Chapter 47: Let It Snow
The holidays were upon them before Regulus knew it. London was covered in a blanket of snow and the town suddenly sparkled with Christmas lights and holiday decor in every shop window he passed when out hunting. It was the first time in over fifteen years that he'd even thought about Christmas. For that long, he'd had nothing to celebrate. His first year as a vampire, he'd given Dora a gold heart necklace as another token of thanks for saving his life. After that, he was more than happy to allow the holidays to fade into the background of his awareness. Now that he was back with Kreacher, the prospect of celebrating the holidays was far more appealing. Though he could no longer enjoy his favorite holiday foods and drinks, Kreacher could, and Regulus would take pleasure in his friend's enjoyment. Kreacher should savor such things while he still could, for eventually he would be a vampire, and like Regulus, no longer able to ingest those holiday treats that all mortals savored. Regulus didn't need festive food and drinks to enjoy the cheerful decorations or the giving of gifts to those closest to him. His main problem was finding a way to holiday shop for Kreacher without separating from the elf, because they didn't do that these days unless they absolutely must. The only time such was the case was when Potter came to Grimmauld, and Kreacher's presence was required by the boy. At those times Regulus waited on the edge of his seat for the elf's return. Though his time could've perhaps been better spent holiday shopping while Kreacher was away, Regulus could not bring himself to do so. He'd left once, promising to return, and irrational or not, he simply couldn't bring himself to do so again. This presented him with a quandary until he recalled Millicent Bulstrode and her Internet!
"I need to speak with Millicent about something, so I'd like to stop in at Adler Manor," he told Kreacher as soon as he'd hunted down his evening Muggle. The lack of Death Eater dining was depressing, so he hoped to raise his spirits by buying Kreacher a ton of perfect gifts for Christmas.
"What does Master Regulus need from Millicent Bulstrode," Kreacher asked curiously and Regulus winked.
"I reserve the right to withhold that information for the moment, my Dearest One." Before Kreacher could reply, Regulus grasped his hand and apparated them to Adler Manor.
"Kreacher doesn't know, the elf muttered worriedly. "What is Master Regulus doing?"
Regulus grinned down at Kreacher as they waited for the door to open. "I promise it is nothing dangerous or stupid and you will know in good time."
Kreacher visibly relaxed, taking Regulus at his word. Complete trust in one another was something the two had never lost.
"Very well," the elf said grudgingly. "Kreacher will wait. Though he does not see why.
Regulus chuckled. "You will understand when all is revealed," he said. "I promise." Suddenly he was feeling excited for Christmas. Fortunately, Wolfgang opened the door then before more could be said. His face broke into a pleased smile when he saw Kreacher and Regulus. "It's always nice to see the two of you," the German said, stepping back for them to enter. "To be honest, I'm relieved that you're not Grindelwald. I don't think he likes me."
Regulus felt his brows coming up in surprise. "Truly? What's not to like?" He wasn't attempting to inflate the ego of the half giant. He honestly found him extremely interesting and likable. He also admired the fact that he was a dark wizard standing up to Voldemort and encouraging others to do the same in a safe fashion. The aspect of safety was what made others willing to follow him, Regulus knew. Many would not pick a side due to fearing for the safety of their families, but Adler, with his promise of safety, had changed that, at least for some.
"Oh my bloody Gods, he has issues because we told him that he was not allowed to start his old shit up again when we broke him out of Nurmengard," Millicent said. The tall dark haired young woman had come up behind Wolfgang and stood peering over his shoulder. "I don't know what he logically expected," she went on, frowning darkly. "Likely he wanted us to become immediate acolytes or at least beg on bended knee for his help. Well we gave him bloody youth and freedom, so I think that's a bloody fair trade for his bloody help."
Regulus nodded, trying hard not to smile. "That sounds reasonable."
"How do Millicent Bulstrode and Wolfgang Adler know that Gellert Grindelwald does not like them, though," Kreacher asked curiously.
"Well he never seems to wish to be in our company for long, and when he is, he does not appear to be overly comfortable," Wolfgang said.
