The Search Is Over

by BlaiseGellert

There was a very good reason that Regulus Black reacted hard enough to lose his own life when he discovered that Voldemort had nearly killed Kreacher to protect the hiding place of his Horcrux. Discover that reason and much more Voldemort related intrigue here, because Regulus Black didn't die and what doesn't kill us better make us stronger. More trouble is coming and old curses

67. Chapter 67

Chapter 67: The King Is Dead, Long Live The King!

Before they knew it the day had come. In retrospect, Regulus was annoyed with himself that he hadn't predicted it. Like everything else over which Voldemort obsessed, including the Founders relics, the man had given indications. He loved marking aka soiling anything sacred to wizarding kind with his own stamp of dishonor as it were. During his own school days, the Dark Lord called the motley band of followers he amassed The Knights of Walpurgis. Walpurgis night, the last night of April, was sacred to witches as it was an extremely powerful night for magic. It was the Halloween of Spring when legend said witches and demons were strongest. Regulus had never personally seen a demon on Walpurgis night or any other, but the energy of the night was wild and full of raw power. He'd looked forward to it yearly for as long as he could remember. This changed when he was away, of course, for there was no joy to be taken or power to be relished in the face of all he had lost. Now that he was home again, however, he enjoyed the night to its fullest. Just as on October thirty-first, Halloween, spells were stronger, and magic flowed through the world more freely in a wild intoxicating current. On Halloween Regulus and Kreacher had celebrated by beginning the process of a batch of Felix Felicis. Now, six months later, they celebrated Walpurgis night by completing it with an enhancement spell for extra potency. Eventually the Dark Lord would strike, and they wished to be more than ready. If all worked as intended the potion should be three times it's usual strength. With the night itself making magic more potent plus Regulus's new quartz and lava rock wand from Mag being twice the strength of a wooden wand, the magic rushing through him was heady. Not for the first time, he was grateful that Voldemort and his Death Eaters were unaware of the potential of crystal wands. Regulus planned to share the liquid luck with all of their people who were fighting against Voldemort, but by the time he discovered that the fight was on, it was too late. On the night of May first, he and Kreacher bought potion bottles from a shop in Knockturn Alley before hurrying home to celebrate Beltane with Mr. Doge and Dora. This was one of the few times that Regulus ventured out without his borrowed cloak of invisibility. The previous week, Wolfgang had requested it back so that Millicent's parents could borrow it. The Bulstrodes worked in the Department of International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry. Regulus hoped they were using the cloak to network with other countries against Voldemort, but even if they were not, he wanted them to remain safe so was glad to go without the cloak to help out. He traveled with a long hooded black cloak to shroud his face in shadow when hunting the dark streets of London and the night of Beltane was no exception. When he and Kreacher returned home Doge had a tall wooden maypole streaming with ribbons and hung with garlands of flowers in the front yard. He and Dora sat in two wooden chairs brought out from the dining room beside an unlit bonfire. Two more empty chairs waiting for Regulus and Kreacher. Brightly colored ribbon bundled the mystical nine sticks of wood that topped the bonfire. These were said to bring luck and fertility to the summer crops and to life in general. With a gesture, Kreacher apparated the glass potion bottles they'd bought while out to their room as he and Regulus seated themselves. Doge gave them a warm smile of greeting. "I can't say enough how wonderful it is to have company with whom to share the holidays," Doge said warmly. "All of my old friends are often too busy, and most of my relatives are dead," he admitted. Regulus silently vowed never to forget the old man on the holidays, even when he and Kreacher were back at home again. "I was just asking Dora if she'd ever celebrated Beltane and she was busily avoiding my question," Doge continued with a chuckle. Dora frowned, her cheeks flushing as she glanced away. "Well," Doge prodded. "Let's have it."

"I...Uh...visited a Beltane fire once when I was perhaps a few centuries old," Dora said. "I was with a friend...we...well we...It was a feast."

