Noah Ackerman made his way alone down to the greenhouses. He smiled at the thought of going to class, Herbology being his favourite subject. Noah had always been interested in plants, all the different effects they had, how useful they could be, and he planned to do something that involved plants after Hogwarts.

He walked inside the greenhouse, grinning happily as he looked around at all the plants. He quietly greeted Professor Sprout before making his way to his seat, which was near the front. Professor Sprout had organized them in alphabetical order and since Noah's last name was Ackerman, he was pretty close to the head of the table. He sat down and looked around nervously.

Noah sighed in relief when he noticed that most students weren't there yet. There was just a quiet redhead near the back and who Noah assumed to be her friend, sitting near her. Noah hoped that no one else, especially the people who sat beside him, wouldn't show up until near when class started. If that was the case, then Noah would be lucky enough to not have to talk to anyone before class.

He had social anxiety and preferred not to talk to anyone besides his small group of friends. When he talked to other people, he would stutter and blush, both more than usual, and he usually had a hard time breathing as he was so anxious. It wasn't something that really bothered Noah, he had always been shy and he never really liked talking to people anyway. He preferred to stay in his own little bubble but his friends had pulled him out of it and forced him to join them in the real world.

Noah looked to the side as someone sat down beside him, but quickly looked back to the front when he realised that it was Regulus Black. He would never admit it, however, Noah had always been a little bit afraid of Regulus. Although, who could blame him? Noah's biggest fear was He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and everyone expected the Black family to join him.

Noah took in a deep breath to help calm his nerves and clenched his fists to keep them from shaking. He closed his eyes and hoped that class would start soon and that Regulus wouldn't talk to him before then. Noah bit the inside of his lip and started bouncing his leg up and down as he impatiently waited for class to start. It was a nervous habit that he had never been able to break even though he tried after his friends got annoyed at him.

Regulus was reading his Defence Against The Dark Arts textbook when he saw Noah's leg bouncing out of the corner of his eye. He tried to ignore it, but it was just so irritating. Snappishly he muttered under his breath, "Could you please stop that incessant shaking? It's rather annoying."

Noah immediately stopped and bit down on his lip so harshly, he almost drew blood. He cried out at the pain and blushed as Regulus gave him an odd look. "S-Sorry," he apologized quietly and looked down. He started playing with his hands nervously, hoping that Regulus wouldn't continue talking to him. Luckily for him, Regulus wasn't much of a people person either, and had returned to his book without giving Noah another glance. Noah sighed quietly in relief and looked back to the front just as Professor Sprout addressed the class. Noah was glad that his favourite class was finally starting and he smiled while listening intently to what she was saying.

"Good afternoon, class!" Professor Sprout greeted in her usual loud tone. Noah assumed that she had grown accustomed to yelling over the plants that were a bit on the noisy side, such as the mandrakes they studied in their first year.

The fifth year students mumbled a tired 'Good afternoon' back to her. Many weren't as excited for the class as Noah was, seeing as it was the last subject of the day and they couldn't wait to get away from classes for the weekend. Not to mention the school year was almost over and everybody was most likely dreading their O.W.L.s.

Noah was anxious for them, but it wasn't as bad as it could've been since he had started studying a little every night before he went to bed a few months ago, so he felt as if he was the most prepared he could be.

Professor Sprout huffed at the lack of enthusiasm coming from her students and clapped her hands loudly in hopes of 'waking them up'. After that seemed to have failed, she frowned before deciding to just start up the lesson.

"Okay, everyone! So, as you all know, the year is almost over –" She was interrupted by a few cheers in the room and Noah smiled slightly but tried to hide it behind his hand when Professor Sprout looked at him expectantly. Beside him, Noah could hear Regulus scoff and could only imagine the boy rolling his dark coloured eyes. "Settle down," Professor said sternly and loudly.

Noah had the urge to cover his ears from the noise, but refrained himself, knowing how rude the action was and figuring that Professor Sprout wouldn't appreciate it. So instead, he bit the inside of his lip and started wringing his hands which were placed on his lap. Regulus glanced at the movement but ignored it. If he associated himself too much with the dirty blonde, Noah may get the idea that it was okay for him to talk to Regulus, which it absolutely was not.

