The Search Is Over,
Chapter 116, Black Basalt
Leaving Kreacher to find Kereston, Regulus went up stairs to write Dora. He was excited to tell her that Kreacher was at last a night walker as many vampires called themselves. Mortis kindly offered to take the note, and Regulus smiled in appreciation as he passed the scroll into the phoenix's claws. He recalled how enchanted Dora always was when anything magical suddenly happened around her. The appearance of Mortis would surely brighten her evening.
"Would you mind waiting a moment to see if she has a reply," Regulus asked and Mortis trilled, indicating that he would wait. He vanished, leaving Regulus alone in his bedchamber. Rising from the small desk that he'd never bothered replacing with anything more substantial, he decided to find Kreacher and Kereston while awaiting Dora's reply. As he guessed they'd be, the two were in the library.
"Kereston will never believe what Mistress Walburga was most angry about," Kreacher said excitedly as Regulus entered the room.
"It is not at all what Kereston would suppose, Kreacher is certain."
Kereston leaned forward eagerly as Kreacher waved Regulus to the sofa at his side. The elf's round blue eyes were sparkling happily over the fact he had a good story to tell.
"She was very, very angry that we never informed her of what was happening before everyone attacked the Dark Lord. Why she has another, better plan sorted that she believes would have taken care of everything far more safely. Kreacher thinks she is probably correct."
Regulus listened as Kreacher summarized their visit with Walburga and Orion. Kereston was properly shocked at Walburga's near acceptance of Kreacher and Regulus's relationship and impressed by her plan to remain under Voldemort's radar.
"I wonder if she guessed he couldn't be killed due to the Horcrux," Kereston mused thoughtfully.
"It's the only reason I can think of for why she wouldn't have thought just killing him as Orion wanted was the best idea."
"That's a brilliant conjecture, and likely true," Regulus complimented, impressed.
He was frankly disappointed that he hadn't considered as much himself yet. In his defense his main focus, both mental and emotional had simply been on being with his parents at the time.
"I definitely plan to ask her when next we meet," Regulus said.
"If it's true, it means she's got a good grasp of how Horcruxes work," Kereston said.
"Better than the rest of us, at least. That's impressive. Both of your parents really knew their stuff, and I can tell where you get it from"
The fact she was able to see his parents for the great people they were made Regulus like the little blonde even more.
"Thank you," Regulus told her with a warm smile.
Hearing Kreacher recounting the conversation to Kereston reminded him of something else he intended to ask his mother about.
"Mother said something else that I found very intriguing," he said.
"I wanted to ask her about it, but there was so much to catch her and father up on, and as they wanted to know everything...at once, I didn't dare digress. Then later of course it slipped my mind."
He sighed.
"There is always next time, though. It concerns her comment about elves being like fae," he said.
"When I defended our relationship to her, do you recall," he asked, turning to Kreacher who nodded slowly.
"Kreacher did notice that. Like Master Regulus he found the comment intriguing and curious, but so much was going on that he didn't remember to ask how Mistress Walburga reached her conclusion."
Regulus nodded, chuckling.
"Indeed a great deal was going on, on so many levels."
"Well if elves are at all related to the fae folk, I'd not be at all surprised," Kereston said.
"I mean elf magic is bloody impressively powerful!"
Regulus nodded in agreement while Kreacher remained thoughtfully silent.
Before more could be speculated on the matter, a sudden pounding on the front door of the manor caused all three of them to jump.
"Who the hell would be banging like that," Regulus grumbled as Kreacher stood.
"Kreacher is going to find out," he said, and was out of the room before Regulus could blink.
"He's still accustoming himself to his vampiric speed," Regulus told Kereston with an amused smile.
"Perhaps but this time Kreacher just wished to reach the door quickly so that the banging would stop," the elf called out and Kereston laughed.
"From the distant sound of Kreacher's voice, Regulus could tell that he was already at the front door.
"Shall we go and see what is going on," Regulus asked, and Kereston nodded.
As they entered the hall, the banging stopped, and Bellatrix's annoyed voice could be heard.
"Where are you little pricks! We're all waiting in the stupid forest!"
"We lost track of time," Kreacher explained.
"A lot has happened."
Regulus and Kereston entered the front hall in time to see Bellatrix scowling darkly down at Kreacher.
"You're all breathing, so it isn't important enough to keep us waiting in the forest, whatever it is," she proclaimed.
"Well...Kreacher became a vampire, Ariana's father is Aberforth Dumbledore, and she was able to help us talk to Master Orion and Mistress Walburga who are both pleased to hear that the three Lestranges are doing fine," Kreacher said.
He gave a pleased smile at Bellatrix's dropped jaw and shock wide dark eyes.