Doge's eyes widened, then he chuckled, shaking his head. "Some day I shall learn not to ask ancient vampires too many questions," he said, as Dora dropped her face into her hands. "I forgive you in the names of all the slaughtered dead," Doge intoned. "It was very many centuries ago, after all." Dora looked up with a faint smile, slender hands dropping into her lap. "And now for the lighting of the Beltane bonfire and the spell of prosperity," Doge said grandly. Withdrawing his wand from a sleeve, he aimed it at the nine branches bound in colorful ribbon. "Kreacher and Regulus, help me out with the chant to add power, won't you," he said and Regulus smiled, because he knew the words well. Though his family rarely celebrated Beltane, the practice fascinated him and he'd enjoyed reading all he could of it as a child. As Kreacher had often read with him, the elf knew the words as well. The two exchanged a look, smiled and reached to clasp hands for the spell.

"Hickory, birch and willow

Oak, ash and thorn

Holly, hazel, rowan

Are the nine where the flame is born!" On the last word that the three spoke, Doge lit the fire and it sprang to life with a glad roar.

Dora clapped. "That was beautiful! You were casting magic, yes?"

"Yes indeed we were," Doge said. "And from the looks of it, it shall be a profitable year! With He-who-must-be-killed on the loose, we need all the good fortune we can get." Doge rose and extended a hand to Dora, flicking his wand again so that a rousing dance tune filled the air, all wild flutes, fiddles and drums. "And now for a dance around the maypole m-lady?" Chuckling she nodded and rose to take his hand. "But not too fast," he added. "Take pity on an old man's knees."

Regulus rose and took Kreacher's hand, feeling in the mood for a dance himself. Kreacher grinned, his cheeks flushing as he realized the same thing that Regulus did. They'd never danced together like this before. It probably looked amusing to anyone who cared to be amused, but neither cared as they spun around the pole with Dora and Doge. The air was light with magic, hope and prosperity. It was Beltane, and the ancient rights lived strong. Hopefully the ancient gods smiled upon them as well. It was several hours later, and the bonfire had burned low when the letter from Mag arrived. Her handwriting was nearly frantic, asking them to meet at Wolfgang's at once. "I need you to bottle up our liquid luck, Kreacher, and please drink a draft yourself then we must go to Wolfgang's," Regulus said. Kreacher nodded, apparating upstairs to their room without a word. Regulus turned to Doge with a warm smile. "Thank you so much for a wonderful Beltane! Wish us luck, we're off to do what we can against He-who-must-be-killed."

Doge nodded. "Of course. I wish you much luck, but you shall not need it," he said, giving Regulus an encouraging smile. "Be careful, Regulus and return safe."

Dora nodded her agreement with that sentiment, but her lips were pressed into a tight white line of worry. "Do not allow him out of your sight," she told Kreacher when the elf returned.

He nodded. "Mistress Dora is wise," he said, then grasped Regulus's hand and apparated them to Wolfgang's.

The half giant opened the door, giving them a warm smile.

"it seems it is nearly over one way or another," he commented, blue eyes bright with excitement.

Regulus felt an answering rush of excitement as he nodded, following the German inside. Wolfgang led them to the library where Mag was pacing and Millicent huddled in an armchair in the corner of the room, expression pinched and drawn with fear. The anxiety the dark haired witch was feeling over the possibility of Voldemort winning was practically rolling off her in waves. It made Regulus ashamed that he'd ever thought the monster was someone to follow, but then he had to forcefully remind himself that back then, Voldemort had not seemed horrible or frightening. Rather he had been a beacon of light and hope for wizarding society for people like him. Kreacher set the small bag of potion bottles that he carried down on one of the little round tables that peppered the room as Regulus patted Mag on the shoulder.

"What is happening now," he asked.

"Potter returned to Hogwarts for whatever reason and Death Eaters are looking for him," she answered. "Do you know how many people's lives that boy's very existence puts in danger," she ranted, green eyes flashing vengefully as she began her pacing again. "I can't believe Dumbledore allowed him to attend Hogwarts in the first place, considering that he knew Voldemort would have to be after him! He should've been fostered out to some childless wizard and educated at bloody home instead."

