origami. . . REGULUS BLACK

twelve.

CHAPTER TWELVE
The Request Of The Dark Lord
April 16th, 1979.

          Regulus had sworn on his life that no one would know about what had happened to Mallory. He had not gone back to see her, he had no intent on going back until she called out for him. Regulus went to the ball by himself and spent the night apologising for her absence; Bellatrix and Rodolphus' stare on him did not go unnoticed.

Sometimes, when he lay still at night, he would close his eyes and play that memory again and again, until he grew too frustrated. Truth was, how could a man like Regulus Black have Mallory Abbott?

For now, he was locked away in his room with books in hands. He hadn't done much. His mother wouldn't allow it. Despite being the good heir, he was forbidden to stay outside too long as she feared the outside world. Sirius had escaped, and she wasn't ready to let Regulus escape as well.

"Dear," Walburga called for Regulus from her office, which was downstairs. On the opposite, Orion's was upstairs. "Is Mallory feeling any better?"

"I fear not, Mother," Regulus replied swiftly, hands tied behind his back.

Walburga grimaced, looking rather concerned, "Was her fall that horrid?"

"Yes."

Regulus tried to keep his answers short and clear so the whole story would make sense. If he ever stuttered or said the wrong thing, his mother would know and he couldn't risk it.

"If she needs healers or such, we can welcome her here," Walburga said all of a sudden, taking Regulus by surprise. "You must tell her, Regulus."

"I will," he nodded his head. "Though, I am not sure she will be able to move since she was put to bed rest."

"Right," she nodded her head thoroughly. "I am sure you will hear it soon enough from your father but the Dark Lord has requested to meet her."

His eyes widened, though he tried to not show it too much, "To meet her?"

"Yes. Apparently, she caught his eye," she replied unfazed but Regulus couldn't help and feel dizzy.

He nodded wordlessly, his jaw clenched as he held himself back to ask questions that would make him look suspicious. As he reached his bedroom, he did his best to not spiral and instead thought. He thought about what he could do or say to Mallory. There was not a doubt to him that she would accept in a heartbeat. Despite knowing the mission, he didn't want Mallory to meet him.

Later that day, he told his mother he was going to see her and she simply nodded and reminded him to ask her if she would like to come here to rest. When he reached her front door, he contemplated the idea of seeing her or not but he had no choice, so he gathered his courage and brought his fist to the white wooden door.

"Black," Gideon opened the door, surprise written all over his face though he smiled and invited him inside. "It's been a long time."

Regulus nodded, "Feels like it. Is Mallory here?"

He nodded, "She's with Fabian. Do you want me to fetch her for you?"

"Please," he said, his voice soft as he sat on the couch and sighed loudly. He didn't want to see Fabian and hear his snarky comments about all of it.

"Regulus," Mallory's weak voice echoed from behind him as he turned around to see her. It was the first time that he saw her after he stormed out of her flat. He gulped nervously and offered a tight smile. "What is it?"

He rubbed his hands on his pants, "My mother asks if you would like to come and rest with us," he said quietly as she frowned. "I know it is rubbish, I have told her but–"