The Search Is Over,
Chapter 103, In Which Severus Is Vindicated
At the sound of the door chime, Regulus leapt to his feet.
"I'll get it," he told Kreacher firmly, because the elf was rising as well.
"I'm quite capable of opening the bloody door," he added with a twitch of his lips to Kreacher's slight frown.
"You own half of the bloody manor. You shouldn't always have to do everything."
He stalked out before Kreacher could reply, but to his immense gratification, he heard Gellert speaking as he headed down the hall.
"Sounds fair," the German said cheerfully and Regulus truly appreciated the support.
"Kreacher supposes," the elf muttered.
By then, Regulus was far enough away that he wouldn't have heard more without sharpened vampiric senses. As it was, though, he could clearly hear the conversation unfolding in the library as he approached the front door.
"You own half of this place now," Severus asked Kreacher, obvious surprise in his tone.
"Kreacher does," the elf confirmed.
"Well...I suppose that makes sense, considering how many undesirables you've had to put up with in the place while Regulus was...away," Severus said.
"Owning the place ensures you can now simply throw anyone out who enters that you do not wish to be here."
"I'm sure a bit of security must be nice."
At that point, Regulus arrived at the door, so could afford to listen no more. It was pleasant to see that no one behaved as if Kreacher shouldn't own half of the family home, though.
As if on cue, it was the three Lestranges who'd arrived. Regulus was relieved that it wasn't one of the other guests, for if it had been, the rest in the library would've surely had time to object to what he'd just said regarding the Lestranges. But as they were now present that wouldn't happen...he hoped.
"What is this about anyway," Bellatrix asked as Regulus led the three Lestranges toward the library after a brief greeting.
"You look worried."
He could hear the frown in her voice without turning to look.
"I am, and you'll see soon. It doesn't involve anyone's personal safety, so don't be alarmed," he attempted to soothe.
"It is merely a matter of concern on which I sought to bring together the best and brightest wizarding minds I know."
Rodolphus gave a low chuckle.
"Flattery will get you everywhere, little cousin!"
At least for today, Regulus certainly hoped so.
When they entered the library, Regulus could feel the shock of the Lestranges even before he turned to regard their faces. It wasn't as if they were particularly friendly with anyone in the room except perhaps Grindelwald.
"As soon as Wolfgang and Albus arrive we can begin," Regulus said and Bellatrix choked.
"Really, Regi? You think Dumbledore is going to be fine with the idea that we're free? Have you lost your bloody mind?"
Gellert arched his brows.
"I was more perplexed over the fact he thought any Dumbledore would have something useful to offer," he said.
"Nice to see all of you again, I'm sure."
He gave the Lestranges a lazy smile, nearly like that of Zabini.
Idly Regulus found himself wondering if he and Kreacher had come to share any of the same mannerisms from being together so long.
"Is Albus going to be comfortable among so many dark wizards and witches," Heather WestCraven wondered, a small amused smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"I mean he does like most of us but..."
She flicked a glance toward Grindelwald and the Lestranges.
"Some of you could make things interesting where he's concerned."
Regulus sighed.
"Albus will soon have other more pressing matters with which to concern himself other than the morality of those in this room who I might add are all here to help."
"We are," Bellatrix asked, shooting him an incredulous look, though amusement danced in her dark eyes.
"Yes, Bellatrix," he replied dryly.
He did give his cousin a faint smile in spite of his words, though.
"Well that would be a first, because no one has ever called us helpful and shit," Rabastan drawled.
The door chime rang out again and Regulus turned to exit the library.
"I'll get it."
This time it was Wolfgang and Millicent. Regulus greeted them warmly, explaining that he preferred to wait for Albus so that he only had to explain that reason for this meeting once. He led them into the library, and Kreacher went to bring drinks for their newest round of guests. It felt oddly nice sharing the household duties with Kreacher instead of the elf handling them all himself as he tended to insist upon doing.
Everyone made small talk as they waited for Dumbledore to arrive. He wasn't late so much as everyone else was a bit early. It was nice to socialize, though, and Regulus was glad to see all of them. Of course he'd have far preferred the gathering to have been founded on more pleasant terms. As it stood there was an underlying tension in the room as everyone silently wondered what the trouble was and half of everyone wondered what the hell the Lestranges were doing here and out of Azkaban. It was Severus who spoke on the matter first.
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you aren't dead," he told Bellatrix dryly.
"Right back at you," she responded in a bored tone without looking up from her drink.
"Did Molly murder a fake then," Severus asked.
"Because that's how I did it."
Bellatrix shrugged.
"No. I just fell prey to ten stunners from Aurors when she threw her stupid curse that would've been pathetically easy to evade. The woman has no dueling skills unless you count tackling grease from a skillet."
