Chapter 44: I Can Feel It Coming In The Air Tonight, Oh Lord

To Regulus's shock, he received a letter from Albus two days after the fall term at Hogwarts started, saying that Mr. Potter had not returned to school, and as such Regulus would not be giving him lessons. Dumbledore appeared calm on the matter, saying that he was sure the change in plans would work out in the end because it always did. Worried, Regulus wasn't so sure, but his hands were effectively tied by Mr. Potter when it came to this situation. Unfairly or not, Regulus found himself understanding why both Kreacher and Severus disliked the boy. Harry Potter seemed irresponsible at best. He couldn't help feeling a bit depressed that one of the things he intended to do to help out in the fight against Voldemort was taken from him by the very one he intended to help. It was ironic in the worst of ways.

"It is as if the stupid boy would like to get himself killed by the Dark Lord," Kreacher grumbled, scowling as he scanned the letter from Dumbledore after Regulus had finished reading it. Sighing, Regulus nodded in silent agreement. Kreacher was very often correct and this case was no exception.

Over the next few months, Regulus and Kreacher spent much of their time researching various topics that may or may not lead back to how the elf enslavement had been accomplished and by whom. They studied various magical bindings and oaths, blood magic, and various forms of compulsion. Several seemed close to what they were looking for but none were exactly right. Some in combinations were close and some alone, but when put into play, their traces were all more visible under the proper scrutiny than was the elf binding. When they weren't working on that, Regulus was hiding with Kreacher under the cloak of invisibility they'd borrowed from Wolfgang, stalking Hogsmeade and Knockturn Alley for Death Eaters who could provide an evening meal. He only managed to locate and take down three in four months, which was frustrating. That was less than one a bloody month!

"Where are they all hiding," he wondered darkly to Kreacher one night after he'd had to settle on a meal of Muggle after coming up cold in Knockturn Alley for the sixth time that week.

Kreacher frowned, shaking his head in shared bafflement. "Perhaps the Dark Lord has them stationed elsewhere," he speculated. "If so, for what, though?"

Regulus nodded. Equally disturbing that was, but likely nonetheless. His frustration grew with his lack of personal strikes against Voldemort now that the man was more actively in power. His nearness, far less abstract than it had been before he'd taken over the ministry, kept Regulus's mind in a low level of nearly constant agitation that was grating. "I would like to think it means there aren't as many following him as we thought, but we can't afford the luxury of such hope," he said. More than once, he'd considered checking in with Severus on those times he'd drifted by Hogwarts to scope the place out as Albus had requested. With two professors there as Death Eaters, and who knew how many Slytherin students following Voldemort as well, though, Regulus didn't wish to risk showing himself quite yet. If his return somehow came to light and put Severus in danger, he would feel dreadful. Not only that, if he did anything careless to ruin Voldemort's downfall, well that would be beyond unthinkable after everything that had already happened. Of course he and Kreacher always remained under the cloak of invisibility when at Hogwarts even though they just skirted the edge of the grounds. For all they knew Voldemort had other spies watching the place if only to keep tabs on Severus and the rest to ensure they were remaining true. The Dark Lord wasn't known for trust, after all. Likely even more so after his favorites had attempted to kill him in nineteen-seventy-nine. With his mind completely open and all mental shields down, Regulus could sense the minds inside the school even from the edge of Hogwarts grounds. Circling the parameter gave him time to scan for anything troublesome. Thus far nothing had alarmed him. That didn't mean that all was well by any stretch of the imagination, just that nothing his mind encountered felt particularly alarming considering the current circumstances. Most students were resentful, frightened or both considering that Voldemort was completely in the open now for anyone with eyes to see it. The changes made to how Muggle studies was taught was unsettling, and the fact that Defense Against the Dark Arts had simply become Dark Arts frightened many. Even most of those who would've preferred learning Dark Arts to defending against them didn't enjoy the things they were being taught by their new professor or the zealous way in which those things were presented. Were Regulus still a student, he would've agreed wholeheartedly with those students. Like any self-respecting Slytherin, Regulus was drawn to the Dark Arts, where the true useful knowledge and power lay. However simply using such magical knowledge to be petty and cruel tended to disillusion. Not to mention the fellow teaching Dark Arts was a brute with poor grammar and little imagination. For the Dark Lord to put such a man at the head of a class showed how little he truly cared for education. Such a discovery would've truly struck at Regulus's heart when he had admired Voldemort, but now it came as no surprise what so ever. Other than scouting for general trouble, Severus was the main reason Regulus was checking in on the school periodically. Severus, like everyone else, was as well as could be expected. The man hated his job, hated the pressure he was under and didn't particularly bother to hide any of that. Regulus wasn't surprised by this in the least, though. The horror he felt at seeing Voldemort's followers, be they the so-called professors at Hogwarts or the thugs he took down in Knockturn Alley or Hogsmeade was disconcerting. The fact he had once been one of them was deeply disconcerting knowing what he knew now. He thought frequently about the Lestranges still in Voldemort's grips. He and Kreacher even brainstormed ways to reach them, coming up with nothing. Nothing that wouldn't draw Voldemort's attention at any rate. In the end, Regulus just decided to do what he could when things got down to the wire to ensure the three made out alright. He had no idea how to manage that, banking on seeing an opportunity when it came. His main idea was to borrow a few more invisibility cloaks from Wolfgang to facilitate a fast get away when the time was right.

