The Darkest Hearts || REGULUS BLACK

Chapter Fifteen

As unexcited as he was for the long night ahead with his extended family, Regulus thought it fortunate that his cousin Narcissa had a good eye for decoration. At least he could be miserable and bored surrounded by festive cheer instead of the usual stiff elegance of Malfoy Manor.

He had Apparated to the front drive of the manor alongside his mother and father, and he'd had to blink several times to adjust himself to the sudden bright light. The manor glowed in the night as if Narcissa had determined to chase away the very notion of shadows. Strings of golden light stretched above them like spiderwebs as they walked down the drive, their tendrils wrapped around every tree trunk and neatly trimmed hedge. Crystalline bubbles danced through the air with noises that resembled windchimes, and when they popped, a heavenly chord would follow, creating a mini symphony of familiar Christmas carols.

"Well," Walburga muttered approvingly, "Narcissa certainly outdid herself this time."

Indeed, the manor house itself shimmered like a sea of Galleons, with huge bundles of garland and golden foil curled up the white marble pillars. A wreath the size of a small dragon decorated with more gold and silver hung impressively above the great double doors, and one of them swung open instantly when Orion raised his fist to knock.

"Aunt Walburga; Uncle Orion!" Narcissa Malfoy beckoned them over the threshold, a large smile on her face. "Please, do come in! Dobby; their cloaks."

A nervous house-elf collected their traveling cloaks and disappeared into the coat closet. Regulus watched the trembling creature and wondered how Lucius must behave toward it to make it act such before Narcissa swooped upon him in a cloud of sweet-smelling tuberose.

"My dear little cousin," she said, cupping his cheeks in her soft hands. Her smile was warm and welcoming and her blue eyes gentle as she took him in. Under all the golden light, her pale hair glowed, incandescent. "You've grown since the summer! Next time I see you, you'll have to stoop to fit inside the door!"

"An exaggeration," Regulus said. He wrapped his arms around her slim shoulders in a fond embrace. Narcissa had always been his favorite cousin, quick to laugh and quick to strike back when provoked. She was certainly the most palatable of the three Black sisters; Andromeda had been quiet and distant in the years leading to her elopement with the Muggle-born Ted Tonks and subsequent exile from the family, and Bellatrix had an intensity about her that made one feel as if they were sitting in a room with a particularly violent and turbulent thunderstorm. "It's good to see you again, Narcissa."

She pulled back and clasped her hands in front of her, speaking to Regulus and his parents. "Everyone else arrived shortly before you did. We're drinking champagne in the drawing room until dinner is ready. They're most eager to see you, Regulus."

The words were cheerful, but there was no mistaking the real reason behind them: the Death Eaters in his family wanted to see how his progress was coming along. He only gave a slight nod, and Narcissa gave him an almost apologetic look before she led them to the drawing room.

Despite its size, the room managed to be cozy, with dark wood-paneled walls and decadent furniture of rich brown leather. A stone fireplace dominated the far wall, and a large silver crest decorated with black and green dragons sat upon it, peering down at the gathered witches and wizards imperiously. The room quieted as they entered, and Lucius Malfoy stood in one smooth movement.

"Orion; Walburga," he said warmly. He crossed the room with lean legs, dressed in elegant black robes with swirling green patterns. His long white-blond hair was tied back from his handsome face, revealing high cheekbones, a perfectly straight nose, and glittering grey eyes. After shaking his father's hand and kissing the back of his mother's, Lucius turned to Regulus. "And little Regulus."