𝐆𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 ⎼⎼ 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤

iv. awkward interactions

For the next month, Mairead holed up in her cottage and didn't talk to Regulus. He watched her sit by the beach, but when he went out to try to console her, she'd make an excuse and leave. He was beginning to get whiplash. Just two months ago she was talking to his family and inviting him to go places and opening up to him, but now she was avoiding him like dragon pox. The only times she was caught outside of the line was in Dylan's, where she met up with Marie. And to get groceries. He saw her visit the schoolhouse, only to walk out sadder than she went in.

After a month of being ignored, Regulus swallowed his nerves and knocked on her door. She didn't answer. He knocked again.

"I know you're in there, and you're avoiding me. I don't know why, but..." He trailed off. He just listened to the shuffling inside the house. Mairead just listened to him from her couch, then moved closer to hear better.

"I went to see Holly today." That caught her attention. "She says you've been working hard on building a case for her. That you haven't eaten in a while. She wants to know if you're okay, Mairead. I know I'm your neighbor and this is crossing a boundary, but I think I can help." Mairead opened the door a crack.

"She did? You can?" Her honey eyes searched his gray ones, looking for a lie. She saw none. She then opened the door fully. Regulus noticed the sunken cheeks and slightly red and puffy eyes. He saw the papers all around the floor in the living room and a typewriter on the coffee table.

"I can. If you'll let me." She let him in, and they both sat down to look at the papers. Mairead had to prove she'd provide for Holly, keep her from harm, and be a responsible guardian. She had pulled up her criminal records, which were squeaky clean. But there was one problem that the court wouldn't overlook.

"You were missing for seven years?" Regulus asked. Mairead looked panicked.

"You weren't supposed to see that. I...I went somewhere when I was eleven. And I liked it there, so I just stayed. My parents didn't want me anyway. I came back three years ago and moved here." He was suspicious, but he let it slide.

"How are you going to explain that to the court?" He asked.

"I'll just...say I was with a family member or something. They just need to see I'm responsible, not that I ran away for a while." She tossed the paper aside, and went on arranging her evidence and her sister's medical records. Regulus watched her with fascination. Eleven to seventeen? That was the Hogwarts starting and finishing age. He scolded himself and chalked it up to just running away. Mairead would've noticed that he was a Black, and that those were the Potters. Plus he would've noticed someone just as vibrant as Mairead in school if she were there.

As they worked, Regulus noticed how determined she was to get back her niece. He knew they were close, but he didn't know that Mairead saw her like her own daughter instead of niece. She typed away furiously on the old typewriter as Regulus made food and tea. He liked cooking, and found it a way to keep busy after school.

"I didn't know you could cook." Mairead walked into the kitchen, wrapped up in a blanket that looked like the softest thing ever. She padded over to see Regulus making pasta with a delicious smelling sauce.

"Surprise." He said sarcastically. She nudged him with her elbow and poured them both a cup of tea with the boiling pot. She wrapped her hands around it and sipped slowly, watching him stir and then strain the pasta. She watched him nimbly move across the kitchen with such grace. They kept quiet, which was only a little awkward. She was aware most neighbors wouldn't cook each other's food and spill their life secrets to each other, but he did say he knew he was crossing a boundary. And she was okay with it. His presence helped a little bit. He didn't touch her or talk about things that she wouldn't want to, and gave her plenty of space to do what she thought was necessary.

It was nice having someone just be there. Mairead grabbed two plates and forks, setting them out on the kitchen island. She made sure the wood counter had space for the both of them to sit and eat. Regulus had figured out how to turn off the stove, which Euphemia had taught him while he was healing. They piled food onto their plates and ate quietly, the only sound being the sound of a fork scraping the plate. Occasionally, one of them would accidentally brush their arm against the other, but it was overlooked. Mairead volunteered to do the dishes, and then turned on a small radio.

Music floated around the kitchen, where Mairead was washing soapy dishes while humming and dancing. Regulus had left to go tidy the living room, but when he got back, he saw Mairead pretending she was a superstar in her kitchen while cleaning dishes. She sang softly and danced around every once and a while. He just leaned against the doorframe to watch. He had to admit, muggle music wasn't completely terrible. It was the first time he had ever seen Mairead being so relaxed and happy in the month they had known each other. She ended up turning and seeing him watching her with a faint smirk.

"Tell anyone and I'll...I'll punch you." She threatened. He laughed. It was rich and slow, like honey and Mairead instantly liked his laugh. He just shook his head and went to help her with the remaining dishes, which weren't many.

"You do that." He responded.

"I will. I swear." She said with a smug tone.

"Mhm, got it." Then they both sat on the couch, looking out the window to see the sunset on the beach. It was a blend of blues, pinks, purples, and a fiery orange that Mairead couldn't help smile at. She turned to Regulus.

"What's your favorite color?" She asked. He raised an eyebrow.

"What's your favorite color?" He parroted. She shook her head.

"Nope, I asked first."

"It's dark green. Like a forest. Now you've got to tell me yours." He watched her think. Blue was too basic, white was boring, pink was too vibrant, black too dark, and so forth. She bit her lip in thought.

"Whatever color a sunset is considered. The blend of colors." Regulus smiled and focused in on the sunset again. Now, it was more blue and purple with streaks of pink and orange.

"Since you've asked me a question, I think I should ask you one. Favorite place in the world?" She thought again. She had only ever been to Ireland and Scotland, so it had to be somewhere there.

"Probably here. The line. I've never been more comfortable and happy anywhere else. Every other place I've been, I've blended into the background and stayed quiet and alone. Here, I'm alone, but I can be free." He nodded. "Yours?"

"My old school." He was hesitant to say a ton about Hogwarts, in fear of her finding out, but he continued. "It was a boarding school, because my parents couldn't stand the sight of me or my brother. It was like a castle; beautiful and ancient. It was surrounded by mountains and hills. The castle had a gorgeous view wherever you looked. I loved it more than anything. It was my home." She stayed quiet at the mention of the school.

"That's nice. Well, Mister Regulus, now that we've exchanged the deepest, darkest information about ourselves, where does that put us? Acquaintances? Enemies?" Mairead joked, nudging Regulus.

"Neither." He said.

"Well there's only really one more option. Friends?" Regulus smiled and nodded his head at the girl. Now, he had a new life, a nice house, and a lovely new friend. A perfect fresh start from his past life.