why?" she said, not looking up from her Ancient Runes book.

"I'll come pick you up at quarter to nine." The Slytherin went back to his exercise and she turned to him this time, a bit confused.

"Why?"

"So, I can keep distracting you, like I am doing now," he just answered. His response surprised her but she smiled afterward, returning to her work.

Adena told Noah about the patrolling change after parting ways with Regulus. He looked at her in confusion.

"But why?" he looked unpleased by the change of situation, probably not enjoying the fact he had to spend his time in the company of a Slytherin, especially since he was a half-blood, and the Slytherin prefect was probably aware of that.

"I don't know," she just shrugged nonchalantly, "It's not about you of course."

"It's about yesterday's night, I know..." he said quietly, not sure if he should bring this back up.

Adena gulped down anxiously before answering, "Yes, it is."

"I know you feel safer in Black's company. I guess it's for the best. If you feel better at least." Noah smiled at her.

She smiled back, putting a hand on his shoulder as she said, "I don't think Ivanna Flint is that bad, don't worry. Just remember she accepted to do this."

Or maybe Regulus forced her to, she would have to ask him, already preparing scolding words if it was the case.

"Right. It wasn't as awkward as I thought it would between me and her yesterday."

"Oh, so you stayed together for the rest of the shift."

"It was about to end actually. But yeah."

They continued to talk for a while in a corner of the common room, enjoying each other's company.

The next day went by smoothly for Adena. She didn't get the best classes, starting with History of Magic, but she felt ready to be productive. As always, she was one of the rare students still awake at the end of the class. Adena had thought many times that this class was actually interesting. Getting to discover some of the most important eras of the wizarding world as well as some of the most important wizards of the past centuries, it sounded really entertaining. If only they changed that boring teacher, it would maybe make the subject more attractive.

After class, she lent her textbook to Jade who was by her side for her to copy whenever she had time. Knowing half of her fellow Ravenclaw classmates would be copying off her textbook, she would always make sure her notes were neat and clear so she could avoid any questions if someone couldn't read her handwriting. It had been going this way for four years and a half now. Since people had discovered how far from enjoyable this class was. But more people were borrowing her textbook this year since it was their O.W.L.s year. Sometimes, the Ravenclaw wondered if she couldn't just leave those idiots in their own mess.

During lunch time, the young girl realized she hadn't got any news from her sister these past days. She turned around to watch her talking cheerfully with her housemates, like she would do on any other day. When Candace was mad, she would usually sulk for a few days before going back to her sister who seemed unfazed like always. Adena only hoped it wouldn't last too long as she didn't want to have her sister ignoring her during the whole winter break.

She tried hard to get this out of her mind during lunch, even attempting to have a conversation with the girls, but she just kept quiet after five minutes, not wishing to talk anymore. At least, Divination class would distract her, she thought. She still had some time before it started so the young girl, being the studious person she was, was already digging into her homework for the next week. Not that she enjoyed the activity that much, she was just keeping her mind busy, and it wasn't like she had any other things to do anyway.

Jade and Eugenia went to her when it was time.

"Ready for some Divination? I hope that old hag won't rant too much today."

The boys and Millie would join them after their class of Care for Magical Creatures.

"Yeah, I hope so... for once even Adena seemed to be dozing off," Eugenia chuckled at the memory.

"I lost tracks after fifteen minutes I admit... Stanwix was a bit too... passionate," she replied while taking her bag and walking towards the exit.

When the three girls arrived, the room was plugged in the same mystic atmosphere as the other days. They greeted Professor Stanwix, went to their seats and waited for the others, who came in rather late.

When the students finally arrived, half an hour late, Millie just whispered "We lost the crups" as an explanation for their lateness when she passed by Eugenia and Adena's table to join Jade behind them.

Luckily for them, Professor Stanwix hadn't lost her mind that day and was making some typical activities which once again made more than one student burst into laughter. Adena had slightly chuckled along with the students at some moments. Their teacher was funny without intending to after all.

author's note: i really like this story, i honestly think it's not that bad. when i finished writing it, i thought it was so good and i was proud of myself. then i started writing another story right after and thought 'this is for fun, it won't be better'. i edited it 2 days ago and, not wanting to spoil but, i bawled my eyes out at the end. i did better with this second story for sure. and i want to publish it so bad but i want this one to be read first :(  i think i'll probably start publishing it around june-july, and not wanting to spoil again but this would be the perfect time to publish if you know what i mean :D

not me writing this without being sure people even read this

i want to publish another chapter because this one's kinda boring, i'll see

anyway i've restart reading my favorite book, and in english this time. the book where there's noah in too (the story was already finished when i discovered the book, but i like to think that these two noahs are kinda similar)