The Search Is Over,
Chapter 121, Thursday's Children Have Far To Go
"Both of your parents sound quite fascinating, not to mention intelligent. I see where you get it," Gellert Grindelwald told Regulus.
"I truly regret not having been able to make their acquaintance. They would have been wonderful to have in my inner circle when I was attempting to restore the world to what it should be."
"They were very young children there at the end," Kreacher murmured.
Never liking to be reminded of his true age, Gellert shot the elf an annoyed frown.
"I am aware of that. The statement was a hypothetical one of regret," Gellert said.
"What your Mum said about half elves is interesting. I've only seen one, and she was a nanny in America. Not using her power for greatness, sadly."
"A pity," Regulus said, meaning it.
"My mum would be disappointed."
"What are you going to do about Ariana Dumbledore not wanting to keep summoning Aunty and Uncle for you," Bellatrix asked and Regulus smirked.
"You know Mum. She sort of won that one at least in part. When our visit began to wind down, Mum asked Ariana when she and Father could see us again. Ariana reminded Mum gently that she couldn't continue to do this without eventually causing Kreacher and I a lot of pain again. Mum burst into tears and said that we needed her and Dad, to which we agreed, of course. Ariana merely apologized and held her ground, and THEN Mum came out with what was likely her true plan. She asked Ariana if we could at least visit every ten years or so, and Ariana agreed. As we won't age as vampires and they won't age as spirits, ten years won't feel too long...hopefully."
"That should serve well enough I suppose," Bellatrix said thoughtfully.
"Though I don't know why you couldn't just link them to portraits or something. There is that one of Aunt Walburga and I'm sure there is one of Uncle Orion about somewhere, even if it isn't as formal as he may like."
Kreacher brightened, nodding.
"Kreacher likes that idea very much. He and Master Regulus can attempt to research the logistics, then mention it to Ariana. She was unaware of how the ghosts are bound at Hogwarts when that was mentioned."
"Perhaps she could go to the school and study them," Regulus suggested.
"If we offer to pay her enough, she will perhaps become more motivated."
"You could always mention it to Filius. He could likely get you in to the school for that," Gellert said.
Regulus nodded.
"Good idea."
At this possibility of a longer term connection with his parents, Regulus felt his mood becoming quite buoyant.
Bellatrix had decided to throw a welcome home party for Kreacher and Regulus...or rather as she admitted, "Any excuse to have a party and you two will do."
She'd invited herself, Rod and Rabastan, of course, and also Blaise and Gellert. Kreacher invited Millicent, Wolfgang, and Kereston. Regulus invited Mag and her parents, as well as Severus, Albus, and Bera though he told Albus if he didn't wish to party with the Lestranges, he would not take offense. They were so very different, after all.
While Regulus felt honored to have such a varied array of people in his life, he did not expect them to all get on, unfortunate though that was. To his surprise, Albus accepted the invitation. Regulus never failed to be impressed by the older man's openness and acceptance, and it was one of the few things that truly warmed his heart.
As Kreacher and Regulus couldn't drink spirits anymore, they had to feed from someone who was already quite drunk to get a proper drunk on themselves. Bellatrix encouraged them to do so before meeting everyone at 12 Grimmauld, because as she put it, "Drinking around sober gits is absolutely no fun!" Leave it to Bella to have a party for someone at their own house. At least she and Rodolphus had provided the food so Kreacher wouldn't have to do any work, though.
Regulus and Kreacher had no trouble getting themselves drunk for their party as it turned out. There were many worthless intoxicated Muggles from which to feed. Many people who drank a great deal daily, did not have the best temperament, so tended to commit enough violent acts that Regulus found them suitable prey.
There were tons of bars in London which meant he and Kreacher didn't even have to travel far from home. Both found an excessively drunk and rageful Muggle from whom to feed with no problem at all. It was nearly depressingly simple, Regulus thought. Being drunk was pleasant, though.
He'd missed the relaxed euphoric feeling it provided without even realizing it. He could tell from the distracted grin on Kreacher's face that the elf felt the same. Neither had gotten drunk much in their younger days, therefore it wasn't a thing they considered much. Still for parties and friendly gatherings from time to time, it was suitable, and as such nice to have the option even as vampires.
"So Walburga is saying you're a fairy in a way that isn't gay," Rabastan asked Kreacher, snickering into the bottle of fire whisky he was clutching.
Kreacher gave Rabastan a withering look.
"Kreacher knows that Rabastan had better be nice to him, because now he is also a powerful vampire."
"I was just kidding," Rabastan said, rolling his eyes.
"You didn't used to be a mean drunk."
"Kreacher is not mean," the elf said, frowning at the youngest Lestrange in open annoyance.
"Kreacher does not know what to make of what Mistress Walburga told us or truly how to use it, and that feels like a pity."
He sighed.
"We could put out an ad for fairy experts," Regulus suggested.
"If we could learn enough about races similar to elves, perhaps we could use that knowledge to delve deeper into the origins of the slavery issue. Perhaps some fairy peoples even have historical records they have passed down."
