Stepping Into a Nightmare (Harry Potter)

Stepping Into a Nightmare

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Regulus could already feel the sweat forming all the way down his back, the palms of his hands, and his neck. He knew in the back of his mind just how crazy doing what he planned on doing was, that it would certainly not go over well with the family, the person he was bringing as his plus one to his Aunt Lucretia's yearly dance party. She was, after all, a Muggle.

"I was going to ask you that," she said, smiling at him calmly, not batting an eye, her hand reaching out for his sweaty hand and taking it.

Regulus closed his eyes, mentally going over everything—of what they were doing, of not hiding and facing the whole thing head-on, particularly after having gone to Dumbledore about the Horcrux, which in turn resulted in the war ending, in Bellatrix the most major threat being locked up in Azkaban so that she wouldn 't be an actual threat—although there was still that fear of a family member killing the two of them for revealing their secret.

"We decided to do this because we didn't feel we could keep our relationship hidden," Olivia said, taking her other hand and placing it on top of his. The action made him calm, letting out a deep breath. "And if something happens to us, they won't find out about her. My parents will keep their promise of taking care of her."

"This way, it's only us," Regulus said. Left unsaid was that it would take place under the noses of the Prewett family, meaning there was a chance the rest of the Black family would be less likely to react to finding out the news. He'd simply find himself blasted off the tapestry as Sirius was, thus freeing them, yet at the same time, Regulus knew full well he was the family's last chance not to die out. He hooked his arm through hers, briefly preparing her for Apparating to the Prewett family estate, the entire time his body tensing, making him think he would be the one to splinching himself.

Yet, nothing of the sort happened, and they arrived just outside the door. He took a deep breath, and Olivia tightened her grip. "It's going to be okay."

"I don't...."

The door opened, Regulus ' eyes going wide as his aunt hurried out, smiling at him. "Regulus! Sweatheart! I thought you'd have arrived with your parents." And then her eyes blinked, her mouth remaining in a smile. "You didn't tell me you'd be bringing a plus one, Reggie."

"Sorry, Aunt Lucretia," Regulus said, putting on a smile he knew was fake, yet he hoped his Aunt Lucretia wouldn't pick up on his nervousness.

"Uh-huh," she said, crossing her arms, her smile fading, a rare sight. "I take it your parents don't know either." He felt the corner of his mouth twitch while Olivia cleared her voice. "Of course, they don't know. Why else would you not have shown up with them? What are you up to?"

"Up to?" Regulus felt his eyes blink. "What do you mean?"

"Reggie, dear, you've never been good at lying. At least not to me." Lucretia said. "What is going on?"

A few snowflakes started to fall, and Regulus finally let his smile drop while Olivia tried smiling, trying to put on the best impression despite knowing the family would disapprove.

She sighed. "Come on in. Before your parents arrive and see you," she said, motioning for them to come in. "I'm not looking forward to your mother finding out you're dating...." There came a pause. "Someone the family wouldn't approve of."

Regulus stared, then, "How did you know?"

She tilted her head slightly, still frowning, "If your girlfriend was a Pureblood, you'd have already introduced her to Orion and...." Lucretia's mouth twisted slightly. "Her." She took a deep breath. "So, what is your blood status?" To which Regulus and Olivia looked at each other. "Reggie?"