Reality Check
After being invited to the cafe with Severus and his friends, Regulus started being invited out more. By the end of the week he had grown comfortable around the two, and was being invited to a larger group hangout for the next week, which he of course accepted. It had been a good week. Which was quickly ruined when, that Saturday, he was reminded of the real world problems they were dealing with.
The burn of his mark reacting to a summoning momentarily shocked him, having not been summoned to a meeting all week. He froze for a brief moment, anxiety threatening to consume him, before taking a deep breath and forcing himself to focus. Making his way into the main room, to access the floo, absolutely not wanting to be late.
Only a moment after he stepped through to the other side of the floo, somebody else followed.He turned slightly to see who it was, relaxing a bit when he saw that it was Severus.
Severus made eye contact with him a second later, giving a slight nod in greeting, which he returned. They both then started toward the Dark Lords designated meeting room.
As they entered they noticed that they were some of the first few present, so they took their places(near Lucius, Narcissa, and Bellatrix as usual) and waited. Giving brief nods to Lucius, who had glanced at them as they approached.
It only took a couple more minutes for the meeting room to fill up, it never took too long as nobody wanted to be late, knowing it wouldn’t end well if they were. As soon as everybody had arrived, The Dark Lord started speaking from his place in the front and center of the room.
“Welcome followers, it has been too long since our last gathering. Now will be the time to inform me of any and all new happenings since our last one. Then I will inform you all of my plans moving forward.”
He waved the first group to approach him forward. It would take a few minutes at least for him to get to Regulus and Severus’ group. In the meantime they were free to speak to each other quietly.
“Do you have anything new to inform him of?” Regulus asked, looking at Lucius, as he was the one most likely to have anything new. Working in the ministry and all.
“Nothing major at the moment. Just a few motions for some minor laws to be passed. Nothing I think he’ll care too greatly about.”
After this statement Narcissa pulled Lucius into a different conversation, Bellatrix had wandered off who knows where, which left just Regulus and Severus again. Though this time they didn’t really have much to say. So instead of talking they stood in silence, waiting to be called forward.
It only took a few minutes, Bellatrix had found her way back to the group right as they were being called, so they made their way to stand in front of the Dark Lord. Bowing slightly to show him the respect that he expected from them.
The Dark Lord started speaking the moment they straightened up. “Any news or movement to report for the week?”
Lucius spoke first, telling him of the minor laws he had mentioned before, which as he had guessed, the Dark Lord didn’t seem too interested in. Next was Bellatrix, who never really had much to add about the outside world, which wasn’t unexpected.
Then it was time for the remaining three, Severus going first. “Nothing I have noticed, My Lord.” Looking into his eyes as he spoke, Regulus was unsure how he seemed so relaxed, but then it was his turn and he relaxed as much as was possible.
“Nothing new on my end My Lord. Everything seems quiet for now.” When the Dark Lord looked toward Narcissa for the last answer of their group, Regulus felt confident that his answer had seemed genuine enough. This would get easier, he was sure of it.
“There has been nothing new as far as I know. No new discussions during tea either, all is quiet at the moment, My Lord.” Narcissa answered just as calmly as everyone else had. The Dark Lord accepting their answers before dismissing them and calling the next group forward, which Evan was a part of. It seemed they had held up well, and hopefully it would stay that way.
The three subtly watched for Evan as his group was dismissed, seeing his slight nod their way and relaxing. Everything was fine for today.
Only a few groups were left before the Dark Lord would speak to them as a whole. Apparently there hadn’t been much news to tell from any group today.
As soon as the Dark Lord dismissed the last group the quiet chatter around the room stopped, everyone going silent in preparation for him to speak.
“Today I will not be revealing the full extent of the new additional plans I have, but I did want to give a small notice. I am working on adding a spy to Dumbledore’s ranks. I will not say who it is or when they will be added at the moment, but there will be more news of it in the future. Now, as that is all I have to say, you are all dismissed.”
As everyone moved to exit the four current spies glanced at each other. They would need to get together to speak about this new development, then go to Dumbledore.
“We’re going to have to watch everyone very closely, until he tells us who it is we’ll have to be extra careful. Or, worst case, they’re already in the Order and are just waiting to expose us.” Evan was pacing as he spoke, clearly frustrated.
“If that were the case, don’t you think we would have noticed somebody acting suspicious?” Narcissa was obviously nervous, picking at her nails as she responded to Evan.
“Either way, we’ll need to keep an eye out. As well as inform Dumbledore, soon. That’s all we can really do at the moment, and it’s better than nothing.” Severus spoke up, hoping to calm the two, as well as Regulus, who had been anxiously watching them talk while repeatedly clenching his fists.
“You’re right. Ok, ok. So, when do we tell Dumbledore? Do we wait until the next Order meeting, which is sometime next week? Or do we set up a meeting with Dumbledore sooner?” Regulus still sounded anxious, but was slowly relaxing as they made a plan.
Narcissa took a deep breath to help herself relax before speaking, “Sooner would probably be better, that way he can help in keeping an eye out. Right?” She never usually sounded so unsure, but it was understandable given the circumstances.
They all agreed with her though, deciding that setting up a meeting with Dumbledore to happen soon would be the best option. They agreed that they should request the soonest day he was available, and see what his response would be.
Hopefully they could get this over with quickly, if only to give them all a little piece of mind.