Chapter 7: From the mouth of Kreacher

Harry returned to Grimauld Place in high spirits. The meeting with his brother had gone better than he'd hoped, and with plans to meet again on the morrow, Harry was happier than he'd been in some time.

Kreacher met Harry in the foyer and told him supper was waiting in the kitchen. Harry made his way to the kitchen and sat down to a steaming bowl of soup.

"Kreacher have you eaten?"

"No Harry Potter, Kreacher has not eaten."

Harry invited Kreacher to eat supper with him and after several outbursts of astonishment, Kreacher relented and fetched a second bowl of soup. Harry was in a contemplative mood and after running things through his mind several times over, decided to engage Kreacher in conversation.

Harry shared with Kreacher the memories he had seen in the penseive, Snapes true nature and finding Rus. He spoke with the house elf as if he were speaking to Ron or Hermione. Funny how things change. By the end of supper Harry had things sorted out in his own mind and thanked Kreacher for listening.

Kreacher began to clear the table and Harry helped by carrying his own bowl to the sink.

"Kreacher would you be offended if I asked you to take the house elves heads off the wall?"

"Why would Harry Potter wish to do that?" asked Kracher.

"One day I want to bring Rus over and well, this is a bit much to take in all at once." Was Harry's reply.

"Kreacher will take them down. Can Kreacher put them in Master Regulus' room?"

"Yeah Kracher, that is a great idea. Thank you very much." Harry turned to leave.

"Harry Potter treats Kreacher differently now."

What could Harry say to this? It was true. In the beginning Harry treated Kreacher like he was less than nothing, a house elf off his rocker. Hermione had been right all along, Kreacher just needed someone to treat him with respect, as any being deserved. If anyone knew about this it was Harry, after the way the Dursley's had treated him all those many years.

"Kreacher I am sorry for the way I treated you. I hope you are happier now, this is your home for as long as you wish to stay."

Kreacher looked up at Harry and smiled, his big ears laying beside his wrinkled face.

"Kreacher is glad Harry Potter has a brother, glad Harry Potter has family. Kreacher is glad the house of Snape lives on in Harry Potter's brother."