CHAPTER TWENTY
The Cliffs Of Moher
June 17th, 1979.

Mallory and Regulus had woken up before the sun. Pilm had prepared breakfast before their eyes opened because when Regulus started walking downstairs, he could already smell the pancakes from the entrance. The pancakes were as good as Kreacher's and he wondered if Pilm had taught Mallory how to cook them. For a moment, he was taken back to the day where he had been captured and Mallory had said that cooking was her way of feeling better after a mission–he recalled the way she had refused to call Albus Dumbledore the headmaster.

Regulus was confident enough to steal a kiss or two as they ought to get ready. All of a sudden, he didn't want to go to that cave and risk his life. He wanted to stay here with her and not have to care about the Dark Lord for once in his life. But of course, Mallory was quick to bring him back to Earth.

"Regulus, it is time to go."

"I know," he said with a mixed expression. He was standing between fear and apprehension.

"You shall lead the way!" Mallory joked, trying to light up the atmosphere. Taking his hand in hers, he felt his heart pound against his chest. Sure, she had held his hand many times but never it felt that real.

Regulus led the way to the closest apparating point and minutes later, they stood on a parking lot where seagulls flew over their heads and the smell of the ocean invaded their noses. Mallory could hear the waves hitting the cliffs in a distance yet she had no idea where they were until her eyes landed on a sign: Cliffs of Moher, do not stand too close to the edge. Risk of fall. She frowned instantly because why would the Dark Lord choose such a visited place?

"Take my hand," Regulus said as she did what he asked, and they started walking to the familiar path. "I chose to come early so not too many people would be here."

"Wise choice," Mallory commented, admiring the sight. Mallory had never come here before and she truly asked herself why. "So this is it?"

"It's a little further down the path. You'll see a big rock but we can't apparate there so we'll have to go down the beach and ask for a boat, row to the rock and from there, we'll apparate to the entrance."

Mallory nodded, "Have you ever been inside?"

Regulus shook his head, "No, just at the entrance. It requires blood to open. I reckon any magical blood will open it since Kreacher's worked."

Regulus walked down the path, his grip still tight on Mallory's hand. The old man greeted the couple with a lovely smile as Regulus handed him Muggle money before thanking him. As they started walking towards the boat, Mallory turned around and muttered a quiet obliviate.

"Nice thought," Regulus whispered, kissing the side of her head. He wanted to enjoy it as much as he could. "I'll row."

"Okay."

Mallory sat in front of him as she watched him row. She admired him and smiled to herself because with a little push of boldness, she had finally got him. He had succumbed to her touch and she was very glad. Mallory could not exactly tell when she had started liking Regulus, perhaps earlier than she thought. Had it started when he had protected her from Rodolphus? Or when he had taken care of her when she was wounded?

But something had shifted within her and for a moment, she hated herself for feeling that way. But when he took care of her like no one had before–not even Fabian, she couldn't hide herself being a veil anymore. Despite the pure-blood mania and his ability to trust blindly his family and the Dark Lord, he was pure and genuine. Regulus was so different from Sirius, so reserved and yet he stood his ground when needed. And he could be gentle and loving.

Not much was said–the silence was loud enough and the atmosphere so heavy. It weighed down on their shoulders and almost made them feel uncomfortable. As Mallory' eyes squinted, she could see it–a breach in the hill, it was tiny yet as they got closer, she could perceive the entrance. Regulus seemed scared which made her feel the same.

Regulus suddenly stopped rowing and held out his hand to Mallory so he could help her get on the rock. Unsure, she straightened her posture and rubbed the palm of her hands on the fabric of her jeans. All of a sudden, Mallory felt very petite as if she was a mere pawn in the world's game.

"The Dark Lord is intelligent, Mallory," Regulus said. He was warning her about the things they could find in that cave. "I know you have no reason to look up to him but I do. He's majestic, in many ways but taking Kreacher was a sign of disrespect towards my family and I. We're a noble house compared to him. He's not even a pureblood."

Mallory listened closely to him talking, not being able to know if she should answer or not, "Regulus–"

"I still believe he is a great individual. I know this is not what you wish to hear from me, Mallory but this is who I am. Our mission is far from being over. This is merely a small step towards the end," he breathed out, shivering because of the strong wind. "If we survive both, we'll have to go back to balls and courting manners. Are you aware?"

