Chapter 73: Masters Of Their Domain
Regulus and Kreacher visited with Severus and the WestCravens for a few hours before returning to Doge's. As always when around friends, it warmed Regulus to feel accepted, a part of things again. Of course the kindred spirit sort of acceptance he had with Kreacher trumped any of that, but being among those few others with whom he had a connection served to bring him out of himself for a while. For a time, because they could forgive him, he could almost forgive himself. Kreacher forgave him, but while grateful for it, part of Regulus felt that perhaps he didn't deserve to be forgiven for all Kreacher had been cost. At times the distraction of others could cause him to forget this for the most part at least for a little while. It was like the old days when he and Kreacher would party with the Lestranges or at Raislen's, young and full of hope and foolish pride. In those days, Raislen always avoided talk of politics, but their mutual love of books, especially those possessing of rare or dark magical knowledge, gave them much to talk of. Raislen never openly spoke against Voldemort but he was pointedly one of the few Slytherins who never spoke up in his favor either while Regulus was always an avid supporter. He'd become friends with Heather Knight and Raislen WestCraven even though they were three years ahead of him at Hogwarts, basically because of Sirius, so at least the git had been good for something. Severus and Regulus had bonded first on their mutual hatred for Sirius. As a result, Regulus had come to know Heather and Raislen through Severus. They'd defended Severus more than once against Sirius. Raislen was always one to stand up for the underdog, and he disliked Sirius and his bullying friends on sight. Being Severus's friend, Heather always followed suit in his defense. Learning that even though he was Sirius's brother, Regulus disliked the git as much as Severus, quickly won him their approval. Due to the social interaction, his spirits were high when they arrived back at Doge's. Kreacher apparated them directly into their bed chamber and Regulus went straight away to the desk. "I shall write Albus about setting up a meeting between myself and Mr. Potter as soon as possible," he said and Kreacher smiled."Kreacher does not mind admitting that he shall be pleased to have his home back in our hands. Though it has been pleasant here, Kreacher misses his own #12 Grimmauld Place."
Regulus nodded. "As do I."
Mortis was kind enough to take the letter to Albus once again. As was the case earlier, the reply was prompt.
My Dear Regulus,
I am afraid that you shall have to write Mr. Potter on your own to arrange a meeting, or perhaps do it through Kreacher, as at least he knows him. I have chosen to remain here in Durmstrang and teach under the alias I have adopted.
I have discovered that I enjoy freedom from vicious rumors and ungrateful wizards who never appreciate my attempts to help and instead enjoy believing the worst of me and or expecting me to be super human with god like abilities.
Of course you, and my Hogwarts friends are not among such wizards and I do plan to keep in contact with you all. I enjoy teaching Transfiguration here, and my life with Bera is more fulfilling than I ever could've imagined. I am more than happy with this new situation in which I find myself. Do not hesitate to write if I can be of help in any further matters, and do come and visit frequently.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Regulus nodded slightly in silent understanding at the letter before passing it to Kreacher to read. The elf muttered something low under his breath, then made the letter vanish in a puff of ash once he had read it. "Kreacher shall write Harry Potter and request that he come to Grimmauld place to speak with him whenever Master Regulus is ready."
"How does tomorrow directly after I have fed sound," Regulus asked, and Kreacher nodded.
"That is fine with Kreacher."
"Good, then, it's settled," Regulus said, and drew Kreacher close for a kiss. "It would appear that the rest of the evening is ours," he murmured against Kreacher's lips. The elf made a sound of satisfaction on that point, and they didn't speak for quite some time after that. The next day, they wasted no time upon waking, and were out of the house fifteen minutes after sunset. Regulus fed on a Muggle criminal and they apparated to Grimmauld. It would've been convenient if uncomfortable had Mr. Potter already been there, but he was not, and Regulus was not displeased. Kreacher wrote him and sent the letter off with a spell geared to the house's owner. It galled Regulus that the spell worked for Potter, making it official that the boy, no blood of his, owned his family home now when he, the rightful heir, did not. "Should we make him tea or something," Regulus asked Kreacher, once the letter had vanished. To his mild annoyance, he realized that he was feeling a bit nervous.
"Why bother? It isn't as if we truly wish him to sit down for a pleasant conversation," the elf grumbled. "And Kreacher doesn't like him and doesn't want to," he continued mutinously.
Regulus recalled a time not so long ago when he didn't want Kreacher having to be a servant. He also wanted Kreacher not to have to do anything he did not wish to do and as that had not changed, he remained silent on the matter even if he did feel that offering tea would be more civilized. As they waited, he was quite unable to remain still, so he paced. They ended up waiting in the front hall because Potter would have to come through the door, considering the protective wards Orion had laid on the manor years ago prevented anything else. The knock came around twelve minutes after Kreacher had sent the letter. "Kreacher," a young man's voice called through the door. "I got your letter. It's me. Is everything Alright?" As he spoke, the door swung slowly inward. "Kreacher is fine," the elf replied. He stood in the dim front hall at Regulus's side. "Come in. Is Harry Potter alone?"
"I am. I told Ginny, Ron and Hermione I'd be right back. Why is it so dark?" With a mutter of ,"Lumos," , the boy lit his wand.
"Good, Kreacher does not desire Mudbloods and blood traitors in his home," the elf grumbled, a resentful glare settling over his face.
"Kreacher," Harry Potter chastised lightly. "I thought you'd come to like Hermione, at least some!"
"Kreacher was polite because he was biding his time and he had better things on which to focus his thoughts," the elf pronounced deliberately.