Severus barked a short laugh.
"I should've known. That did seem a bit...difficult to believe, you being you and her being her."
She didn't ask how he'd managed to survive, which wasn't very surprising considering the two had never liked one another overly much. Neither made friends easily when it came to that though both managed to get on with Regulus and Kreacher. One might think that Bella had to, being family and such, but this wasn't the case in the Black family at all. There were Sirius and Andy to attest to that. Before the conversation could progress, Kereston slouched in looking tired.
"Hell of a day," she sighed to Kreacher's warm greeting and query as to how she was, but she gave him a tired smile.
"Hi, everyone," she added, falling into a chair near the door of the library.
"Ah your lot had that mess to clean up down town today," Raislen realized sympathetically.
He and Heather were unmentionables and Kereston worked in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes so they could often talk shop.
"Yeah."
Kereston made a face.
"What happened," Mag asked, leaning forward in interest.
"Some bloody Gryffindor kids decided to fly their brooms all over downtown London for a lark. They thought no one would notice if they wore invisibility cloaks. Only the cloaks weren't all that strong. They don't hold up under very bright light. Flying in the sun made said errant Gryffindors look rather like ghosts, because the light went right through them. Then to make matters worse the prats were playing around doing air acrobatics and two of them crashed broom first into a Muggle shoe shop window. Now Muggle ghost hunters are certain the block where this was all spotted is extremely haunted."
Kereston sighed and rolled her eyes.
Blaise Zabini smirked.
"Muggles. So desperate for something to believe in, then so desperate to hunt it down and kill it when they find it truly exists."
"Perhaps the ghost hunters would be different than those who were frightened of witches and sought to kill us," Mag speculated, though in truth she didn't seem to care either way.
"Don't bet on it," Blaise said dryly.
The door chime rang a final time and Regulus rose hastily.
"That's got to be Albus."
And it was. The former headmaster was cheerful and looking well. Regulus hated to ruin the good natured relaxed twinkle in the older man's eyes with his news, but it had to be done. When he led Albus in to join the others, Regulus was shocked when Dumbledore showed no outward reaction to the presence of the Lestranges. He merely gave the room a general nod of greeting and took a seat near Severus at Regulus's invitation to make himself comfortable. Regulus resumed his seat at Kreacher's side, restraining himself with an effort from trying to see what Albus was thinking, because though it would be rude, who wouldn't want to know?
"Alright, Regulus," Severus said.
"Let's have it. I want to know what could've caused you to call all of us here, and I want to know it before I eat. It's annoying to put food on a stomach that is tense with dread and mild anxiety."
Most everyone else in the room chuckled at that and Regulus nodded.
"Would you like some tea, Albus," he asked politely, because everyone else had tea.
"Aren't we about to eat," Severus demanded.
"He'll have a drink at the table, I'm sure. Now be bloody out with it."
Albus's lips twitched.
"Yes, Regulus. Please do before Severus has a conniption. Though I appreciate your kind offer of tea, I shall be fine until dinner, and I certainly would not want to put Severus out."
Mag tittered, then hurriedly shot Severus an apologetic glance, though her large green eyes, so much like those of her father, still sparkled with mirth.
"I have asked you all here today because I believe you are the most intelligent and skilled wizards to be found."
"Of course Master Regulus is equally skilled and intelligent," Kreacher interjected and Regulus couldn't help sliding him a fond look as his heart filled with a warm sentimentality for the one he loved most.
"As are you,' he said, reaching to cover Kreacher's hand with his own.
"Yes, yes, we are all outstanding."
Severus waved a dismissive hand.
"Now get to it!"
"I have a theory or two concerning the Hallows," Regulus said.
"I was investigating this theory when I wrote Mr. Potter and asked him to speak with me about the resurrection stone. I had no wish to use it myself, only to understand Mr. Potter's experience on an intellectual level. During the course of our conversation, Harry let it be known that he decided to ensure the stone never ended up in the wrong hands by...dropping it in the forest after Voldemort was dead."
"HE WHAT," Severus shouted.
It took less than a second for the potion master's dark glare to land on Albus.
"Do you finally see what an idiot that boy is?! How could you have given him such an important relic? Him of all bloody people!"
"His father already had the cloak, Severus, and now so does he. I saw no reason why he couldn't be the guardian of the stone as well. I once wanted the entire collection, but using the stone caused me to change my mind."
Albus's mild tone only fueled Severus's indignation.
"So because you no longer wanted them you put them into the hands of a complete and utter imbecile? And before you defend him, you know I'm right. Only an imbecile would throw the bloody resurrection stone down in the forest for anyone to find."
Regulus nodded.
"That is my concern exactly. And I think we can all agree that most people or creatures don't need to have such a thing in their possession."