S O R R Y
xxvi||what happens now?
Waking up the morning that they're due to go back to school is surreal and strange for Maria, feeling as though the holidays have gone rather quickly this year as she changes into some blue jeans with a black top which used to be Sirius', that says 'Queen' across it in red letters across the chest and she slips on a jacket, grabbing her trunk and trudging down the stairs of the Potter Manor with a glum expression on her face.
"You look happy." Sirius remarks sarcastically as he joins her, taking her trunk off her and making her sigh in relief as he does so.
"Oh yes, very." Maria replies in the same tone of sarcasm, heaving Tiger's cage down the staircase as Sirius drags their trunks behind him. They meet James in the foyer along with Euphemia and Fleamont who had decided to hand the job to another auror — Alastor Moody — whilst they stayed with Maria, James and Sirius at home for the remainder of the holidays.
Arriving at Kings Cross station, Maria is yet again getting glares from all angles as she now walks with not only Jams and Sirius, but Remus and Peter as well. Sirius winks at a few girls that giggle and whisper to their friends and Remus rolls his eyes at his friend's attempts to woo the muggle girls. Peter is blabbering to James about something to do with the war and how his parents are ever so worried about them all.
"Ladies, first." Sirius smirks, letting Maria stroll past him and through the barrier whilst the other's keep a look out for staring muggles. She's soon joined by them on the familiar platform, the scent of fireworks and fuel from the train invading their nostrils and the sight of the gleaming Hogwarts Express before their eyes.
"Be careful." Euphemia says as she straightens Maria's jacket, smoothing it down and Maria rolls her eyes but Euphemia gives her a pointed look. "I'm not joking, Maria, stay safe. Stay away from anyone suspicious—"
"That means Slytherins, sweetheart." Fleamont adds and Maria shoots her father a 'really?' look and the man shrugs. "What? They're always really suspicious!"
"Yeah, yeah." Euphemia waves him off, going to give James and Sirius the whole, 'be good and look after Maria' talk.
A few meters from them, Maria sees Walburga and Orion Black stood tall and proud, Walburga staying something sternly to Regulus who looks completely ready to get away from his wretched parents right this second.
Orion looks her way and she averts her gaze quickly, making the man purse his lips and set his jaw, looking back at his son.
"Remember what we said about that Potter girl, boy." Orion warns, nodding left and Regulus frowns, looking over, his storm filled eyes colliding with chocolate ones that instantly look away. The sixteen year old swallows, the apple in his throat bobbing prominently as he nods curtly to his parents who nod, looking around in disgust at the other families seeing their children off.
"Go."
Regulus doesn't have to be told twice.
"There you are!" Alyssa exclaims as Regulus enters the compartment occupied by her and Stan, the two blondes looking worried. "What happened over the holidays? We've only heard rumours."
Regulus goes on to explain what had happened that dark, Christmas night and by the end of it, Alyssa's hand rests gently over her parted lips and Stan is leaning his elbows on his knees with a thoughtful expression on his face.
"What are you going to do?" The blonde boy asks him and Regulus sighs exasperatedly.
"I don't know."
[][][]
The great hall is filled with loud gossiping and chatter about the Christmas holidays when Maria strolls in with Remus, her hair in two messy braids down her head and both of their Gryffindor tied slung around their necks loosely, their robes billowing behind them softly as they walk. Remus is telling her about a strange type of magical parasite he'd read about in 'Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them' called an 'obscurus'.
They finally reach James, Sirius and Peter and slide into the benches, Maria not being able to spot Clarissa or Danielle yet, noting they're probably further up the table near the staff one.
"Hola, encantadora." Sirius greets cheerfully and Maria gives him a strange look. "I'm learning Spanish because my parents taught us French." Maria nods slowly, sharing another strange look with Remus who shrugs, used to Sirius' wild behaviour.
"Anyway, where's Lily?" Maria asks and Sirius perks up, slapping a hand on the wood.
"ella está ayudando a un primer año a encontrar el hospital."
"Sirius, I have no idea what you're talking about." Maria deadpans and Sirius sighs exasperatedly.
"She's helping a first year find the hospital wing." Sirius says slowly and Maria nods slowly and exaggeratedly making Sirius scoff and kick her foot under the table softly.
Dumbledore steps up to his lectern and holds out his arms, making everyone's chatter lessen as the students look towards the headmaster.
"Welcome back, welcome back." Dumbledore says cheerfully. "I'm sure you all had an incredible time with your families over this Christmas, now it's back to school! No doubt you've all read the daily prophet, so I have no shame in telling you to keep your guard up anywhere that isn't this castle's grounds, these are dark times for us all. Now, tuck in."
The golden plates are suddenly filled with steaming food and their goblets fill with pumpkin juice. Sirius makes a satisfied click at the back of his throat as he reaches for the roast potatoes. Maria takes a potato from his plate making him give her a deathly glare and snatch a Yorkshire pudding from her plate.