"That would have been logical," Regulus agreed. It was then that it occurred to him that the beginning of the end had technically begun on Beltane. A great wizarding magical holiday, and the day after Walpurgis night...Another mark Voldemort attempted to make on all things magical and sacred, but hopefully this one would be his undoing. All the signs certainly appeared to point to it at any rate. Regulus clung to that, allowing it to gladden his heart. They set up a silent vigil, waiting without anyone speaking a word for what felt like hours as Mag paced, sometimes quickly and sometimes slowly. When a knock came at the door, Wolfgang nearly ran from the room to answer it.

"I never thought I'd be saying this, but I bloody hope that's Snape returning," Millicent said. "I richly dislike the Git but today seeing him would mean something is going well...hopefully." This was the first time she'd spoken all night. Thankfully it was indeed Severus returning. When he entered the room with Wolfgang, Mag gave a wordless cry of relief and flung her arms around him. Regulus found himself suddenly struggling not to blink back tears, so moved was he to see Severus sagging into Mag's embrace. Snape's face showed a nearly bone deep relief and it was one of the few times that Regulus had ever seen him displaying raw emotion as he embraced the young woman in return. "We need to act fast," Severus said abruptly, dark gaze moving between Wolfgang and Regulus. "Where is he?"

"Sleeping in my guest room," Wolfgang said, understanding at once that Severus referred to Bane. "We leave him sedated when he's not eating. It keeps him from building up more memories that we would have to bother with removing, and a sleeping guest is no trouble." The half giant gave an amused smile at his own words. Severus nodded in agreement before turning to Kreacher.

"Kreacher, I need you to unfreeze his mark now. Bramble froze it, you can unfreeze it, can you not?"

Kreacher nodded. "Yes...Bramble showed Kreacher what he did, and it is a simple process to reverse. Should Kreacher do it while Boris Bane is still sleeping?"

Severus nodded. "Please."

"It's the fourth guest room on the right," Wolfgang told Kreacher. The elf nodded and apparated upstairs.

"Thank you again for keeping him here," Severus said. "I realize I owe you for this...If there is anything you ever need, please don't hesitate to ask."

Wolfgang gave a warm smile. "We're all here to help one another. It's not about keeping score for me. It is about having a group of people who can count on one another and do what needs to get done. If I need anything, I know all of you will be there for me."

Severus nodded, his embarrassed expression a clear indication of how uncomfortable it was for him to take help. That caused Regulus a flash of sadness for the other man, because it meant he'd likely rarely had experience being helped to be so uneasy with the process. Kreacher was back in less than a minute, and Severus thanked him again before turning to Regulus.

"Now I need Bane to think he experienced the fight at the school that I just had. Once we get those memories into his head we can send him off to meet Voldemort in the forest."

Regulus nodded, then turned to Wolfgang who was already across the room lifting Albus's pensieve from his desk. "Kreacher and I can place the memories into Bane's head then perform the empathic link while he is still sleeping."

Severus nodded his thanks to the vampire and took the pensieve from Wolfgang. As Regulus watched, he removed his memories of a recent battle at Hogwarts against several professors. Regulus felt his lips twitching in amusement at Severus's memory of an enraged Filius pointedly calling Severus a murderer.

"He's a good little actor," he said and Severus nodded.

"Too good at times," he drawled tartly.

Regulus duplicated the memories then as Grindelwald had done weeks earlier. Severus replaced his own memories back into his head while Kreacher and Regulus apparated upstairs with the copies. Once in Wolfgang's guest room, Regulus set to work, his actions both hasty and methodical. His vampiric speed made the magic feel like a dance, fast and fluid, and he enjoyed it far more than he expected to. Though there was no one to oppose him, it nearly felt like a duel, with the amount of complicated skill involved. All too soon, it was over, though. "I want to go to Hogwarts and help," Regulus said quietly and Kreacher nodded.

"Kreacher thinks we should," the elf replied quietly. "Kreacher took it upon himself to speak to the Hogwarts elves on the matter weeks ago and they have agreed to help if we come. Kreacher will lead them against the Dark Lord's followers...He will do it for himself and for Master Regulus."

