The Search Is Over,
Chapter 140, The Art of Creation
Kreacher and Regulus were experiencing first hand the concept of when the time is right, everything falls into place. With the return of the goblin healers, everyone involved was able and ready to begin the process of attempting to create an heir for The Most Ancient and Noble House of Black.
As it happened, Bera's cousin wasn't interested in becoming too familiar with Kreacher and Regulus, feeling that doing so would give her too much of a connection to them. She didn't wish to become emotionally attached to them or the child. Both Regulus and Kreacher appreciated this and approved.
The child wouldn't be hers, after all, and a connection could only bring unnecessary complications that no one wanted. She would meet them when the procedure was performed. As Kreacher and Regulus saw no reason to waste time, the plan was to begin the instant everyone was able to meet for long enough to get it done without hurrying any part of the process.
Bera kindly offered them the use of the infirmary at Durmstrang so that all might remain entirely professional. When the day came, it felt surreal, and Regulus could hardly believe it was happening. It was only six days after the goblins had rid him of the potion of despair. Bera's cousin Gergana waited with her and Albus when they arrived at Durmstrang. She was a small woman with a mass of curly dark hair and active expressive dark eyes. Kreacher and Regulus thanked her warmly for what she was doing for them and she chuckled.
"Think nothing of it. It shall be something interesting to brag about and you are making me very rich."
Regulus nodded, smiling back at her.
"That is true. We couldn't do it without you, and we appreciate you volunteering...Even if we are making you rich."
He chuckled.
Albus was already present, considering he lived at Durmstrang, so they only waited on Ariana and the goblin healers. Ariana arrived just after Kreacher and Regulus, and she greeted her uncle warmly, giving Albus a tight embrace before turning to greet Kreacher and Regulus.
"I'm excited to see how this oh so unusual situation will turn out, but I'm also extremely happy to spend a bit of time with my uncle without family drama," Ariana told them with an almost shy smile.
"I love my father, but all of this, to my mind needless animosity began a bloody century ago and if you ask me it's time for it to be over in the name of family unity."
"Well please know that you may and should come to visit me often," Albus told her.
His blue eyes twinkled warmly as he studied her fondly. Though Regulus didn't attempt to look into Albus's mind, as such was rude when unnecessary, he couldn't help wondering if Dumbledore thought of his sister when he looked at his red haired niece. Not that the two were the same, but that perhaps Ariana the younger managed to become what her aunt never would've. The rare times Albus had spoken of his sister, he'd mentioned her mental instability, which of course Ariana the younger did not suffer from in the least.
The goblin healers arrived then and not being ones for small talk, they were ready to get started.
"We researched the process of surrogate parenting. As it is a practice of Muggles, we had our connection to such things assist us in this research," Gara said.
"Goblins have Muggle studies," Albus asked, lively blue eyes lighting with interest behind his half moon glasses.
Grub shook his head.
"A friend of Griphook's set us up with the connection. She's a witch named Millicent."
Kreacher grinned.
"Millicent is very nice. She is a Dear friend of Kreacher's."
The healers nodded nearly as one, and Regulus wondered if this was a twin thing.
"So she said," Gara replied.
"She wishes you both luck today."
"We must begin with sperm samples from each of you," Grub said tone business like. He produced two small beakers and handed one to Regulus and the other to Kreacher
"We will go to the infirmary and set up. There is a bathing chamber there and the two of you may use it."
"It doesn't matter how you make it happen, but you each need to ejaculate into your own beaker," Gara explained.
Bera made a small coughing sound and Albus went red. Gergana actually chuckled. Regulus flushed, but the embarrassment faded in the face of the delightful possibilities ahead once he and Kreacher were alone in the bathing chamber with the door shut.
"The sperm of each is then placed in separate glass tubes, called test tubes for some reason," Gara continued with the explanation of how things were to be arranged.
"Then Ariana will work her abilities on the sperms to ensure they both have life force. After this is done, we will proceed from there with the transfiguration of one of these into an egg. That shall be performed by us as well as Mr. Dumbledore as a combined effort so that this transfiguration is literal rather than merely skin deep. We will then have Gergana vaginally injected with the contents of each of the test tubes."
That made Regulus blush again and a glance at Kreacher showed that he felt the same. The elf ducked his head, glancing away, cheeks bright red.
"You won't need to be in the room for that bit," Gara said, mercifully noticing their blatant discomfort.
"Good," Regulus nearly shouted and Kreacher nodded fervently.
"If possible I prefer to be alone, vith only the healers for that final bit," Gergana spoke up and Gara nodded.
"Of course. That was the plan unless you'd wished your cousin Bera to be present for any reason.
Gergana shrugged, shaking her head.
"No reason for that that I can see. Vill it be a quick process," she asked.
Gara nodded.
"The actual injection is very quick, but you will need to rest for at least half an hour with your legs elevated. We can speed and improve the process where Muggles cannot, but we will require at least that much time. Often for the Muggles the process doesn't take the first time, but we can ensure it does if all goes well."
