The Search Is Over,
Chapter 114, When I Was Older
As it seemed the parents were caught up on everything they'd missed, Regulus found himself scrambling for topics to keep them with him a bit longer.
"I've been studying the Hallows, or at least their concept of late, mainly because of my acquaintance with Grindelwald," he said.
"I have a theory that all three are actually Horcruxes. I believe them to be foul dangerous items, but something tells me there are more layers to them than even I have imagined. It was due to them, though, that I had the idea to contact the two of you. I didn't wish to use the resurrection stone due to what I believe it to be, so I placed an ad for a necromancer. That's how we met Ariana.
As his parents as well as Ariana were all listening avidly, he explained how Potter had dropped the resurrection stone, and how he'd taken it upon himself to find it in case it happened to end up in the wrong hands.
"Brilliant Master Regulus," Kreacher said proudly.
Orion and Walburga nodded, both beaming with parental pride at Regulus.
The expression made him swallow hard as a lump rose in his throat. He'd never expected to see that expression directed at him again.
"Regulus? Are you well," Walburga asked, face suddenly concerned.
How must he look, Regulus wondered.
"I...I'm just so glad to see you. I've missed you so very much...It is going to be difficult to let you go."
"Then you shan't," Walburga said firmly.
Turning to Ariana, she set the necromancer with a demanding glare.
"You shall bind us to this house as the ghosts are bound to Hogwarts. Then we won't be reincarnated, and nor will we have to leave our family."
"That isn't how it works, I am afraid," Ariana said.
"I do not know these Hogwarts ghosts, but if they remained behind, they did so upon death, not after crossing over entirely. Were I even able to do as you like, which is highly doubtful by the way, it could cause vast and dangerous disruptions for this world and beyond the veil."
For a moment, Walburga's expression was still belligerent.
"Burga," Orion murmured.
"I'm sure the kind necromancer will allow us to visit at least a few more times."
Walburga shot Ariana a questioning glance.
"Well? Shall you, or will you be responsible for plunging my darling boy back into despair? You heard everything he's been through, after all. All the emotional torment! All the strife!"
Walburga's voice rose on each word until she was nearly shrieking.
"Alright! Alright," Ariana cried.
"You win!"
Walburga smiled.
"She's a very nice girl," she told Orion.
Orion's lips twitched.
"Indeed she is, Burga."
"Now that you've beaten me down, are you ready to depart for today," Ariana asked a bit sullenly.
"I grow tired of holding you here. The job of anchor in this sort of case is draining, especially when I am anchoring two spirits."
"I suppose we can retire for today, though let it be known that we do not at all wish to do so."
Walburga's eyes rested on Regulus as she spoke, a clear statement mother to son that she did not wish to leave him. For some reason, probably for every reason, this caused tears to spring to his eyes.
"I love you both so much," he managed around the lump in his throat.
At his side, Kreacher sniffled, nodding.
"Kreacher does as well, love Master Orion and Mistress Walburga very much."
"We love both of you very much as well, and we will see you soon, yes," Orion said, looking to Ariana on that last word.
"I promised you so, didn't I," Ariana said with a sigh.
"It wasn't precisely phrased as a promise," Orion pointed out craftily.
Regulus grinned, admiring his father's sharpness. That sharpness was a big part of why his wards were so amazingly good.
"I gave my word as I saw it, but I officially promise if it will get you gone today," Ariana said.
Walburga and Orion nodded, and Ariana seemed to shiver slightly, then gradually relax. Not until this gradual relaxation of her face and body did Regulus realize that she'd been at all tense before. As she relaxed, his parents faded. He had to glance away, unable to watch them fading.
It took only a few seconds for his parents to leave this world again.
"They have gone," Kreacher murmured, pressing Regulus's hand gently.
Regulus nodded slightly as he returned his gaze to Ariana. Of course Kreacher was strong enough to watch them go, but he'd always been the stronger between the two of them, hadn't he? Though Regulus was well aware that his parents no longer flanked her, even the air seemed somehow empty with them gone.
"You see," she demanded.
"You already look miserable. The more you see them, the harder it will be to let them go, Regulus. I will keep my promise, but please consider the danger of continuing this."
Regulus felt his lips tighten, but he made no protest.
"Your theory on the Hallows is fascinating, and I'd love to be kept up to date on any discoveries you might make if you don't mind," Ariana said.
"It's sort of related to my field, if you are correct, after all. I could consider it a level of continuing my education."
Always one to be up for continuing his education as well, Regulus nodded eagerly. It was always nice to find people who shared the same interests, as they were so rare.
"Master Regulus can share any new findings with Ariana when she returns to allow us to visit with Master Orion and Mistress Walburga," Kreacher said, a pleased, cunning smile curving his lips.
Just like that, he'd neatly seen to it that Ariana would be eager to keep her promise. Regulus was, as always, admiring of the elf's easy social craftiness.
"Of course," Ariana agreed, nodding.
"When would you like to see them again?" Kreacher and Regulus exchanged a look.
"Should we perhaps wait a few months," Regulus asked the elf.
"It seems we won't have many of these visits, so drawing them out seems wise unless you had other concerns."
"A few months sounds perfect," Kreacher nodded.
"Well you'll know where to find me when you are ready," Ariana said, standing.
"OF course we shall pay you," Regulus said, rising to walk her out.
"You have kept your bargain to us, and we expect no more."
"Of course," Kreacher agreed, springing to his feet as well.
His movement was so fast that he stumbled forward a step, catching at Regulus's arm.
"It's the vampirism," Regulus explained.
"The extra ease of speed and strength make it all too easy to over shoot a bit at times even with ordinary movement."