Professor Sprout clapped her hands again, gaining everyone's attention, including Regulus who was thinking about people of lower status talking to him, and Noah who was trying to control his breathing and to calm himself down from an approaching panic attack. "As I was saying," Professor Sprout started up again, "The year is almost over and you'll be having exams soon." Some students quietly groaned but Professor Sprout shot them a look, instantly shutting them up. "I've noticed that while some of you are doing well," she glanced at Noah as she said that and he blushed a bright red when some students, including Regulus turned to look at him, most of them in shock. Noah wasn't known for doing well in any of his classes. He ducked his head down in embarrassment.

Regulus looked at Noah curiously. He was wondering why the boy was so embarrassed and why some part of his body always seemed to be moving. It annoyed him greatly but Regulus was still intrigued. He had always preferred observing people, rather than interacting with them. He quickly looked back at Professor Sprout as he realized who exactly he was observing: Noah Ackerman, a slightly pudgy, half-blood, Hufflepuff. If his parents knew he had only talked to Noah, they would kill him, and Regulus wasn't being dramatic. Noah looked back up as Professor Sprout continued talking.

"But some others aren't doing as well as they should. That's why I've come up with an idea that will hopefully be helpful for all of you; tutoring partners."

Noah's eyes widened and his palms started sweating as he thought of what Professor Sprout meant by 'tutoring partners'. Noah spared a glance around the classroom and noticed that most other people seemed to be just as confused as he was. Professor Sprout, noticing her students' confusion, started explaining.

"What I mean by that is, I'll pair you all up; someone who does good with someone who may be struggling a bit. You'll have to discuss with your partner when you'll meet up and how many times a week, though I suggest at least three, depending on how long your meet ups are. The project will end in a month and you will be tested on your knowledge, so don't even try to get out of it."

As she finished her explanation, some students started whispering about the project in either excitement or dread. Noah's breathing sped up but he tried to calm himself, not wanting to have a panic attack right in the middle of Herbology. Regulus glanced at him again curiously. He couldn't help himself, everything that Noah did was just so intriguing.

Professor Sprout started listing off the partners. Regulus was only half listening and Noah could barely hear over his heartbeat which pounded so loud in his chest that he could hear it. They, however, were both alert when their names were called, "Regulus Black and Noah Ackerman."

Noah nearly fainted in shock as he took in the information. He would have to spend time with Regulus Black. He would actually have to talk to him and tutor him, something which he assumed Regulus wouldn't be too thrilled about. He chanted reassuring words in his head, telling himself that he only had to survive the rest of this class and then he could freak out in private.

He took in a deep breath and turned to look at Regulus. His breath hitched when he saw that Regulus was already looking at him with a scowl on his face.

Noah swallowed nervously and opened his mouth, as if to speak before Regulus cut him off. "I can't believe Sprout paired me with you." He muttered. "At least you're not as bad as a filthy Mudblood or a blood traitor, but you're still not pure. Plus you're a Hufflepuff and never excel in anything. So how are you better than me in Herbology?" Noah's heart sunk and he forced himself not to tear up at Regulus' harsh words. He didn't know if Regulus was just always that way, or if his parents had forced him to be that way. Either way, Noah wasn't too keen to find out.

"L-Look," Noah gathered up all his strength to say this softly. He looked at a plant directly behind Regulus' shoulder, having never been comfortable looking at people directly when talking to them, even when they were the ones talking. Regulus found this highly annoying and rude but he bit his tongue, already figuring out that Noah was extremely shy. And that was only from sharing one class with him a couple days a week.

"I-I know th-that you're probably taught to hate everyone who isn't a p-pure-blood a-and a Slytherin. B-But for the sake of this project to m-make this easier f-for the both o-of us, c-could you just k-keep your opinions t-to yourself a-and let me help you, p-ass th-this class?"

Noah took in a deep breath when he was done and he felt his heart in his throat. He had never spoken like that to anyone before, not even his friends and he had to admit, although it was terrifying and Noah felt as if he may pass out at any moment, he loved the rush he felt. Noah decided that he would try to speak up for himself more often – but only when he was sure the outcome wouldn't be negative, such as at the moment. He didn't know how Regulus was going to react and that scared him the most. His lip trembled slightly as he waited for Regulus' response. He kept his head down to avoid his gaze and started playing with his hands on his lap nervously.

