In the weeks that proceeded, their classes and lessons became harder and harder, because in all of them they were now required to do non-verbal spells; whether it was in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, or Transfigurations.

     But even those classes that didn't require wand work had become worse, seeing as the students were now getting loaded with piles of homework and essays and assignments by the professors each and every day, such as in Herbology or even Astronomy.

      Alexandra was simply glad that she wasn't taking Potions, History of Magic, and Divination anymore, which helped her be able to cope up with her other classes better.

     But the one thing that had made these hard lessons tolerable was the mere presence of Regulus Black.

     In all their classes which they shared, the two would sit beside each other, and whenever they had a free period, they would go up to the library and study together. Even though Alexandra kept losing focus and her mind wondered off, Regulus still managed to help her get through with her studies.

      Although Alexandra's favorite part of their time together was definitely the weekends. Because throughout the next month, whenever they didn't have anything to do, there were a few occasions when they would go up to the Room of Requirements on the weekends and choose a book to read together from the enormous library.

      They would sit together in the peaceful quiet of the room, reading their favorite books and eating the snacks which Regulus brought with himself each time from the kitchen.

      Although it was understandable to say that the worst part of their time at Hogwarts that year was whenever the nosy girls in Alexandra's dorm kept asking her questions about the Slytherin boy, wondering if they were now officially together.

      This was the first time they had showed the slightest bit of interest in her in all their seven years at Hogwarts. Alexandra had a feeling that this was mostly because they knew Regulus was in fact Sirius Black's younger brother; the handsome and good-looking boy who almost every girl in the school fancied.

     Although as it seemed, now that Sirius was out of school this year and had graduated Hogwarts, they had decided to turn their focus and attention on his younger brother.

      But each time the girls questioned her about Regulus excitedly, Alexandra would always manage to come up with a smart and witty answer to confuse them even further and leave them hanging.

      At last, to her most delight, the Hogsmeade trip that they were all looking forward to arrived. Alexandra couldn't remember being this nervous in her entire life, mainly because this was the first date she had ever gone on.

      She didn't know what she was supposed to wear or whether she had to do anything fancy with her hair. But giving up, she just wore something plain and let her raven black hair fall down her shoulders loosely. Although when she looked into the mirror, she realized that her cheeks were now a rosy color.

     Hoping that Regulus wouldn't notice that she was already blushing due to her excitement and nervousness, she left the common room and followed everybody else toward the entrance hall.

      But as she reached it, she felt her cheeks heat up even more when she sighted Regulus at the bottom of the marble staircase, his eyes fixed down before his feet, waiting for her.

     "Don't be nervous... just be cool..." she muttered under her breath and took one last deep breath before walking down the staircase, until she reached him.

      "Hey, Reggie," she said softly, causing his head to snap up. Immediately, a smile crept through his face at her sight.

     "Hey," he said, unable to control his goofy smile from growing. "Ready to go?"

      Alexandra smiled shyly, nodding, and so they followed the rest of the students out of Hogwarts and toward the Hogsmeade Village.

     It felt strange to Alexandra to come here without Mike, and it was certainly a first time to go to a Hogsmeade trip with someone else. But to be next to Regulus certainly managed to take her mind off everything.

      The weather was growing colder now that they were in October, nearing winter more and more with each passing day. So Alexandra held her coat closer to herself against the bitter wind, as if it could help to warm her up a bit more.

      "Are you cold?" Regulus suddenly questioned, looking at her sideways as they were walking down the village.

      "A little." Alexandra chuckled nervously, slightly shivering.

      "You know... holding someone's hand could certainly help warm you up a bit." He gave her a cheeky grin, making her laugh.

     "And who's that someone, may I ask?" Alexandra asked teasingly, raising a brow at him.

     "Well, I would say the person standing closest to you would do." He shrugged, acting oblivious. But Alexandra decided to play along.

     "Hmm..." She pursed her lips together thoughtfully, looking around her as if she were searching for someone. "That guy over there is the closest to us at the moment."

     "Oh, just give me your hand!" Regulus rolled his eyes playfully and then quickly grabbed her hand in his, making her laugh. "Merlin... so much for trying to be romantic."

     "I was finding it very amusing, actually." She giggled, causing him to give her a look.

      At the mere touch of his hand holding onto hers, Alexandra quickly felt her whole body warm up. She was sure that the blush on her cheeks was now visible to him, but she was glad that at least he couldn't hear how fast her heart was beating.

      "So do you wanna go to the Three Broomsticks for some Butterbeer?" Regulus suggested, looking around the village. "We can visit Honeydukes afterwards."

     "Ooh, yes! I'd love some Butterbeer!" Alexandra said excitedly, her eyes now glimmering.

     So with their hands still laced together, Alexandra and Regulus walked into the Three Broomsticks, the sweet smell of Butterbeer collided with the warmth welcoming them inside.

     "I'll go get the drinks," Regulus said when they had chosen a table in the corner of the pub.

     "I'll come with you —"

     "No, no." Regulus cut her off, shaking his head briskly with a grin. "It's on me."

     "But —"

     "I insist," he said firmly, and so with one last wink at her direction, he walked toward the counter to order the drinks.