"What do you mean he's dead?" Narcissa asked her husband in disbelief. "How did he die?"
"I don't know the details," Lucius answered. "I tried to ask the Dark Lord about it, but I wasn't able to go far with that. All he said was that Regulus had deflected."
"So the Dark Lord killed Reggie?" Narcissa breathed in horror.
"I don't know if he was the one who did it," Lucius responded, "of if he had another Death Eater do it. I'm so sorry, Narcissa. I wish I had more to tell you, but that was all I could get out of the Dark Lord. He was very angry about the whole affair, but mostly he seemed very distracted."
"The Dark Lord didn't hurt you, did he?" Narcissa asked in concern.
"Don't concern yourself with that," Lucius replied. "This is Regulus we're talking about. I had to try to find out how he died, for both our sakes. I'm just sorry that I can't offer you more."
Narcissa bit her bottom lip. It was clear she was struggling to keep her composure.
"Oh, Reggie," Narcissa finally muttered to herself, "what did you get yourself into? And why didn't you come to us?"
"The last time I saw him," Lucius offered, "I could tell that there was something on his mind. I asked him what was wrong."
Lucius sighed. "Regulus is usually an open book, but for once in my life, I couldn't get anything out of him. In fact, he told me it would be for the best if I didn't know too much. He told me he was worried about both me and you."
Lucius shook his head. "Imagine that. Regulus, wanting to protect us."
"Reggie always had a good heart," Narcissa remarked with a slight smile.
"That boy should have never taken the Mark," Lucius said sadly. "If only he had not wanted to please his parents so much. He did it because of Sirius. I know he did. He wanted so badly to make up for all the shame that Sirius caused the family. And now he's dead."
Lucius looked out the window of his study. "Why didn't you come to me, Regulus? I would have done my best to protect you, no matter what you might have gotten yourself into."
"He was just a boy," Narcissa spoke, more to herself than to her husband.
"A foolish boy," Lucius responded, "but a good boy. I wish I had done more to keep him safe."
"I know that you looked after him as best as you could, Lucius," Narcissa replied. "Besides, Reggie wouldn't want you blaming yourself."
Lucius looked away from her. He had to fight the instinct bring his hand up to his eyes. He had to fight the tears that were threatening to drip out of his eyes.
I will not cry, he said to himself. I will not cry. I am Lucius Malfoy, and I do not cry about anything.
Narcissa abruptly walked over to her husband.
Hearing her approaching footsteps, Lucius turned to face her. There was now an emotionless expression on his face.
Narcissa wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his chest.
Lucius could feel his wife's tears as he wrapped his arms around her, but he didn't say anything.
At that moment, he didn't trust himself to speak.