Chapter 4 - Narcissa Malfoy
Regulus was in awe as he approached the manor doors.
He craned his neck just to take it all in.
He gently knocked against the wooden door, stepping back as it opened.
Narcissa wore a smile on her face that made her look eons younger.
Her hair was half up and two pieces were left in the front to frame her face.
Regulus was almost jealous of how she pulled off the black and platinum blonde combination.
He laughed to himself, picturing James' reaction of Regulus dying his hair.
Regulus decided he'd do it once, temporarily, just to prank James.
"Regulus, it's so lovely to see you!" She gleamed.
Regulus smiled back at her, but his eyes traveled to her stomach as she came more into view.
Now that Regulus had taken notice- she was glowing and supported a small bump.
"Come in, come in." She insisted as she pulled the door all the way open.
Regulus stepped in the massive manor.
It was almost three times the size of Grimmauld Place and a thousand times Remus and Sirius' place.
It was very spacious- there was almost too much space. It seemed very...empty.
The manor was gorgeous, but it lacked any warmth or comfort.
Regulus could only imagine how lonely it got when Lucius was out so often.
He frowned slightly, picturing Narcissa all alone in the massive place.
She was so excited as she guided him into the drawing room.
"Dobby!" She called sweetly.
There was a pop and a rather small elf, way more youthful than Kreacher, appeared.
"Regulus, this is Dobby." Narcissa introduced.
"Hello, Dobby. I'm Regulus." Regulus introduced himself.
"Hullo, Mister Regulus." Dobby muttered politely.
"Is the tea ready?" Narcissa asked.
Dobby nodded, "Yes mistress, Dobby will fetch it."
"Thank you." Narcissa spoke as Dobby popped out of the room.
Out of all his cousins Narcissa was always the nicest to the house elves.
Andy tried to ignore them, she mostly did everything on her own- not using the elves for anything.
Cissy was very kind when she spoke to the elves and whenever she asked them for anything.
Bella was the worst. She was so cruel to the elves. Regulus even heard a rumor she'd killed one.
Dobby appeared with the tea as Regulus and Narcissa got comfortable.
Regulus took a sip of the piping hot tea, "Chamomile?"
"It's supposed to calm the nausea." Narcissa explained.
It seemed to do wonders for Regulus. He felt relaxed and calm.
"I guess congratulations are in order." Regulus gleamed.
"Thanks. It's a boy." Narcissa muttered, placing a hand to her bump with a smile.
"That's brilliant. You'll be a wonderful mother." Regulus assured.
Narcissa's smile was genuine, as if Regulus' words were everything she'd wished to hear.
They spent the rest of the time catching up.
Regulus told her about his studies and Ivan and Claudette and she told him all about married life.
They'd been sitting in the drawing room for hours.
Narcissa stood up, "Excuse me a moment, feel free to wonder."
She practically fled the room and Regulus figured, by the looks of her, that the baby didn't enjoy the chamomile.
He figured he had maybe ten minutes to find the diary.
Regulus scurried around the manor, stopping at a room they'd passed.
Lucius' office.
Regulus pushed open the door, just enough to squeeze through.
There were so many books scattered all around, making it nearly impossible for Regulus to find a diary that looked like every other book.
He scanned the bookshelf for anything that stuck out, before he turned towards the desk.
Regulus searched through each drawer, kneeling in order to open the lowest drawer.
He shuffled through it before coming across a leather bound book.
It was old and warn and something about it screamed evil.
It had to be it.
Regulus was ready to stand back up, but was stopped by a pop.
He hid under the desk, holding his breath.
It was life or death.
"Just hold onto it so I can get my affairs in order!"
Regulus' blood ran cold at Bella's voice.
"Keep your voice down- I don't need Narcissa knowing I've returned home", Lucius snapped, "Drop it off so we can head out."
There was a metal clank as a heavy object was placed on the desk.
Regulus could feel her pause.
This was it.
He was dead.
A goner.
"Alright. He's probably waiting for us." Bella muttered.
A pop and then silence.
Regulus stayed still for many moments after that.
He didn't move- he didn't even breathe.
Not until he was absolutely sure the coast was clear.
He peaked around the desk.
Empty.
He jumped up onto his feet and spotted the golden cup on the desk.
Regulus could recognize the cup from anywhere.
Helga Hufflepuff's cup.
He grabbed it before rushing towards the window.
Regulus pushed the pane up before tossing the objects into the garden below.
Just as Regulus was closing the window he heard a voice.
"Ow!"
He glanced down and saw nothing.
"James?! What are you doing here?! You're going to ruin everything!" Regulus hissed.
"You went into enemy territory and expected me to just let you go without backup?" James huffed.
"Take the Horcruxes and go." Regulus spat.
He froze as he heard footsteps approaching.
Regulus slipped out the window, rushing out from the garden into the yard.
Narcissa appeared in the open window as Regulus walked towards it- making it look like he hadn't come from it.
"Your garden is lovely." Regulus exclaimed.
Narcissa wasn't even the slightest bit suspicious, she just smiled and closed the window before joining Regulus outside.
The pair were resting by the fountain, feeling the mist that was created as the water crashed against itself.
It was a rather warm day for February.
"Have you thought of any names?" Regulus asked, "A star, I'm guessing."
"Someone has to carry on the family tradition", Narcissa explained, "Besides, I think it to be a rather cute tradition."
Regulus shrugged, "I guess so."
"You like your name, don't you?" Narcissa asked.
Regulus never had a problem with his name.
He was indifferent towards it.
He liked that he had his own star.
Something that was a guarantee when everything else was not.
Regulus would say he loved his name, but only when it fell from James' lips.
The way James put his entire heart into muttering his name made Regulus weak.
"I suppose." Regulus mumbled.
He was so pissed at James for going against him and putting the entire plan in jeopardy, but Regulus would forgive him in a heartbeat solely just to hear his own name.
In all honesty the happiness and lack of worry that his cousin had was something he envied- something he had when he was with James.
~
"Look I'm really sorry. I was just worried and I wanted to be there just in case you needed me, but I know that was wrong because you didn't need me and you're very capable of doing things on your own-" James rambled as Regulus returned to their room that night.
"Stop talking." Regulus huffed, smashing his lips into James'.
And after that well, for a lack of better words, Regulus jumped James' bones.