Harry Potter had ordered Kreacher to stay at Hogwarts, and as he had not specified how long, Kreacher easily interpreted the order to suit himself. He went to Hogwarts once and stayed for five minutes, then periodically popped in to check for news. "I am so proud of you. My strong, brave, wonderful Kreacher," Regulus said and bending he kissed the elf hard, drawing him close. Kreacher returned the kiss with equal fervor but the two had to break apart far too soon. Taking Kreacher's hand, Regulus apparated back down to the library to join the others. It was going to be a long night with much to do ahead of them still. "It's done," Regulus said, looking to Snape. "I gave him a vampiric suggestion to apparate to Voldemort in the forest. He thinks he came directly from Hogwarts so no one will be able to track him to this manor. I even made him believe he flew off the grounds then apparated to the forest, so there will be no flaws in his memory," he concluded proudly.

The dazed copy of Severus had been mildly unsettling even though Regulus was present during every stage of his creation.

Kreacher beamed proudly. "Master Regulus is a most brilliant and wonderful wizard."

"And Kreacher is the most brilliant and skilled of elves," Regulus said, slipping an arm around the elf and drawing him close.

"Today I must agree that you're both marvelous," Severus said, with only a slight hint of dryness in his tone. "Thank you again, Regulus...and you as well, Kreacher." He chuckled. "I didn't even have to see the other me. That's good, because it surely would've been disconcerting."

Kreacher chuckled. "He was rather docile, so that made it somewhat disconcerting for Kreacher as well. At least the empathic spells should cause him to feel as properly peevish as Severus Snape does when he actually has to begin interacting with others."

"It always makes me feel loved when people know me so well," Severus said.

"What now," Mag asked, expression tense. Severus shrugged. "If Wolfgang doesn't mind us staying here...I'm feeling a bit tired. I was planning to go to bed and...you know...wake up tomorrow when it's hopefully all over."

Regulus could tell that Severus knew exactly how anticlimactic that sounded after all he'd been through, but he'd paid his dues and he was literally tired.

Wolfgang nodded. "That sounds like a most excellent idea. My lady is already upstairs reading, and I find myself eager to join her."

Regulus frowned as a thought suddenly occurred to him. "I suggest removing that dark mark first," Regulus said and Severus scowled.

"I'd planned to ask Kreacher to freeze it for me once Bane was gone," he said. "I stupidly forgot due to excessive amounts of stress, but we can do that now."

"You could, but my maker cut mine out. I think you should do the same...Just in case," Regulus said. "One can never be too safe, after all. Plus it's nice to have it gone and never have to look at it again. My maker believed the vampiric transformation would remove Voldemort's power from the mark, but we just didn't want to take any risks. She cut very deeply into my arm to ensure all traces of the thing were gone. I will do that for you if you would like."

"Very well," Severus said.

"Can you conjure me a knife from Grimmauld, Kreacher," Regulus asked and the elf nodded. In an instant, he was handing Regulus a small silver dagger. To his surprise, Severus closed his eyes when he approached.

"Oh gods, I can't see this," Mag said faintly.

"How romantic," Severus said. "We've just discovered something else we have in common...Apparently both of us become ill at the sight of my blood."

"No," Mag groaned. "It's usually just my blood, but I think yours would bother me equally. Anyone else's...well that's fine."

Severus laughed. "I agree. Now that I've had to think of it, the sight of your blood would probably make me ill as well."

"You see," Regulus said, gesticulating slightly with the blade. "The two of you still have something in common and it's most romantic. Rest your arm on that table there, Severus."

Severus sank into the chair beside the indicated table and did as Regulus requested.

"Kreacher thinks Severus Snape should lean back in the chair and relax," Kreacher said.

"How am I going to relax while he cuts into my arm," Severus practically squawked.

"Kreacher was going to put Severus Snape to sleep," Kreacher said.

