Unbeknownst to Regulus, Sirius never got the letter that he wrote, having him believe that his older brother, truly wanted nothing to do with him. For days, he kept an eye out whenever the post was delivered to the other students, his hope that one of the owls would drop a letter in front of him. At one point, he didn't even care if his brother had sent him a Howler, just getting something back would mean the world to him. However, with no letter in sight, Regulus was becoming discouraged.

He thought about writing another one but figured it was only going to be a waste of parchment and time if Sirius didn't wish to speak with him. But even the slightest bit of desperation had him checking the Owlery every day to see if the little owl he had chosen had returned. And eventually, it didn't go unnoticed by Éponine as she became curious as to what he was looking for.

"Is there a particular letter you're waiting on?" she asked one morning after Transfiguration as they walked alongside each other. "You've been wanting to head to the Owlery practically every day. And in the mornings, you're always the first to look out for the incoming post. What's going on, Regulus?"

With a sigh, Regulus adjusted the strap of his bag over his shoulder and glanced over at her.

"Look, I didn't want to bring it up initially because I know you were upset about what happened at Hogsmeade. I don't know if you've spoken to Sirius since then, but I wrote him a letter. You wanted to tell him in person and I respected that, but I figured he really needed to hear it come from me, even if it wasn't face to face. I told him that he had been right all along and that I'm working to change my life around, but I don't think he believes me. Not that I'm surprised though."

Éponine reached out one of her hands and placed it on his shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze.

"I've sent a few letters myself, Regulus," she said, "and he hasn't responded to any of them either. I think he's just in shock right now. It might be best to give him the time and space he needs to wrap his head around all of this. He reacted similarly when I first told him, he thought it was all a big trick of sorts. I think by the time the holidays roll around, he'll come around as well. But just in case, I've already written to Tonton and Tata about us staying with them if Sirius isn't so welcoming."

"I'm sorry, Tonton and Tata?" Regulus repeated. "Who are they?"

With a shake of her head, Éponine muttered something about how Regulus was 'also terrible at French' and something about it being a shame. But she managed a smile before looking at him.

"It's French, Regulus, remember? My native tongue? It means aunt and uncle. It's what I call Euphemia and Fleamont."

"James' parents? You're thinking about going there?"

"Well, yes, I mean, I did live with them for a while and they mean so much to me. They are absolutely wonderful. They took me into their home without hesitation. They were there for me when..."

Regulus came to a halt when Éponine's voice trailed off and immediately, she offered an apologetic look. It seemed she feared she had said too much, knowing that the discussion of the Potter family had been a sore subject in the past.

"Sorry, I didn't mean for it to come across like that," Éponine told them, " I only meant that they are wonderful people, as I said before. And they are willing to let us stay with them if this doesn't blow over with Sirius by the holidays."

"Me? They're going to allow me to come there? After everything that has happened? After everything I did?"

"Euphemia and Fleamont are extremely understanding regarding the circumstances, Regulus. Besides, where do you plan on going? Back to your parents?"

There was a long and silent pause as students walked around them in the corridor. As Regulus peered up at her, he could see the questioning expression on her face as he failed to answer her right away. Truth be told, Regulus hadn't been thinking that far ahead. He had been so caught up on the idea of Sirius possibly answering his letter that he didn't think about where he was going to go during the holidays.

If anything, had he not been welcomed at Sirius' place, he would have just stayed behind at the school to avoid any conflict with his parents, but the fact that Éponine questioned whether he would go back to his parents, clearly voiced her doubts that he was ready to move on fully. He couldn't help but feel angry, taking it as more of an accusation rather than a simple question asked out of curiosity.

"I had no plans of going back to my parents, I thought I made myself clear about that! What else am I going to have to say or do to get people to believe me? If you and Sirius don't believe me, who is-"

"Regulus, I didn't mean it like that!" she snapped at him. "I wasn't doubting you, I was just asking what your plans were. Is that alright? I'm trying to think ahead that's all. I don't need you biting off my face. If I didn't believe in you, I wouldn't have asked them if it would be okay for you to stay there. Logic, Regulus, use it a bit more!"

Rather than waiting for him to respond, Éponine left him in the corridor and carried onto their next class as the warning bell was ringing.

Éponine wasn't looking for a fight that morning, but she hadn't expected for Regulus to become so annoyed by her question either. However, after she had time to cool off between lunch and classes, she realised that her question had come across as insensitive. She didn't mean for it to come across as her questioning his loyalties but thinking back on it, perhaps it sounded like she was. Or maybe, deep down, she had meant it on a subconscious level. After all, Sirius had told her that the holidays would bee the time where Regulus would prove himself and those times were coming up fast.

In just a month's time, she would be leaving Hogwarts, whether it was to Sirius' flat or the Potter Cottage, but would Regulus be in her company?

