Adena eventually had to come back inside if she didn't want to freeze on a bench of the courtyard. The girl entered the castle without that much energy, she was walking slowly, watching everywhere if there was anyone. It must have been after lunch, so people were probably in their common rooms already. She was taking step after step, at a slow pace, her body shaking a little from the cold, not that she cared. And she met someone inside, by a window. It could have been anyone, but it had to be one of the people she most wanted to avoid.

"What are you doing here?" asked Regulus, his eyes a bit wide in surprise as he watched her frozen state enter the large hallway.

"Taking a stroll... you?" she muttered through her shattering teeth, not looking at him as she passed by him.

"Same, I was just watching the snow fall before you came."

"Then continue," the girl replied, not turning around, but he did, walking behind her, at a safe distance.

"Are you cold?"

"No," was her short and stern reply even though it was clearly a lie.

Suddenly, she felt something wrap around her. The brunette's wide eyes glanced up at Regulus, his Slytherin robe now wrapped around her shaking body.

"What are you doing?" she whispered, her gaze now stuck on the floor as he was closing his much larger robe on her, facing her.

"Preventing you from having hypothermia," replied his monotonous voice.

"I didn't ask," she whispered again, but accepted the gesture, nonetheless.

"Stop being a stubborn child, idiot," he said as he wrapped an arm around her shaking shoulders, bringing her close to him so he could share some of his warmth.

"Tch," was all she answered as they started walking. She couldn't lie, his warmth was welcomed after staying in the cold for hours.

"So, what was the real reason for you staying outside until you were freezing cold."

"Clear my mind, calm down..."

"Because of your sister?"

"Hm... yeah... did you hear what she said?"

"I heard everything," his voice was still calm, and his face was unreadable, not showing any emotion regarding what had happened.

"I'm sorry you had to witness this-"

"No, I'm sorry for being a bad influence for you. Now people hate on you for hanging out a few times with me."

"Don't say that! It was also my choice! I don't care what others say, I do what I want."

"If you say so..."

"And there's nothing wrong with that anyway. We're classmates and we're both prefects doing what we have to do. They're the ones with a problem," her voice sounded irritated and angry as she said that.

Regulus felt somehow touched she was defending him and the relationship they had built these past few months. He knew she was sure of herself but deep down he didn't want her to argue with people she appreciated because of this.

"Anyway, I hope you won't catch a cold. Make sure to warm up you when you arrive."

Adena appreciated his somehow care and answered with a smile, "I'm already warmed up, thank you."

"That's not enough, idiot..." he whispered, continuing to lead the way to the Ravenclaw common room.

And when they arrived, Adena distanced herself from him, taking off his robe to give it back.

"Thank you for saving me from hypothermia," said the girl in seriousness, making Regulus roll his eyes at her.

"Take better care of yourself next time."

"Okay, see you tonight then," she replied, turning around.

"Wait- you still wanna patrol with me?"

"Yeah you're somehow... entertaining."

"Your friend isn't?"

"He's probably funnier than you, but you're not that bad Black." She then shrugged with a small smile, before entering her common room.

The boy chuckled before going back to his own common room.

"Adena! Where were you? We were so worried!" said Millie, coming to Adena when she entered the room.

"I was out."

"Outside? In this cold?"

"Yeah, why. It was cool."

Millie just looked at her with wide eyes.

"Well, I'm going in the bedroom," said the brunette before disappearing in her room.

"She's weird. I wonder how she's dealing with what happened this morning," spoke up Jade, her tone worried.

"This is girls stuff, right? Then you should talk to her."

"Uh? This isn't about girls' stuff?"

"Well, if there's really something between Black and her..."

"We don't care about him Jacob! She fought with her sister, and in front of so many people!"

"Okay, okay."

"Jacob, you're such an idiot sometimes," sighed Isaac.

"Come on, I can't be the only one wondering if they're dating."

"If she said they aren't then, let's trust her. We all know she doesn't care about dating, especially him, a Slytherin and a Black..."

"His brother's not that bad," interrupted Eugenia.

"From what I heard from him, he's one of the rare sane ones in this family," answered Jade.

"Why would Adena befriend Black then. I mean he is mysterious and all, but going as far, that's not like her in the first place."

"He looks a bit odd also..." whispered Millie.

"When we were in the prefect compartment, he seemed only interested in what Adena was saying, even though Flint and I were there," muttered lowly Noah.

"Oh no, that git's gonna steal our girl if it keeps going!" shouted Jacob.

"I don't think he'd get interest in a stupid Slytherin girl and a half-blood – no offense – so that's understandable."

"Well whatever happens between them is none of our business. She isn't into dating, and said there was nothing between them, so that's it," concluded Jade, earning some hums.

Adena got down again when it was time to eat dinner. She took a nap for some time, enjoying the comfort and warmth of her blankets very much. She had recovered from the wincing cold and was feeling better.

"Oh, hello Sleeping Beauty," Jacob's flirty voice said when she came into the common room, going to sit next to him on the couch.

"What?" she replied, one of her brows arched in confusion.

"You have a pillow mark on the cheek."

"Oh, I slept a lot."

"It's an interesting style."

"Just shut up, you're already annoying me," she closed her eyes and sighed in an exasperated manner.

"Guys, I'm so hungry, can we go eat now that Adena's down," whined Noah with a pout.

"You're such a baby, Noah," laughed Jacob.

"I'm the youngest after all."

"I was born one month later, though."

"You look old sorry," Noah said, laughing.

"Let's go you morons," interrupted Jade before Adena could say anything back.

They made their way to the Great Hall that was already crowded. Adena didn't dare to look at the Gryffindor table. She felt now guilty. She had made her sister mad, two weeks after forgiving each other. She had badly messed up, but what else could she do, Candace seemed to be the one bothered after all. It was also Sirius and that Potter's fault. Patrolling in the corridors with Regulus was her own business. Why did they have to be nosy and put their noses in others' personal lives. She should be mad at them and only them, but Candace hadn't been the best today neither.

She sighed before starting to eat. The nagging thoughts about that stupid argument wouldn't leave her so soon.

Like during many evenings of the week, Adena found herself in the company of Regulus Black.

"You're not feeling sick?" asked the boy, trying to hide the slight concern in his voice, making the girl smile.

"No, I'm fine. I may not look like that but I'm strong you know."

His care was always surprisingly touching to the young girl. Even though she would prefer others not to care about her, it was quite pleasant at the moment.

"I hope for you, if you continue hanging out in the cold like that."

"It's okay if you're here to warm me up after," she said teasingly, but it just made the boy embarrassed.

"It's not funny, you should take better care of you," he muttered quickly, trying to cover up his sudden embarrassment.

"I know, you already told me," she whispered quietly, not noticing it made him more embarrassed.

The night was quieter than usual, they did have small conversations, but to Adena it wasn't a surprise considering they had been two weeks apart and that the scene that happened that morning could have made things awkward between the two. The brunette wouldn't ask him his opinion on the subject since it could make things more awkward and she didn't want to hear about that stupid argument anymore. She had felt humiliated by the words of her sister. She was glad Regulus didn't try to mention this as well. They came back at the usual time, saying good night to each other before heading to bed. The Ravenclaw only hoped the next day would be better.