Now that was an idea. He'd not feel a thing nor would he be aware of having his arm sliced into. "That's my brilliant Kreacher," Regulus said proudly.

"Thank you," Severus said gratefully, then leaned back in the chair.

With a gesture, Kreacher put Severus to sleep and Regulus cut deeply into his arm at once. He made sure to cut deeply around the dark mark so that it was all gone. "I shall need you to cauterize this," he told Kreacher and the elf nodded. "If you have a spell that can burn away any trace magic, please apply that as well," Regulus added. Though Voldemort would likely die quite soon, they didn't want to risk him being able to track Severus at the last minute for any reason. Elves used such forms of magic for cooking every day but it could do so much more, Regulus thought, standing back to let Kreacher attend to Severus's wound. The elf then plucked the bloody chunk of meat that was Snape's dark mark from Regulus's hand and burned it to a crisp then to ash then vanished it away. Wolfgang appeared at Regulus's elbow with a clean bandage which Regulus applied to Snape's arm. Once all was clean and clear, Kreacher gestured at Severus again and the man's dark eyes fluttered open.

"I didn't look until the end but there is a nice chunk missing from your arm," Mag told him with a shudder. "I just wanted you to be warned for when you have to change the bandage. I will help, of course."

To Regulus's mild amusement, Severus glanced away from his arm with an ill expression on his face.

"I was wondering if I could borrow an invisibility cloak until near sunrise," Regulus asked Wolfgang and the half giant nodded.

"Of course. I'll get it." He apparated up stairs and Severus arched his brows at Regulus.

"Do I want to know?"

Regulus let out a breath. His earlier heightened emotions of powerful exhilaration faded to the all too familiar one of inner torment. "I have to go help...I just have to...Kreacher is going to lead an army of house elves and I need to do something as well...for all that snake faced evil bastard did to us! Please understand, Severus. I promise to be careful. That's why I'm taking a cloak of invisibility. I'll be near Kreacher, helping to fight and I will keep the cloak on the entire time. I swear. You've already gotten to spend years striking back in your way, and I have not. I need this."

Severus nodded. Regulus could see from his expression that he understood. In truth Regulus expected as much for due to his own experiences, Severus understood the need for revenge more than most. "Just be careful," he said.

"I will. I promise," Regulus said.

Wolfgang apparated back in then and handed Regulus the requested cloak. "Thank you," he said. Draping the invisibility cloak over himself and Kreacher, he took the elf's hand. Kreacher apparated them into the Hogwarts kitchen. Had he visited the kitchen as a student, Regulus may have been more intrigued by the variety of tantalizing smells, but as a vampire, he was quite disinterested. Standing in the middle of the warm bustling kitchen was surreal for more than just that reason, though. As elves moved busily around he and Kreacher, obviously unable to see them, all Regulus could think about was the fact they were here to fight and kill Death Eaters who served Voldemort. He'd hunted them down for months with minimal success and now he would at last have access to many. Bending he scooped Kreacher into his arms so that they could talk in soft whispers without being noticed.

"Let's go scope out the place then form our plan," he said and Kreacher nodded.

Leaning close to Regulus's ear he whispered, "Should we pass out some of the liquid luck?" The elf clutched the small bag of full potion bottles against his chest. Regulus nodded, slipping out of the kitchen. Opening his mind to search out who was where, he sensed Flitwick in a cluster of other professors near Ravenclaw tower. "I found Filius. We can give him a bottle and one for him to give to Professor Slughorn. I'd also like to find the Lestranges if we are able and give them each one then I think you should distribute the rest among the elves," he whispered to Kreacher who nodded. Regulus glided up behind Filius and leaned to whisper into the small man's ear. "Filius. It is Regulus and Kreacher. Please do not indicate that you can hear me. I need you to excuse yourself to attend to something. Go somewhere private and we shall follow you. I have a bottle of Felix Felicis for you and one for you to give to professor Slughorn."

Filius did not indicate that he'd heard, but in less than a minute, he excused himself to visit the men's room. Ducking into a side corridor, he turned around. "Here you are," Kreacher said, reaching his hands out from the cloak with a bottle in each. "We will see you later. Be safe," Regulus said.