"Yes."

"It could go as far as marriage."

"I know," Mallory replied, spinning so she was slightly facing him. Her hand reached his cheek as he leant closer to her touch. "I fear you are trying to get rid of me, Regulus. And here I thought we would last a bit longer."

"We can and we will," Regulus whispered softly. "I just needed you to hear what I had to say."

"And I did," Mallory answered. "Now, let's do it, shall we?"

Regulus hummed, closing the gap between them by sailing their lips together. Once again, the kiss formed a bubble around them and nothing mattered outside of it. Regulus felt like he was on a little cloud, high up in the sky, almost untouchable. There was no way of describing how kissing Mallory felt. It felt delightful. Heavenly. She tasted like fruits but cherries in particular because of the cherry chapstick she kept with her at all times.

"Right, off we go," Mallory gulped, forcing a tiny smile.

Regulus was the one apparating them at the entrance of the cave. His breath was quick as he took a knife in his pocket and cut the palm of his hand with a grimace. Mallory could see that he was used to pain because he had barely grimaced, and from what she recalled–Bellatrix had caused multiple wounds on his body.

There was a slight tremor as the hill opened, revealing a dark lit cave with an island in the middle of it where there was a ray of sun, making it possible to see the small bassinet that had appeared in Kreacher's vision. Walking down, Mallory and Regulus' feet hit the ground as it cracked underneath them. When she looked down, a quick gasp escaped her lips. They were walking on bones.

Mallory was too familiar with corpses now, and she could tell by the form of it that she had stumbled upon a skull, "Lovely," she whispered quietly. "How come it is surrounded by bones?"

"I do not know."

"The water must be a trap as well," Mallory said quietly more to herself but Regulus hummed to that. "Did Kreacher tell you what was in it?"

Regulus shook his head as they used the small boat on the side of the river, "No, he couldn't bring himself to. He was frightened by it, that's all I know."

"Right," Mallory said, climbing inside of the boat and she tried to watch inside the water in hope to find something that could be useful so they could evaluate the threat. Perhaps that was the Auror in her being so cautious about their surroundings but she found that Regulus was too sure of himself. "If the water's filled with what I think it is. Would you be able to conjure a ring of fire?"

Regulus frowned, looking perplexed by her question, "I reckon so. Are you not able to do it?"

"Not my best forté," she replied with a sigh. They both got out of the boat, their feet once again breaking bones underneath them. "This is what Kreacher drank?"

"It is. I've seen it."

Mallory smelled it and she scrunched her nose immediately. The smell was foul. But she knew exactly what it was because of her mother's obsession with flowers.

"Reg, what were Kreacher's symptoms when he drank?"

He thought for a moment before answering, "Extreme thirst, stomach pain and–"

"Delirium," Mallory finished, cussing to herself. "He put vervain and Aghada in it. I can smell it. My mum used to plant them in her garden. Very wicked plants. Aghada could be the main reason why it acts as a poison."

"Salazar..."

"It's not deadly though. Well, I doubt it since Kreacher made it out but you've read books, elves have always been stronger than us. On the magical side."

Regulus watched in horror as Mallory dipped a finger in the bassinet and put it in his mouth. He had seen what the potion had done to Kreacher, he didn't want Mallory to suffer as well. But before he could stop her, she had already tasted the poison and winced at the taste.

"Mallory, are you mad?" He questioned with round eyes.

"Not yet," Mallory said, taking off her jacket. "I think it is going to make me go mad."

Regulus frowned, "What do you mean? You are not drinking it, Mallory."

"I am. If I am right and there is Inferius in there, I'll need you to keep me safe, alright? I can't conjure a ring of fire, I could try but I could lose you in the process so I'm trusting you to make sure I stay alive."

"But–"

"Make me finish it or we'll never be able to get the pendant."

Regulus knelt next to her as she started drinking. At first the liquid was not bad, it tasted like a bad beer but as she drank more, all the symptoms that Kreacher had mentioned were slowly adding up and she could feel herself go bad. Sometimes she would choke on the poison, spilling it everywhere on her t-shirt. And when she could not bring herself to drink it anymore, Regulus was the one holding the bassinet to her mouth.