If they continued arguing or overreacting at the smallest things, she didn't see it happening. She knew things had been going smoothly since their little date on the lake, as they spent as much of the day together, but clearly, there was tension on the surface.

Settled in the library, she had been set on getting her homework done, when she felt someone approaching the table. Still feeling a bit on edge in the castle, Éponine looked up, only to find flowers being presented to her. With a tilt of her head, she was able to see Regulus standing before her, wearing a hopeful expression and his Quidditch gear.

"I'm sorry," he told her right away, " I didn't mean to be so harsh with you earlier. I've just been feeling really stressed out about Sirius and I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I knew when all of this started that my parents and my friends weren't going to be supportive, but I thought...I thought Sirius hadn't given up on me yet. I thought maybe he was still waiting on me, holding onto that last bit of hope. I guess I'm too late in his eyes but I'm not going to let that stop me from doing the right thing."

Éponine reached out and took the flowers from his hand, a small smile forming. "I'm sorry too. I know this hasn't been the easiest transition. I like to think that Sirius hasn't given up on you, he's just scared. And I didn't mean to put you in the position of being uncomfortable. I understand if you don't want to go to the Potter's home. That's been a sensitive subject in the past for you, I wasn't sure what to do. But I should have asked you first. Maybe...maybe we can stay here at the castle-"

"Épi, you and I, both know that you want to go home for the holidays. I'm not going to make you stay here because of me. I'll be fine, it's all very new to me that's all."

"Right, well...the flowers are lovely, but where did you find them in this weather?"

"Er, well," he scratched the back of his head, " if you hear Professor Sprout asking about where some of her plants have vanished off to, you know nothing."

"I'll keep that in mind," she chuckled, "and you're in your quidditch gear because-"

"Obviously to play quidditch, Épi," Regulus replied in a teasing tone, "but if you must know, I'm holding try-outs, since Gian and I can't manage the team with just the two of us. Sure you don't want to try out? I've been the victim of your swinging arm, I think you would make a fair beater."

With a snort, Éponine declined. " No, I have no interest in playing, only watching from the safety of the stands, thank you very much. Besides, I'm sure plenty of people will show up and give it a go. I'm sure you'll have a team by the end of the day."

"Will you at least come out and watch then?" he asked. "You know, to support Gian..."

"To support Gian? Right." She glanced over at her homework sprawled out on the table before her. "Well, I suppose I could do my reading for History of Magic while in the stands and maybe get some of my other homework finished. Alright, fine, I'm coming, but don't you use Gian as an excuse! Ask me properly."

"Fine!" Regulus countered. "Will you come out there and support me because I'm nervous as hell about being captain and making the right decisions? And I know you've been watching the Slytherin Quidditch team since first year, so I trust and want your input. Is that better?"

"Much better."

Standing on the pitch, Regulus was already beginning to regret holding the try-outs. For one, the majority of students that showed up were quite young, highly inexperienced, and they just wouldn't stop talking. Gian was helpful, attempting to listen to whatever Regulus had to say but it wasn't enough. He had once been so used to everyone becoming silent and attentive whenever he had something to say, no one had ever dared to interrupt him or be disrespectful. But that was among the pureblooded families that were under Toujours Pur.

The children in front of him didn't give two shits about Toujours Pur and if he was being honest, didn't really seem to care about Quidditch either. It appeared they were just there to have a good time.

Whenever Regulus tried to speak, someone would talk over them or they wouldn't follow through with instructions.

Meanwhile, as she planned, Éponine was in the stands trying to focus on her reading, however, she continued to get distracted by Regulus yelling at the younger students. Every time she looked up, Regulus appeared to be pleading with them to stop messing around and just get in the air. Two of the students flat out ignored him, using the beater bats to host a sword fight.

"For fuck sake," she muttered, "I'm never going to get any work done at this rate."

Just when Regulus felt like he was going to pull out his hair, Gian grabbed his arm and pulled him to the side.

"Gian, what is it-"

"I'm just trying to get you out of the pathway of the storm that's heading this way."

Confused by what Gian meant by such a thing, Regulus looked over to see Éponine making her way onto the pitch. She looked absolutely furious as she stomped over. Before he could even ask her what she was doing, she grabbed one of the brooms and shoved it into the hands of one of the students.

She pulled the two "sword fighters" away from each other and stood in the middle of all of them.

"You all have three seconds to get your arses on those broomsticks and make your way into the air. Starting now...three...two...."

Regulus had never seen people move so fast as the children grabbed their brooms, Gian included and took to the air as she ordered. He stood completely still for a moment before she turned to face him.

"That goes for you too!"

With a jump, Regulus hurried off to grab his own broom and hurried into the air as well. When he looked down again, Éponine had returned to her reading in the stands to finish her homework in peace.

A/N: