The Search Is Over,
Chapter 120, Pureblood Squared
Kreacher and Regulus didn't return home to London until nearly time for Ariana to summon Regulus's parents again. Fisnik managed to convince Dora to remain in Switzerland a bit longer, giving Kreacher and Regulus hope that the budding relationship would continue to bloom. Upon returning to 12 Grimmauld, Kreacher was beside himself when Kereston admitted to mostly subsiding on Muggle fast food while they were away.
"Kreacher will cook wonderful meals for Kereston that shall clear out all the Muggle trash from her poor abused system," he muttered, not quite quietly enough to avoid being heard.
"Nothing is better than your food, so I shan't be complaining," Kereston said, giving him a hug and an apologetic look.
"After work, I was just too tired to deal with going to eat at my parents. I wanted nothing more than to get home and relax."
"Was it alright for Kereston all alone here while Master Regulus and Kreacher were away," the elf asked, giving his friend a fretful look.
His mind was surely still on the Muggle fast food, Regulus thought, trying not to smile.
"Oh I wasn't alone," Kereston said.
"I have Reynaldo. I think my cat is gone for good, though, she never turned back up."
Regulus couldn't help it. He looked away. If Reynaldo could live with himself, who was he to say a word. Kreacher coughed, then cleared his throat.
"Well Kreacher just hopes Kereston didn't mind having the place almost to herself for so long."
"I am so tired from work every day that I enjoyed the quiet," Kereston said.
"I was happy to read a few hours in the library or in my room and go to bed. I'm glad you're back, though," she added, giving Kreacher a fond smile.
Upon some deep consideration, Regulus discovered while away that it was the medicine of pleasant and intriguing distractions that kept the depression at bay. Being away from London wasn't a particular necessity for this, save for the fact he didn't find nearly enough interesting things to do or consider in his home town.
Not to mention when he was feeling at all down, there were far too many treasured yet painful memories that seemed to be everywhere familiar. When he was in completely unknown territory, his mind couldn't use any loved faces or landmarks to dredge up pleasant memories that had burned away in the face of horror and despair.
When he expressed as much to Kreacher, the elf decided that perhaps it was time to do more in depth redecorating of 12 Grimmauld Place. He planned to keep everything, as getting rid of any family heirlooms would be unthinkable. The attic was large, though, and had plenty of room. If they ran out of room, enlargement spells could be cast on the attic or shrinking spells on the items intended to be stored. Either way, room could easily be made.
Regulus wasn't sure that a new look would matter that much, but he was willing to try. Seeing Kreacher enthused about a project was nice, and it made him feel the same if only to see his friend's eyes light up when he spoke of decorating ideas. Kreacher utilizing his creativity was always a pleasure to witness.
"My mum is always getting catalogs for redecorating," Kereston said.
"I'm sure she would give you some. She gets them in the mail all the time. They're full of entire home spreads where you see how other people decorate, and shops from all around the world sell items they can ship right to your door if you order through the catalog. It's magical mail so often arrives same day."
Kreacher looked suspicious until Kereston mentioned magical mail. At those words his face relaxed into an eager smile. If it had nothing to do with Muggles, he was willing to give it a chance.
"Kreacher would look," he said carefully.
"And Master Regulus as well, of course," he added, turning to Regulus.
"Oh, anything you want to do with the place is fine, Love. Decorate however you like," Regulus said.
At one point, both he and Kreacher had felt it best to leave the place as much like it was as possible, only adding a few touches here and there, but perhaps Kreacher was right and a more thorough redecorating could make for a stimulating new atmosphere.
"Master Regulus isn't planning to help Kreacher choose the new art and furniture and curtains and dishes," the elf asked with a frown.
Regulus chuckled at the length of Kreacher's list.
"It sounds as if you already have a few ideas. I'd like to see what you come up with. I shall enjoy surrounding myself in your taste, whatever it may be. I am certain I would find it uplifting or at the least intriguing."
Kreacher considered, fiddling with a pocket on the side of the deep green tunic he wore.
"If Master Regulus is quite certain."
Turning to Kereston with an eager smile he asked, "How soon can Kereston get the catalogs?"
"I will write Mum now, and she'll probably send them directly," Kereston said.
"We can go to Knockturn for anything else you may want if the catalogs are in any way lacking," Regulus promised.
Leaning into Regulus's side, Kreacher smiled happily. Regulus smiled back, slipping an arm around Kreacher's shoulders. They sat together on the sofa in front of a crackling fire in the library, and Kereston sat at the desk writing her mum. When she'd finished, Regulus rose to take his turn at the quills and parchment to inform Ariana that they had returned from their trip. He asked her rates and said that they'd like to set up an appointment to visit with his parents at her earliest convenience.
She wrote back within the hour saying that the very next day would work for her if Regulus and Kreacher were available in the evening after eight. Of course they were available, so the appointment was set. Though Regulus was eager to see his parents again, he felt some trepidation as well. For all he knew, this could be their last meeting. Ariana did not seem willing to allow the arrangement to continue long term, and even Walburga could only dominate so much from the beyond.
