Hey everyone, I'm here with chapter eight. I hope you all love it as much as I do. I have some of chapter nine written, but it's kind of short and sucks, so I'm going to wrok on it in the next few days.
Huge thanks to Mike, not only have you done a fantastic job beta'ing for me, but your kind comments have inspired me to work harder on my next chapter. Thanks
Also, thank you to Lilybet Edyvean for your review - I'm pleased you liked it and your comments mean a lot.
Chapter Eight: The Haunted Forest.
The following day, just as promised, Amelia received an owl from Regulus. It was delivered by the same tawny owl as the previous ones and as before bared the familiar Black family crest. As always, Amelia hurried to the aviary to open it in privet, and allow the owl a well-deserved rest. This letter was longer, and a lot less formal than the first two she had received from Regulus.
Dear Millie,
I hope you slept well last night. I did, after half an hour's inquisition about what we'd been doing upstairs. I think they were rather upset that they don't have a wedding to plan.
I never finished what I wanted to say last night, as my mother interrupted us, but I wanted to tell you that I really like you and hope we can start seeing each other and see what develops.
I've never met a girl like you before, and it's funny how much we have in common.
Every time we're together, it feels like I can forget all the pressure of being the Black family heir, and just enjoy being myself.
Part of me is really scared aswell though, I haven't done anything like this before and I'm not quite sure what to expect.
All I can hope is that you feel the same, and that you want to see me again, especially since you go back to school soon.
I can understand that with you taking your N.E.W.Ts this year it might be a lot of pressure for you, and I don't want to add to that.
Owl me back if you want to meet up again, and we can arrange something.
Take care,
Regulus x
Amelia squealed with delight, frightening the tawny owl and her own sleeping barn owl. She could not believe that Regulus felt the same way as she did, a part of her was sure she was still in bed, dreaming.
Returning to the manor, walking as if on air, she was greeted by a strange sight at the dining table. Her aunt and uncle were sitting as if they had been waiting for her, looking happier than she had even seen them. Everything about the scene was odd, why wasn't Lucius at work? And what had happened that had made them look so happy?
Amelia wondered whether the Ministry had given up on their Muggle Protection Act, but surely that wouldn't cause the look of jubilation on her guardians' faces.
Taking a seat opposite them, Amelia was eager to her what they had to say.
"Millie, we have some exciting news we'd like to share with you," said Narcissa, her voice light and full of excitement.
Lucius looked the same, and Amelia found this slightly disturbing, as her uncle rarely expressed his emotions.
"But we want to assure you Amelia, that our news won't change anything concerning you," said her uncle.
Baffled at what could be going on, Amelia spoke, "Erm… alright... But I don't really understand what's happening. Is it something to do with that Muggle Protection Act?" she asked.
Narcissa laughed, "No silly, it's much more important than that. What we want to tell you is that we're expecting a baby," she smiled, looking down at her stomach.
Amelia gasped, not quite sure what to say, "Erm.. Congratulations," she stuttered.
"Of course this doesn't change anything, we're still your guardians and this is still your home for as long as you want it to be," reassured her uncle, in an uncharacteristic display of affection.
Amelia simply nodded, still trying to take in their news. In nine months, just as she'd be leaving school, she'd have a new baby cousin.
Despite her aunt and uncle's assurances Amelia felt a little uneasy. She was sure that they meant what they'd said, but she could easily see in nine months time, when they had a child of their own and she had graduated from school, them feeling differently.
"So, Amelia would you like to join us for breakfast?" asked Lucius.
"Yeah, alright then. But I'll have to get started on studying straight after," she replied.
Dobby promptly presented the three of them with a full English breakfast.
"You is having to eat up Mistress Malfoy; you is needing to keep your strength up now you is having a baby."
Narcissa just laughed, obviously too elated to care much.
"So, did you enjoy yourself last night? Is everything going well with you and Regulus?" the newly pregnant woman asked.
Amelia, who had been blown away by the announcement, suddenly remembered the letter she was still clutching.
"Oh yes, everything is going really well. Regulus has said that he really likes me and hopes we can keep seeing each other," she beamed.
"Wonderful, it seems like everyone is receiving good news recently," replied her aunt.
Lucius said nothing, but had a look on his face as if he'd won the lottery. Amelia was sure it was nothing to do with her budding romance, but just that fact he'd found out he was going to be a father.
After a happy breakfast, Amelia went to her bedroom to begin a day of studying. Hopefully if she worked hard for the next few days, her guardians would let her see Regulus at the weekend.
However, despite how hard she tried, nothing seemed to stay in her brain that morning. Finally, after failing to concentrate on her Charms essay, Amelia gave in and turned to her journal instead.
Amelia jotted down her thoughts about the prospect of having a new cousin, hoping it would be a girl. Then she began musing about her and Regulus' fledgling relationship. She was still in disbelief that he felt the same. A month ago, it was hard to imagine herself finding someone, let alone the man of her dreams.