"Thank you both," Filius said as Regulus hurried away.

He would've liked to give liquid luck to everyone fighting against Voldemort, but as this was impossible, he had to be honest and distribute it to those he most cared for. He focused on scanning the minds of those inside the castle for the Lestranges. They were not in Hogwarts, so Regulus had Kreacher apparate them into the forest where he could feel the minds of several enraged spiders heading wrathfully for the school. Voldemort's followers had disrupted the forest, at least letting him know where the Lestranges were. They were fortunate enough to run into Rabastan Lestrange relieving himself behind a great oak. "Rabastan," Regulus whispered. With a curse, the younger Lestrange whirled, drawing his wand as he struggled to peer into the darkness. "Rabastan, it's Regulus. Stop that!"

"Fuck," Rabastan breathed, lowering his wand.

"What the fuck are you doing? If he sees you..."

"Do you see me, Rabastan," Regulus asked, unable to keep from smiling in amusement.

"Fuck no, but it's him. You know how uncanny he is! Now what the fuck are you doing?"

"I came to give you three bottles of Felix Felicis. The other two are of course for Bella and Rod."

"Really? Thanks man!" Rabastan reached out blindly and Regulus heard the soft clink of glass as Kreacher passed the bottles over. "Sure. It's the least I can do. Now when the Ministry attempts to capture you, allow it. I swear you won't be returning to Azkaban. Trust me. I will speak further with you all later, Rabastan." He hurried back toward the school before the youngest Lestrange could comment, not wanting to give Rabastan too much to think about that would draw Voldemort's notice. He felt it wise to give the warning he had so that the Lestranges would not attack those he'd set to save them, but he dared not share more than that. "Should we return to the kitchen so that you may direct the elves," Regulus asked and Kreacher nodded. He apparated them into the kitchen and Regulus gently placed him back onto the floor. Slipping out from under the cloak, Kreacher waved his arms to gain the attention of the other elves. "Kreacher is here," he announced imperiously. "Now every elf shut up and listen to Kreacher. Every single one of us is going to go out there and defend the school. If any of you feel your life is in danger, defend it at all cost. This is a war!" Under the cloak of invisibility, Regulus watched in mild horror as during the next five minutes, Kreacher argued with all of the other elves. They were afraid to kill Death Eaters directly, or unwilling, Regulus honestly wasn't certain which, so strangely did they behave on the matter. They insisted that they simply could not. Kreacher at last snarled for them to carry kitchen knives and at least hobble the enemy, to which the elves agreed but only after Kreacher proceeded to terrorize them with examples of how much worse it would be at Hogwarts if Voldemort won.

Soon every elf was armed with a kitchen knife or cleaver and Kreacher led them forth. As they flowed out into the hall, Voldemort's voice could suddenly be heard ringing out, obviously magically amplified and from a distance.

The sound of the monster's high chilling tones caused everyone to freeze in place, Regulus and Kreacher included. Months ago Severus had explained that the Dark Lord was different after his return, and not at all in a flattering sort of way, but the sound still chilled them. Regulus reached to clutch Kreacher's hand, not caring that to anyone looking, the elf's hand would appear to have vanished due to the cloak. He doubted anyone was looking.

"You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured." As the monster spoke, Regulus found his mind reeling with shock. "But why," he asked, bending to whisper into Kreacher's ear. "He doesn't give a damn about anyone! Why is he bloody pretending to be decent?" After all Voldemort had done, all the evil atrocities he'd committed, Regulus was not buying it one bit.

"Shhh. He wants Potter to come to him so he is pretending," Kreacher hissed back.

"I am not feeling peaceful. Let's go kill some Death Eaters while he waits for Potter," Regulus hissed and Kreacher nodded.

"Retreat back to the kitchen. Kreacher will return in an hour and we go forth to defend Hogwarts when the battle recommences," Kreacher told the elves.

