The Search Is Over,
Chapter 134, There's A Lot Going ON Under Ground
"Why do you care about all this anyway," Griphook asked, sharp black gaze moving between Kreacher and Regulus.
"It's not as if we can change the past."
Wasn't that the sad truth?! Regulus nodded.
"At times, knowing where one's power comes from, can lead to more ways to apply it that may not have been considered before," he pointed out.
"In Kreacher's case, especially, as many elves are limited to the home so they waste their talents on cooking, cleaning, and magically mending clothes."
He was unable to keep the scathing tone from his voice, as he'd always believed Kreacher was destined for so much more. Once the two of them had big plans to be great together...perhaps that could still happen. Dare he hope? Dare he reach for such?
Though the old comforting fear that restrained him was ever present and eagerly reaching for his soul, whispering that he would only drastically ruin anything he attempted to the extreme detriment of others, Regulus pushed the inner darkness away. Today he dared hope.
"So you wish to discover the limits of elf magic," Griphook asked Kreacher who nodded slowly.
"I'd have a care," Griphook warned, holding up a finger.
"Keep at that too publicly and elves shall be just as restricted as goblins. Just as we are not allowed to possess a wand, you will not be allowed to use your magic for anything other than the tasks Regulus just mentioned. If you think slavery is as bad as it gets, do think again. If wizards and witches see you rising too high above what they believe your place or station should be, you shall surely discover...unpleasant consequences."
Kreacher nodded, expression becoming pensive at Griphook's words.
"Yes, Kreacher understands," he murmured.
"Griphook is wise."
"Sorry about that," the goblin replied dryly, giving a crooked smile.
Several seconds passed, each person at the table in their own thoughts while those who could enjoyed the delicious meal that was set before them. Eventually Kreacher was the first to speak as often was the case.
"But Kreacher still wishes to know what his magic can do. He hears Griphook's warning, and he shall be careful, though. He has plans to have children some day, however, and he wishes more for them. He wishes them to be Pureblood Squared for the Ancient And Noble House Of Black."
Griphook's jaw dropped briefly as he gaped in shock at Kreacher.
"Oh! But I thought...you and he were...Well then, I suppose I very much misunderstood something along the way!"
Kreacher shook his head and Regulus couldn't suppress a grin at the look on the goblin's face. He'd bet a great deal that shock was an extremely rare expression to see on the face of a goblin.
"Kreacher does not believe that Griphook misunderstood. Kreacher plans to have the children with Master Regulus. This is why it is so important to know all that those children could potentially do. Because they shall be carrying on the line of Black."
Griphook frowned, shaking his head.
"Now you're just having me on. We all know that's impossible!"
Kreacher smirked in satisfaction at the goblin's continuously amusing reactions.
"It is Kreacher's hope that it is very possible with the proper application of transfiguration from the strongest wizard at the art there is. If anyone can take a transfiguration further than skin deep, it is Albus Dumbledore."
As Griphook listened, Kreacher outlined his plan for producing a child and having someone else carry it.
"That's got to be the strangest thing I've ever heard in my entire life, but at least it's creative," Griphook said.
"I suppose I even hope it works," he added after a moment of consideration.
"It would set new standards for magical possibilities on so many levels after all!"
"So does Griphook have any suggestions concerning how Kreacher can discover more about elf powers while keeping the effort secret from those who may mind?"
"Perhaps a few," Griphook said slowly.
"You could begin by trying your hand at earth magic."
"How," Kreacher asked, large blue eyes attentive with a calm yet intense interest.
"Right now we're beginning to tunnel down even deeper under Gringotts in order to build more goblin homes. If you like, I could teach you to help," Griphook said.
"It shall give you a perfect opportunity to try your elf magic at something new for you that likely your ancestors excelled at. It isn't building the pyramids, but it's working with earth and constructing buildings from stone. What do you say?"
Kreacher nodded slowly, then looked to Regulus.
"You're asking for free labor of him," Regulus asked, wondering if that shouldn't be offensive.
Griphook frowned.
"Not exactly. I'm allowing him to practice something new and see what he can do with it in a safe, protected manner. He can't just randomly start constructing buildings without drawing that unwanted attention I already warned you of."
"Are those goblins who shall be doing the new construction at Kreacher's side being paid," Regulus asked.
Griphook shook his head.
"No more than they get for their usual wages. Many of them work at the bank."
"So they are being paid for something," Regulus pressed.
"Well yes, but not precisely for," Griphook began and Regulus shook his head, holding up a hand.
"You need to give him something," he said firmly.
"It is only right."
Griphook scowled in frustration. He obviously felt that he was already giving Kreacher something in the opportunity, but Regulus didn't feel at all right about Kreacher giving free labor even for that reason. They had no idea how difficult it would be, after all.
"You're already richer than sin," Griphook grumbled.
"What do you need with more gold?"
Regulus shrugged.
"What else does Griphook have to offer," Kreacher wondered slyly and Regulus grinned.
That was his Kreacher!
"I could lend you books," Griphook said grudgingly and Kreacher brightened.
"On what?"
Griphook sighed, scowling from Kreacher to Regulus.
"I have no idea what you care most about so while you're down on the lower levels helping to build, I shall take you to my own personal library. You can pick out whatever books you'd like to read. Just return them in perfect order or we shall have problems between us!"
Kreacher smiled, leaning back in his chair in evident satisfaction.
"Kreacher accepts that."
"Well that's settled then," Griphook said.
He speared his last bite of pheasant with his fork, and popped it into his mouth.
"Of course Master Regulus may come along with Kreacher, yes," Kreacher asked, suddenly looking worried at the prospect of separation.
"And of course Kreacher can only work during the evenings or nights," he reminded Griphook.
Griphook nodded.
"Of course and of course. Much of the work is done after hours so that daily schedules aren't interrupted too drastically. We usually begin a few hours after lunch and work until ten at night most days. As not to disrupt banking hours, our work days are restricted to Saturdays and Sundays as well."
Kreacher nodded to indicate that he understood.
"Kreacher shall come to Gringotts this Saturday as soon as he feeds. Likely around seven. Where shall he meet Griphook?"
"How about in the lobby. Then I won't fret about you getting yourselves lost down below. Though in truth you could simply follow all the noise of construction."
Regulus grinned.
"The lobby it is."
It just felt more organized to touch base with Griphook before descending into chaos and construction noise before receiving proper instructions.
"And now it is time for dessert. It's Kreacher's famous bubbling chocolate fudge with cherries," Kreacher proclaimed just as happily as if he'd be eating it himself.