Phase Completion

[regulus_a_b]

The numerous books on Occlumency were stacked neatly atop Regulus' mattress, their covers dull in the feeble light of his dormitory. Quills and spent vials of ink sat stacked atop blank segments of parchment precariously placed upon the large, fluffy pillow. As the door to the room open, one of the note scrolls rolled off the edge of the bed and

Comments

[howlsoftly]

Remus heard, in the defeaning silence, Regulus from the moment he entered the library. Resigning himself to more book-pointing, he turned as the approached from behind the tall shelves.

"More? You've not depleted the collection yet?" Remus smiled wearily.

[regulus_a_b]

Regulus flushed a little, coming up short at the appearance of his... was it- friend? He certainly was as close to a male friend as Black had.

"Oh, yes, I finished the intermediate texts. Could you help me with locating the advanced texts for mastery? I'll offer the same exchange, if you want."

After a moment of foot-shuffling, he leaned back a little and watched Lupin.

[howlsoftly]

"I think," said Remus, keeping his voice carefully light, "that we might by-pass the exchange. I don't need any more favors than you already owe me, but I know you need the books."

Without waiting for an answer, and perhaps fearing the reaction the odd truce might elicit, he simply turned and led the now-familiar way to the hidden corner of the Restricted Section, shooting a quick look at Madame Pince as he did.

[regulus_a_b]

Stiffly, Regulus spoke as they proceeded, his words carefully chosen.

"Thank you, Remus. Would you ever consider studying Occlumency yourself?"