"The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is."

-Winston Chruchill

He hurried to his last O.W.L exam of the year, History of Magic. He did not have time to think about how much he despised the subject because he had to focus all of his attention on making it to the test room. He had started some sort of war between the Marauders and the Death Eaters on that night in April. Most of it was Sirius attacking the Death Eaters –his favorite victim being his younger brother. The Death Eaters did their fair share of attacks, too, but they were not picky about which Marauder they got. Soon enough, all of the Marauders joined in on the war. Regulus had to be extremely vigilant while in the corridors since he was the four's usual victim –it was as if they forgot all about Snape.

He let out a breath of relief as he scrambled into the testing room –he had now been able to avoid being ambushed for the past three days. Now, he had a just as big problem on his mind –how the hell was he suppose to get at least an A in this bloody subject?

Regulus sighed in contentment as he stretched out in the grass beside Vala. She looked over at him and smiled, taking his hand in hers. He was pretty sure that he had been able to get a passing grade in his last O.W.L. and now he was relaxing in the summer sun. He shut his cold grey eyes and let the sun warm his face as he listened, amused, to Roiser and Avery bickering about at whom Slytherin girl had winked. Regulus yawned loudly and drifted into a light sleep.

"Hey, look who it is. Little Miss Mudblood! What are you doing here?" jeered Avery.

This remark woke him from his short nap. his eyes fluttered open to see to whom his fellow Slytherin was talking.

Regulus' eyes widened in shock as they met a pair of once familiar, strikingly blue eyes. He brought his hands to his face and rubbed his eyes vigorously, thinking that this must be a dream. When he removed his hands he saw that Aaralyn still stood above him. He looked up at her, dumbfounded.

"I asked what you are doing here!" sneered Avery once again.

Aaralyn simply ignored Avery's rude remarks and, looking directly at Regulus, said, "I need to talk to you, Regulus. Now."

He tried to read her face for any sign of emotion but he was unable to find one. As he pushed himself up from the ground, he felt Vala's arm snake around his chest, holding him in place. "Why do you need to talk to him?" Vala inquired, in a tone that was anything but friendly. Regulus actually picked up on a hint of jealously that he always heard when she talked about Aaralyn.

The dark-haired Ravenclaw raised her eyebrows slightly at the redhead and replied cooly, "I don't remember asking to speak with you –I'm more than sure that I said 'Regulus'."

Vala looked taken a back but swiftly spat out, "Aww, the Mudblood has an attitude. Cute."

Regulus pried Vala's arm off him and said, "That was uncalled for, Vala." He rose to his feet and followed behind Aaralyn, knowing that he probably did not want to actually hear whatever she had to say.

She headed over towards the small bench that flooded his brain with memories of snow angels and happiness. He grimanced as he forced these memories from his mind –they caused him too much pain to recall. Aaralyn took a seat on the bench and patted the opposite side for him to sit. He complied and joined her.

Aaralyn looked at him, her sky blue eyes not leaving his face. "Why did you attack Remus?"

Regulus took in a deep breath in –this was not what he really felt like discussing with her. "You're a little late in asking –I mean, that happened about a month ago…"

She pushed her long, black hair behind her shoulder and sighed. "Yeah, I know. Remus only just told me why this little war between the Marauders and the-" she paused and looked over at him, " –and the Death Eaters started. He said something about you using an Unforgivable Curse on him… Why? Why did you do that, Regulus?"

He felt his heart clench when she spoke his name with such obvious disappointment. "I had to pick someone," he told her, trying not to outright lie.

"So you just happened to pick my boyfriend?" she questioned, skeptically.

Regulus winced when he heard her refer to Remus as her boyfriend. "I guess so."

"Do not lie to me –I just want to know the truth."

"I told you the truth," Regulus snapped, avoiding her eyes.

Aaralyn shook her head in irritation. "I'm not stupid, you know? I can tell when you're lying. Why is it so difficult for you to tell me the truth?"

He huffed loudly –he was getting pretty sick of this conversation. "I don't see how it is any of your business…"

She cast him a look of anger but she bit her tongue before answering. "I want, no, I need to know because I'm sick and tired of you guys cursing each other everytime you get the opportunity –someone is going to get hurt. Sirius is your brother and you two shouldn't hate each other! I want to help you guys get along again."

"Well I don't think that you helped with that problem. I mean, you were the one who told him that I was a Death Eater –I don't think that that overly helped with our issues. Anyways, I'm not the one that hates him –he hates me."

"Regulus, can't you just let that go?" she asked him, annoyed. "I was trying to help you –you already know that! Sorry for caring about you!" Her voice rose as she went on. "Just tell me why you attacked him and I'll leave you alone!"

Regulus got swiftly on his feet and shouted at her, "You want to know why? I'll tell you! I did it because I… I… Just leave me alone!" And with that, he turned and stalked off in the direction of the castle.

Oooo, what was Reggie going say to her??? Don't forget to review!

Thanks Mew for betaing! I know I said that I hated cliffhangers but I couldn't help but use one for this!