Ch 24

                                    

                                          
Authors Note- I'm so sorry about not updating for so long, job changes and school starting again soon. Plus, major lack of motivation. I've been working on other projects as well.  I'll be updating more often now that things are starting to settle down and I'm becoming re-inspired.
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Daphne was excited as she skimmed her closet looking for something to wear. She was also incredibly nervous. She had two hours until she was supposed to meet Regulus in the entrance hall and yet she wasn't even dressed yet. She couldn't figure out what to wear. 
After mulling it over in her head and getting ridiculously frustrated she settled on a black mini skirt with tights, a cream-colored sweater and her black boots. Her hair was set in its typical loose curls a small cream-colored bow pulled her hair back. When she finished getting ready, she quickly grabbed her purse and rushed out to meet the younger Black. 
Regulus was a nervous wreck as he stood at the Entrance Hall waiting for Daphne. You would never guess as he stood calmly in his nice clothes twisting the ring she had gotten him for Christmas. He wore black slacks and dress shoes. His typical black button down and coat the only piece of color was his green Slytherin scarf. He looked like the proper heir of a pureblood family.
Daphne stood at the top of the stairs gazing down at the boy. Sirius Black was an attractive guy, obviously, but Regulus Black was the kind of beauty that could only be handcrafted by God himself. His sharp features and black curls that were just barely messy making him still look very put together. He was tall and slender and in many cases people would find him intimidating. 
Removing herself from her thoughts she walked down the stairs to the boy with a smile. The butterflies in her stomach went haywire as he walked towards her grabbing her hands gently pressing a kiss to the backs of her hands. The two hugged greeting one another excitedly before walking out to head towards the carriages to get to Hogsmeade. 
Little did either know that a short distance away stood Sirius and his friends. They had watched the entire interaction the three boys shared a sorrowful look as they saw their friend watch with jealousy. Why does he get everything Sirius thought to himself. He wanted her to admire him. He wanted her to smile and dress up for him. Of course, it was Regulus who got it though. Their parents love, admiration, approval, perfect grades, perfect composure, control. He got everything. Sirius hated it but never hated Regulus. It wasn't his fault but now that he had Daphne, well now he couldn't do anything but hate his little brother. 
As Daphne and Regulus walked through Honeydukes with a small basket of sweets. Regulus couldn't help but laugh at the girl's reaction. She had eaten an earthworm flavored jellybean, her nose scrunched up in disgust as she forced down the jellybean. 
"I don't know why I keep trying, I always get the worst ones!" She exclaimed with a chuckle as Regulus threw his head back in laughter. 
"I don't know either, I stick to jelly slugs and chocolate frogs. Everything else is too much of a risk." He smiled as he took the small basket from the girl putting it on the counter. It contained many different sweets. It held a few of his treats but it was mainly for her as she picked strawberry sugar quills, acid pops, peppermint toads and chocolate. He quickly paid for the sweets, grabbing the bag before pulling the girl out of the store with him. 
"Where to next, love?" He asked as he laced his fingers with Daphnes. She blushed at the action before clearing her throat. "I need to get more ink and parchment." she said quietly. 
"Okay let's go then." He said with a nod before pulling her into the store. They grabbed her school supplies including a few new quills and a book or two before leaving. He then pulled the girl into The Three Broomsticks. "Go grab us a booth, I'll get us drinks." He said the girl nodded with a smile before scurrying off to the corner of the pub by the fire. 
The first thing he saw when he walked into the three broomsticks with Daphne was his brother and his loud friends sitting at a small table near the bar. The date had been going well, fantastic even, and he didn't want his brother ruining it. So, Regulus moved to the bar ordering a hot chocolate for Daphne and a butterbeer for himself. He was attempting to be quick, but the bartender was moving slower than a snail. 
"So does she hate you yet?" the familiar voice of his older brother rang in his ears. Regulus clenched his jaw plastering a fake smile on as he turned to his brother. 
"You wish" Regulus said in a fake pleasant tone. 
"I really do." Sirius mumbled mostly to himself. Regulus rolled his eyes scoffing lightly.
"You know you could just be happy for us." Regulus said. He was trying to be civil. He knew Daphne still cared for Sirius at least as a friend. Sirius scoffed loudly before laughing. 
"As if I'd be happy about my future wife fraternizing with a death eater." Sirius spat irritably.
"Wow, I knew you were out of it Sirius but I didn't realize how absolutely delusional you are." Regulus chuckled shaking his head. "First of all wife? I'll be surprised if you two become friends again anytime soon. Second of all I know you think lowly of me but I'm not a death eater." the younger Black defended. 
"Not yet, but in time you'll see." Sirius said with a menacing grin before grabbing his drinks and walking away. Regulus shook his head as he paid for his drinks before taking them and making his way to Daphne. Sirius' words were eating at him. He couldn't understand why Sirius hated him so much, why he thought so lowly of him. Why couldn't Sirius be happy that him and Daphne were happy. They weren't technically together yet, but they were actively seeing one another, and things had been incredible. 
Sirius never noticed her, never noticed the love she carried for the boy. Sirius didn't want her so why was he so angry? Regulus continued to think wondering what was so wrong. He had incredible friends; he escaped their hell of a family. He was free, he had a real family, and women practically threw themselves at his feet. Sirius Black had everything so why did his brother hate him so much.
"Reg?" Regulus was shaken from his thoughts as Daphne called his name softly. "Is everything okay?" She asked quietly. He had zoned out and Daphne couldn't help but think that maybe he had lost interest in her. 
"Of course, I'm sorry I was distracted." He admitted ashamed. She smiled softly at him understandingly. 
"It's okay I get lost in thought sometimes too. I'm a good listener if you'd like to talk about it." She said looking at him with a sparkle in her eyes. Regulus couldn't help but smile as he looked at her before shaking his head. 
"No, no it's fine." He chuckled. 
The rest of the afternoon was spent making bad jokes and laughing. They talked about classes, family, friends, and different interests learning more and more about one another. Regulus watched as her head tipped back laughing loudly as one of his terrible jokes. His heart swelled and he knew he would never be able to go another day without hearing her laugh or talk. He would never be able to go without seeing her smile.