Regulus impatiently waited, tapping his fingers against his arm. She was never late. Neither of them was, no matter how much they despised patrols. Yet, here he was, standing alone, growing more irritated by the second. Patrolling with her had become routine, something familiar despite the annoyance it brought. He’d flirt, she’d turn red with frustration, threaten to hex him, and occasionally, they’d even have a civil conversation. He wouldn’t admit it, not even to himself, but he found her presence oddly comforting. When their rounds ended, he lingered longer than necessary, reluctant to part ways.

Another ten minutes passed. Still no sign of her. He clenched his jaw. Leave it to her to get under his skin without even being present. He just wanted to get this over with and return to his dorm, though sleep would likely evade him. His insomnia had worsened under the weight of his family’s expectations and his growing responsibilities to the Dark Lord. He needed a distraction. Perhaps Alecto Carrow. She’d be more than willing. Merlin knew she had a talented mouth. But something about her unsettled him, maybe it was how she seemed unnervingly obsessed with him. He couldn’t quite place it. His irritation sharpened. Where the hell was she? Just as he was about to curse aloud, she rounded the corner, meeting him at their usual starting point. “Come on, let’s get this over with,” she said impatiently. Regulus raised a brow. Some audacity she had making him wait and then getting mad at him. She scoffed. “Are you coming or not?” He smirked. “Whatever you say, love.”