No Diversions

14. Preparation

"I don't know," Regulus mutters, pacing the floor as Evan and Dana fill him in. "It seems dangerous."

"That's the fun part, Reg," Evan replies from beside Dana on the sofa, his usual grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

Now, that Dana could agree with. Danger had always held a certain allure for her. The idea of sneaking into a ball full of Death Eaters at Malfoy Manor, risking everything to steal Tom Riddle's diary—it sends an electric jolt through her. The anticipation of being surrounded by enemies, the tension of their cover potentially being blown—it's exactly the kind of chaos she's been craving. Her heart beats faster just thinking about it.

"How do we even know it's Voldemort's diary?" Regulus questions, doubt clear in his tone despite his internal struggle. "It could just be some random book with his name on it. Even if it is a diary, what if it's blank? What if there's nothing useful inside?"

It would be a lie to say the though hasn't crossed her mind. In fact, it's more than likely that the diary contains nothing useful. But she's cross with Regulus, and stubborn even on a good day.

"Then at least I'll know I tried to do something instead of sitting around doing nothing, like you," she snaps, her voice laced with irritation.

The tension from their earlier argument still hangs heavily between them. Every glance, every word they exchange feels charged. She can feel it like a weight pressing down on her chest, the bitterness of it making her pulse quicken.

Regulus's expression hardens instantly. His jaw clenches, his fists tightening at his sides. "You're really testing me, Wilde. You want to keep pushing? See how that works out for you?"

Dana's ready to stand up and meet his challenge head-on when Evan's arm shoots out, stopping her.

"Alright, that's enough, Merlin's beard," Evan says, his voice strained with exasperation. It's rare to hear him so serious, it's such a contrast to his usually cheerful demeanor. He glances at Dana first. "You're always telling us to stop slacking off, yeah? Well, now I'm telling you." Then he turns to Regulus. "And you need to take out whatever's lodged up your arse and make a decision."

"Don't know why he gets the final say." Dana mutters childishly.

The question isn't aimed at anyone in particular, but Regulus seems more than happy to supply an explanation. "Because the two of you are the most impulsive people I've ever laid eyes on and completely unfit to make logical decisions."

She shoots him a glare. "I am not impulsive."

Regulus raises a brow, clearly unimpressed. "Oh really? What about Snape's house?"

"That was harmless," she retorts, her voice faltering slightly.

Evan gasps, looking delighted. "I knew I saw you hiding in the closet!"

Ignoring Evan's dramatics, Regulus continues, "And what about Steve?"

Frowning, she sinks back into the sofa, her shoulders stiffening at the mention of the goblin they kidnapped. Shame floods her, washing away her defiance. She'll never forget Steve's terrified sobbing or the guilt that clung to her when Regulus had to wipe his memory. It had been a rash decision, born of her frustration. And as much as she hates to admit it, Regulus is right.

"Fine," she mutters, admitting defeat, but immediately changes the subject. "So? What's the verdict? Are we going or not?"

"If you could stop running your mouth for just a second, I might be able to figure it out," Regulus snaps, pacing again.