InsaneJournal

Who: Holly Frye & Regulus Black
What: Clandestine Hogsmeade encounters
Where: Elephantine, in Hogsmeade
When: Saturday, 2 October, midafternoon
Rating: PG
Status: Incomplete



There were both good and bad things about not having any friends (outside of your twin brother with whom you don't really get along). On the good side, if you're a solitary person, as Holly is, it means a lot of time to yourself. When you're shopping, eating dinner, or just passing time, you don't have to take other people into consideration; you can simply do whatever pleases you. On the bad side, it is really rather lonely.

For years, Holly had convinced herself that the good outweighed the bad; that she was friendless by choice; that she liked it better this way. Of course, those were simply lies. For a girl who understood even the most complex academic concepts with ease, she was unable to figure out how to make proper friends.

At least, that was how it had been up to now. Fairly recently, Holly had had a couple of conversations over the journals with Regulus Black that almost sort of counted as friendly. They certainly seemed to agree a lot, and Holly, at least, had enjoyed their conversation. She knew Regulus because he, like her, was an overachiever, and they shared several classes and clubs. Still, they hadn't exactly spoken properly until then. After that, they had struck up what seemed to be a suspiciously friend-like relationship. Regulus had come and sat next to Holly in History of Magic, and they had continued to have pleasant, enjoyable conversations, just in person instead of over the journals. Because they had been actually getting on, Holly did not feel weird smiling at Regulus in the corridors, or saying hello when they passed. She was rather proud of her newfound social skills, actually.

Holly hadn't seen Regulus yet today, but then, she didn't know whether or not he was planning on going down to the village. Though Holly was not among them, some older students elected not to go to Hogsmeade more often than not, because the novelty had worn off for them. In Holly's opinion, Hogsmeade visits were a much-needed respite from the sometimes claustrophobic castle...and anyway, she had some shopping to do. She was already carrying a couple of bags when she ducked into her favourite shop in the village, Elephantine.

To Holly, the shop felt like home. It was small and tidy, though decorated with several somewhat bizarre objects that reminded her forcibly of her mother. In addition, it sold books, stationery, and tea, three of Holly's favourite things. Almost every Hogsmeade weekend, Holly would choose to forgo the sickly sweet butterbeer and crowded atmosphere of the Three Broomsticks for the strong tea and quiet, sunny bay windows of Elephantine.

Usually, she would browse around a bit, purchase half a dozen books, and read one of them right there in the shop. Today, however, was a little different. Almost as soon as she entered the shop, the quiet chime of a small bell announcing her presence, Holly noticed a familiar shape perusing the muggle literature section. A smile on her face, Holly headed directly over. "Regulus," Holly greeted the boy happily, tapping him on the shoulder. "This is my favourite shop in the village. It figures I'd find you here, considering everything else we have in common."