"Gods," Rabastan groaned.
"These two can't even get a good drunk on without geeking out over something or other."
Kreacher ignored Rabastan's comment as he nodded to Regulus.
"Kreacher believes it is certainly worth the attempt."
The elf turned then to regard Albus.
"Which reminds Kreacher...He is pleased that Albus Dumbledore accepted this party invitation, because he wishes to speak with him on an important matter."
"I am intrigued," Albus said, giving Kreacher a kind smile.
"Kreacher shall speak to Albus Dumbledore alone after the party," Kreacher said.
Regulus knew Kreacher was nervous due to the fact he was being overly formal with Albus. As he and the former headmaster had grown rather close during Kreacher's self-transfigurations lessons, this was a definite tell.
"Oh come on," Bellatrix exclaimed
"Don't be a prat! Now we're all curious."
Kreacher glanced away and drew in a deep breath.
"If Kreacher speaks of this in front of everyone, no one is permitted to be rude or otherwise negative about Kreacher's proposal. Does Rabastan hear?"
"Sure, and hey! Sometimes Bella and Rod are snarky to you as well. Why do I have to take all the brunt of your oh so harsh accusations," Rabastan complained.
"Kreacher doesn't care," the elf replied belligerently.
"Everyone had better just be nice, that is all."
"What's this about, Regi," Bellatrix asked, leaning conspiratorially toward her cousin.
"Don't call me Regi, and I honestly don't know," Regulus replied.
He wouldn't tell her if he did until Kreacher was ready, but the elf was keeping his mind closed on this one, so Regulus truly had no idea. Kreacher seemed more interested in closing his mind to others than reading minds, and he'd learned the bit he cared about with astonishing speed. Well not so astonishing, truly, because Kreacher was always amazing him, Regulus thought with an inner smile.
Kreacher drew in a deep breath, hands balled into tight fists at his sides as he turned to face Albus.
"Kreacher has worked out a plan for how he and Master Regulus can have children that he would like Albus Dumbledor'e's help with. He is open to suggestions if Albus Dumbledore sees any flaws in his plan."
Regulus was unable to keep the surprise from his face. Glancing around he saw that same surprise mirrored on some faces, and shock on others...While Rabastan merely looked incredulous.
"Kreacher's plan is multi layered," the elf continued without waiting for a response.
"The first step involves those Muggle style test tubes that Millicent mentioned to Kreacher some time ago."
A glance at Millicent told Regulus that she was no stranger to at least part of this plan. Her face was calmly interested as she regarded Kreacher with no surprise what so ever.
"It is Kreacher's understanding that these Muggle test tubes hold sperm and eggs for a couple if someone else carries their baby."
Kreacher glanced at Millicent as if for confirmation and she nodded. He gave her a quick smile of appreciation before going on.
"Kreacher would like he and Master Regulus to deposit sperm into these test tubes. He would then like Ariana Dumbledore to reanimate our sperms as a Necromancer. Kreacher then would like Albus Dumbledore to work a very deep transfiguration on one of the sperms so that it will become an egg. Then the sperm and egg make a child that we shall pay a female to carry. In this manner, we shall be able to produce children for the noble house of Black if Kreacher's plan is viable."
Kreacher's fists tightened yet more as the silence in the room stretched for several seconds. Regulus reached to touch his arm, needing to lend support as he could give nothing else. He had no idea if the concept was workable, though it was impressive and well thought out even down to the use of a bit of Muggle science.
"If we are to attempt this, I think a healer should be involved," Albus said.
"The healing will augment the work Ariana will do as well as mending any small harm my Transfiguration will produce. A sperm or an egg are both very delicate things, after all."
Kreacher laughed as his face lit with eager excitement and joy.
"Albus Dumbledore will do this thing for Kreacher," he asked.
Albus nodded.
"I will, though I must warn you of my reservations."
"Reservations," Regulus asked.
Though he had found the entire thing a bit of a shock, Kreacher's idea was a brilliant one and he was becoming just as excited for the outcome as Kreacher.
"This is a very serious thing you wish to do, playing with life," Albus explained.
"It can be dangerous. It may not go as you would like. You have absolutely no way of knowing how the child will turn out...in his or her mind. They could be...different. I need another drink."
Severus hastily refilled Albus's glass. The potions master's face was as shocked as most everyone else's in the room.
"Thank you, Severus," Albus said, taking a gulp from the glass in his hand.
"You think our child will be evil," Regulus asked, feeling a mix of confused, hurt and defensive at the thought.
"I...No...No I didn't say that. I just don't know...we can't know what such tampering as we shall be required to do in order to make this work will effect what that child shall become."
"We will raise our child properly, and he or she will become a half-breed to rival all wizards. They shall become, as my mother said, pureblood squared," Regulus said and Kreacher smiled in pleased satisfaction.
"Well it shall certainly look like a little freak," Rabastan said, taking another swig from his bottle.
And just like that, things were back to normal again with the chill in the air broken by snark, and the odd feeling of foreboding caused by Albus's words washed away by fire whisky.