caught his eye.

It was a new year at Hogwarts, and everything felt right again — the magic, your friends, the laughter echoing through the halls. You had always considered Hogwarts home. So did Regulus Black.

You didn’t know him yet.

Regulus was part of that Slytherin group everyone either admired or avoided. He was the quiet one, lingering behind the rest. Returning to Hogwarts felt like breathing again. Still, he didn’t know you either.

After your first week, you decided to join the Slug Club. You liked Professor Slughorn, and your best friend Astoria had joined too. Why not?

Regulus had been a member since first year.

⸻

At the Club

Regulus entered with his friends, trailing slightly behind them. He sat quietly, reviewing his notes. Then, a soft chuckle and the creak of the door caught his attention.

He looked up.

You had just walked in with Astoria.

For a moment, Regulus froze. He didn’t usually care much for girls, but Merlin — you were something else. His gaze stayed fixed as you made your way to your seat, unaware of him across the room. His friends noticed. Their smirks said it all.

Regulus forgot his notes entirely. Blaise leaned in.

“Ask her out.”

Regulus blinked.

“W-what? Who?”

“Oh, don’t be dim. Her!”

Blaise grinned. Regulus quickly looked back at his parchment.

“I… have no idea who you mean…” he muttered.

The boys chuckled. Theodore leaned forward.

“What’s the worst that could happen?”

Regulus said nothing, hoping they’d drop it. Draco clapped him on the shoulder.

“Come on, Reggie. Slip her your owl number.”

Regulus groaned.

“I don’t…slip numbers. She’ll say no, or laugh, or—”

“Now’s the time,” Blaise interrupted, sliding a scrap of parchment.

“Write it down. Be a man, Reg.”

Regulus sighed. His hand trembled as he picked up his quill. Now or never. He wrote the number down, friends snickering softly.

⸻

After the Club

You stood with Astoria, gathering your things. Regulus’s heart hammered. His feet moved on their own — stopping behind you. He tapped your shoulder.

You turned, surprised. Your eyes met his — everything seemed to stop.

“I’m… uh…” he stammered.

He rubbed the back of his neck, face red. You waited, smiling softly.

“I’m Regulus. Um… would you want to… go out sometime?”

He stared at the floor, sure it was a disaster waiting to happen. You’d say no, or laugh — then you spoke.

“Oh, really? I’d love that.“

Regulus forgot how to breathe.

“What?..”

“I’d love to.” you repeated gently.

“Oh—okay! Um… here, my owl number,” he said, handing it over with a shaky hand.

You took it with a polite smile.

“Perfect..I’ll write later. See you around.”

You walked past, leaving him stunned. His friends swarmed him.

“He did it!” “About time!”

Regulus barely processed it. You said yes — to him.

⸻

Timeskip

A few days later, Saturday was tomorrow. You and Regulus had been writing back and forth, planning where to go. He suggested a quiet Italian bistro in Hogsmeade — charming and just your style.

⸻

Saturday

You stood outside the bistro patiently, hands in your coat pockets.

Across the street, a car pulled up. Tom drove, Theodore in the passenger seat, Blaise and Regulus in the back. Regulus sat stiffly, dressed in a black button-up and dark jeans, a small bouquet trembling in his grip. His eyes found you immediately.

He looked at his shoes, shaking his head.

“I can’t,” he muttered.

Tom rolled his eyes.

“You can and you will. She’s waiting.”

Blaise smirked.

“She said yes once. You’ll be fine — unless you spill wine.”

The boys laughed — all except Regulus. He took a deep breath, staring at the flowers.

“I’m killing all of you if this doesn’t go well.”

He exhaled sharply, pushed the car door open, and stepped out.