It only took a few seconds for her to collect herself, though.
"Did any of that happen today," she demanded suspiciously and Kreacher grinned, shaking his head.
"Then it's no bloody excuse to be late. Now let's go!"
"Sorry Bella," Regulus said, tone placating as he and Kereston approached.
"Kreacher shall apparate all of us to the forest now," the elf said in way of warning.
An instant later they stood in the dark forest surrounded by trees as well as the others in their little resurrection stone search party.
"It seems the prats have had a busy few days," Bellatrix announced as she moved to stand at Rodolphus's side.
As everyone was interested to hear the news, Regulus and Kreacher shared the events of the past few days as succinctly as possible.
"Ariana would love to meet all of you," Regulus concluded.
"We promised to keep in touch even when she isn't helping us talk to my parents."
"I am not so certain that she will want to see me," Albus said sadly.
"It is more than likely that Aberforth has turned her against me."
"I hope that isn't the case," Regulus said sincerely.
"I think you would like her. She appears to value family very much, having grown up for the most part without it from what I understand."
"Are we checking for the stone or what," Grindelwald wondered, turning his blue gaze dramatically to the sky.
The light cast by everyone's wands clearly showed his face wearing an annoyed expression.
"Sure, of course," Regulus said hastily.
"If anyone wishes to go to the Hog's Head with us to meet Ariana, just let me know when we're ready to leave and we'll set up a time."
He summoned the Nifflers and checked the pouches quickly. Each was bulging with found treasure, which caused Regulus's hopes to rise. Each of the little animals had found a ton of stones and coins, but none seemed to be the resurrection stone. By the time he got to the last Niffler, his heart was heavy with disappointment.
"It may take a while. Perhaps it got buried deeper than we suspected," Albus was saying soothingly.
Evidently the worry and dejection Regulus felt on the matter was plain on his face. Though Nifflers were gemstone and coin finding fiends, perhaps it would take longer than he'd hoped. Regulus nodded, then gasped as his gaze fell on a particularly shiny stone in the final Niffler's pouch.
"It's it," he breathed, fingers trembling slightly as he lifted a smooth black stone with a high shine to it. If the magical shine wasn't a good enough give away, the symbol of the Deathly Hallows carved into it most certainly was.
The thing's energy had an odd draw to it. He liked holding it. He did not like that!
"It's black basalt," Mag murmured, moving closer for a better look.
"I was always curious about what sort of stone was used for the famed resurrection stone," she explained.
"Basalt holds heat well, and is said to have a soothing energy, though I haven't worked much with it at all. It's more of a stone for healers."
"I'd like to know more about its properties, if you have it in any of your books," Regulus said.
Gellert nodded in agreement.
"Yes, that would be interesting."
"I'll just pop home and grab one of the books of gemstone properties then," Mag said.
"No time like the present. Besides I'd like to know more now as well."
She vanished with a crack.
""I like holding this too much, which is beginning to unsettle me," Regulus said.
"Who is keeping it?"
"You should decide," Bellatrix said.
"Though considering the fact it's most likely a bloody Horcrux, why not just destroy it?"
Regulus nodded thoughtfully.
"Because it is still history, and perhaps should be studied a bit first for its nonhorcrux properties if any could be reproduced for something useful."
"I can take it back if you like," Albus said as Mag returned with a crack.
"I have already learned my lesson with the thing and it has no hold over me."
Regulus considered for a split second, before nodding.
"That's fine with me. What do you think, Kreacher?"
Kreacher nodded.
"It will be safe with Albus Dumbledore, Kreacher thinks."
"Just as long as he doesn't bloody give it away again," Severus stated through gritted teeth.
"As I said earlier, Severus, I have learned," Albus said.
To his credit, his tone was only mildly testy.
Moving closer, Gellert plucked the stone out of Regulus's hand to examine it, before making a face of distaste, and flicking it to Albus.
"Boring."
During all this, Mag had been flipping through the book she'd brought with her by the light of her wand.
"Found it," she said.
"Basalt is a Stone of strength, courage and stability. It is said to bring vitality to its owner and is filled with strong energy of heat and of fire. It is a strong amulet that can give you power to live through the stresses of today and tomorrow during times of turbulence. It helps to diminish the negative aspects of one's character."
Lowering the book she closed it.
"I suppose that goes well with what this stone' does now. Perhaps the brother who crafted it was aware of the magical properties of basalt. That or he got lucky."
Chuckling, Albus nodded.
"Indeed. Sometimes magic works just like that. It looks a lot like luck, but it's the magic adjusting matters to serve its needs. Such things make beautiful patterns of seeming coincidence."