"Who is this," Harry asked, curiously wary gaze on Regulus.
"I am Regulus Black. As you can see I am quite alive. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Potter. I am sorry for the shock, but I wasn't sure that you would believe me if I put the news in a letter."
Harry gaped, his face awash in shock. "But you still look so young...Just like in the photograph!"
Regulus nodded. "I shall explain all of that," he promised.
"Before Harry Potter wonders if Master Regulus is truly Master Regulus, Kreacher would know. This is indeed his darling Master Regulus."
Kreacher clung to Regulus's arm with both hands, likely for show, but when Regulus met his eyes the raw love he saw there melted his heart and he bent to embrace the elf. "I love you too," he murmured.
"Urm...So why didn't you return before now," Harry asked.
The young man was nothing remarkable, which both did and did not surprise Regulus at the same time. "Why don't we sit down in the library," he offered. "It is a somewhat long story that I shall attempt to make as short as possible." Harry nodded, and taking Kreacher's hand, Regulus led the way into the library quite as if he owned the place, which he planned to again soon. It was clear that the boy didn't fully trust Regulus, though he had formed no true opinion as of yet. Regulus didn't particularly blame him. He didn't particularly require Mr. Potter's trust though, which did alleviate some of the pressure of the situation. Potter's mental shields were as poor as Regulus expected them to be, considering Severus's complaints. He could see Potter's fondness for Sirius, which admittedly lowered Regulus's opinion a notch or two. Once in the library, Harry settled into a chair across from Kreacher and Regulus, who as usual wedged themselves into a chair together. Regulus didn't recount the Voldemort trying to kill Kreacher while hiding his Horcrux story as Harry already knew it. Instead he began with," I am still alive because I chose to become a vampire to survive the lake. That is why I still appear so young. I hoped it would allow me to better hide from him after or to have a fighting chance if he hunted me down. Vampires have specific abilities that I felt would be useful in either case." It was clear from Harry's expression that he was curious and wanted to ask more about vampiric abilities, but he remained silent, allowing Regulus to finish. "Due to wards on my home operating in a way that I still do not comprehend, Kreacher did not receive any letters I sent him once I got to a safe place. I stupidly believed he wanted nothing to do with me, so I stayed away, feeling I owed he and my mother that much. I didn't want to endanger them. In my mind, I had already done enough. I feel I cause harm where ever I go to be honest." He sighed. Kreacher shifted beside him and he took the elf's hand. "And before you object, I can't help how I feel, and I understand that you disagree. As long as you're happy, I'm happy." He gave Kreacher a smile, ignoring Mr. Potter's mild confusion on their interaction because frankly he didn't care. He was tired of caring as it had never served them once. As he summarized all their past hurts for Mr. Potter in a few sentences or less, something clicked in Regulus's mind and he was suddenly certain of what had happened that kept his letters from reaching Kreacher. It felt nearly exhilarating to at last have this confoundingly frustrating mystery solved. Suddenly it all made perfect logical sense. He was eager to share his realization with Kreacher and Dora the instant this meeting was over. "At any rate," he continued to Mr. Potter, "I hid myself among Muggles to keep out of sight." A brief incredulous look crossed Harry's face, indicating his shock that any former Death Eater would slum among Muggles even to hide. As Regulus understood his reasoning, he remained silent on the matter. "Eventually I got word that Voldemort was not dead and I had to return to help."
"That was good of you," Harry said, and Regulus actually had to peer into his mind to see if he was being sarcastic or not. As it turned out, he was not. "I do wonder, though, why you didn't seek me out earlier. I could've used your help. It all turned out alright, but...still, I could've used your help."
Regulus didn't have to look into the boy's mind to see his open raw need for adult guidance, for it was plain on his face. He nearly said he was no Sirius, so it likely would not have been very gratifying, but instead opted for something as honest yet less stinging. "I was told that Voldemort had a way into your mind. I could not risk him being aware of my presence when you did not return to Hogwarts."
Harry hesitated, then nodded. "I suppose I understand that. But why seek me out now?"
"Well, it is regarding my family home," Regulus said as tactfully as he could. "I would like it back. If it is money you want, I will give it to you, but I care about this place and you don't. You can't. You didn't grow up here. Your parents didn't raise you here and...you don't have a lifetime of memories here as I do. You are welcome to every scrap of Sirius's things, I don't care, but this is my home and I am asking you for it back. I will give you whatever you want for it."
Harry waited for several seconds, scanning Regulus's face as if searching for something, then shrugged. "I don't truly want it. I just kept it because Sirius gave it to me, but he had no fond memories of this place, and in truth, nor do I. It is rightfully yours, and I would never keep it from you. I have my own family's money so I won't need yours, but thank you for the offer. I would like Sirius's things, though. I'll just go clean out his room now if it is alright with you."
Regulus nodded. "Of course. And thank you." That was easy, he thought, spirits soaring. This was turning out to be a brilliant day! He'd solved the mystery of what had kept he and Kreacher separated as well as rather easily getting their home back! "Harry Potter should even take Sirius Black's furniture," Kreacher said eagerly.
"Thank you, Kreacher," Harry said politely. "I need to find a place of my own so that I will have somewhere to put it, but I'd like that a lot." Regulus doubted that Potter was naive enough to believe Kreacher offered this to be kind rather than to get rid of any trace of Sirius, but the young man was gracious none the less. Regulus may never desire to call Harry Potter a friend, but he found he respected him and didn't think him half bad in his way.