The next day Kreacher and Regulus rose as soon as they woke, both for once unwilling to dally in bed lest they keep Ariana waiting. They dawned near formal attire in order to look their best for the parents. Kreacher wore a dark gray velvet tunic, and Regulus green dress robes. They went out to feed together, Kreacher keeping to Regulus's side rather than hunting alone as he did at times.
The propensity to feed separately was due to Dora's influence, or rather Regulus's distaste for it. As it happened, Dora was correct on the matter of Kreacher enjoying the way she fed. As a brilliant cook himself, Kreacher did appreciate the freshest of blood, as this was now his food. Feeding directly from the heart was the only way to achieve this delicacy, and he had no qualms.
Regulus hated to watch. Perhaps he was too fastidious. Perhaps he simply didn't enjoy seeing a person's insides. Perhaps the sight of Kreacher or Dora tearing out someone's heart then squeezing the blood into their mouths while it was still pumping was horrifying. All of these reasons were good enough for Regulus to wish to avoid that process. No matter how much he enjoyed sharing all things with Kreacher, they could only feed together when Kreacher was of a mind to do it from the neck or wrist like a civilized individual.
They were back home before seven, with a bit over an hour before Ariana was to arrive. Kreacher prepared a quick dinner of thick lamb stew for Kereston and Mortis. He offered to make enough for Reynaldo, but Kereston insisted that the spider still preferred to eat cold breakfast cereal above all else. It took Kreacher less than half an hour to make the stew, so he spent the rest of the time readying a fancy tea spread for Ariana with small cakes and sandwiches served with pumpkin tea.
As it was Kereston's favorite, the elf thought to see how Ariana liked it as well. Kreacher never allowed Regulus to help out in the kitchen, so Regulus sat on a low stool near the fire, chatting with him and keeping him company. The act was so familiar it was nearly surreal. Even as a boy, he'd sat chatting with Kreacher while the elf went about his kitchen tasks with efficient ease.
"I could at least arrange the plate of cakes and sandwiches or stir the bloody stew," Regulus complained in open exasperation.
"I feel so useless just sitting here."
Kreacher frowned, shaking his head.
"Kreacher prefers to use a stirring charm on the stew. Master Regulus could burn himself. And Ariana's snacks are already arranged."
Regulus blinked at the full plate that hadn't been less than a second before. Kreacher was always that fast though.
"Elf magic."
Regulus gave a wistful sigh as he shook his head.
"There it is, then. Wizards are just useless."
Kreacher's gaze was tender and full of love as he approached Regulus where he sat on his stool.
"This one is never useless to Kreacher," the elf said softly.
Leaning in, he slid his slender arms around Regulus's neck in that slow sensuous way that never failed to make Regulus's stomach drop as his world spun. Leaning into Kreacher his lips parted, a sigh of pleasure escaping as their mouths met.
The door chime rang and the two parted reluctantly.
"I'll get that while you deal with the tea tray," Regulus suggested and Kreacher nodded.
Soon they sat with Ariana in the library telling her of their trip and listening to her explain how she helped to tend bar and cook in the Hog's Head.
"I've left father on a busy night, but as he said, he handled it before I got here so he can handle it for a few hours," she shared with a fond smile.
"So the two of you are getting on well, then," Regulus asked and Ariana nodded.
"He is very over protective, but it's actually nice. He was very lonely before I arrived, I believe, and so was I. It is good to have found one another, and I can't thank the two of you enough for making the process such an easy and painless one."
"We were glad to help," Regulus told her warmly.
She nodded.
"I know you were. That's why I want to help you to see your parents, but I just can't continue to do so for much longer. No matter how much I hate disappointing all of you, the risk is too great."
Regulus swallowed hard, nodding.
"Shall we summon them now, then," Ariana asked.
"Thank you for the tea, Kreacher, it is lovely," she added, taking a sip before placing the cup down onto the tray in readiness to call upon Orion and Walburga.
"Do you need us to touch your hands again," Regulus asked and Ariana shook her head.
"It likely won't be necessary. They should know me this time."
She was right. No sooner had she spoken Orion and Walburga's names with the words of summoning than their apparitions were floating before her.
"It's been ages," Walburga complained at once.
"Hello, Mummy...Dad," Regulus said, grinning like a boy as he extended his arms toward his parents.
Though they couldn't touch, the sentiment was there, and he couldn't help expressing it. Smiling Orion and Walburga opened their arms as well, wide enough to encompass both he and Kreacher were they able to touch. Kreacher smiled, eyes full of silent tears as he regarded his former master and mistress.
Ariana murmured a polite greeting as she lifted her tea from the tray, cradling it in both slender hands. Walburga and Orion asked after Aberforth and how Ariana was settling into Hogsmeade before turning their full attention to Regulus and Kreacher.