"Not to mention his man asked what we'd done to terrorize him or some such rubbish," Millicent scoffed, giving her head a disgusted shake. "I mean! Come on," she continued, waving her hands expressively. "He's Gellert Bloody Grindelwald! How's he going to be terrorized by us? I mean we haven't held back forty Aurors all by our little selves like he did back in the day...At least not yet anyway." As she spoke, Millicent's lips twitched and Wolfgang gave a low chuckle as he led everyone down the hall toward the library.
"He does have some impressive feats under his belt," Regulus agreed of Grindelwald. Miss Bulstrode was correct. It was indeed difficult to picture anyone with the credentials to successfully terrorize Grindelwald...Other than perhaps several armies, that was. "Why would he come here if he doesn't like you," he asked curiously.
"Because as we did free him, he does owe us the help he promised," Wolfgang said. "At times, this help involves he and I working privately on various projects. Currently for defense and spying."
"Anything I can help with," Regulus asked. The more he could do against Voldemort the better.
"Perhaps," Wolfgang said thoughtfully. "Perhaps you should be here the next time we get together." He chuckled. "I, for one, would certainly find the extra company more reassuring. He will be here next Wednesday at seven in the evening, if you are able to make it?"
Regulus gave an eager nod. He was not only glad to help, but also interested to know the intriguing Gellert Grindelwald a bit better. "We'll be here! If I can't contribute, perhaps Kreacher can. He is quite brilliant."
"Master Regulus is the brilliant one, Kreacher murmured, blushing slightly at the praise in which he obviously basked.
"I have my skills but so do you," Regulus protested.
Wolfgang nodded. "I am sure. Kreacher we would be grateful for anything you can contribute. It was an elf, who with the aid of his master, Mr. Zabini, was instrumental in freeing Grindelwald from Nurmengard. I have a high respect for elf magic and the abilities of smart elves to use it."
"Elf magic is plentiful enough, but the smart elves, not so much," Kreacher said darkly.
Wolfgang gave an appreciative chuckle.
"I actually came to speak with Millicent on a private matter," Regulus said as they reached the library. "It's about her computer...and she can tell you after we're gone, Wolfgang," he added, not wishing to appear rude. The two were obviously a couple and the last thing Regulus wanted was for it to appear he was coming on to Wolfgang's lady or asking her to keep secrets from him.
"Master Regulus does not wish for Kreacher to know...Yet," the elf shared, enunciating each word pointedly as he widened his eyes almost comically at Regulus, who only grinned back.
"That's right," he agreed.
"Okay, then we'll take my lap top into the parlor, and Kreacher can hang with Wolfgang in here with the books," Millicent said, tossing a casual smile at Regulus.
"Thank you," Regulus said gratefully, hoping this idea would pan out. Otherwise he had no idea how he'd shop for Kreacher. Soon Millicent sat across from Regulus at a small table in the parlor. Said table had held a chess board until she placed it on the sofa in favor of her laptop.
"I need help holiday shopping for Kreacher and I recalled you saying the laptop could be used for shopping," Regulus explained.
"Oh sure," Millicent said. "What were you thinking of getting him?"
"Um...Well I haven't had the opportunity to give that as much thought as I'd like," Regulus admitted, feeling his face flushing with embarrassment as he spoke. How bloody stupid he must sound! "It's just that Kreacher and I never separate. It's a thing...A long story, but we just don't do that now. As a result, I can't holiday shop without him knowing so...Well what are my Internet options? Does it have everything or just certain categories?"
"Well everything basically, just nothing strictly magic, because, Muggles," Millicent said, shrugging wide shoulders.
Regulus bit his lip in thought. He knew the Internet was a Muggle commodity, but there were things Kreacher could use that weren't magical, even if they usually bought such things at wizarding shops. This was the reason he thought he could get away with using the Internet for his shopping needs in this case. He'd even had several ideas when the thought had first occurred to him, and now they'd flown right out of his head. Mortis shifted on his shoulder as he thought. Idly he reached up a hand to stroke the bird's glossy black feathers and as he did, the motion calmed his mind enough for it to focus. He began reconstructing the first burst of ideas he'd had when considering holiday shopping for Kreacher. "I'd like to get Kreacher more things to wear. A nice cloak and perhaps some tunics or some trousers and dressy shirts."
