around at her, sees her there with wide eyes and mouth slightly agape, and Jo watches the rage drain from him at once. Immediately, he drops his wand from whoever he was holding it against and swallows, Jo watching the way his Adam's apple bobs in his throat. He opens his mouth but says nothing to her. He turns back to whoever he has pressed against the wall and yanks at their shoulder. "Get out of here," he instructs lowly, Jo straining to hear.

It's McNair. That's all she can think. The McNair that smirked in her face and told her that her and her mudblood friend will get what they deserve. Jo watches him now as he, trembling, stumbles away, rushes to get away from Regulus.

Jo looks back at Regulus with wide, shining eyes and doesn't know what to say or what to think and the irritation that she was just so consumed with is suddenly gone and forgotten. Regulus brushes off his sleeves. He looks down at his feet. "Sorry I'm late."

"What was that all about?" Jo asks, her hand around the strap of her bag.

Regulus, after what seems like an eternity, looks up to face Jo, and tells her, "I told you I'd find out who did it."

At once, Jo understands. She understands and does little to stop the smile that spreads across her face and she struggles against the warm feeling in the pit of her belly. Her heart beats in her throat as she says to him, "Come help me with Defense, Reg."

He nods, and without another word, follows her back to the library.