"What have the two of you been doing," Walburga asked, gaze hungry for news as it swept over them. Kreacher and Regulus told of their trip to Switzerland and Germany.
"I would love for you both to meet my maker some day," Regulus said.
Orion and Walburga both nodded.
"We should like to thank her for saving our son," Orion said.
"More than once if you count the vampirism and dragging your brash self from that lake," Walburga complained.
Regulus nodded, dropping his gaze in uncomfortable embarrassment.
"I still don't know what came over me to think I could destroy all of his Inferi simply because I'm a vampire."
"Likely that potion got into your head and skewed your judgment on everything," Walburga said darkly.
Kreacher gave a fervent nod.
"Kreacher believes so as well. He wishes Master Regulus would stop being so hard on himself," he lamented.
Orion nodded, jabbing a finger at Regulus.
"You heard the elf. Stop."
Regulus gave a faint smile, then brightened as his father's words reminded him of what he intended to bring up to his mum.
"Mum? When you were saying that you didn't have a problem with Kreacher being an elf, you know when we were speaking of my and Kreacher's relationship...you mentioned something about elves being fae. What did you mean?"
Somehow even though she was only a spirit, the color seemed to drain from Walburga's face as she glanced away in obvious discomfort.
"What ever do you mean," she asked a bit too blithely.
Regulus and Kreacher exchanged a glance and Orion just looked confused.
"Mum! You must remember," Regulus insisted incredulously.
"It's when you were saying it was the fact Kreacher was a man that you minded, not that he was an elf. You said something about elves being fae or part fae or related to fae, I can't precisely recall."
"Because I never said it," Walburga snapped.
"But..." Kreacher began, then trailed off at a hard glare from his former mistress.
"Mum," Regulus persisted.
"We are both quite certain that you did mention something about elves and fae, and we merely wished to know more. That is all."
"I mentioned nothing of the sort! I would not have because doing so would only be painful for the both of you and I am not that rude."
"I honestly don't recall Burga saying anything at all about elves and fae," Orion said gently.
Regulus and Kreacher exchanged another glance.
"What if the two of you were reading her mind," Ariana spoke up.
"You know, with your vampiric ability. I had no idea that a spirit's mind could be read, so I've just learned something new if this is the case."
"Were you thinking about elves and fae, Mum," Regulus asked and Walburga's lips compressed.
"Maybe I was. The two of you would do well to keep out of my bloody head, and Orion's too. Doing otherwise is the height of rudeness!"
"Yes, of course, Mother. We didn't mean to," Regulus assured hastily.
"At times if the thought is very strong, we can't help it, so the thought must have been very strong. Do you care to explain it?"
"No."
Regulus sighed.
"Then would you please do it anyway?"
Walburga huffed a sigh.
"As I said, it could only bring you pain, and I see no point."
"But knowledge is power, and one never knows when it could be of use," Kreacher spoke up quietly.
"Fine," Walburga said.
"I was thinking that elves are very powerful. Were a powerful elf to breed with a pure blood wizard of a line such as our noble house of Black, the child would be phenomenal. The power he or she would have would be amazing!"
Regulus and Kreacher both gaped. Both stared at Walburga in open astonishment.
"I thought you'd consider the blood of such a child to be shameful," Regulus said.
"He or she would not be a pureblood."
Walburga shook her head incredulously.
"How could I think such a thing when elves are even more powerful than wizards? Why the blood of such a child would be pure squared!"
She laughed.
"With wizard and elf magic combined, just imagine the things that child could grow up to do! But as two men are unable to reproduce, it felt unkind to say the least to speak of it.
"Not to mention vampires can't reproduce either," Ariana murmured.
"I see," Regulus told his mother, nodding.
"It is still interesting to know, though."
He shook his head, giving a baffled laugh.
I must say, it's quite shocking that you wouldn't mind a grandchild that's half elf."
"Depends on which elf," Walburga said, lips twisting up into a reluctant smile.
"Kreacher was always the best of the best. It is simply impossible."
"But Mistress would not feel such a child was an embarrassment to the noble house of Black," Kreacher wondered, obviously still struggling to digest this as much as Regulus was.
Walburga waved a hand.
"The power of such a child would be worth whatever society had to say. If the elf parent is free, it can't look as bad as all that, especially when the child grows up to do great things that make all other pureblood families green with envy."
Regulus couldn't help but smile because that did sound very good.
"But how are elves fae," he asked.
"It only stands to reason. If you read of the abilities of the various types of faeries, the abilities of elves are very similar to many of them."
"But if they're related in any way to fae, how is it that they were enslaved by wizards," Regulus asked.
Walburga shrugged.
"That, my boy, is a very good question, and one Mummy has never found the answer to. My guess, though, is that they were not enslaved by the wizards they serve. Something tells me that it's far more complicated than that, though."
Orion gave a dry smile that didn't quite reach the distracted look in his eyes.
"Isn't it always?"