You spoke to Regulus no more than ten minutes ago. You'd only had a brief exchange over a shared reference book. However, he held your gaze for longer than was strictly necessary and you even caught the faintest hint of a smirk, which you replayed in your mind during the short walk down the corridor.

But then... you hear voices ahead. Familiar ones.

Barty’s unmistakable laugh first, then Evan’s, Aiden’s… and Regulus.

You slow your steps instinctively, your chest tightening in that mix of hope and nerves you’ve come to associate with him. If you caught up with them, maybe you could say something. Perhaps you could stand beside him and he would meet your gaze as he had earlier.

You’re just close enough now to make out their words.

"You’ve got a little admirer, Reg," Barty teases.

"She practically burns holes in you with her staring. It’s relentless," Evan adds.

Aiden chuckles. "She turns scarlet every time you walk into the room. It’s as if you’ve swept her into an epic romance."

There’s a short, heavy silence. Then Regulus’s voice drifts out.

"It’s irritating," he says. "She’s always hovering. Always watching. Like a stray cat you can’t get rid of."

Barty barks a laugh. "You could be nicer about it, mate."

Regulus doesn’t miss a beat. "Why? It’s pathetic. She blushes if I so much as glance her way. I’d rather she didn’t look at me at all."

Their laughter rises again.

You press your back against the wall as the words echo in your head, looping over and over - 'pathetic… don’t look at me at all… pathetic…'

Something inside you breaks before you realise you’ve moved. Your feet carry you forward into their line of sight.

Their laughter stops instantly.

You lock eyes with Regulus. "I thought…" your voice shakes, but you steady it. "I thought you liked me."

Barty glances between you and Regulus, his smile fading. Evan looks awkward and Aiden shifts uncomfortably.

Regulus tilts his head slightly, as if he didn’t quite hear you. "What?"

You shake your head hard, trying to swallow the lump in your throat. "Nothing," you whisper.

You walk past them quickly, but not hurriedly, because running would show them how much it hurts.

Still... you can feel Regulus’s gaze following you until you disappear around the corner.