The unexpected Christmas Gift

Harry and Sirius stayed in the kitchen longer than anyone else. They hadn't talked since September and had a lot to catch up on. Sirius was very curious about Umbridge and her methods and Harry had a hard time to conceal the detentions she had inflicted upon him.

Midnight had passed when Sirius decided that they needed to sleep. Tomorrow was Christmas day and they wanted to enjoy it as much as possible.

He explained to Harry where he was sleeping before joining his own bedroom on the fourth floor. Since all the bedrooms on the second were taken, Harry was assigned a small but comfortable one on the third floor. Sirius was a bit embarrassed Harry hadn't been placed with Ron, but Harry assured him it was perfect. Of course, he would have normally enjoyed being with his best friend, but given the precious package he was carrying, this was the best option.

As soon as he closed his door behind him, he opened the bag to check on the basilisk. He had made himself a comfortable place at the bottom of it and he hissed softly when he saw Harry.

'How are you holding up?' Whispered Harry while putting the bag on his bed delicately.

'It is all right,' answered the snake. 'Though it is not my favorite way to travel. Where are we anyway?'

Harry explained briefly that they were in London in a safe place where his friends and him could stay for the holidays.

'The man you talked to before that horrible sensation,' hissed the snake, 'was it Dumbledore?'

Harry nodded and then a slight cracking noise on the left startled him. He closed his bag and turned his head towards the origin of the sound. His door was opened and under its frame was standing a tiny figure that Harry didn't recognize immediately.

'Kreacher?' He asked while trying to hide the growing panic in his voice. 'What are you doing here!?'

'Harry Potter speaks the language of the nobles,' whispered the elf. His bulging eyes were bright in the dark. 'Kreacher didn't know Harry Potter was of his lineage!' He seemed genuinely shocked.

Harry relaxed a bit. The elf didn't seem to understand he had been talking to someone.

'I speak Parseltongue, yes,' he replied, a bit irritated. 'What do you want?'

Kreacher remained quiet and then, suddenly, he bowed so low his nose was touching the ground.

'Huh it's ok Kreacher,' whispered Harry a bit embarrassed. 'There is no need.'

'Harry Potter is from the bloodline above all the others,' said Kreacher, ignoring his plea. 'Kreacher is honoured to have such a guest in his house and will serve him with the consideration due to his rank.'

Harry looked at the elf who was still bowing. Of the list of all the unexpected things, his behaviour was maybe among the top ten items.

'Thank you, Kreacher,' he replied finally. 'But for now, I think I will sleep.'

'Of course,' said Kreacher quickly.

And in a fraction of second he was gone, and the door closed. Harry stood up and approached the door to open it. The corridor was empty. He closed it again and put his hand on the doorknob. He muttered:

'Colloportus.'

He went back to his bed and let the basilisk out, who jolted out of it with a hiss of satisfaction. He slid on the floor, exploring the room while Harry was getting ready for bed. Before the boy blew the last candle out, he was back under the protection of the bag, his pale-yellow eyes fixated on the door.

The next day, Harry helped to decorate the house. Mrs Weasley chased them out the kitchen right after breakfast to start cooking. By the beginning of the afternoon, they were done. The twins, Hermione and Ron wanted to go to Diagon Alley for last minute shopping, but Harry feigned to be tired to stay behind. They didn't ask any questions and soon the house was silent. Sirius decided to stay down to help Molly and be around in case Arthur needed some support. Harry excused himself in his room where he was welcomed by a happy hiss.

'Maybe this elf could be useful,' said the basilisk pulling Harry out from his thoughts.

'How so?' Replied Harry. 'He is just a grumpy old elf who steals everything there is to steal in this house. Besides, I am not his master.'

'You're not, but he respects you deeply. Perhaps he could do you one or two favours.'

Harry reflected on his basilisk's suggestion. Kreacher was old. That meant he had lived long enough to see and hear a lot of things. And given the reputation of the Black, it was very likely those were interesting things. However, he would need to be careful while asking for his help. If someday for whatever reason his true master, Sirius, forced him to reveal all his secrets, it could end badly for Harry. He would have to forbid himself from pronouncing certain words, such as "Horcrux" for example.

