Disclaimer: I don't own HP

Summer Camp

Hufflepuff Cabin

Week 2: Colour War

The insanely fun Colour War is here! What's your task for this colourful event? Task: Write about showing your true colours.

Optional Prompts:

2. (location) Grimmauld Place

3. (emotion) determined

Words: 1320

AN: Belongs to my Guardians Universe/Multiverse

Betaed by Eben, thank you!

"Kreacher, shut up! Go upstairs and shut up! Stay there!" Sirius screamed at the house-elf, throwing a boiling pot at him.

Hermione wanted to say something, but all her attempts to make the older wizard behave more kindly towards Kreacher were in vain. They both hated each other and no matter what she said, it wouldn't matter. Even more so, she knew Kreacher hated her. The house-elf didn't hesitate to belittle and call her a Mudblood with every occasion.

However, this was too much even for Sirius. No one else was really in the kitchen. She'd come down in the middle of the night to boil some water for tea. She couldn't really sleep. She was worried about what was to come and all the reasons her holiday had been cut short to come to Grimmauld Place. Hermione was determined to take it and deal with it, but it was hard, especially since none of them were allowed to know anything, nor were they allowed to really talk with Harry. It pained her to hide this from her best friend, and she knew Ron felt the same, but they didn't have a choice. Everything they sent towards him was monitored.

Though tonight, for once, she was worried about something else. The boiling water had touched Kreacher and she had to make sure he was alright. Of course, he was probably going to be angry that someone like her was being too close to his presence. But she had to check over him, he'd found her in the kitchen and started insulting her—that's how Sirius had found them.

With a sigh, Hermione approached the attic room where he'd been retreating ever since they had arrived in the house. She heard murmuring curses towards Sirius and the rest of the house. Looking around, Hermione was glad no one really came to this part of the house. They'd think she was crazy for trying to reason or check upon him. But she was determined to at least make sure no harm was done and to apologise.

"Kreacher?" she murmured and she heard his murmurs stop.

"No, the Mudblood has found Kreacher; Kreacher cannot leave, the bad Master told Kreacher to stay. Oh poor Kreacher has to suffer the Mudblood!"

Cautiously, Hermione took a step towards him before stopping and putting her hands in the air.

"I'm so sorry Kreacher. I really didn't mean to come and disturb you! But I wanted to make sure you're alright and to apologise for Sirius."

He threw her a long look and to her surprise, he sighed.

"Why must you be so nice? I can't … really with you… you make me feel guilty every single time!"

Hearing him speak normally was the least of her shocks.

"I—what?" she mustered in the end.

"Come inside. My room is soundproof. Anyone coming will just hear the same murmuring of insults."

Hermione was too stunned to move. She didn't know if it was a trick or not or if she somehow had fallen asleep before reaching the elf. And yet, why would she dream of this? How would she have even imagined a house-elf speaking perfect grammar and asking her to come to his room for explanations?

"Miss Granger, please!" he said impatiently, but not unkind.

Hermione woke up from her stance and rushed inside, putting her hand in her pocket and gripping her wand. Inside it was much more ordered than she'd expected. There was a full sized bed with clean sheets and a little sea painting on the wall. In the corner there was a little brown bag. The room was just above her height.

"Sit down," he murmured and started pacing around her. "This wasn't supposed to happen. I wasn't supposed to crack."

"Kreacher, what's wrong? Are you in trouble? Can I help?"

He stopped and turned to her. "See? That's the issue! You're too nice!"

"I'm too nice?" What did he mean by that? She wasn't too nice, was she?

"Yes! It's hard to pretend I am something I am not when you're around. I was thinking of ways to show you, that's not how I really am, but realistically I should have never put you into this position."

"You're not making any sense!" Hermione erupted! "Would you get to the point?"

"I'm not the Kreacher you think I am."

"What?"

"We literally do not have time right now, but since I couldn't insult you any longer as Kreacher would, I will have to shorten it for you. So listen carefully to a very long short story."

Hermione nodded. She clearly was losing her mind and hallucinating.

"I will not," she added.

"Good."

The elf started pacing again. It was making her dizzy.

"So basically, you know how you decide to take a left one day instead of a right? Or how you decided to come here instead of being with your parents on holiday? Well every decision creates a universe. There's a million other universes. There's some people who make sure that everything works fine in all of them." He stopped and turned to her. "You following?"

"I am, I think. In the Muggle World we have some shows speaking about Alternate Universes?"

"Sure, sure, that. Bottom line is, this particular world was attacked some years back and the Kreacher of this world… was killed. Believe it or not, he was important. Now, I am also Kreacher. But I am from a different world. One where we talk normally, because we know Grammar and where I am not such a sad little elf, angry with life. I also work for the people who make sure the universes are in harmony."

Hermione stood up and walked up to him.

"Let me get this straight. You're an Alternate Universe Kreacher who was sent here because the original is dead and you're telling me this because you're feeling guilty about the names you're calling me?"

"Yes. No one was supposed to know who and how I really am."

"So… you showing your true colours to me, would this break any rules? Cause any interference from the people you work for?"

Finally, he stopped pacing. "No, if you promise not to tell anything. If you swear it. I could erase your memory, but I'd feel better if you knew that I don't mean what I'm saying to you."

Hermione took out her wand.

"I swear on my magic that I will not ever tell anyone what you told me, unless you give me permission." A white light engulfed and she saw him breathe a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Miss Granger."

"Hermione, please," she said, sitting back down on the bed. Soon, he joined her.

"You should go to bed, Hermione."

Just then, she remembered the very reason she'd come to his room.

"But are you alright? I saw the water—"

"Hit me? Do not worry. I healed myself. And the original Kreacher would have done the same."

She smiled. "That's great. I'm sorry for all this then." And she stood up to go.

Kreacher grabbed her hand, making her turn to watch him in the eye.

"Never apologise for having a good heart. Goodnight, Hermione."

"Goodnight," she whispered.

The next morning, Hermione couldn't believe what night she'd had. There were so many questions she wanted to ask him, but she knew she couldn't realistically sneak about again so soon. Ginny would notice. Everything seemed so normal, almost like it never happened. Just like magic. However, when Kreacher called her a Mudblood again, instead of feeling hurt and wanting to prove him she was a better Mistress than Sirius or any of his other Masters, Hermione had to hide a little smile and she offered him an encouraging look. Later, she found he'd sneaked her a chocolate under the pillow. Her favourite. She wondered how he'd known that….

Yes, life was better after finding out who Kreacher really was.