origami. . . REGULUS BLACK

nineteen.

CHAPTER NINETEEN
Heated Conversation
June 16th, 1979.

     Regulus debated whether or not he should tell Mallory he had found the cave and had checked it for himself. He knew that if he didn't tell her, she'd lose the plot and probably threaten him like she had done before. So after a long morning thinking, he told his Mother he was going to see Mallory and headed out.

They hadn't seen each other ever since the funeral, both too afraid to face each other. Besides, there wasn't any reason for them to meet as the Dark Lord had completely disappeared from Britain for now. Death Eaters were obligated to go back to a normal life for now. If he had heard Moody correctly two days ago, Mallory had moved out of London and now lived in her childhood manor along with Pen, the kneazle.

Later that day, when the sun was high in the sky, he stood on her porch and knocked. The door opened itself and he let himself in. It was clear that Mallory had tied up the place. The sun warmed the whole manor and he found himself almost jealous at the amount of light it had compared to Grimmauld Place.

"I was wondering when you'd come," Mallory's voice echoed from the kitchen as she appeared with a cigarette between her lips and holding two glasses of firewhisky. "You could have owled me."

Regulus thanked her for the drink, clearing his throat, "Well, I wasn't sure if you would have let me come to you, Mallory."

"Come sit," Mallory ignored his answer, patting the sofa next to her. "We ought to talk," she then said once he was close enough to her and he could smell her cigarette breath hitting the side of his face.

Her knees were slightly grazing his upper thigh and he fought the urge to touch her skin with his hand. Regulus had to remind himself that he was not her boyfriend and she would not like to be touched by his bloody hands. He knew he couldn't escape it, they needed to talk about what he had heard but he didn't know if he had the strength to.

"Don't we, Regulus?" Mallory asked once again.

Regulus hummed, "Yes, we do but first, I came here to tell you that tomorrow, I will leave for the cave," he said as her expression shifted. "I would like to go by myself."

A dry scoff escaped her lips, "Are we going to fight again?"

"I rather not fight you today, Mallory," Regulus admitted in a breathy manner. "Will you allow me to go by myself?"

"Bloody no!" Mallory exclaimed, rising to her feet and shaking her head. "I will not allow you to go get yourself killed, Regulus. I refuse."

"Mallory," he pleaded.

Mallory spun to face him and positioned between his legs so he was forced to spread them a bit more. The position made his cheeks burn and he forced himself to not look up at her, or he'd let down his guard and just let her come. Regulus wanted to stand his ground. But Mallory's knee moved closer to his crotch and his breath got stuck in his throat. Salazar.

"Fine, we won't talk about that little quest of yours for now," Mallory breathed out. "But let's talk about what you've heard then. What did you hear exactly?"

He was afraid that if he talked out loud, he would stutter, "Salazar," he breathed out, closing his eyes tightly. "I heard that you liked me and enjoyed my presence."

"And that's true, Regulus. I enjoy having you around because I like you and only you," Mallory repeated, moving to straddle his hips. Regulus' eyes grew wide while Mallory's finger traced his jawline. "Do you like me back?"

"That's a foolish question, Mal," he muttered, unable to focus correctly as she pressed herself closer to him.

Mallory's hands sneaked around his neck and started scratching at the base of his hairline, "Answer with yes and no, then I'll be settled."