𝑨𝑺𝑻𝑹𝑶𝑷𝑯𝑰𝑳𝑰𝑨

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Eva's fingers intertwined with those of Regulus, concealed beneath the fabric of her robes. In the crowded paths of Hogsmeade, the couple did not worry about anyone paying much attention to the two of them. It was the first time they walked together in public, and Eva had to admit that it felt freeing more than all else. His thumb brushed against the inside of her wrist, feeling the steady beat of her heart. 

Evan was to the left of Regulus, opposite of Eva, similarly holding the hand of the Black. He swung it carelessly, a skip in his step, as Regulus grumbled bitterly. Eva laughed lightly, coming to terms that he came in a package with her boyfriend. While she did not like the idea of sharing, Evan was someone she could picture herself becoming close friends with. 

They were in the village to celebrate the coming close of their 5th year and to take a break from their vigorous studying for their O.W.L exams. 

Regulus pulled the two toward The Three Broomsticks, Evan whining about the "tacky taste" of the iconic butterbeer.

"Do you ever shut your mouth, Evan?" Eva groans, "there is hardly anything to critique about their butterbeer. You just want to complain for the sake of complaining."

"Of course not! I don't complain to complain! I just do not understand why Reg would drag us here when he knows I hate this place."

"Maybe because he knows I like this place?"

"You two are children," Regulus sighed.

"In our defense, you were the one who brought our two personalities together."

"In my defense, Evan was the one who came snooping in the first place."

"Hey! In my defense, I was wondering why there was a hot girl in the bed of my best mate who never gets laid!"

"Evan."

"Fine."

"You think I'm hot?"

"Well Regulus does, that's for sure."

The face of the Black turned a light shade of pink, pulling the hood of his robes farther down his forehead.

"No shame here," Evan told his best mate, pulling his hood back, exposing Regulus' mop of curls, "I think she's hot too, you have good taste."

"For goodness sake," the boy groaned, "you really do not know when to stop talking."

"I mean," Eva started, "I am not totally opposed to the compliments, but I think I should be more worried about Evan stealing you from me than you should be about Evan stealing me from you." 

"That was not confusing at all."

"Can we just find a booth please?"

"Fine."

"Alright."

Regulus chuckled at his friend and girlfriend. They really bickered like siblings. He pulled them to an empty booth towards the back corner of the pub, concealed from the view of the doorway. Evan grumbled as he was pushed to the opposite side of his best friend and his girlfriend, giving Eva a playful glare for stealing Regulus from him. 

"So, Eva," Evan said monotonously, leaning over the table. He looked her straight in the eye like a challenge. 

He still appeared to be sizing up Eva, making sure she was perfect for his best friend, but she could see the glint of humor and entertainment in his eyes. She only wanted the best for her boyfriend, as did he, and that put them at good standings with one another. Even though they had gotten closer since they met, Evan did not seem to trust so easily. Eva simply hoped to earn it.

Evans deep gaze was abruptly interrupted with a hit on the shin by the tip of Regulus' shoe. "Hold your horses dude, I'm only asking a simple question."

"Then stop looking at her like you are about to ask her a shit ton of invasive and unnecessary ones."

Evan ignored his friend and turned his attention back to Eva. 

"What do you plan on doing once you complete school?" he asked, definitely a more basic question than the challenging look on his face suggested. 

"I thought the reason we came here was to avoid the topic of school," she responded with a quizzical eyebrow. 

"C'mon," the boy chided, "let us live a bit through you."

Her eyes softened at his reasoning. She always wondered what twisted way of the world led to charming boys like him and Regulus in the most daunting and dangerous positions. The least she could do was comply to the boys wishes, not that she minded the topic.

"Well, it is still a bit complicated," she admitted. "I was originally hoping to be a counselor of sorts at hogwarts, maybe a teachers aid to help out the professors. That is still something I am interested in, it just all depends on how my O.W.L.S. go. Right now, I am just trying my best in every subject and whichever seem to present themselves to me I will choose to follow."

