The Search Is Over,
Chapter 167, Someone To Clean Up The Blood
While the three waited for Dora, Greok and Ballan to return, Kreacher offered Leaf some tea. Ah tea, Regulus thought. Always the soothing British civility that one never forgot, even when one became a vampire and no longer drank tea themselves. While living abroad with Dora, Regulus had truly missed ritualistic traditions like tea and other little touches of home. They were so integral to who he was, after all. One never truly noticed such things until they were removed from one, he supposed. Leaf accepted Kreacher's offer of tea gratefully. They settled by the fire in the library and Stormy brought in a cup of tea along with some little cakes at which Leaf nibbled daintily. "These are lovely," she commented politely. "It is a pity that Greok won't be able to try them with Leaf."
Idly Regulus wondered if goblins and elves dating was a common thing. As most elves weren't free, he doubted it. It was a pity Greok was a vampire, for the two would've had interesting children, both physically and magically. Then again he and Kreacher had had children in spite of being same sex as well as the vampirism. Their situation and resources were unique though as well as risky, so likely shouldn't be repeated as a general rule.
"I hope Greok is alright,' Leaf opined suddenly, her voice drawing Regulus from his silent musings. "What all this must be like for him now!" She glanced up at Regulus and Kreacher. "Then again, you would both know. Leaf is not certain that she truly wishes to know the answer to her question, but she must to properly support Greok. Was your first time... ur... dining as a new vampire troublesome in any way?"
Kreacher licked his lips. "Not at all."
Regulus briefly closed his eyes, recalling all of the personal pain and turmoil he was undergoing at the time of his own transition. Everything was rather unpleasant, but not particularly for itself. More so because it was not a path he'd have naturally chosen for himself, at least not at that time. Not to mention everything was rubbish back then what with Voldemort, Voldemort and oh yes Voldemort looming large.
He'd experienced wonder and interest in brief spurts in spite of all that, but not frequently or for long. "It was natural," he said. He knew his emotions had nothing to truly do with feeding other than the fact that most things around being a vampire still disturbed him at that point. Again because it wasn't for him a natural choice were it not to survive Voldemort. He'd had a rough time of it what with stupidly attempting to destroy Voldemort's Inferi, then being anxious over the inadvertent separation from Kreacher, plus his father's death and the constant fear of Voldemort doing more harm to his family. Most of that had nothing to do with the vampirism itself.
Drinking blood was a natural and necessary instinct for vampires, and had nothing to do with his own personal mental issues at the time. "Greok is fine. It's just a new experience for him, but not a bad one," he assured Leaf. He gave her a smile. "He is fortunate to have you," he said, meaning it.
She smiled happily back. "He seems to like Leaf as much as she likes him. He is quite a gentleman," she gushed proudly as she daintily lifted another little cake from the plate. "I hope this revolution works," she said gravely after taking a nibble. "It would be so wonderful for everyone if it did, elves, goblins and wizards alike. Everyone sharing power equally and building a better world just sounds so beautiful."
Regulus nodded. He felt grim in spite of her beautiful words and the fact that he completely agreed with them. "It's a pity so many wizards must lose their magic for the wizard part of that to work out, but unfortunately it is necessary. Too many of them fear powers greater than themselves just like the bloody Muggles so many of us always disliked and feared," he said grimly. "Those of us who want this will hopefully be enough to change things, though. Then the others will see the right of it and some may eventually regain their magic."
Leaf nodded, giving Regulus a shy smile. "Leaf truly appreciates all of the humans who are doing this. It means you're all the special ones, the wise ones, and the best of the best, because most humans wouldn't take part at all."
That felt better than Regulus expected coming from the little elf, and he smiled back, murmuring a thank you,' because it was always what he'd wanted to be. Special, wise and the best of the best in having the foresight to be a large part of forming a better magical world. At last this aspiration could finally come true. A glance over at Kreacher told Regulus that his partner was recalling how things had ended up the last time they'd tried that and gotten their hopes so high. Kreacher frowned, staring off into the distance, hands folded loosely in his lap as he sat on the sofa at Regulus's side. "Well if there is anything else Leaf can ever do to help the revolution, she hopes that no one would hesitate to ask," Leaf said.
