Chapter 17 Kreachers Tale
Authors note: Happy Thanksgiving! At least to my American readers! Thought I would update a day early for you guys. Anyways enjoy! Also, I have seen Fantastic Beast and Where to Find them two times in the last four days. It's a must see.
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"Kreacher!"
The golden trio watched as the elf was forced to appear. After Sirius's death, the elf became Harry's but it was obvious he would prefer differently.
"Hello Kreacher." Hermione was the founder of S.P.E.W, even if this elf was cruel she would be nice.
"Filthy mudblood and blood traitors!"
"Don't call her that!" Both boys stepped forward in a protective manner and Hermione couldn't hello but smile.
"You are no longer allowed to use that word, mudblood or blood traitor again."
"Yes master." Hermione could easily tell that was something the house elf would not be able to follow without great difficulty.
"R.A.B was your previous master correct?"
"Why should I tell you that? Master."
"Because of this." Harry took the fake locket from his pocket and let it dangle between his fingers. In an instant the always cold elf broke down and dropped to the floor in endless sobs.
Harry continued. "Two years ago, there was a big gold locket in the drawing room upstairs. Did you steal in?"
"Yes." Hermione watched in horror as the elf tried to stop the painful noises escaping his lips.
"Where is it now?"
"Gone." Kreacher closed his big eyes as noiseless tears escaped his lids. Almost as if he couldn't bare the three people before him reactions.
"Gone?" The elf shivered and swayed at his words. "Kreacher I order you" –
"Harry!" Hermione was having a hard time watching the elf cry. She knew he was mean and cruel but this conversation brought something out in the elf none of them had ever seen.
"No Hermione, we need to know."
"Mundungus Fletcher." Croaked the elf, his eyes still tightly shut. "Mundungus Fletcher stole it all: Miss Bella's and Miss Cissy's pictures, my Mistress's gloved, the Order of Merlin, First Class, and – and."
Kreacher was gulping for air as his hallow chest rose and feel rapidly. All of a sudden, the house elf's eyes flew open in pain and he screamed.
"– and the locket, Master Regulus's locket, Kreacher did wrong, Kreacher failed his orders!"
"Harry please!" Hermione wanted to run and hold the wailing elf.
"No. Kreacher tell us what happen."
"Master Sirius ran away, good riddance, for he was a bad boy and broke my Mistress's heart with his lawless ways. But master Regulus had proper pride, he knew what was due to the name of a Black and the dignity of his pureblood. For years, he talked of the Dark Lord, who was going to bring the wizards out of hiding to rule the Muggles and the Muggle-borns … and one day a year after he joined, master Regulus came down to the kitchens to see Kreacher. Master Regulus always liked Kreacher. And master Regulus said … he said … he said the Dark Lord required an elf."
The elf rocked back and forth as tears were streaming for his great brown eyes.
Hermione covered her mouth with her hands, knowing where this was going.
"Kreacher was very honored, very honored. So Kreacher went to the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord did not tell Kreacher what they were to do, but took Kreacher will him to a cave beside the sea. And beyond the cave was a cavern, and in that cavern, was a great black lake."
Hermione eyed Harry cautiously. Knowing all too well this said cave.
"There was a boat. There was a b-basin full of potion at the island. The D-Dark Lord made Kreacher drink all of it. Kreacher drank and drank and saw horrible things, Kreacher insides burned, and Kreacher cried for his master but drank till the potion was gone. The Dark Lord left me and Kreacher didn't return until master called for me. Kreacher was so thirsty."
The room seemed to soften up. Everyone including Ron felt some sympathy for the elf.
"But how did your master get the real locket?"
"M-Mater Regulus told Kreacher to take him to the cave, - to switch the lockets when he was done drinking."
The elf's sobs were coming out in rasps. "And he ordered – Kreacher to leave – without him. And he told Kreacher – to go home – and not to tell my Mistress – what he had done – but to destroy – the first locket. And he drank – all the potion – and Kreacher swapped the lockets – and watched … as master Regulus … was dragged beneath the water and …"
"Oh Kreacher!" Hermione flung forward, tears escaping her eyes, hugging the elf.
The elf jumped back as quickly as she grabbed him. "The mudblood touched Kreacher, he will not allow it, what would his Mistress say?"
"I told you not to call her that!"
"Harry Please! Can't you see how this is affecting him!" Hermione went storming out of the room furious. Ron was obviously no help and Harry held such a grudge against the elf he couldn't help but be cruel.
They knew she created S.P.E.W. They knew she constantly talked about elves and their rights. She stormed up the stairs, into her room, and into the bathroom. She was still fuming.
How could two people be absolutely ruthless. She stared at her own reflection and let out an aggravated scream. Her hair was a mess and her eyes were blazing black. She was tired of this.
She threw open the bathroom door and flung onto the old dusty bed. She grabbed the pillow and screamed as tears fell from her eyes.
That night she fell asleep thinking about elves with big black eyes.
