origami. . . REGULUS BLACK

twenty-one.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
First Haunting Floor
June 25th, 1979.

After a few days spent there, on the first floor, Regulus was now convinced it was haunted. Every night, when the hallways were as dark as the sky outside, there'd be wails and light scratches heard. The nurses were the only ones walking around and checking on patients. Regulus even had heard from a resident there that only the nurses were allowed to roam the hospital's hallways at night or the visitors would be taken away by the spirits.

Regulus wasn't much of a believer when it came to spirits but after spending a few nights with Mallory, he could understand where the whispers came from. Mallory had been put to sleep for a week under a healer's suggestion, he had said her wounds were too deep to heal by themselves if she was awake, so Regulus allowed them to do whatever was required to keep her safe and alive. 

When Mallory began to wake up, he was there. By her side. He had wiped the sweats off her forehead and had pressed a gentle kiss on it, promising that she was okay. Mallory did not utter a word, just smiled before drifting back to sleep.

On the next day, the Prewett came. None knew the reason why she was here but it was clear that Fabian was convinced it was Regulus' doing. Even Gideon seemed a bit distant to Regulus' dismay. But, he knew Mallory well enough to know that she wouldn't want them to fight, so he left the room and went on the last floor to get a warm chocolate. When he went back, they were gone and Mallory was looking a little happier than before.

Then it was visitors on visitors and flowers on flowers. He had no idea that Mallory had so many friends. Even Emmeline Vance had sent flowers to her Dear Mallie and the thought made Regulus laugh, but Mallory had simply hit his shoulder playfully before smiling as well.

On a Tuesday, knocks echoed from outside and Regulus, as usual, went to open the door. His eyes opened wide when he saw his mother and cousin, Narcissa, standing before him. 

"Mother?" He quizzed, casting an unsure look at Mallory who was quietly eating her apple. "What are you doing here?"

Walburga frowned, "Regulus, why did you not tell us Mallory had been sent to the first floor? Is she alright?"

"He didn't want to scare you, Mrs.Black," Mallory's little voice echoed from behind him, and Walburga lightly pushed her son out of the way to rush to Mallory's side.

Narcissa, on the opposite, offered a warm smile and kissed his cheek, "Aunt Walburga and I were terribly scared for Mallory. Is she going to be alright?"

Regulus sighed softly, "She should be."

He closed the door behind Narcissa before reaching Mallory's side again. Walburga had one hand wrapped around Mallory's hand, and the other one was firmly pressed against her forehead—as if she was checking for her temperature. Regulus could not recall a day where she had behaved so motherly, perhaps during old times when Regulus was sick but either way, she used to send a Healer named Maria.

"Oh, dear," Walburga breathed out, kissing the top of Mallory's hand. "We were so scared. Orion and I."

"There was no need to be," Mallory smiled softly and grabbed Regulus' hand. "Your son was a true gentleman and brought me here. He even threatened a nurse."

Walburga gasped as Narcissa snorted, "Oh, Salazar. Why?"

Regulus shrugged, "She refused to take care of Mallory when I asked to, so I pointed my wand at her."

The reason seemed to ease his mother as her shoulders relaxed, "Good boy. If people nowadays don't want to work anymore, I will be sure to send an owl to the Ministry where I'll be complaining about the welcoming at the front desk," she muttered.