Gergana sighed with relief and Regulus found himself doing the same right along with Kreacher. No one objected to not having to repeat this process. Though it wasn't painful, it involved a lot of personal matters that one did not necessarily wish to be repetitive.
"We will move to the infirmary now. While the two of you are getting us those sperm, we will get Gergana settled onto one of the operating beds," Grub said.
Bera and Albus led the way down one corridor then down another to the right. That corridor widened at the end, culminating in large double doors belonging to the hospital wing. This was made clear by the gold embossed caduceus on both doors.
"The bathing room is right around that corner," Bera said, gesturing to the left of the alcove in which they stood upon entering.
"Looks as if we're up," Regulus said to Kreacher, then blushed scarlet when he realized how unintentionally literal his words were.
Albus coughed.
"I meant...Only just that it's time for our bit now," Regulus stammered.
Gergana tittered, giving he and Kreacher a wink.
"It was an apt choice of words, though, wasn't it?"
"We'll ur...try not to be too long," Regulus said, taking Kreacher's hand and hurrying almost desperately toward the door of the bathing chamber.
"Yes, we wouldn't want to keep anyone waiting unnecessarily, when they surely have other things to attend to after they're finished here," Kreacher agreed.
Regulus grinned then, feeling himself relaxing a little to know that Kreacher was currently just as uncomfortable as was he. Kreacher never seemed uncomfortable or nervous, and in this particular case, Regulus was glad not to be alone in this disconcerting if understandable emotional state.
As it was, he wondered if the both of them would have physical difficulties...performing. Though such had never been a problem before, they never had to battle against embarrassment, discomfort, and a room full of people just around the corner...Then again there had been Bella's family's coat closet the day she'd caught them out.
There certainly had been far more people not much further away than the group around the corner was now, but in the heat of the moment, they'd managed to forget that. Regulus felt his lips twitching in fond amusement at the memory as the two passed into the bathing chamber and Kreacher firmly shut the door behind them with his free hand.
Regulus's gaze took in their surroundings in a sweeping glance. The room was all gleaming marble floors, sinks and a large tub. There was a long wooden table against the far wall for towels and a person's fresh change of clothes.
"Though the bath would be most comfortable, I fear minute drops of water could contaminate the sperm," he told Kreacher, who nodded in agreement.
His hand still in Kreacher's, Regulus walked across the room, placing them as far as they could get from the closed door before settling down onto the floor with their backs against the wall. Seated with beakers in hand, they glanced at one another expectantly before bursting into laughter. How surreal it all was! The mirth faded when Kreacher drew Regulus down to him for a kiss.
Once again, just as it had been on the night Bella discovered their relationship, it was easy to forget that others were just on the other side of the door as the two melted into one another. Kisses led rapidly to heated touches, and soon each had spilled into his own beaker.
The two hurriedly adjusted their rumpled attire and rushed the beakers back out to the healers.
"Hm," Grub murmured.
"Looks like ordinary sperm. I wondered if it would be red or something."
Valid, Regulus supposed, if embarrassing.
"Now Albus will transfigure with our help as we know exactly what components go into an egg...but first Ariana must revive the sperm," Gara said.
"It isn't precisely dead, because Kreacher and Regulus aren't dead...just it doesn't behave like ordinary sperm, but yes, I know what is necessary and I will do it," Ariana said.
"The sperm will revert to its mortal state."
As she spoke, her tone was distracted, and she was already leaning over both beakers.
"I actually studied the components of eggs quite thoroughly, particularly for this project, but I am glad of any help in case I error," Albus told the healers as Ariana worked.
"We appreciate you all so much," Regulus said, feeling suddenly humbled and awash in gratitude for everyone there.
"Indeed we do," Kreacher agreed.
"Very much."
"It is done on my end," Ariana said, stepping back, expression strained.
"That took a bit more out of me than I expected," she chuckled softly.
It hadn't taken long at all. Less than three minutes, in fact.
"Does it matter who's sperm is transfigured into eggs," Gara asked and Kreacher and Regulus both shook their heads.
"Fine, I'll just grab one at random," she said, and closed her eyes before lifting one of the two beakers.
"It's this one."
Regulus chuckled.
"I don't even know which is which anymore anyway."
Kreacher nodded.
"Neither does Kreacher."
Albus and the two healers hovered over the beaker Gara had chosen and silence filled the room. The transfiguration took seven or so minutes longer than Ariana's resurrection bit had done, and as they waited, Regulus felt himself growing more and more anxious in case the procedure failed.
"It's done," Albus said, stepping back with a sigh.
"Now everyone out while we inject Gergana," Grub said.
Albus looked relieved and was the first to head for the door.
"When will we know if it worked," Regulus asked.
"Within a few hours," Gara said.
It was a long few hours, but Albus and Ariana enjoyed the family time it afforded them. Regulus was touched that everyone remained in the infirmary to discover the results with he and Kreacher.
"It worked," Gara announced flatly, walking out of the curtained alcove where Gergana rested on the bed where she'd had the procedure.
Neither goblin ever showed much emotion and now was no exception.
"And it's twins."