Millicent nodded. "Renaissance attire, child sized, I think will do for a start," she said, and began to rapidly type. "Come and look at these results," she told Regulus after a moment. He rose and moved around the table to peer at the screen over Millicent's shoulder. She showed him how to scroll down the screen by pressing a...down arrow key. He saw fine velvet cloaks, long velvet tunics, jackets, trousers with matching flowing shirts and even tall soft leather boots. He hadn't considered boots! "Oh I like the boots as well. But how ever shall I guess Kreacher's size for any of this?" In person, in an actual store, he could hold the clothing in his hands and make an educated guess, but not so at all with these pictures.
Millicent shrugged. "It's a girl thing. I think I can approximate and if I'm off, he's a fucking elf, he can quick magically alter them in a blink."
Regulus chuckled. "Good thinking. That is true. Thank you. I brought plenty of gold with me, I can pay you tonight, of course."
Millicent shrugged carelessly. "Oh it isn't my money, so I don't give a fuck really. I steal from Muggles to do whatever I want on the net, and transfer the rest into bars of gold which I plop right the fuck into Gringotts. So shopping for you literally doesn't cost ME a thing."
Regulus couldn't help chuckling at her colorful language. She didn't hold a candle to Kreacher's swearing, but she was amusing nonetheless. "Well thank you, but I'd like to pay you all the same." It wouldn't feel right somehow if the gifts from him to Kreacher were free.
Millicent shrugged. "Sure whatever."
"I would like to get him a black cloak, that dark red velvet jacket, the black trousers and matching shirt, the black knee high soft leather boots and the red and black tunic as well as the black tunic with the silver trim." Millicent was clicking the keys of her laptop rapidly as Regulus pointed to each picture.
"Done. Should I have them shipped to your address?" That had been fast! Impressive!
Regulus opened his mouth to have it sent to twelve Grimmauld place, then sighed, shaking his head.
"Sadly it isn't safe this year. Hopefully next year will be safer. May I have them sent here?"
"Sure," Millicent said with a shrug. Less than two minutes later, she stopped typing and peered up at Regulus. "Well that's done. Did you want to look for anything else?"
Regulus thought for a moment. "Perhaps some warm winter pajamas," he decided. "Perhaps in silver and green if you can find that."
Millicent nodded thoughtfully. "Interesting...Let's see what the Muggles have made for us...Here are fleece ones with the feet in. A nice one piece with a piss flap in the front...Cause it's for blokes and all."
Regulus choked on a laugh as he bent to regard the fuzzy silver and green striped pajamas. "They do indeed look warm. Let us get those, yes."
"How about matching ones in a bigger size for you," Millicent asked with a grin and Regulus nodded. What the hell. He may as well snag himself a Christmas gift this year as well, even if he didn't particularly deserve it. He certainly didn't feel as though he'd done much good so he doubted that Santa was impressed with him or that he had been for over fifteen years.
"Okay that's done too. Anything else," Millicent asked.
"That was all so fast," Regulus said with a laugh of amazement.
"Indeed it is," Millicent agreed. "But getting it takes several days, sometimes several weeks, so that's the down side."
"Several weeks," Regulus gasped. "Christmas is only half a month away! Do you think everything will get here in time?"
Millicent grinned. "Of course it will. I got this! I ordered express shipping so everything should be here in four days or less. Costs a ton, but again I am not paying, so I give zero fucks. And really you don't need to worry about paying the shipping."
Regulus reached into his pocket and produced the handful of galleons he'd prepared for this visit. He handed them to Millicent, whose eyes widened slightly. "Is that enough," he asked.
"Sure...Again it didn't cost me a fucking thing, so it's plenty." She flushed, looking mildly uncomfortable, not even bothering to count the gold. "Really you don't have to pay me. I already have a ton of gold, half of which I stole from Muggles."
Regulus shrugged, smiling back. "We both have a ton of gold, and if I don't pay you I shall feel rubbish for taking your help for free. It will be as if I allowed you to buy my friend's Christmas gifts for me, literally."
Millicent sighed, hefting the coins in her hands. "Very well. I understand that."
"Thank you again," Regulus said. "I can't say enough how much you've helped me, because otherwise the shopping process would've been far more complicated."
Millicent giggled as she snapped the laptop closed. "I can just picture you blind folding Kreacher and taking him around to all the shops in Knockturn alley!"
Regulus grinned. "Indeed. That would not have gone over well with him at all."