By the time it was empty, tears were scattered on her porcelain skin and her eyes were closed. All she did was beg for water. Despite her fuzzy mind, Mallory thought he is indeed clever by creating a poison that causes extreme thirst, especially with water filled with Inferius. When Regulus turned his back for a mere second, she crawled to the water, her thirst getting the best of her as she dipped one hand in the water, trying to scoop some liquid to her mouth.

"Mallory, no!"

Regulus' voice was the last thing she heard as two hands wrapped themselves around her wrist and pulled her further into the water. With a bit of consciousness coming back to her, Mallory could see them now. The Inferius. There were too many for Mallory to count but when she tried to swim up, she could feel their nails digging in her skin and she let out a yelp underwater. Not long after, Mallory started not feeling whether or not their fingernails dug into her skin–she could not feel much. There was only darkness surrounding her as she was pulled away again.

Suddenly, when she thought it was better to give up on life, a bright light illuminated everything and she could see Regulus' shadow standing on the edge of the island. Soon enough, balls of fire were thrown into the water and one-by-one, the Inferius started to let go and Mallory took it as her only chance to swim up.

"Mallory!" Regulus' voice was getting closer and she held out her hand. Swiftly, his hand gripped hers and pulled her out of the water.

Mallory laid next to him, her body full of deep scratches and when she opened her eyes, the first thing she did was throw up the water she had choked on. While she was underwater, Regulus had taken the time to call for Kreacher and to his surprise, he had shown up with Pilm as well.

"She needs medical attention," Regulus told Kreacher, assuring himself that Inferius were not coming back. "Kreacher, Pilm, could you apparate us to St Mungo's?"

Pilm frowned, "Master Black, St Mungo's is too risky. They will ask questions."

Regulus shook his head from side to side, holding Mallory's fragile body in his arms, "I do not care, Pilm. Nor you or Kreacher or even I can tend to her wounds. Look at them," he pointed at the ones on her ankles where he was sure he could perceive a bone. "It was almost as if she was eaten alive. She needs qualified people."

"Kreacher can do it," Kreacher said, stepping closer to the pair. "Mistress Abbott is in great pain, Pilm. Is you a bad elf and refuse to take care of your house?"

"I a bad elf? How dare Kreacher?" Pilm asked quietly.

Regulus sighed, pulling at his hair anxiously, "Now is not the time, please," he begged, his voice cracking a bit. "I can't lose her, not yet."

Pilm and Kreacher grabbed their masters' hand and apparated them in front of St Mungo's. Before entering, Regulus asked the elfs to warn Alastor Moody but no one else and with a swift crack, they were gone. Regulus did not lose a second and rushed inside, still holding her in his arms. When he rushed to the front desk, the nurse did not care and kept on chewing her gum which irritated Regulus and made him reach for his wand.

"I said my friend needs medical attention," Regulus said, his wand poking the tip of her nose so she would finally look up. Quietly, her eyes moved upwards until they stopped on Regulus' face. "No need to call for security, miss. I will lower my wand once you decide to register her and put her in a room. Without other patients if possible."

The nurse gulped, looking at her papers, "It'll cost more."

"I do not care, I will tend to the payment."

"I will need names."

"Her name is Mallory Abbott. Mine is Regulus Black."

The echo of his last name seemed to have sent shivers down her spine because she froze for a mere second and began to write again on the piece of paper. Regulus tried to ignore people's eyes on them but after his little action, he could not hope for a discreet entrance. Finally, she rose to her feet and whispered something into her colleague's ear before motioning at Regulus to follow her.

"A single room," she whispered, turning the doorknob and letting Regulus lay Mallory on the bed. "A doctor and healers are on their way to examine her, Mr. Black."

"Thank you," he muttered, kissing the top of his teeth. "Pardon me for pointing my wand at you. It was merely an act of distress. My stress made me act this way."

The woman forced a smile and said, "I understand."

Minutes after, little knocks echoed in the room as Regulus barely managed to tear his eyes off Mallory to greet them. The doctor seemed unsure as he examined her wounds and muttered a few directions to the healers. Later that day, she was transferred to the first floor which was dedicated to treatment for creature-induced injuries. Regulus stayed throughout the whole night, wiped the sweat off her forehead and was there to greet Moody the next morning.

—————
authors note, AHHH this is so exciting 🐝 I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!