They waited until every elf had returned to the kitchen, then Kreacher slipped under the cloak with Regulus. The next hour was quieter than Regulus liked. They only found three Death Eaters to end in the forest. The others were too close to Voldemort and they dared not approach. Regulus would never risk Kreacher. Not ever. Not again. Just when the wait was getting to them and leaving them both edgy, the hour was over and fighting broke out again both in the castle and the forest. Kreacher apparated them back into the kitchen and he led his army of elves out for the second and final time. Though small, they looked extremely impressive, wielding their bright blades. Regulus felt his chest tighten and a lump rise in his throat as Kreacher, at the front of the line, roared, "For Master Regulus!"

As the elf flung a stunning spell at a near by Death Eater, Regulus saw the emerald locket flash on Kreacher's chest. He loved the elf so much it hurt. "For Kreacher," he said, descending on the stunned Death Eater and dragging him under the cloak. With no time to feed, he simply broke the man's neck under the cover of invisibility then proceeded on. Following in Kreacher's wake he killed Death Eater after Death Eater, breaking necks as easily and quickly as anyone else might snap a twig. It was a waste of good blood, but there was nothing else for it and he was full anyway. For his part, Kreacher killed his share of Death Eaters as well. At first Regulus was uncertain just how, then he looked into Kreacher's mind. The elf simply fried their hearts as he would an egg or slab of meat. Efficient and not one of the Unforgivables that the Ministry would notice. Regulus would've liked to say that he relished every moment of the battle, but oddly it floated by in a strange if rapid haze. Though something he had waited a very long time for, it did not feel personal enough because they could not fight the one who had truly hurt them. Sadly that was Mr. Potter's job and Regulus just hoped he was trained enough for it. They were at least able to witness the Lestranges being captured aka saved, though. They came upon the scene just when Molly Weasley almost got herself killed by Bellatrix. Just as Molly attempted to throw a killing curse, an Auror struck Bellatrix with a hard stunner from behind causing her to topple as Molly's spell zoomed past. Obviously believing she'd killed his cousin, Mrs. Weasley gave a crow of satisfaction. The Auror who'd stunned Bellatrix loudly praised Molly, then said he would dispose of the body. As he spoke the other two Lestranges were being apparated away by other Aurors. In spite of the fact he could not be seen, Regulus gave Molly a dark glare for Bellatrix before turning away with Kreacher and his army of elves. The rest of the night passed in a blur of killing and dodging attacks until Potter and Voldemort had their final show down. Regulus and Kreacher watched from a distance, huddled under the cloak and clinging together. It was unsettling and dreadfully, starkly real. If Potter lost they would rally with Gellert and everyone else working with him to decide what was next. It would be a dire time. If Potter won, it would finally be over. Until it was decided, though, they could only watch and wait. When Voldemort at last fell dead for the true and final time, it was by the hand of the Elder Wand rather than that of Potter. Regulus shook his head as Kreacher apparated them back to Wolfgang's. "I bet that wand's Horcrux didn't like the idea of all of Voldemort's Horcruxes," Regulus mused with a shudder and Kreacher nodded against his shoulder as they clung tightly to one another. It was over. It was finally over. It was still dark. Regulus asked Kreacher to apparate them inside so as not to wake Wolfgang. Scanning mentally for Mag and Severus, he felt them sleeping in a guest room upstairs. Approaching silently so as to disturb no one else, he knocked. "What's wrong?" The tension filled question came from a suddenly awake Severus.

"Everything is fine. It's Regulus with Kreacher. I wanted to return Wolfgang's cloak, but he's been so kind to us all I didn't want to wake him...So I thought I'd leave it with you. May we come in?"

Severus let out a sigh of relief. "Yes. Is he dead?"

Regulus opened the door. "Yes. He is."

Mag gave a cry of delight, then let out a giddy laugh. "For sure?"

Regulus chuckled, because considering Voldemort's twisted history the question was, sadly, a good one. "Yes! At last for sure!"

"Did Potter actually manage to do it," Mag asked.

"Potter sort of...well he does rightfully own the wand that killed him if that counts," Regulus said.