He stood up and went into the corridor. Trying to be as silent as possible, he started to look in every room for the old elf. He found him lurking on the second floor, at the far end of the corridor.

'Hello Kreacher,' greeted Harry while joining the elf in the room he was inspecting. He immediately bowed the same way he did the night before. 'That will do Kreacher, thank you. Tell me, how long have you served the House of the Blacks?'

'Long enough to have made the acquaintance of some of the finest wizards and witches of England,' replied the elf with pride.

'Is that so? Then I suppose you must have met important people during your service, haven't you?'

Kreacher considered Harry for a few seconds.

'Harry Potter wants something,' he whispered. Harry had never seen him so happy. 'An Heir of the most noble House thinks Kreacher can help him!'

There was no beating around the bush.

'There is something I'd like to ask you,' said Harry. 'I was wondering if, among those acquaintances, you've ever come across… artefacts…'

'Artefacts?'

'Yeah…' He needed to be more specific. 'You know the goal of the Order.'

'You seek the destruction of the Dark Lord,' answered Kreacher in a raspy voice. He seemed conflicted about this.

'Well, I am looking for any artifacts that might have a link with Him,' said Harry. 'Anything he would have tried to hide or protect.' The elf was fixating him with his giant eyes and Harry started to feel uncomfortable. 'Anyway, if you ever remember or think about anything of this sort, you would help me greatly.'

The elf continued to look at him and suddenly he turned his heels and got out of the room. Harry sighed. At least he had tried.

He decided to head downstairs to see if he could make himself useful. But as soon as he set foot in the kitchen, Mrs. Weasley sat him down with a Butterbeer before he could say anything. Fortunately, everyone got home not long after and happiness filled the house again. A few minutes before dinner, Lupin and Tonks arrived and Mrs. Weasley declared they could all start eating.

When he went back into his room, Harry was full, and he wondered how he had managed to climb the stairs. He let himself fall on his bed. Was it that important to change into his pyjamas before sleep?

He was about to go check on his basilisk when he heard a scratching noise coming from his door. The elf was back and had a strange look Harry had never seen before.

'And what would Harry Potter do if Kreacher brought him the artefact?' Asked the elf immediately.

Harry could feel that the elf's decision depended on the answer he was about to give. Between a bad lie and the truth, he wondered which one would displease the elf the most.

'Destroy it,' he replied simply.

The pale eyes widened.

'No one can be this powerful,' whispered the elf. 'Of course, Kreacher has heard many things about Harry Potter. But he wonders if his might would be enough.'

'It will,' said Harry firmly. His heart started to beat faster. Could it be that Kreacher had an Horcrux in his possession? How was it possible? 'I am the one born to destroy the Dark Lord. I will be powerful enough.' He felt rather ridiculous while saying this, but it worked.

The elf stepped timidly into the room and approached the bed on which Harry was sitting. When he was so close, he could have touched Harry's knees, he put his hand inside the piece of dirty rag he was wearing and pulled a locket which hypnotized Harry.

One the surface of the locket was laying a serpentine "S" of glittering green stones. Harry looked closely. Behind the surface of the jewel were lingering shadows that Harry recognized immediately. He let out a deep breath. He had found another Horcrux!

'Harry Potter must swear he will destroy the artefact,' said Kreacher with a low voice. 'He must swear!'

Harry took the locket delicately and raised it under the light of a candle.

'I promise Kreacher,' he replied with a firm voice. 'The locket will be destroyed, you have my word!'

The elf looked immediately relieved as if Harry had removed a heavy burden from his shoulders. He wondered why the destruction of this artefact was so important for Kreacher. He didn't seem to understand the true nature of the object.

They heard footsteps on the staircases and Harry quickly hid the jewel in his bag while Kreacher was Disapparating in loud cracking noise.

'What was that?' Asked Ron when he entered Harry's room.

'Nothing,' replied Harry. 'I guess I shouldn't have listened to Sirius about the Firewhiskey.'

'Yeah, that thing was horrible, wasn't it? I thought my throat was melting down for a moment. Anyways we are hanging out in Fred and George's room with the girls. I was wondering if you wanted to join us?'

Harry nodded and followed his best friends in the stairs. His mission could wait.