That kind of meetings wasn't so rare anymore. It didn't become regular since they were happening once in a few days or weeks, but Regulus and Ariel surely had been meeting late at night a lot, in the warm common room, getting to know each other and discussing lots of topics. Sometimes even waiting for each other after patrolling. A few rarer times Ariel came in very late from the dorms. And Regulus would still be waiting for him. He never asked the reason for his lateness, he could guess by the look on his face.

Ariel unexpectedly had a high esteem of himself, was even narcissistic sometimes, which was common for his family, or any pureblood family, not that he would boast openly, but he did consider himself and others superior by having a high intellectual level. Those people would include his brother Lucius, his father Abraxas, probably Narcissa as well, obviously the Dark Lord and maybe some of his teachers and classmates. And happily, he felt like he found an equal in Regulus.

Narcissa had often told him what a great young wizard was his cousin Regulus, stating he was so smart for his age, always got the best grades and such. It of course made Ariel interested in the boy, even before getting to know him. And he wasn't disappointed at all. In fact he was even impressed to discover what potential hid in Regulus whether it was as a powerful wizard or as an intelligent person. He truly enjoyed listening to his opinion on different subjects, which would most often correspond to Ariel's but hearing him formulate his arguments made it so much more entertaining. And he had taken a liking in listening to his voice, that was also true.

One day, Ariel even decided to express his great satisfaction of having discovered such an interesting person in Regulus to Narcissa. Those two were so close, sending each other letters from time to time wasn't uncommon. He would usually update her on Hogwarts life ever since she had graduated or tell her some personal stuff but never had he ever openly showed such interest in one single person.

'Dear Narcissa,

I hope you have been doing well. Everything has been going fine for me ever since I came back to Hogwarts. Recently we, sixth-year students, have been learning how to Apparate. I have been praised for quickly managing to do it. It is without doubt that I will Apparate to your house whenever I get out of school for summer break.

This topic is not actually what I have been intending on talking about. The reason for my letter is your young cousin, Regulus. Ever since you introduced us, we have grown close to each other. I regret not going to him the first time you mentioned him. This boy was a real surprise I must say. I found in him such an intelligent, interesting and even entertaining person, something I had found in no one before, except in you obviously, and I do like you very much too do not worry.

Such an exceptional person is bound to do great things, I am sure, and I cannot wait to be the first to witness those.

Say hello to Lucius, Mother and Father for me.

Stay safe,

Ariel Orson Malfoy'

That night was yet another night of Regulus and Ariel discussing together. Some nights, like that night, when it wasn't very late yet and some people would still be around, the topic was rather light.

"Are you attending Slug Club tomorrow? I don't remember seeing you before," murmured Regulus, slightly amused.

Ariel caught his grin, and obviously couldn't hold back his own. "I admit I've been skipping this year even though I still get invitations. I endured enough last year. It was too boring for me to come back this year. But I'll be waiting for you after if that's what you want..."

"No. Don't let me suffer alone please," replied Regulus with fake exhaustion in his tone of voice.

Ariel chuckled upon hearing this. "But I don't want to go though that again," he replied with his usual sly smirk placed on his features.

"But I do, though."

Ariel stared at him, right in the eyes, his smirk turning into an amused grin as he watched how serious looked Regulus even though he too was smiling.

"If I'm not too lazy I might come..." sighed the blonde boy, feeling resigned and a smug look appeared on Regulus' face.

The next day seemed like a normal day for Ariel. He woke up, greeted some housemates before going up for breakfast and starting this day of classes. He was mostly thinking about how excited he was for the weekend since he could finally rest a little. However, at the end of his long tiring school day, when he came back to the common room, someone reminded him that some event was planned.

Regulus Black was sitting elegantly on one of the sofas, in a rather fancy suit, looking like he had been waiting for Ariel.

"It starts in 15 minutes. I'll be waiting for you. You surely have a suit, don't you?"

"Yes..." only groaned the boy, passing by Regulus directing himself to his bedroom, not missing his satisfied look of course.

It took him some minutes before finally going back, finely dressed up in a suit, his locks of fair hair styled and parted on his forehead. He didn't look much different than usual, but the charisma he gave off was surely affecting the younger boy.

"Ready?" asked the blond boy as he fixed Regulus with one eyebrow arched.

The raven-haired boy only nodded before directing himself towards the exit, being closely followed by the older boy.

As they walked together, in silence, they met someone in the corridor, a few meters away.

"Hey Snape! Wait for us!" called out Ariel.

Severus Snape turned around, his eyes looking for the annoying person who disturbed his track of thoughts, before groaning and turning around again.

"He doesn't really appreciate me I think," murmured Ariel to Regulus, not looking the slightest bit hurt by Snape's attitude, and even smiling a little.

"He doesn't really appreciate anyone."

"True."

Together, they arrived some moments after Snape. Slughorn felt delighted to see them.

"Regulus, my boy, welcome! Oh and isn't that my dear Ariel? You've been missed at the last dinners my boy!"

"Is that so? That's good I could come back today then," answered Ariel, offering one his charming expression to the teacher before taking one of the last empty seat around the table, Regulus sitting by his side. He offered some greeting smiles at the other guests, mostly the girls who would most often look ravished by the gesture, except when they were Lily Evans, an annoying Gryffindor who was also a Muggle-born. And he knew it, but every time he would greet her as well.

"How come you haven't been able to attend my last dinners, Ariel?"

"Oh, I apologize sir. The thing is that I somehow felt sick right on those days. It was only hazard of course, it's rather strange isn't it?"

"Right. But as long as you're doing good now, it's all that matters. Well, let's have a drink now," he said now, lifting up his glass of wine.

Once again, Regulus was fascinated by how easily Ariel got to dupe his teacher. It sounded true, everything sounded true whenever it came out of Ariel's mouth. Even a way older teacher could get fooled as merely.

The dinner continued in a jovial atmosphere, mostly entertained by Slughorn himself, or by the dull conversations he would share with Ariel. Regulus listened to everything, from the moment he said Slughorn got greetings from Abraxas and Lucius, to the moment Ariel started talking about his last five months of school with so much grandiloquence, just enough to impress Slughorn, although he could get impressed by the most futile thing, probably. But hearing such beauty in Ariel's voice and words was so pleasing.

"Slughorn really enjoyed having you," stated Regulus once they were outside his office, where they ate a delicious dinner. They of course, had stayed later as Slughorn seemed so entertained by Ariel's stories.

"You think so?" replied Ariel with a satisfied smirk while undoing his tie.

"He looked as seduced as if you were talking to a girl."

"Great then. But you know he appreciates you too. He never missed a chance to compliment you, I noticed. He does that with the others too, but he surely counts you as a collection member. Unlike some others, you have both the family reputation and the intelligence."

"Well, you too," just answered Regulus sounding disinterested. He didn't know what to answer to such compliments coming from Ariel himself.

"Yes true, but I'm talking about you. You can hardly accept a compliment, how cute," said laughing the blond boy while letting one of his arms fall on Regulus' shoulders. And the younger boy, said nothing, he just walked.