origami. . . REGULUS BLACK

fifteen.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The Theory of the Horcruxes
June 1st, 1979.

          Walburga Black had been overjoyed to know that Mallory Abbott had accepted her son's request. Regulus Black was now courting Mallory Abbott and the whole wizarding world had read about it in the latest paper. Walburga had ordered for the Daily Prophet to make them appear on the front page so everyone could see them shine.

Tonight would be their first event as a couple and Mallory wasn't sure she was ready for it but Walburga had sent her a magnificent dress to match her son. Thankfully, the ball was held at the Malfoys as usual and Mallory thanked Merlin because she would be in a room where she knew people and wasn't a total stranger. Narcissa had been the first one to send out a letter to congratulate her.

"Are you ready, Mallory?" Regulus queried from the hallway. Just for this time, Regulus had come get ready to Mallory's so she wouldn't have the chance to really stress out about it. "Mallo–"

"I can't zip my dress, Regulus," she exclaimed angrily, trying to reach for the zip but he approached her and laid a hand on her shoulder as he zipped it up. "Thank you," she then added.

"Would you like a drink?" He queried, flexing his hand as if he was trying to let go of the tension he felt in it ever since he had touched her skin.

Mallory arched an eyebrow, "I thought I was not supposed to drink that much," she teased.

"Well," he chuckled. "I think we both need a drink for what's to come," he said, pouring two glasses of elf wine. "Do you reckon you could help me for something when we get there?"

"What is it?" Mallory asked, sipping on the drink as she knew she couldn't swallow it entirely.

He cleared his throat, fidgeting with the ring Moody had given him earlier this year, "I am sure Kreacher has helped the Dark Lord hide a Horcrux. I need to know more about them but we don't have any books on the subject at home. I think Lucius does."

"What would be the plan, Regulus?"

"To enter his library."

Mallory ran a hand through her hair, "Bu–but, people will ask where we are..."

"Mallory, I am courting you," he reminded her. "Let them make assumptions about us. Snogging or shagging, it is all the same. You have to accept that people will now talk of us."

As usual, at these kinds of balls, Mallory and Regulus shared a dance. Mallory almost grew uncomfortable as she could feel so many eyes on them and hear so many whispers. And for the first time, she shared a dance with Orion Black as well.

"I am happy that you've accepted my son's request," he said as they spun around the ball room. "You are going to make a lovely addition to the family, Mallory."

Mallory smiled, her heart warming a bit, "I–Your son makes me happy," she lied, though Mallory had a hard time telling what was real and what wasn't these days. "He is lovely."

"It is funny that he turned out to be so lovely considering his parents," he joked as she snorted. "It is true! My wife and I haven't set the best example of a love relationship," he then said.

"It is alright," she reassured, smiling widely. "Your son is a perfect gentleman."

The music stopped as they both bowed in front of each other. Mallory excused herself as she reached the open bar, grabbing a glass of wine and chugged it all down hoping that no one had seen her.

Mallory and Regulus stood in front of the huge library doors, well they had done one already but hadn't found anything. Her hand reached for the doorknob but Regulus stopped her to do it himself, "What are you doing?"