Is what I'm seeing real? -- Summer 1977

I went over to Ember's house to spend the night and to catch up on gossip.  We were up in her room munching on some cookies.  "You have got to tell me how serious you are about Reg... I mean, he's Sirius's brother!  He's a Slytherin.  James is going to kill you," I pointed out to her, giggling.  I was just so happy that Ember was finally moving on from her slight obsession over Sirius and Remus.

I just ate a cookie and ignored Tobi's question with a sly grin.  Then I burst out, "I know, right?  I need to move on from Sirius... and I didn't mean to start fancying Regulus or anything... but have you seen him?  He's definitely fantastic to look at.  And, don't tell a soul I said this, he's sensitive."  I could not stop smiling while we spoke about Regulus.  What was I doing?!

I laughed at Ember and playfully hit her arm.  "Oh Merlin," I said to her, "I knew he had a deeper side... but sensitive?  That's great!  I promise I won't say a word.  You know me, Ems."  I had to say that with the look of murder she was giving me because I was finding this so entertaining.

I smiled at my best mate. "I know you're very good at keeping secrets," I assured her.  "I just want to make sure that James doesn't find out for as long as possible..."  My brother drove me nuts sometimes.  Well, really, all the time.

I grinned at Ember.  "I understand.  I only hear you comlain about your brother all the time," I teased, hitting my mate playfully.  "Do you think it might turn into something serious...?"

I laughed; October had a point.  I sighed and shrugged. " I don't know, Tobi," I said to her, trying to hide my wanting it to become serious.  "We're just... starting out at whatever it is.  I don't want to guess or anythingn..."

I sighed and rolled my eyes at Ember.  "Okay... well, there goes all gossip and excitement right there," I pointed out to her. "Come on, Ems... it's just for fun.  You know that I won't breathe a word of htis."

Okay, I really did want to talk about REgulus, but I had to make it seem like I did not.  I grinned at Tobi.  "Alright, fine," I said, knowing I failed at acting coy about the whole situation.  "Tobi... he's great.  So soft spoken, yet completely outgoing if you get him on the right subject.  He really enjoys Quidditch... but it's so much more than that.  Potions is what he excels in... he's attempting to find a place among his family.  He really admires Sirius for being able to stand out in the family.  There's a lot more there... but Reg won't get into it."

I raised my eyebrows at Ember.  "He admires his brother?  I find that really hard to believe," I said to her, though it must be true.  Regulus would not say something like that lightly.  If the wrong people found out.. well, he would have hell to pay.

I shook my head.  "Oh, but it's true!  It's mental really... he's kind of... I don' tknow, really soft spoken and nowhere near what he acts in public at school," I explained to Tobi.

I grinned at Ember.  "I knew he was a bit quieter than what he is in public because of in the common room, but he's really soft spoken?  Aw, does he write poetry?" I teased, knowing that it would be so uterly romantic if he did.

I could not believe October -- actually I could, though.  I chuckled slightly, biting my lip.  "Yes!" I said excitedly.  "But he won't let me read much of anything... he's very private about it."  I wished he would let me read it -- I was sure it would be good.

I laughed.  "I wonder why," I said sarcastically.  "He probably sucks and thinks he's superb or something."  Of course I was just teasing, but it was a lot of fun to get the inside scoop on Regulus Black.

I ciould not believe that Tobi just said that.  I shook my head, chuckling at her.  "I doubt that's the case," I said, defending Regulus.  I put a hand to my mouth.  "I'm already defending him!" I exclaimed, giggling.

I was rather pleased at what Ems was doing.  I grinned at her.  "You are so adorable right now," I said to my best mate honestly.  "I'm so happy that you found someone."