King of Swords [ Regulus Black ]

Chapter 13

The Deatheaters have had an exceptionally busy few days. If they weren't inherently evil, I might even appreciate their work ethic.

A woman waiting for a train in Euston station flips through a copy of The Prophet. A large black hat covers her face as she holds the paper with leather-gloved hands.
It is just the two of us, so I stare at the images on the cover with little discretion.

Lucius Malfoy Running For Minister
The first headline reads, followed by a portrait of the man himself with his long white hair pulled into a bun. I can't believe how young he is, still in his mid-twenties. Some voters prefer a spry, fresh face in the race for office. I would, too if it were anyone but Lucius, and Haro wasn't battling against him.

Tucked in the margins on the other side of the page is a much smaller image of Jarrel Bennett, the auror. He seems to be running a press conference in the photograph. Flashes of light bounce around him as he speaks from a podium. It is a much smaller image than Malfoy's.

Three murders linked to Deatheaters, the headline above it reads.

The woman catches me staring as I try to read the fine print. She flicks the paper closed with a nervous jolt. I gaze at her, unblinking. It is tiresome to constantly feign ignorance. She looks like she is feeling rather anxious, so I roll my shoulders back and step closer.

The woman's demeanor immediately relaxes. She clearly thinks I am one of them. This does something to my ego that I am not proud of.

"Fawley is the only candidate that makes sense to me," I express, "out with the old and the corrupt, that's what I say."

The woman tilts her chin, "you think Michum is corrupt?"

I shake my head, pointing to Lucius' photograph in her newspaper, "Not Michum."

"Well, that is a certainty," she says with her eyebrows drawn, "he's always sent a chill down my spine."

My sentiment exactly. I have no idea who she is, but the accent is Northern. She seems to be about Riverina's age.