Her daydreams took hold of her, and before she knew it, she was planning their wedding, with her little cousin as a flower girl.
The next few days passed in pretty much the same way; on Friday, she sent an owl to Regulus telling him that she could meet him in Hogsmeade the following day. Other than that, she spent her time studying, still finding it hard to concentrate, but wanting something to keep her out of Lucius and Narcissa's way. At first, Amelia found their joy over Narcissa's pregnancy heart-warming, but now it had become somewhat sickening. She was extremely pleased by their news, but their new frequent displays of affection and continual talk of babies had become tiresome.
After a long, few days of schoolwork, to the point that she felt as if her head might explode, Amelia prepared to meet Regulus in Hogsmeade. It was very rarely that Lucius allowed Amelia out alone, but this time he had agreed, he must have been impressed by her efforts in studying and obviously still on cloud nine about the baby news.
Early on Saturday morning Amelia rose, ate breakfast quickly -- although could not manage much due to excitement -- picked out some flattering sky blue robes and apparated to the Three Broomsticks at around eleven.
Regulus was chatting animatedly to Madam Rosmerta, and Amelia felt a pang of jealousy when she saw the pair. Hurriedly she made her way over to the bar, and Rosmerta spotted her before Regulus, as he had his back the room.
"Morning Amelia, nice day isn't it?" said the older woman.
"Good morning Rosmerta, yes it is a lovely day."
Alerted by Rosmerta's greeting, Regulus turned to see Amelia. He welcomed her with a quick hug, before speaking.
"Good morning Millie, I was just telling Rosmerta here about what I've got planned for us today."
Responding to his comment Amelia raised a questioning eyebrow, as the bar keeper handed him a large picnic basket from behind the bar.
"Have a nice day, you two," she said, with a knowing wink.
"Right, let's get going then," said Regulus, taking Amelia's hand and leading her out of the pub.
"Where are we going?" questioned Amelia.
"I'm not telling, it'll ruin the surprise," Regulus replied, with a mischievous twinkle in his grey eyes.
They walked a little way out of the village, and past the Shrieking Shack, until they reached a small grassy clearing on the edge of a forest.
The area was beautiful, it was just shaded from the hot sun by the trees, had glistening bright green grass, and a sweet smelling collection of wild flowers. The only sound that could be heard was the happy song of birds, and the distant babble of water.
Regulus sat down on the grass, took out a large blanket from the basket, and beaconed for Amelia to join him.
As she sat down on the blanket, Regulus started to pull small boxes of food from the basket. When he had finished there was a small feast of sandwiches, cakes, fresh fruit, salad, biscuits and a bottle of mulled mead.
Regulus smiled and said, "I thought it would be nice if we spent some time alone together, so I arranged this picnic with Rosmerta. I've known about this place for a while, but have never had anyone special to take here."
Amelia's heart almost burst with joy, this was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her.
Awed by his affection she tenderly took his hand and spoke, "Thank you Regulus, this is lovely."
Regulus just blushed, and gestured for Amelia to get started on the food. They ate almost everything, until they were full to the point of bursting. Then not wanting to do anything in the heat and with full stomaches, they lay back on the blanket.
Amelia closed her eyes to shield them from the glaring sun, and felt Regulus edge closer to her, until their bodies were touching and he slid his arm around her.
They remained like this, in silence, for almost an hour, until Amelia started to nod off. A soft hand gently stroking the hair around her face awakened her. Opening her eyes, Amelia saw Regulus' deep grey ones looking back at her, his face less than an inch away from hers.
At the party Amelia had been disturbed by the closeness at which Crouch had displayed, but here alone with Regulus she felt completely relaxed.
Inhaling deeply, and smelling a warm musky scent, Amelia shut her eyes again and turned her head in towards his body. Then she felt his soft kiss on her forehead. Tingles ran through her body from the kiss and she longed for another. Not receiving another, Amelia opened her eyes and brushed her lips gently on his cheek. The contact made Amelia feel as though there was electricity in the air.
Amelia let out a small sigh of pleasure and rapped her arms around Regulus. Lying there with him, she never wanted this moment to end, but end it did.
Suddenly three small boys came running out of the forest, screaming wildly and drenched in water. Obviously, due to the heat and lack of school, they had decided to play in the nearby river.
Annoyed by their presence interrupting the moment, Amelia felt ready to hex them.
At the sight of the couple lying alone at the edge of the woods, the boys burst into a fit of giggles.
"Oh, look at them! They're kissing and everything!" squealed the wettest boy, who had short black hair.
"Shut up," said Amelia, in an uncharacteristic mean tone.
The boys responded with more laughter and ran back into the trees.
"Little gits," complained Regulus.
However, the mood had been broken and the couple sat up.
A conniving smile spread across Amelia's face as she spoke, "How about we play a little trick on those kids and get our own back?"
