Doing a Duty || Closed
“I was surprised you decided to have a quiet weekend this weekend.”
The comment sailed across the room, causing its mark to pause with a frown. Although the comment was mild, tone devoid of anything but polite interest, it spoke more of what it could be than what it was. It could mean nearly anything. And the wrong word could trigger the wrong response. A rustle of paper filled the silence as Regulus lowered it, eyeing his mother with bemusement. “Were you?”
“Yes, of course, after you spent the previous two gallivanting through London.” Her words were chiding, but the smile on her face spoke more of pride. “First Trafalgar Square, then the riot with those silly Squibs. Of course, I’m certain I know nothing about their of those things.” She tapped her nose, a sly grin breaking through.
Regulus paused again, considering whether to tell her the truth. That he hadn’t been there at Trafalgar Square, as it was a mission given to those with different positions than his own. That he wasn’t sure that his part in the ruining of the Squib rally was meant to be a reward or a punishment, considering the partner that he had been given. That his same partner’s level of violence had turned his stomach, giving an open to the concerns and hesitations he had tried to ignore in the months since Kreacher told him what the Dark Lord used him to do.
He did not voice any of that. It wasn’t what his mother wanted to hear, and it was hardly safe to voice his concerns about the Dark Lord’s mission even in the most private of company. She had already been disappointed by one son; far be it for him to the second.
“We enjoyed a nice evening with Lucius and Narcissa,” he said instead. “They seemed to enjoy being surrounded by their friends. She’s glowing.”
“Yes, I imagine she is.” Just like that, as though that comment was reassurance enough that her son was climbing the ranks as he should be, she was on another topic. “I have been thinking. Druella and I were speaking the other day, and I believe it is high time we begin trying to find a wife for you.”
“Do you?” Regulus asked, barely resisting the urge to hide himself behind the paper again.
“Yes. Now, you haven’t expressed an interest in any of the young ladies of our acquaintance…” The pause spoke for itself, speaking of things that were known and never spoken aloud as if to say them were to make them more true. His prior, entirely inappropriate experiences settled in the space between them, making him want to hide behind his paper again. She might not have known the blood status (half blood), the house (Hufflepuff), career (the Ministry, although Regulus never heard the details), or status (long dead, as collateral in the bigger picture of someone else’s mission, and therefore no longer a concern in her eyes even if not in Regulus’). But she knew a gender, and that alone made his prior experience and relationship inappropriate enough for the remaining male heir of house Black. Regulus didn’t squirm under her gaze, but it was a near thing. “However, Druella believes she has a few young ladies in mind that would do just fine.”
“I’m focused on other things at the moment, but I will trust you and Aunt Druella’s judgment on the matter,” he said simply before allowing himself to retreat into the political reports. It would do no good to argue that working for the Dark Lord and trying to figure out how to advance himself without offending anyone was more than enough pressure. It would not be so easy as saying that he had other interests. It was as much a part of his duty as anything else, and as the chosen son, the only one who bothered to follow the family directions, he would do his duty. Even if it pulled him in a thousand different directions to do so.