The Search Is Over
Chapter 92, Another Year And I'm Still Here
The next year passed rapidly in relative ease, though depression was constantly a low murmur in the background for Regulus. It made everything a bit less pleasurable than it should've been. The only purely joyful moments he experienced were those spent with Kreacher. At least the elf was thriving as a result of Regulus's return and truly enjoying life. The vampire found himself playing a supporting character role to Kreacher, and he was more than glad to do it. The elf deserved the best of everything, and always had.
In the old days, Regulus had intended a partnership for the two of them in all things, but his acceptance among the ranks of The Dark Lord had thrust him into the spotlight first. Due to this fact, and because he was the family's slave in spite of how much Regulus hated that, Kreacher had played the role of supporting character. Now it was Regulus's turn.
He knew that Kreacher still wanted the full partnership, but Regulus felt he'd lost something. If ambition were a thread, it was as if he'd dropped it and couldn't find the end for a starting point. He was at loose ends with no true desires save to be united with Kreacher and his family again. He had that so all was well save for the depression.
The goblin healers still had not returned from their sabbatical, though, so he waited without a resolution to that. Severus was finding it difficult to make a potion that entirely fit the description that Kreacher, Regulus and Albus Dumbledore had given him. Of course the potion was difficult, and besides, Severus had a job and a life in Bulgaria. He couldn't spend all of his time working on the potion for Regulus, though the amount of time he did dedicate to the endeavor was impressive. For that, Regulus would be eternally grateful even if it resulted in nothing.
For Kreacher's part, he spent many of his days with Millicent, who unlike Kereston did not have a job at the Ministry that kept her busy most days of the week. The elf did spend the weekends with Kereston, though, venturing out into wizarding London for shopping or lunch. Twice a week he also visited Albus Dumbledore in Bulgaria for advanced lessons in Transfiguration.
While quite skilled at the art already, Kreacher had expressed a wish to learn more personal applications when he and Regulus visited Bulgaria during their travels. Personal, because Kreacher wanted to use it on himself. While he could transfigure objects into most anything he wished, he'd never turned the art on himself. Such was painful at best and outright dangerous at worst if not done with precise accuracy. Kreacher wished to transfigure into a taller version of himself purely for physical pleasure.
Although he and Regulus had a rich and varied relationship in their bedchamber, Kreacher was always on top as it were, due to Regulus's concern of hurting him were they to switch places. Transfiguration was Kreacher's response to that. Unfortunately, Kreacher chose to brooch this topic with Albus while Regulus slept.
Unfortunately, because Regulus would've loved to see how Kreacher went about explaining to Dumbledore why he wished to be taller. While Albus was fully aware of the physical nature of their relationship, he simply wasn't the sort one spoke to about one's bedroom plans. As with one's own grandfather, it simply wasn't a topic spoken of with one's former headmaster.
Kreacher's lessons usually lasted no more than an hour. He visited Albus after class and before dinner at Durmstrang, so he was back home by the time Regulus woke. When questioned about the progress of his lessons, Kreacher explained that Albus was teaching him about the organs and general internal workings of the body as each part had to be adjusted when undergoing such a transfiguration.
Albus was taking things slow with the process so that it was done properly. Regulus had always been fine with things as they were, and Kreacher was in no hurry, so this wasn't a problem for either of them. Regulus was pleased to see Kreacher pursuing interests, be it with Kereston or Albus. He had no desires of his own when it came to pursuits outside of Kreacher's wants. Kreacher frequently asked what he'd like to do, but he couldn't force outside interests that weren't there. He had plenty of books to expand his general education, and he read for at least two hours each night.
Though Kereston was frequently in the library, she, Kreacher and Regulus could often read in silence or if the two were chatting, they weren't disruptive, so it didn't disturb Regulus's own reading. Having Kereston as a house mate didn't truly impact him one way or the other. Kreacher very much enjoyed having the little chatty blonde about and she didn't bother Regulus. She was clean, neat and respectful. She kept to herself when she came home from work, retreating to her room until dinner if Kreacher wasn't about to socialize. She never sought him out if he didn't present himself, presumably to respect whatever alone time he and Regulus may be having. As it happened, often they wanted their privacy, so Regulus appreciated her immensely for that.
