Noah Ackerman was sat in the Great Hall with his friends for the last breakfast before the summer holidays. They were sitting at the Slytherin table as they also switched where they sat and now they had two Slytherins with them, so it was only fair to sit at the Slytherin table more often.

Regulus Black was sat next to Noah, holding the smaller boy's hand under the table. Noah was blushing and smiling the whole time as his group of friends talked, while Regulus was smirking.

"Aww," Jessica cooed as she caught Noah and Regulus stealing a glance at each other. "You guys are so cute." Noah blushed at that but he couldn't deny that he thought the same thing.

Many people had thought that it had been quite strange when Regulus Black started hanging out with Noah and his friends. Everyone was wondering what was going on, even making jokes saying that the world was ending. Eventually, most people started to accept it as normal however, they were still many people who gave Noah, and sometimes even Regulus, glares and sneers of disgust.

Regulus just smiled and wrapped his arm around Noah's shoulders, unfortunately having to let go of his hand as he did so. But he was happy. It felt right to Regulus, if only it could last forever. But he knew it couldn't.

---

Noah, Ash, Regulus, Ankita and Jessica were all on the train, sharing a compartment together as they left Hogwarts.

Regulus was once again holding Noah's hand and the Hufflepuff couldn't help the blush that crept up on his cheeks. Even though the two had been 'together' - or whatever it was that they were - for a few weeks, Noah still blushed and stuttered around Regulus. However, thanks to the Slytherin, Noah's stuttering had lessened considerably.

Noah's friends had begun to tease him again but Regulus being the great 'boyfriend' that he was, distracted them. He directed their attention towards Betty and Andy, whom they did tease until they got bored. And by 'they' it was pretty much only Jessica as Ankita doesn't care about that sort of thing and Ash had been looking rather upset ever since Regulus and Noah got together. Regulus clearly knew why - while Noah didn't - and whenever they were around the platinum haired boy, he purposefully was overly affectionate with Noah. Not that Noah minded, although if he knew why Regulus was doing it, he definitely wouldn't have been so happy.

Jessica, Ankita and Ash started talking about their summer plans, while Regulus and Noah stayed quiet. Noah because he was simply enjoying being with Regulus and his friends. And Regulus because the Black boy didn't know what he would be doing. He didn't know if he would return to his family home, or find somewhere to live and never go back. He was sure his parents wouldn't be happy when they found out about Noah. With Sirius being a disappointment, Regulus was the Black family's only hope to continue their legacy. But Regulus didn't want that. He wanted to explore his own path, be like Sirius in a way - not that he would ever tell his older brother that.

When the train finally arrived at the station, Noah was sad but he knew it wouldn't be long before he saw his friends again. And he'd be sure to write all of them during the summer.

Noah said goodbye to Ankita first and it was quick as they only muttered goodbyes to each other as Ankita wasn't one for dramatics - or emotions.

Next was Jessica who had started to cry as she hugged Noah tightly. "Promise you'll write me?" She asked with a sniff as she pulled back from the hug.

Noah smiled at her softly and nodded his head in affirmation. "Promise." He said without a stutter. Jessica quickly left after that, not wanting to continue crying in front of others.

It was a bit awkward to say goodbye to Ash, as they're friendship hadn't quite been the same since Noah got with Regulus. And poor Noah didn't know why but he wanted to hold out hope and keep trying to be friends with Ash.

He gave Ash a hug and whispered in his ear, aware of Regulus' eyes watching them carefully. "I p-promise to write to you t-too. I'll really m-miss you, Ash."

Ash smiled brightly and promised that he would write to Noah as well and after giving an awkward nod to Regulus, Ash left. That left Regulus being the last person Noah had to bid farewell to.

"I'll write to you over the summer, all right?" Regulus said, somewhat nervously from what Noah could tell, but he didn't dwell on it. Instead, he smiled and nodded his head, confirming that he would do the same.

Noah was expecting it this time as they had done it quite frequently, but it didn't stop his heart from racing when Regulus bent down to give Noah a soft kiss.

And all the while Noah could only think, 'I'm so grateful for Herbology.'

------

AND THATS A WRAP (sorta). ALSO, IM NOT TOO PROUD OF THIS CHAPTER BUT I WANTED TO UPLOAD IT ANYWAY AND FINISH THE BOOK AND LATER ILL COME BACK AND EDIT IT.

OK, SO THE REASON WHY THIS IS SORTA THE END IS BC WELL, THE EPILOGUE IS GOING TO BE VERY SAD AND WILL NOT HAVE A HAPPY ENDING. SO I WANTED TO WARN YOU ALL OF THAT AND IF YOU WOULD RATHER LEAVE THE STORY WITH THIS ENDING, THAT IS COMPLETELY FINE. BUT KNOW THAT YOU SHOULDN'T READ THE SEQUEL EITHER AS UNFORTUNATELY, IT WILL BE QUITE SAD AS WELL. AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO READ THE EPILOGUE, YOU BETTER HAVE YOUR TISSUES HANDY.

OTHERWISE, HOW DID YOU GUYS LIKE IT?? WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN NEXT? WHAT DO YOU THINK I CAN IMPROVE ON/CHANGE WHEN I EDIT THIS BOOK? PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR GUYS THOUGHTS!!

AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WONT BE READING THE EPILOGUE, I HOPED YOU ENJOYED COMING ON THIS JOURNEY WITH ME AND EXPERIENCING ME FINISH WRITING A BOOK FOR THE FIRST TIME!!