"Twat." Maria mumbles, taking another from the trays in front of them as Lily joins them looking done with everyone. "What's up with you?"
"That bloody first year." Lily breathes with a small roll of her forest green eyes. "Got his blasted finger trapped in the carriage door."
James and Sirius laugh quietly to themselves and Peter glares at them. Maria fights the urge to smile, knowing that Peter had accidentally down the same thing in the boys fourth year. Maria's eyes wonder around the room and lock with storm filled ones, they keep their gaze locked on each other for a few seconds.
Regulus finally tears his eyes away from her, looking back at Alyssa who was already looking at him sadly, Stan blabbering about the newest broomstick that came out last week, called the Cleansweep 100 that's meant to be the fastest model yet. Rebecca is also sat with them along with a dark skinned girl with forest green eyes and curly hair, Rebecca's best friend — Hazel.
"What are you staring at?" Rebecca smiles, sliding a hand up and down Regulus' shoulder and Regulus swallows, shaking his head but he sees Maria look at them and roll her eyes, looking down at her plate and Rebecca frowns when she sees who he's looking at. "Come on Reg, you can do so much better than a Gryffindor."
"Really?" Regulus asks snappily, standing up and strolling out of the hall, leaving Stan confused asking where he went and Alyssa shakes her head at the blonde boy who frowns but sighs, leaning back stubbornly.
Maria watches Regulus leave and locks eyes with Sirius who gives a tight lipped smile and nods towards the door. The brunette smiles at him, standing up and rushing out of the hall after him.
"Where's she going?" James questions in confusion, watching his sister stroll out of the hall and Sirius scratches the side of his head.
"Uh—you know—girl problems." Sirius shrugs and James nods slowly, going back to his conversation with Lily and Remus about their N.E.W.T's.
Maria slowly walks up the cold, metal steps and onto the astronomy tower, where she sees the familiar head of tousled hair, his elbows resting on the railing as he looks over the grounds, the sun beginning to set behind the many green hills in the distance.
She walks over and leans on the railing next to him, looking out over the grounds, looking at the glistening waters of the black lake and the whomping willow's branches shaking off a bird's nest.
The duo finally face each other, Maria purses her lips as she stares up at him.
"You saved me—"
"We shouldn't be friends anymore—"
They both speak at once and Maria's eyebrows furrow slightly as she stares up at him, Regulus not daring to look her straight in her chocolate brown eyes as she looks at him somewhat hurt.
"What? What are you talking about, Regulus?"
"We can't be friends—anything at all—anymore."
"Why?"
"Because—because I mean do you know what happened a few days ago!" Regulus exclaims and Maria rolls her eyes with a loud scoff.
"I think I do recall being there, yes." She snaps sarcastically and Regulus sighs exasperatedly.
"Then you must understand why I can't be around you." Regulus says almost pleadingly as he stares down at her and she folds her arms.
"Why? What could possibly happen that would be so bad, because we're—something!?"
"You could get killed because of me!" Regulus shouts at her, stepping back and running his hands through his tousled hair. "Don't you get that? Do you understand who my family is! The same people that tortured you! The people involved with fucking Voldemort—Maria they can't know that I—I. . ."
"What?"
Regulus lets out a breath of frustration and Maria sucks air in.
"If this is because—I don't care about you're family Regulus—they—I know they're bad but—"
Regulus made his decision and suddenly lips are on hers, Maria stands shocked for a second and Regulus quickly pulls away, running a hand through his hair.
"Shit—I shouldn't have done that." Regulus rambles, his eyes wide. "You don't—"
Maria steps forwards, placing her hands on the back of his neck and pulling his lips down to hers again, his hand tantalises her fair skin, the coolness of his thumb as it runs along the junction where her jaw and neck join. The contact from his lips on hers is foreign, like kissing him is a whole new language she has to learn as her fingers tangle gently in his dark mess of tousled hair. His other hand slides down her arm slowly and to her waist softly, pulling her closer if possible.
Sure, they'd both kissed people recklessly, Regulus had been tangled bare in another's sheets, Maria's lips had been locked on another's. But kissing each other, that they've never done, neither had ever done something this reckless. It's like a first kiss all over again, the same perplexity and unknown area's for them to touch. A magnificent feeling of horror, passion and anger all blended into one touch of their lips. No butterflies or fireworks erupted inside Maria, nor Regulus, more like a roaring bonfire in the pits of their stomach's along with someone slicing the built up tension around them with a sharp blade. Waves of sensational emotions flood their senses, like a humongous tsunami that's swept away entire cities, the kiss sweeps away all of Regulus' worries and all of Maria's confusion.
Slowly, Regulus and Maria pull away, staring into each other's eyes. Their eyes a mixture of relief and terror, terrified of what might come next, what might happen now.
What are they going to do?
[][][]