Periodically to Regulus's rage and resentment Kreacher was summoned away by Potter. When the elf returned his mood was particularly vicious and foul. Regulus could hardly blame him for that. He hated having Kreacher away from his side and was anxiety ridden until the elf returned. This was never until Potter actually left Grimmauld Place. Once Kreacher returned in tears, and Regulus sprang to his feet, heart quickening with sudden fury. It was bad enough that the boy prat had resurfaced, yet Regulus was still unable to assist him against the Dark Lord, but now Potter had pushed his precious one to tears! How much did Dumbledore expect them to take, Regulus wondered darkly. "Did he hurt you? I shall kill him no matter what any bloody prophecy says!" Kreacher shook his head, reaching wordlessly for Regulus. Regulus sank back down onto the bed where he'd been reading while awaiting Kreacher's return. He drew Kreacher into his arms, holding him tight. "What happened," he asked, tone softening.

Kreacher let out a wordless sob, burying his face in Regulus's shoulder before raising his head and visibly forcing himself to speak. "Kreacher had to tell Potter and his worthless little friends what happened," he said, voice shaking. "Kreacher hated sharing that personal information with THEM of all people! He hated it!"

Regulus stared in shock. "They know?" Kreacher nodded miserably. "That I am alive?"

Startled, Kreacher shook his head. "Of course not! Kreacher would never betray Master Regulus to filthy..."

"No, no," Regulus said hastily. "Of course you never would. I thought he commanded you to answer a question, that's all, Love."

"Kreacher..." the elf began in open frustration. "Harry Potter had Master Regulus's locket!"

Only then did Regulus notice the heavy silver and jade green locket Kreacher wore.

"Kreacher never told that Master Regulus is alive, but he had to tell the story and answer Harry Potter's stupid questions to get the locket back." As Kreacher spoke, one hand crept up to curl long slender fingers around the locket. "Kreacher shall return it to Master Regulus," he said and Regulus shook his head.

"You may have it. You are a Black as much as anyone, and it shall be yours."

Kreacher seemed to care about the locket in particular, perhaps because it was once Regulus's, or perhaps because it cost them dearly. Then again Kreacher valued all family heirlooms, and Regulus liked the idea of the elf keeping one for his own.

"Will you accept it," he asked, kissing Kreacher on the top of his head. The elf glanced up at him, then studied the locket before giving a decisive nod.

"Kreacher shall wear it always."

"I am sorry you had to talk about that again, and to them," Regulus said quietly.

Kreacher returned his head to Regulus's shoulder, nodding against the fabric of his gray robe. "Kreacher still cannot speak of the lake and losing Master Regulus without becoming extremely upset, he is afraid," the elf admitted.

Regulus laughed, the sound devoid of humor. "You aren't alone there. I spent years singing about it, thinking about it, in truth wallowing in it, and it never got any less upsetting for all that. I am just sorry you had to revisit the memories in the company of those of whom you are not fond." Kreacher nodded, snuggling closer to Regulus, and giving a contented sigh as his body began to relax. "At least Potter was kind enough to return the locket to you," Regulus said thoughtfully.

"Kreacher supposes," the elf replied, but his tone was grudging. Regulus couldn't suppress a dry chuckle at the comment that was very much classic Kreacher. At least his friend appeared to be feeling better.

"It looks good on you," he said, and Kreacher raised his head to peer up at him in confusion.

"What?"

"The locket. It looks good on you."

Kreacher gave a pleased smile and Regulus smiled back before lowering his head to claim the elf's mouth with his own. Kreacher's breath quickened as his arms wound around Regulus's neck. Regulus felt himself melting with desire in the best of ways at the sensual touch that somehow came so naturally to Kreacher. Moments like this made all unpleasant memories or concerns retreat far into the background. Fortunately for both of their sanity, such moments were rather frequent.

"Master Regulus...looks even better on Kreacher than the locket though," the elf managed, before beginning to tug at Regulus's robe. "Master Regulus is quite beautiful." Regulus drew in his breath sharply at the feel of Kreacher's lips moving on his naked skin. He made an inarticulate sound, not even sure what he intended to say, but Kreacher must have been pleased by the sentiment, because he gave a low chuckle. All thoughts faded after that, giving way to sensation, and for the rest of the night, neither thought of Horcruxes or foul lakes.