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The sun had set and Draco was sitting in a dark green chair in the corner of his room. The moon was starting to rise and shine sparkles of light down onto his current book. In an instant his eyes flashed to black and his grip on the book tightened.
Hermione was his first thought. She was angry, very angry. Draco couldn't help but smirk knowing it was something The-Boy-Who-Wouldn't-Die or the Weasel said. He could practically see their dumb faces as she stormed out of the room. It happened multiple times at Hogwarts.
After another two hours of reading he crawled into bed and let the smile show on his face. Every memory of Hermione played in his mind until the next morning.
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The next day was very eventful for Hermione. Kreacher found Mundungus and brought him to Harry. After a long struggle the group learned that Dolores Umbridge owns and constantly wears the real locket. Wasn't a surprise it didn't affect her.
"We steal the locket." The three were sitting at the table, trying to get over the gloomy news.
"But how mate?"
'We break into the Ministry."
"What? Are you mad?" Hermione was all for getting the locket and destroying the horcrux's but that was just mad.
"We can use Polyjuice, and if we fail, we try again."
"Maybe, but where would we get the potion from. It takes a month to brew."
"Lupin."
"That could work. What do you think Hermione?"
"I guess but you two have to figure out how to contact and get him here." With that she grabbed her book and mug of tea.
She settled into the old dusty brown chair and continued to read Fantastic Beast and Where to Find them. Harry and Ron might find it boring but she was rather intrigued by all the types of creatures out there.
Her dream that night wasn't any different from yesterday. Now elves weren't the only ones with black eyes.
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"Lupin!" Hermione ran and hugged her friend and pervious professor. Harry quick after her. They settled on the couches and chairs.
"So, what do you three plan to do with the Polyjuice?"
"Break into the Ministry."
"Excuse me?"
"We need something someone has."
"Is this something related to the job Dumbledore gave you."
"Yes."
"Well I wish you luck. Before I go, Hermione could I have a word?"
"Sure." Harry and Ron sent her a confused look and she just shrugged her shoulders and followed Lupin to an empty room.
"How long have your eyes been turning black?"
Hermione was taken back by his question. Not expecting this to be the topic. Her mouth hung open for a few seconds before answering. "I first noticed it over the summer.
"First noticed."
"Yes, I hadn't seen it happen until then. When did you notice?"
"The night we moved Harry your eyes turned black because you were scared correct." She only nodded her head. "Do they often change due to emotion?"
"Well I haven't really thought about it, but I guess when I'm either really happy or mad. So, a strong emotion?"
Lupin only nodded his head. "Professor what's happening to me?"
He let out a long sigh while rubbing his closed eyes. "I think you're a Veela."
"The creatures or passion? But I'm already 17."
"Not a Veela itself, but a mate. Do you have any markings?"
Hermione closed and opened her mouth several times. "I have some kind of bite on my neck."
She watched as Lupins eyes sparkled with recognition. "May I see."
"Hermione, I'm almost certain this is a Veela bite. Do you remember when you got it?"
"I noticed it, after … after Dumbledore's death."
"And you don't remember anything?"
"Nothing."
"Knowing you, you will research everything on Veela's but if you have any questions ask me okay?"
"Okay." Lupin kissed Hermione on the forehead before leaving. She found it very comfortable and nice. Almost father like. He was going to be a great dad someday.
She went straight to the library and grabbed every book on Veela's. She was also going to check Fantastic Beast and Where to Find them. She doubted she or her Veela was a beast but it was worth a shot.
The news of her new life didn't really scare or shock her. From the first time, she saw her black eyes she knew she was different. Not normal witches and wizards have them.
But to her the possibilities were endless. Her Veela had to be someone at school but why couldn't see remember. Had they obliviated her for fun or protection. Or was forgetting your memory common? She hated that spell and knew if her Veela had performed it on her, they didn't choose to do it lightly. Was her Veela someone she wanted to know?
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"Draco honey?"
"Yes."
"Your father needs to see you."
"Great." Draco set down his book and made his way through the long corridors until he reached his father's study. He knocked on the old wooden door.
"Come in."
"You called." He couldn't help but smirk at his answer.
Draco watched in great amusement as his father grinded his teeth together but choice not to comment. "We are going to the Ministry tomorrow."
"May I ask why?"
"No." Now it was his father's turn to smirk.
"And mother couldn't tell me this?"
Lucius just ignored his son's words and raised his hand, shaking it to the door. Signaling him to leave like he would a house elf. Great to know where he stood in this family.
Great Draco thought once again. He couldn't wait to go to a place the Dark Lord controlled. Everyone there would either run or coward away. Afraid of Death Eaters. But no one would attack. Draco deep down wished they would. If only one brave person, when they saw a group of Death Eaters, cast a curse.
He slowly made his way back to the comfortable chair with a book waiting for him. Thoughts of death flooded his mind as he continued to turn down corridor after corridor. He tried not to fantasize about being killed but that was hard in times like this. He tried to remind himself that Hermione was his. She was something worth living and fighting for.