What Really Happened: The Regulus Black Story

Chapter Three: Research

"Hermione?" Regulus called through the closed door. He heard a grunt in response. "Can I come in?" Another grunt. He took it as a yes and walked inside. "What's up?"

"I can't believe people didn't believe you. I mean, why would you want to go back to that...thing when he did all of that stuff to you? Why Regulus, why?"

"I don't know. People could think I'm spying or something."

"Spying on what? He's dead."

"So?"

"Yeah, I see your point." She fell back on her bed again. He laid down next to her, she smiled. "What are we going to do now?"

"Save Sirius?"

"Okay." She jumped up and ran out of the room to another door he had missed before, or that she just made appear. "My library. I disillusion it. Books are important." She mumbled as he walked in, looking around in awe.

"Woah."

She smirked. "Okay, look through these books and see if you can find anything about the veil."

"You have the books all picked out?"

"I've been doing some research too." She smiled sheepishly and blushed. He burst out laughing. "What?" She asked indignantly.

"You're unique. But in a good way." She blushed again.

They spent the next 4 hours looking through books to find stuff about the veil. If they found anything relevant, they'd write it down and put it in a pile to go through later. They would have kept reading if Regulus' stomach didn't begin to growl. Hermione looked up at him and smiled. "Hungry?"

"A little."

"Let's eat." She stood and went to the kitchen. "What do you want?"

"Whatever."

"Sandwiches?"

"Sounds good. What can I do?" He asked, standing next to her.

"Hmm." She looked around. "Get plates and cups. There's chips in the cupboard and milk in the fridge."

"Fridge?"

She laughed. "Big white thing."

"Oh." He blushed. They continued to make lunch and ate in comfortable silence. From then on, their days mostly consisted of researching the veil and chatting. Every day, they became closer. By the end of the week, and the end of Hermione's vacation (she had taken 2 weeks to herself for personal research), they were as close as Hermione and Draco. Speaking of Draco, he and Harry had visited, along with the other believers, throughout the week, to see how Hermione was holding up. They were all pleasantly surprised with her happiness, and didn't fail to notice the bond between Regulus and her.

It was Sunday and Hermione found the most exciting bit of information. "Ooo, listen to this. 'The veil is a mystery. It could be imminent death, but some believe it is just a space between worlds, where you don't age and you never get hungry, like you're dead, but you're not actually dead. You can come back, if there is enough love in the heart of the rescuer and enough preparation for the 'beyond', by said rescuer'."

"So, Harry?"

"That's what I was thinking. Or you."

"Me?"

"Yeah, why not?"

"He probably blames me for the Potters' deaths. I could've warned them, stopped it."

"You tried. He'll forgive you, don't worry." She went over and sat next to him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. He hugged her back, stroking her hair. "Reg, we've done tons of research, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, let's go out."

"Where?"

"I don't know."

"Dinner?"

"Sure, we need something well cooked anyway. Lately all we've eaten is sandwiches and cereal."

"Very true." He laughed. "Get ready, my treat."

"No you don't have to Reg, it's really no big de-"

"I want to." She smiled, jumped up and kissed his cheek, causing him to blush madly. Thankfully, she didn't see it because she had rushed out of the room to attempt to tame her hair for her 'date'.

"It's not a date Mione, it's only dinner with a friend. Get a hold of yourself." She whispered under her breath. Unfortunately for her, Regulus heard every word of it and laughed out loud from the doorway. She spun around. "What's up?"

"It can be a date, if you want it to be."

She blushed. "You heard that?"

"Yeah." She blushed even more. "Hey," he walked over to her, lifting her face up to look him in the eye. "Will you go out with me? Not as friends, as my date?" She smiled softly and nodded. "Great, see you in a little while." He bent down and kissed the corner of her mouth. She smiled even more and watched him walk away. When she was sure he was out of earshot, she squealed under her breath and fell back on her bed, sighing contentedly. Then she sat up quickly, mentally slapping herself.

"Hermione, what's wrong with you? It's a boy? A very hot boy. But a boy nonetheless. Get a grip." She mumbled once again, under her breath. She smiled and giggled girlishly. "Aw, who cares? He's amazing. I'm going out with Regulus Black!" Then, she rushed to get ready for her DATE!