Every few weeks, he and Kreacher visited with the Lestranges. Sometimes they'd invite them to 12 Grimmauld for dinner. At others, he and Kreacher called on them at theirs, but after dinner. After dinner meant they weren't obligated to entertain. Working Black Ops for the Ministry had the three tired often enough and Regulus saw no reason to impose unnecessarily.
For the most part, the Lestranges seemed to enjoy their new job and the lifestyle that accompanied it. They knew it was far better than they'd have ever gotten without Regulus's intervention and he was pleased that they were happy with what he'd done for them. He doubted he'd ever stop feeling guilty for the part he felt he'd played in Voldemort twisting their wills and minds.
Though Kreacher proclaimed more than once that this was not Regulus's fault, Regulus's feelings strongly disagreed. The inner misery and self loathing that he now understood was most probably caused by the potion still lingering like an evil unwanted guest in his system was all too happy to assure him that he was utterly worthless and, in fact, the cause of all of his family's suffering when it came to Voldemort.
The only other people Regulus saw on a regular basis, meaning every few months or so were Dora and Doge. Whenever Dora was in the area, he and Kreacher would invite them to dinner. Each time Kreacher went all out, making a party of it with several courses of food and a fine wine. Dora and Regulus would sit politely with nothing before them at the table while Doge, Kreacher and Kereston enjoyed a lavish meal.
At first this felt vaguely awkward, but Regulus grew accustomed to it soon enough. In the end, he chose to feel comfortable in his own skin and in his own home even when sitting at the table while others ate when he could not. No one seemed to mind, and he and Dora took an active part in the conversation, which was a large reason for the gathering in the first place.
The fact that Kreacher was still looking after his own home annoyed Regulus, but The Lestranges simply weren't able to find other elves for them yet. Not even one could be spared by any of the branches of the family they contacted. Bella assured that eventually there would be elves, so trusting her, Regulus remained patient. Knowing that he minded far more than Kreacher, who enjoyed showing off his skills for those he liked made it easier.
When Kreacher completed his Transfiguration lessons with Albus Dumbledore, he showed Regulus rather than telling him. One evening a little over a year after they'd returned from their world tour, Kreacher was waiting eagerly beside Regulus's coffin. The elf was nearly as tall as Regulus, throwing a formidable shadow across the coffin as Regulus lifted back the lid.
The clothes he wore were as shocking as the size alteration. Regulus had expected it, but experiencing it was an entirely different matter to which all the senses had to adjust. Kreacher was nearly as tall as he, but still thin and lithe. Though not yet a vampire, the elf's added height made him quite the imposing figure, especially considering the tight black leather he was sporting. The leather pants and tight half open leather jacket were black and form fitting. They creaked slightly when he moved to bend over Regulus.
Regulus let out a breath, his body responding at the sight even as his eyes and mind struggled to process what he was seeing.
"Where ever did you get those clothes," he managed.
Kreacher gave a pleased smile.
"Millicent helped Kreacher. He had to look at several styles on...line before he decided upon what he felt would suit him best."
"And you chose black leather," Regulus asked, admittedly a bit baffled and perplexed though not at all displeased.
The way the leather clung to Kreacher's body, including his bulging erection, was nothing if not utterly beautiful. Even as he spoke, Regulus's own body shouted at him to shut the hell up and start doing things to Kreacher's body at once.
"I had no idea you had an interest in...leather."
But Kreacher could be dominating, which was extremely tantalizing, so perhaps he should've guessed.
"Does Master Regulus like," Kreacher asked, at last showing a flicker of uncertainty.
Hastily Regulus sat up and reached for him.
"Of course I do. Your taste is always impeccable, after all."
For several hours the two enjoyed Kreacher's taller height, exploring all the different things it could...do for them. For the first time, Regulus was comfortable allowing himself to be on top. Entering the elf's tight warmth was nearly enough to make him lose his mind. Thankfully, he kept his wits about him long enough to pleasure Kreacher properly as well before spending himself so hard he nearly passed out.
"Now I see why you wanted me to try that," he murmured thickly several moments later.
He was still drifting in a delightful haze that made it difficult to think or speak.
"Hmmm," Kreacher replied, not bothering to open his eyes.
"Kreacher enjoys the way Master Regulus moved on the gland. As Kreacher suspected would be the case, Master Regulus's erection is even more satisfying than his fingers."
Regulus felt his lips curving into a pleased smile.
"I learned it all from you, Love."