Arranged ✸ REGULUS BLACK

T H R E E

But I didn't want him to keep walking away. "You don't have to go." I called out calmly, stopping his actions.

He turned around. "Are you sure? - I wouldn't want to intrude."

I smiled slightly, he was at least respectful. Shaking my head, I brushed the ends of my dress off the large seat and onto the floor. Regulus sat in the now free space, crossing his legs and looking out.

"I'm sorry you had to be forced into this." He spoke after a few moments of silence, looking at me. I was surprised by his words, but grateful.

"I'm sorry you did too." I responded sighing.

"This wasn't how it was meant to go..." He looked at me confused. Before carefully answering with a friendly look.

"Anything rarely is." He paused for a moment before continuing, "How was something meant to go?"

I smiled bitterly, looking out the window. "Become a Healer at St Mungos. I wanted to help people, despite the Dark Lord's intentions on hurting many." I knew it was dangerous to talk about Voldemort like that, but I couldn't stop myself.

"I wanted to become an Auror."

I turned back to face Regulus so quickly I almost got whiplash. "An Auror?!"

"Surprised?" He smirked sadly. He shook his head, "Anyway, I can't do that. Having a position in the Ministry is now my future. That, and serving the Dark Lord."

"Guess both our dreams are nothing but dreams." I responded.

"Why? Can't you become a Healer?" He questioned.

"I'm lucky enough to have finished 7th year without getting married first. Besides, I'm a female, married, pureblood. My father wouldn't allow it, and no husband would. Women are simply seen as a child-bearing machine, and a bed warmer." I said dryly.

"You can."

My eyes widened at his words. "What do you mean?"

"I'll let you become a Healer. I won't stop you from following your dream, at least one of us will get a happy ending."

"But your reputation! - I can't, won't, let you-"

"I don't give a fuck about my reputation." He smiled wirily, "In case you haven't noticed, I'm a Black. No one with a brain would dare question what I do or allow someone to do - least of all my wi-" He cut himself off, a slight redness on his cheeks.

I looked down, a little shy, "Thank you."

"Regulus. Call me Regulus - or Reg, I don't mind..." He smiled, the red on his cheeks still visible.

"Well then, thank you... Regulus"

We sat in silence, simply enjoying the night and each other's presence. Looking over at him as he gazed out the window, I noticed his simple awe and youth. I was one of the lucky ones. Other girls my age, or even younger, are arranged with men double their age, or young enough to be their little brother. At least Regulus and I were the same, age wise that is.

"There you are! Why are you out here? You both should be enjoying the reception."

A fierce, pale woman with dark hair approached us. Walburga Black. My mother-in-law.

"Simply talking, Mother." Regulus quickly said, providing an excuse.

"Or threatening Parkinson?" My father-in-law, Orion, walked out. He was smirking slightly, yet obviously trying to hide it for his wife's sake.

"He was on the limit of my nerves, and Roselyn's personal space. Parkinson even had the audacity to threaten both the Black's and the Lestrange's reputation."

Orion nodded approvingly, "You dealt with the situation well. A woman's dignity, especially a wife's, is an important aspect of a man's reputation. Remember that son."

Although I understood where the man was coming from, I didn't like being an aspect of how a man is seen. I am my own person.

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