Chapter 8 - Mr. & Mrs. Malfoy
Bad.
Very bad.
Regulus had no idea how bad it could get.
He rolled out of bed around noon.
He was thankful to have avoided any confrontation with his mother, for the past two weeks.
Especially considering it had been just him and his mother for the holiday.
When he'd asked where his father was, 'work' was all he got from his mother.
He wasn't sure how much of that he believed, but brushed it off.
Regulus just had to get through the ball and then he was back at Hogwarts the next day.
Being home was- exhausting. He was constantly worrying when the shoe would drop.
It was too good to be true. The peace.
Regulus rubbed his eyes as he stumbled into the bathroom and turned the knob to the shower.
Hot water hit the cold tile and billows of steam rose up.
Only when the water was scorching did he step into the shower.
He let the water abuse his skin until he walked out pink and numb to the touch.
It probably wasn't healthy, but nothing about him was.
After he dried off he headed back into his room, slipping on whatever clothes he found.
Regulus flopped back onto his bed, reaching for the book on his nightstand- where it'd been left untouched since he arrived.
His eyes scanned the words on the page as he continued reading The Grapes of Wrath. He wasn't sure what had taken him so long.
Regulus' mind traveled to James.
What was he doing right then? Was he thinking about their kiss like Regulus had been?
Oh.
That's why it'd taken so long.
Regulus finished the book with just enough time to get ready for the ball.
He hated the balls and galas his parents dragged him too.
The music was always ancient or classical, which was never any fun to dance to- not that Regulus danced much.
He also hated the people. Every last one of them. They laughed about mistreating their elves and spoke enthusiastically about marrying their children off.
Regulus hated the way his mother made him talk to everyone.
He hated how his mother acted at these events. All snobby as if they didn't live in a dingy old house- as if she had kids who made her proud.
Regulus wished others could see through her, but they were all as fake as her. So he'd just keep wishing.
He combed his hair, straightened out his jacket, and brushed his teeth- again.
A set of knocks echoed in the room and then a pop.
"Mistress is expecting you in the drawing room." Kreacher announced.
"Thank you." Regulus muttered as the elf left.
He took one last look in the mirror before heading into the drawing room.
His mother waited for him, in her dark blue- practically black- dress that just reached the floor.
She was wearing more jewelry than Regulus had ever seen on her.
He imagined she only wore it to look wealthier.
Without speaking, she held her hand out and Regulus gave her his arm.
Soon they were on the front porch of a large mansion.
Walburga looked Regulus up and down, held a look of disappointment.
Regulus tried to look nice. He couldn't change how he looked- or that he looked like Sirius.
She pushed the doors open and strutted inside like she owned the place.
Regulus followed behind.
Music reach his ears way before they even made it to the ballroom.
It was a complicated place to get to and Regulus figured he'd use that to his advantage later to get lost for a couple hours.
His mother pushed the doors open and strolled into the ballroom.
Regulus was lucky to have grabbed the doors, otherwise he would've caught them to the face.
By the time he was in the ballroom, his mother had already begun her first conversation of the night-
With the Malfoys'.
Regulus kept his head down, hoping to avoid his mother's gaze.
There was nothing- nothing he wanted to do less than pretend to talk pleasantries with Abraxas and Anatolia.
"Regulus."
Fuck.
Regulus spun on his heels and flashed them his signature fake smile.
"How's quidditch been, boy?" Abraxas quizzed as Regulus joined them.
"It's been great", Regulus spoke, "Our first big game got postponed till after break, but we've been training hard."
"With that attitude, I shall expect a Slytherin win this year." Abraxas jeered.
He laughed, the sound coming from deep in his chest. It was a hollow, wheeze sound.
It didn't not make Regulus feel warm.
Lucius Malfoy appeared in the next moment, his arm wrapped around the waist of the newest Malfoy.
"Hello, Regulus." Narcissa greeted with a smile.
Lucius only looked Regulus up and down.
Regulus could only describe the look on Lucius face as a grimace- as if he was always sucking on a lemon.
His hair was far too blonde, practically white and growing longer by the day.
Regulus had maybe a dozen run-ins with Lucius- mostly due to his fondness of Narcissa.
From what Regulus had heard, Lucius was a good boyfriend. Loving, patient.
He wondered if they were seeing the same man.
Regulus wanted to be judgmental, he wanted to pretend he knew Lucius, but he knew that if the roles were reversed with him and-
He knew people would probably judge them too.
It was all just a game of judgement.
And in that ballroom, were the most judgmental of them all.
It was a popularity contest, a manipulation of people's thoughts of each other.
Regulus didn't care.
He never cared.
Once he might've been able to enjoy a night like this- slipping away to play cards with his brother or eat small cakes and hide under the dessert tables.
"It's been awhile, how have you been?" Regulus asked.
Regulus hated his family, sure, but Narcissa he had no problems with.
The question allowed for him to slip from the conversation with his mother and the elder Malfoys’ to Narcissa and her guard dog.
She smiled, "I've been well. Enjoying the married life. How is school?"
Regulus almost wished she'd asked about literally anything else.
His thoughts traveled to a certain boy and a field of poppies.
"Good", Regulus muttered, "Boring at times, but I suppose it's early."
"Once the Hogsmeade trips start there will be something to look forward to." Narcissa assured.
"Right. I forgot about those." Regulus muttered.
He didn't forget, but he usually never went.
He'd been once or twice, whenever Barty and Evan dragged him- when they'd once been closer.
Hogsmeade was also the prime spot for dates.
Regulus would honestly rather scoop his eyeballs out and eat them than see a couple making out at every turn.
"It's been nice seeing you, Narcissa." Walburga butted in once her conversation was over.
Before the pair of cousins could say more, Regulus was being dragged away as his mother searched for her next victim.
The Parkinson's were next.
They were all pudgy people. The baby fat still remained on their faces.
Paschal Parkinson was a stubby guy. Smaller than his wife Phyllis.
Regulus had gathered he was somewhat of a joke to the people around them- and maybe he knew that.
Being short didn't matter if you were rich. And his wife sure was decked out in the shiniest of pearls to show.
"Paschal, Phyllis. My son Regulus", Walburga started, "Regulus you remember Amaryllis."
The girl peaked out from behind her parents at the mention of her name.
She was a petite girl. Long dark hair that reached her stomach. Dark brown eyes- almost black.
Regulus had met her a couple of times. He'd seen her maybe once around the castle.
"Why don't you two get to know each other better and let the adults talk." Walburger suggested.
She was acting all nice, but Regulus knew that's all it was- an act.
Regulus nodded, taking it as an opportunity to sneak away and find his friends.
Amaryllis didn't say anything, just walked beside him. Attempting to keep up with his long strides.
Regulus spotted Evan and Barty at the snack table and approached them.
"Hey!" Evan greeted, "You're looking great. Been a good break?"
Regulus shrugged, "Kept to myself mostly. I've enjoyed the peace, but it has definitely kept me on my toes."
"She looks evil." Barty chuckled, finally seeing her.
Regulus watched Amaryllis shift on her feet from beside him.
"Amaryllis. Barty and Evan", Regulus introduced, "Guys, Amaryllis Parkinson."
Evan held his hand out and Amaryllis shook it.
"Pleasure." She muttered.
Her voice was soft and smooth like silk as she spoke.
"The pleasure is mine." Evan assured.
Regulus rolled his eyes as Evan brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.
He was a horrible flirt.
Barty made gaging noises and Regulus chuckled.
Maybe the ball wasn't so bad.