Intrigued by the idea, Regulus nodded for Amelia to go on.
"Everyone knows the Shrieking Shack is haunted. How about we transfigure this blanket into a white sheet and make them think there's a ghost about."
Regulus let out a bark like laugh and nodded in agreement.
With a few quick wand movements, the picnic blanket was soon a semi-transparent white sheet. Then they walked into the woods, charming the fake ghost to float ahead of them.
The couple sneaked slowly towards the sound of laughter and splashing, then seeing the boys playing in the river hid behind a near by tree.
Amelia whispered "Wingardium Leviosa" and the sheet floated towards the playing boys.
Regulus added to the effect by making ghostly moaning noises.
The boys turned and seeing what they thought to be a ghost, ran screaming in horror from the forest. As they left, Amelia and Regulus caught the end of what they were saying.
"I told you this place was haunted, didn't I Jimmy?"
Regulus and Amelia fell about laughing, clutching their sides in hysterics.
"Well, now that they're gone how about a dip in the river?" suggested Regulus.
"No way! I'm not going in there; I don't want to get my robes wet."
Not deterred, Regulus picked Amelia up in his arms, rand towards the water's edge and dropped her in.
Amelia screamed as the cold water hit her, and gave Regulus a stare that could only mean trouble before he too jumped into the river.
Amelia splashed towards him, and waved a huge amount of water in his direction. Regulus was soaked through, but not put off, as he in turn splashed her back.
"That's not fair" You're bigger than me," she complained.
Regulus merely laughed and flung more water in her direction. Amelia ducked the oncoming wave and darted towards his waist. Grabbing hold of him around the middle, she pulled him to the bottom of the river. A few seconds later the bedraggled pair emerged, still wrapped around each other.
They remained embracing each other, in silence, their bodies so close they were almost one wet tangled person.
Amelia felt Regulus' fast breath on her skin and chills, which had nothing to do with being soaked through, ran from her head to toes. Regulus looked down into her blue eyes, his own showing a deep longing, as he inched closer still.
Slowly their breathing became steady, but they didn't detach themselves from each other. Holding Amelia tightly, feeling her body shiver, Regulus inclined his head towards hers.
Amelia closed her eyes, hoping for what would happen next, and feeling Regulus' lips brush her own.
"Dad! It's over hear, come see," came the boy called Jimmy's cry.
Amelia and Regulus broke apart and jumped for the riverbank.
Jimmy, the black haired boy, followed by his dad and two friends cam running to the river.
"There's a ghost, I swear there is," Jimmy insisted.
Then Jimmy's dad and the three boys noticed Regulus and Amelia, trying to dry off at the side of the water.
"Look Jimmy, it's just those two. I guess you didn't see them properly," said his dad.
Jimmy looked dismayed, but it was nothing compared to the venomous look coming from Amelia. Disappointed that they hadn't found a ghost, Jimmy, his father and friends walked off.
Amelia and Regulus continued to dry themselves, now using wands as the people had gone.
The sun was now starting to set, so taking the picnic basket, Amelia and Regulus began the walk back into Hogsmeade.
They arrived in the Three Broomsticks and Regulus handed the basket back to Rosmerta.
"Had a nice afternoon?" she asked
"Yes thank you," both Regulus and Amelia replied.
Informing her that he wanted a word with Lucius, Regulus apparated back to Malfoy manor with Amelia.
They arrived in the dining room to find Lucius and Narcissa just finishing off their supper.
"Ah Regulus, how nice to see you again. Would you like to join me in my study for a drop of firewhisky?" asked Lucius.
Not really, having much choice Regulus agreed and the two men walked out of the room.
Amelia sat down next to her aunt and helped herself to a glass of pumpkin juice from the jug on the table.
"Did you have a nice afternoon?" asked Narcissa.
"Yeah, it was great thank you. Regulus arranged a picnic for us, in a quiet spot just outside Hogsmeade," Amelia told her aunt.
"Aw, how romantic."
"Well it was until these kids came and disturbed us."
Narcissa laughed and Amelia explained about their trick, the water fight in the river and how the children had come back. Finally insisting that she whole-heartedly disagreed with the Muggle Protection Act, saying that they ruined all the fun.
Meanwhile, in the study, Lucius and Regulus were having a conversation of their own.
"I'm delighted to hear everything is coming along so well," Lucius was saying.
"I'm still not sure, Lucius. Isn't it unfair doing this to Amelia? I'm starting to have doubts,"
"Come now, Regulus. You can't be telling me you have genuine feelings for the girl. You know why we are going this."
"No, it's not that. I'm just not sure if the plan will work," lied Regulus, fully aware that his feeling were no longer fake and that things were getting harder.
Amelia remained oblivious to her uncle's plot, Lucius was unaware of Regulus' growing feeling towards his niece and Regulus battled with guilt over hurting someone he really cared for.