Regulus sighed reluctantly. He thought about what Noah said and the boy did have a point. He was an Outstanding student and he couldn't do any less than perfect in all of his classes if he didn't want to disappoint his parents. Regulus didn't really like insulting people anyway, it didn't make him feel good and it would be a lot easier for him to just go easy on Noah, but only a little. If people found out that Regulus was going soft, he would never hear the end of it.

"Fine," he said. Noah's head snapped up in surprise and he blinked slowly at Regulus. Regulus saw Noah's hopeful expression and he rolled his eyes before muttering, "But don't think this means that you can talk to me outside of our lessons, no one can know about this."

Noah was hurt slightly but he understood where Regulus was coming from and nodded his head. "Th-That's fine with me. I d-don't want to be associated w-with a D-Death E-Eater." He shivered at the word but tried to hide it.

Regulus smirked at Noah and looked at him directly in his dark brown eyes. "Not yet," he said in a low voice.

Noah's eyes widened and he looked down at his hands as his heart thumped loudly in his chest. He gulped and tried to ignore what Regulus just said. He couldn't have been serious anyway, could he? He was way too young and he must've known the danger and how wrong He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was. Noah shook his head slightly and licked his lips. It wasn't any of his business whether Regulus wanted to become a Death Eater or not, he just hoped he wouldn't go through with it.

"L-Let's figure out what d-days and t-times we can meet u-up," Noah suggested as he got out his journal where he wrote down everything that he would be doing per day so that he would be organised. He sometimes forgot or got lazy though, so everything was a bit messed up, he still tried though.

Regulus smirked and nodded his head. "I'm free whenever." He lied, purposely knowing that he had Quidditch practice a few times a week and a game every other Saturday. Noah didn't know that though and looked to see when he was free. Considering he was only a backup for the Hufflepuff chaser, and that he hung out with his friends whenever, he was pretty much free anytime as well.

"A-Alright, how a-about Tuesday's and Th-Thursday's?" He suggested as he glanced up at Regulus before quickly looking back down at his journal.

Regulus' smirk never faded as he looked down at his fingernails. "I can't on Thursdays, I have Quidditch practice."

Noah looked up at him with wide eyes. "I-I thought you said you were free whenever."

Regulus put on a fake thinking face, scrunching his brows and scratching his chin for effect. "Really?" He asked as if he truly didn't remember, even though they both knew he did. "I don't recall saying that." His smirk returned and he winked cheekily at Noah.

Noah blushed and looked down at his journal. He huffed before looking back at Regulus. "W-Well what about Wednesday?"

Regulus put on a fake, apologetic look. They both knew that Regulus was having way more fun with this than he should be. "Sorry, Wednesday's are my personal days."

Noah took in a deep breath to help keep him calm. "Th-Then what about – " he was cut off by Regulus and he bit the inside of his lip harshly to stop himself from crying in frustration. He didn't want Regulus to think he was weak, even though he was, and give him just another reason to make fun of Noah.

"I can't," Regulus said with a sigh and a dramatic roll of his eyes as if Noah should have already known.

Noah huffed again in agitation. "B-But you didn't even kn-know what I was g-going to s-say." Noah said quietly as he glanced up at Regulus to see him smirking again. He took in another deep breath to stop him from having a panic attack. He started wringing his hands and shaking his right leg again as he waited impatiently for Regulus to respond. He hoped that Regulus would answer seriously this time, sadly, however, he was wrong and Regulus was, well, Regulus.

"Oh, I always know what you're going to say." He teased as he winked at Noah again.

Noah's face burned a bright red and he hid his face behind his hands. He groaned quietly before sighing. Why did Professor Sprout have to pair him with Regulus Black?

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HERES FINALLY THE FIRST CHAPTER FOR YOU LOVELIES! I HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE IT AND BE SURE TO LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!

WHAT DO YOU THINK NOAH AND REGULUS' FIRST 'TUTORING SESSION' WILL BE LIKE?