Chapter 50: Please Don't Make Any Sudden Moves

Between the four of them, and in spite of their great minds, they did not get the job done that night. Instead they spent two cold dark hours in Knockturn Alley working on magical theory with only partial results. Regulus and Kreacher used the cloak of invisibility and Grindelwald used disillusionment to hide himself. It wouldn't do for anyone to see that Grindelwald or Regulus lived. Millicent went along so that Wolfgang would not appear to be talking to himself. Everyone walked in a close knot so they could hold murmured conversations without gaining too much attention. Wolfgang cast an anti-eavesdropping spell around them so that no one could hear that there were more people murmuring than were visible to the eye. Wolfgang and Millicent remained visible for a few reasons. For one, there was no particular need for either to hide. Both remained out of the public eye while neither was a criminal in hiding, so their presence would go unnoticed. With magic being cast, even the subtle variety, it may draw more notice if everyone remained invisible. Anyone noticing would notice more were no one about while spells were being cast. Their little group walked the dark wintry streets of Knockturn Alley, stopping at the two street corners where Wolfgang and Gellert had previously laid there dark mark detect wards. Kreacher was in fact able to easily connect the audio charms to the wards, but when they attempted to add the visual ones that Gellert had perfected with Blaise, they would not attach to the rest. This wasn't truly surprising, because such charms were intended to attach to an object and not another spell. It was just that with the four of them working together, they all believed they could sort a way to make it happen regardless. This was still quite likely, Regulus knew. It was just going to take longer than expected to make it happen. Before dispersing, they agreed to brainstorm separately and reconvene after the new year if no one had a breakthrough sooner. As Regulus and Kreacher apparated home, Regulus's thoughts were on Grindelwald more than the current project on which they worked with him. The blonde German was an interesting one, and Regulus hadn't walked away feeling as if he knew him any better even if he did find him quite likable. "So what did you think of Grindelwald," he asked Kreacher as they stood together in Doge's front hall while Kreacher methodically replaced the hex locks on the door.

"Indeed," Doge spoke from behind them. "What did both of you think of Grindelwald? Regulus turned around at the sound of Doge's voice, quite aware that his mouth was gaping. How did Doge know about Grindelwald? And why was he still awake? The older man chuckled, answering the question stamped in stark surprise on Regulus's face. "Albus told me. Albus tells me everything probably, and if he doesn't, he tells me more than he tells anyone else. A man carrying that much burden coupled with responsibility has to have someone he can talk to."

Regulus nodded. He could understand that. "Very well. As long as I am breaking no confidence, Grindelwald was friendly. He was amusing and engaging. He has a respect for elves that I admire, and I very much enjoy the innovative way he thinks about magic. It meshes quite well with the way Kreacher and I see things. I found working with him tonight refreshingly stimulating even if we couldn't quite finish the project we're developing."

Doge nodded thoughtfully. "Interesting. What about you, Kreacher?"

Kreacher frowned, considering for several long seconds before he replied. It was obvious that he liked Doge asking his opinion, and as such was truly putting thought into it. "Kreacher believes that Gellert Grindelwald is a very smart man," he said at last. "Kreacher also believes that Gellert Grindelwald finds it very difficult to trust. As such, he likes people as much as he is able while...perhaps not being completely certain of them. Kreacher thinks it is likely a very lonely existence."

Isolated, Regulus found himself thinking, nodding in understanding to Kreacher's words. His friend was always so wise and perceptive and Regulus's admiration of that only grew stronger and stronger. Considering this, their accidental kiss at that fateful new years party leading to where they were now was no true surprise. "What about his man? Sabra's son," Regulus asked. "Do you think he at least trusts him?"

Kreacher nodded. "Kreacher thinks so. His eyes truly warm when he speaks of Blaise Zabini."

"While that is all well and good, do the two of you believe he is truly on our side," Doge asked.

"Yes," both said in unison, then exchanged a quick grin of pleasure at how in sync they were.

"And after this war is over," Doge pressed. "Do either of you believe he will then return to his old ways of Muggle domination?"

In answer, Kreacher simply shrugged. "I don't know him well enough to wager a truly educated guess," Regulus said honestly. He nearly added that he also couldn't get into Grindelwald's mind very well in order to delve into his inner most thoughts, but decided to keep that to himself for some reason he couldn't exactly explain. Somehow it felt like an unnecessary unkindness to Gellert if he shed suspicion on him for no reason other than that the man kept up very tight shields on his mind. Considering Kreacher's earlier comment about trust, that made even more sense. After what Regulus and Kreacher had experienced at the Dark Lord's hands, it was reasonable for them to be more unlikely to trust as well. This did not mean that they had to openly mistrust someone they found likable either. While the Dark Lord had also appeared likable, Gellert was likable in a way that was more on their level, and he had never asked to be called a lord even at the height of his power. "Rest assured that we are keeping an eye on him," Regulus added to Doge, giving the old man a reassuring smile that he sincerely meant. "Grindelwald, unlike Voldemort, did intend true good for wizarding kind, so I believe he can always be reasoned with."

"Let us hope that you are correct, young man," Doge said. "And with that I am taking these old bones up to bed."

"Good idea, Sir," Regulus agreed, and taking Kreacher's hand, followed Doge up stairs. The fact that Doge didn't press them for information about the project they worked on with Grindelwald made Regulus respect him even more. When he and Kreacher were alone in their bed chamber with the door firmly barred behind them, Regulus turned to the elf. "Is that all," he asked, arching curious brows.

"All?" Kreacher blinked large round blue eyes in open confusion.

"Is that all that you think about Grindelwald," Regulus clarified.

"Other than what Master Regulus already said, that was all, Kreacher supposes," the elf said with a thoughtful nod. "What of Master Regulus, though? Has he thoughts on Gellert Grindelwald that he did not share with our host?" As Kreacher spoke, he tilted his head thoughtfully to the side, as if to study Regulus more closely.

Regulus shrugged. "Probably not. I just...left his company feeling that in spite of his being open and even friendly, we still know little about him."

"Oh," Kreacher asked. "Unlike the Dark Lord, we know that Gellert Grindelwald loves someone other than himself, that being Blaise Zabini. The ability to love at least makes him human. We also know that unlike the Dark Lord, Gellert Grindelwald respects power unlike and other than his own. He admitted that an elf can kill him in his sleep without then seeking to kill the elf first."

Kreacher's lips twitched and Regulus chuckled. "Indeed. Voldemort definitely would've killed the elf in question." Even as he spoke, Regulus cringed at the words for indeed Voldemort had tried to kill an elf...HIS ELF! "That isn't what I meant," he said hastily, and Kreacher reached out to lay a pacifying hand lightly on his sleeve.

Kreacher knows," he said, low rasping voice holding a note of assurance that soothed Regulus's concerns at once. "Besides," the elf added. "Kreacher never showed any sign of aggression or even disapproval to the Dark Lord. He gave him no reason to see Kreacher as a threat and yet he still sought to destroy Kreacher. Gellert Grindelwald seems to Kreacher to be genuinely fond of the Zabini elf, and that sets him far above many wizards in Kreacher's eyes. No matter what his intentions may be in the future, Kreacher does not believe Gellert Grindelwald poses a threat to Kreacher or Master Regulus, and for now that is all that Kreacher cares about."

"Kreacher is as always quite wise," Regulus said, reaching for the elf as he found his thoughts leaving Grindelwald for the moment and going down far more intimate avenues. Kreacher made a low sound of desire as he moved readily into Regulus's arms. Reaching up, he dragged Regulus's face down to his for a kiss that left them both weak in the knees...Which meant, of course, that they had to retreat to the bed.