I also thought maybe I would want to be a professor actually, particularly for astronomy," Eva confessed.

"I thought you said you sucked at astronomy," Evan responded curiously, leaning his chin in his palm with interest.

"I once did," she laughed, "really truly did, but not so much any more."

I found more of a passion for the subject."

Her gaze moved to her boyfriend beside her, who was already looking in her direction. The look in his eyes suggested his interest in what she was talking about, making her heart do a little flip at his attentiveness. 

"Reg was actually what got me into the topic. It was something that he found interesting, hence making it something I found interest in. I payed more attention during class because of it, and that is when I began to discover that passion."

Regulus raised an eyebrow. That was the first time he had heard of his influence over her passion for astronomy, and it clearly meant quite a bit to the boy. It was something that connected them both, being the astronomy tower, and still something they kept close to themselves. 

Eva continued to tell Evan about her endeavors, "once I actually began to put a bit of attention into the class instead of dozing off in the night, I realized how simply complex the solar system is. It was so beautiful and diverse, full of stories and mythology but science and mathematics just the same. The repetition and patterns but also abnormalities fascinated me."

It has now become such a big part of me that I hope it is something I can maybe pursue a career in for the future."

She took a deep breath before quickly spewing out a few last sentences, "sorry for the ramble. I am sure that was not as much detail as you were hoping to here."

Evan shoot his head slightly. 

"No, it is super interesting actually," he told her truthfully. "So are you really interested in the whole teaching ordeal? Like would you stay at Hogwarts or go to a different school, or is anything else really an option for you right now?"

"I mean, I guess the whole teaching thing has always been a passion of mine. It started when I was younger, I feel like everyone has wanted to become a teacher at least once in their lives, but it has really stuck with me. For different reasons now, of course."

I really love kids, and beyond everything I love the idea of teaching and nurturing the young minds of children. Despite all of the challenges I have been forced to face here, Hogwarts really is my home. It allows me to further connect myself to the wizarding world, but it also ensures my safety ━ or makes me feel the slightest bit safer. Hogwarts is one of the safest places in the wizarding world right now, so that is where I will chose to be. I really believe that anyone who needs help at this school can find it ━ I want to be a part of that. I do not think I can go fight or put myself in the face of danger, but if I can help from a distance, like helping bring up the next generation of wizards, I still feel like I can play a part in the grand scheme of things."

"Well, I think you should do it," Reg spoke up quietly.

"Hm?" she hummed in questions.

"You seem so passionate about it. You have the opportunity to stay at Hogwarts and fulfill those dreams. You have the grades, you have the grit, and I am not really sure they could ask for anything more than that. The teachers love you, Dumbledore thinks you are amazing, and I think everything you just said is achievable."

Clearly this all means a lot to you, and because you have the opportunity to do so, take advantage of that."

She knew why he was saying it. Not everyone has the opportunity to do what they want to do in their futures ━ he doesn't. Coming from a place like that, all he could ask is for her to utilize the chance.

"It is still all up in the air," she told him, her voice barely a whisper above the bustling noise of the pub. "I still have a few more years, so much growth, and a lot of work. I don't want to get caught up. Maybe that's a bad thing, but I think it is okay for now. All I can ask is that I get to be with the people who make me happiest."

Regulus gave her a small, nothing but genuine, smile. She squeezed his hand softly. They made each other the happiest, and even if their futures didn't look so happy, they could only worry about the present.

"Is this a moment? Am I witnessing a moment?"

"It was, Evan, but you just ruined it." 

"Sorry?"

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A/N ━ merry christmas to everyone who celebrates! here is your holiday gift, a bit of fluff and character building. i really missed this story and i always love coming back to write it. once i get started, i just can't stop writing.

i hope you all have an amazing day and rest of your year!! make sure to vote and comment if you are comfortable. i would love your feedback!