• Harry Potter One Shots• (request open)

Rivalry • Regulus Black • {requested} (part one)

Viviana Malfoy was born November 18th, 1961. The same year, Regulus Black was born. From that point, being close due to both being born into two of the most prestigious pureblood families, they competed to one up each other. Unbeknownst to them, their future was already planned.

Vivi crawled first. Regulus walked first. Vivi was faster, Regulus was stronger. Their whole life was a competition, whether they were old enough to know it or not. Once they were, the rivalry between the two only grew.

Both sorted Slytherin, obviously. Regulus was exceptional at Potions and while Vivi excelled at other things, Potions was not one of them. They played Quidditch together and while they were both excellent players, Vivi was smaller and faster on the broom than Regulus. It infuriated him. A friendly rivalry they'd had their whole life had turned into a deep jealousy and dislike of each other.

"Would you scoot over? You're breathing in my ear." Vivi growled, shoving her parchment and quill over. There was already quite a distance between the two on the couch of the Slytherin common room and Regulus was almost positive she could not hear his breath.

"Sorry for living." Regulus said sarcastically, taking his parchment and getting up to retire to his room. "You're going to have to get used to me if we're getting married." He shrugged, smirking. Not that he was happy about the arrangement, but he knew it got under her skin.

"Not exactly." She grumbled, looking at Regulus out of the corner of her eye. His muscle flexed as he gripped onto the door frame, bracing hisself as he continued to smirk. He was growing up, as was she. She couldn't lie, he was attractive and deep down, he thought the same about her. Her frame had filled out nicely, producing more curves than she'd ever had. After noticing she wasn't going to say anything else, Regulus left. Vivi slid back onto the couch after he left and huffed.

She thought about her parents; they were arranged. Did the love they have automatically happen when they said "I do" or was it built over years? Did they even love each other at all?

Vivi knew what a life married to Regulus Black would hold. It was the life that Narcissa, his cousin, had dreamed about when she married Vivi's older brother, Lucius. It was not the life Vivi wanted. It consisted of coldness, Voldemort, and outdated pureblood ideas. She thought of all the people in this very school who were of muggle or half blood descent, she thought about what incredible witches and wizards they were and how their lives were not less valuable than her own.

Regulus had already pledged his loyalty to Voldemort and Vivi had not, but it was not uncommon as Narcissa had not joined either. Lucius had pressured his younger sister into joining, but Narcissa had came to her rescue. "It's her choice, Lucius." She'd scolded, placing a slender hand on his bicep. It immediately calmed her hot headed brother.

Vivi wondered how Narcissa had managed to obtain such a grip on her brother; until they met, Vivianna was the only one who could weaken Lucius' cold exterior. Although not to her, Lucius was unpleasant man. She assumed Narcissa would have a hard life, but after seeing how he acted around her... she wondered, could she crack Regulus?

After all, in comparison to her brother, Regulus had a big heart. Outside of his loyalty to the dark lord, Regulus was a loving friend, caring in nature (specifically to scared first years) and charming. Why did she hate Regulus exactly?

Because, he always tried one up her. That's why. Viviana groaned and flopped down onto the couch, continuing to think of every reason to hate Regulus. Nevertheless, she came up with nothing but the fuming competition between them.

•

Regulus woke early, planning on doing a little training on the Quidditch pitch before his first class. He was constantly trying to outdo Viviana; even if they were on the same team.

The sight before him made him freeze. Though they were in the dungeons, Regulus knew it was still dark as it was only 5 am. Before him, in the dim light of the common room, was Viviana, curled up in a ball with chill bumps dotting her arms. Regulus stopped for a moment, half wanting to go on about his day. He noticed a green throw blanket on the chair next to the couch and draped it over her arms. She snuggled into the blanket and sighed. "Vivi, go to bed." He whispered. She opened her ocean blue eyes and yawned, Regulus stared intently for a moment.. unable to deny the attraction that had formed. He didn't know whether she felt the same, but she was beautiful. He couldn't deny that.

"Reg, why do you hate me?" She asked sleepily, arms still covered with the blanket.

"Huh?" He was taken back. "Vivi, you haven't called me that since before Hogwarts." He wasn't shocked by the question, he was shocked by the nickname she'd given him back when their competition was friendly and they were joined at the hip. Vivi was a common nickname, but she was the only person to ever call Regulus, Reg.

"Feeling sentimental, I suppose." She yawned. "Answer my question."

Regulus sighed and leaned back, shivering hisself. The common room was always cold. Vivi kicked the blanket so it was draping his legs.

"I don't know." Regulus sighed, honestly. "You think you're better than me."

"I do not!" Vivi explained. "except for Quidditch, I am better at Quidditch."

"I am better at Quidditch." Regulus mocked. The room grew silent. "What happened to us, Vivi? We were always so close."

"We're both two hard headed, stubborn, competitive people. That's what happened." Vivi stared into the fire. She stretched her legs and placed them on Regulus' lap. "Truce?"

"Truce." He smiled and gripped her leg with his hand. "We are engaged after all." He chuckled, patting her leg before pushing them off to go to practice.

"Stay." Vivi whispered, half hoping he didn't hear.

"What?" Regulus said, just before he walked out the door.

"I said, stay." Vivi mumbled again.

Regulus walked over to the couch and Vivi sat up, scooting over so he could sit next to her. The closeness was awkward for a moment, before Vivi leaned into him, her back against his chest, his against the arm of the couch. "What is this?" Regulus questioned, weary she was up to something, even after their truce.

"If we're going to be a couple, we might as well start acting like one." She huffed, nuzzling back onto his shoulder. Regulus stared at her for a moment, then reached up and touched her chin gently. He turned her head so they were facing each other and softly kissed her lips.

Vivi's chest rose and fell as her breath grew heavy, the tension and attraction she felt towards Regulus coming to a head at this moment. They stared at each other for a moment, and she assumed was how Lucius felt with Narcissa. As if upon instinct, she kissed him a second time.

Regulus rose to his feet, Vivi following. She stood on them couch and, for once, was taller than Regulus. She stared down at him with his face in her hands. He grabbed her by the thighs and lifted her up, so her legs were around his waist. "What now?" He asked, breathless. The relationship was moving fast, but Regulus was not protesting; neither was he going to do anything that Vivi didn't want to do.

"Come with me." Vivi smiled, grabbing his hand and leading him out of the common room and to the Quidditch locker room.

•

"Well," Narcissa huffed, tightening the corset tightly around Viviana's waist. "The seamstress must've got these measurements wrong." The white wedding dress Viviana had chosen, that had fit perfectly at the time of the purchase, was now too tight.

"Yes, must have." Vivi said nervously, hoping Narcissa and Bella would not notice the anxiety in her voice. Everything was growing plumper and wider, all accompanied by a nagging nausea and a late period. She hadn't told Regulus either.

Their relationship moved fast once it began. But, Vivi was happy. Once the two got past their stubborn selves, they fit together like a lock and key. Regulus being a death eater was still something to be dealt with, but Vivi knew deep down that Regulus was a good man. That, contrary to previous belief, he would be a good father.