"Ah yes," Kreacher murmured distractedly, nodding.
"I shall at least give you the friend discount, as you are kindly sharing your research with me," Ariana said with a warm smile, returning the conversation to business as they all left the room.
Regulus shook his head.
"Oh no. I'd share knowledge anyway with any worthy witch or wizard, and you have most definitely proven yourself to be worthy of rare archaic knowledge. Kreacher and I have plenty of gold so money is no issue. You could likely use it for your new start here if you are planning to live at the Hog's Head."
Ariana chuckled.
"Indeed, and I'd like to remodel it if my father will allow me to. Though he seemed reluctant when I mentioned the idea over breakfast, he did not object so there is hope."
"If you do, we shall definitely come and see it," Regulus said.
"Have you any plans yet as to the style you're after?"
"Anything would be an improvement, Kreacher thinks," the elf muttered, not quite under his breath and Regulus tried somewhat unsuccessfully not to smirk.
Kreacher was ever getting him into trouble, causing Regulus's manners to slip as a result of his snide yet oh-so-accurate comments.
"I'd like something dark and gothic, yet posh. I want to keep the antique old world feel of the place as the foundation," Ariana said.
"Antique...old world...now that's a quaint way of putting it, Kreacher thinks," the elf muttered as they approached the stately front door of the manor.
"You're funny," Ariana told him, chuckling.
"I have never seen an elf quite like you. Then again I haven't seen that many elves. In my country, we use kobolds, who talk far less but aren't nearly so entertaining."
"Kreacher...thanks Ariana...he thinks," the elf said.
Ariana nodded.
"Kreacher is quite welcome," she told him with a fond smile.
"I hope to have you and Regulus as my first friends here, so do come and visit the Hog's Head often, even when you don't need to talk to spirits."
Regulus and Kreacher nodded almost in unison, both wearing pleased smiles. It was always nice to be liked and appreciated, after all, and the more interesting friends with unique abilities, the better.
"We can introduce you to some of our other friends as well," Regulus offered.
"We'll bring them to the Hog's Head so that you'll get more business."
Ariana nodded eagerly.
"Oh that would be wonderful! Thank you. I look forward to meeting all of your friends. I bet Grindelwald is especially interesting."
Regulus chuckled.
"He is...different. Complicated, but a good person truly, at least as we dark wizards see such."
Ariana nodded in understanding.
"Good luck with adjusting to vampirism, Kreacher," Ariana said, as the elf politely opened the front door for her.
"I'm sure you'll get the hang of it in no time."
Kreacher smiled.
"Kreacher thinks he shall. Thank Ariana."
"I was surprised your mother took your relationship so well," Ariana said as she stepped out onto the landing.
"So were we, trust us," Regulus said with a dry chuckle as Kreacher nodded fervently.
"My mother was so very rarely accepting of anything I did," Ariana said, a dark resentment flashing momentarily in her blue eyes.
"Though I always try to remain impersonal when others speak to their loved ones, I must say I was relieved when Walburga was so accepting."
She chuckled.
"I had no idea the two of you were involved, to be honest. You just seemed like very good friends. It's unusual, granted, but it seems to work for you."
Her face softened.
"I envy you that. I never truly connected with anyone."
"Someday Ariana shall," Kreacher said firmly.
"She will find a grand wizard to match her own power and knowledge some day."
"Now that sounds exciting,"Ariana said, smiling as she apparated away.
Regulus and Kreacher locked up the manor and headed to bed. Regulus had to admit he liked the fact that Kreacher would be sleeping and rising with him. It gave their relationship an extra element of security. Now it was even less likely that anything would ever happen to Kreacher. The elf would never fall easy pray to any mortal perils such as illness or getting himself killed which was rather soothing to know.
Kreacher was literally climbing Regulus as soon as their bedroom door was shut. Arms twining around his neck, Kreacher gave a low sultry growl, before sinking fangs into Regulus's throat.
"Gods," Regulus groaned, staggering to the bed, and just making it before his legs gave way as waves of pleasure washed over his body. The feel of Kreacher's silken skin sliding against his own combined with the elf's new hunger was enough to nearly drive him mad. For hours there was no time for thinking or talking.
Instead the two reveled in exploring one another with the addition of Kreacher's new state of being. It wasn't until very near sunrise that the two actually spoke again. They were cuddled together in bed, surrounded by peaceful darkness that would remain, keeping them safe all day while the sun beat down outside.
"Can you believe Mummy forgave us," Regulus marveled.
"And I do say forgave because you know she would strongly prefer that you and I had never become more than very good friends."
Kreacher chuckled against Regulus's chest.
"Kreacher knows! He is a bit surprised that we are both still alive."
Regulus laughed.
"Do you believe she could've killed us while in spirit," he teased.
"If anyone could, it would be Mistress," Kreacher insisted and Regulus nodded.
For a time, the silence stretched companionably between them as they just lay quietly together, the reassuring skin to skin contact all either required.
"I feel so strange, Kreacher," Regulus spoke at last.
"It is hard to articulate. Somehow older and younger at the same time. Older because of all that has happened...it has been so very much, yet somehow younger again because seeing one's parents can do that I suppose."
Though these surreal feelings were a struggle to put into words, he'd given it his best attempt, as he always shared his feelings with Kreacher. Now was no exception. And as the elf always had, he understood.
"Kreacher knows."
And with that, the two gave way, as they must, to sleep as the sun rose. The black phoenix rested high on the curtain, protecting them. The boggarts shifted about, rattling doors and prowling corners as #12 Grimmauld Place creaked and settled in for the day.