Regulus gave her a nod. "I will make sure all the powers that be are aware." Leaf giggled, shyly ducking her head. "Do you know Griphook well," Regulus wondered curiously.
"No. Leaf has met him a few times, but she has not been at Gringotts for long," the little elf explained. "Her work involved the sorting of stones into their proper categories when new shipments arrived. She was grateful to have work, but it wasn't always terribly exciting. Leaf feels she shall have many more exciting moments working for Miss Dora and shopping for her clothes!" At that, Regulus couldn't suppress a smile. When elf girls were quite literally free to do so, it appeared they were just like other girls, finding the same things fascinating and necessary. Clothing, jewelry, makeup, all of that wasn't simply delegated to humans. With Leaf in mind as well as Galia, the pink wearing goblin girl who was so fascinated by Hogwarts, it seemed any race of females loved their glam when free to do so. In other words, girls would be girls. Placing the half eaten cake back onto the tea tray, Leaf twisted round in her chair to peer worriedly at the wall clock. "They aren't back yet," she fretted. "And it's been a bit over half an hour. How long does it take to... to have vampire dinner," she asked, clearly stumbling over her words in her uncertainty over the proper verbiage.
"Feeding can be as fast as five minutes if handled efficiently," Regulus said. "In this case, though, Dora is likely teaching them how to find suitable... meals, and how to properly feed. If they continue to drink when the heart stops beating, it can be dangerous."
Leaf's eyes widened. "How?"
"Well when the victim... ur food is no longer living the blood is no longer alive, so if the vampire continues to drink dead blood, it can make them ill. Much in the way eating spoiled food would do to you," Regulus explained.
Leaf's expression brightened and she nodded. "Leaf understands. She thanks Mr. Regulus for his clear explanation."
"Master Regulus is brilliant," Kreacher said distractedly. Turning to Regulus, he gave him a fond smile and took his hand. Regulus smiled back, giving Kreacher's hand a squeeze. He hoped the elf wasn't concerned about whatever was to come. He'd promised him more than once that they would be extra careful this time and he meant it with his whole heart.
"So if Miss Dora is teaching them, how long will it take," Leaf asked.
"It could be at least an hour," Regulus replied. In fact, it was nearly two before the three vampires returned. Leaf had long since finished her tea, and Kreacher had invited her to read any book in the library that she found of interest. The three were reading their respective books in silence when the library door at last opened. Dora led the way in, and Greok followed with Ballan bringing up the rear.
At sight of him Leaf gave a tiny scream and looked ready to faint. Regulus felt his own eyes widening in surprise, for the German elf was quite the sight. Vampirism tended to heal all ailments, but his drooping eye and limp on the right side remained. As those were physical deformities at this point, it was not a surprise that they'd remained. That was why Regulus had made sure that Kreacher had returned fully to health and regained his proper weight before turning him. Had he done so earlier, Kreacher would have been locked into the form of a sagging undernourished elf for eternity or at least as long as they lived. As such, Ballan's limp and drooping eye were expected, but the fact that he was literally covered in blood wasn't so much.
"Ballan brought us home," Dora said with a pleased smile. "I never get over how amazing that Apparating business is! Not to mention that elves do it so much more smoothly than wizards."
"But Miss Dora did just mention it," Kreacher murmured observantly. Though he spoke to Dora, his gaze was fixed on Ballan. He was just as riveted by the elf's state as were Leaf and Regulus.
The open scrutiny wasn't lost on Ballan, who lifted a forearm to wipe the blood from his mouth. "I suppose I was hungry," he murmured. Glancing down at the roughly cut black robe he wore, now crusted in blood all down the front, he added, "I should clean up."
"Leaf will attend to it." The little elf's voice was shaking as was her hand as she placed the book she'd been reading down onto the small round table beside her chair. "She will also attend to Greok. He has a little blood on him as well."
"You can attend to Greok. I can attend to myself," Ballan said gruffly. "I don't require any fussing over."
Leaf sniffed and gave him a disgusted frown before turning to Regulus and Kreacher. "May Leaf have a bowl of water and a cloth?" Kreacher shrugged and rang for stormy. The entire situation was a bit uncomfortable and surreal, though Regulus couldn't quite pinpoint why. A quick glance exchanged with Kreacher told him that his partner felt the same, however. Soon Leaf had her bowl and cloth courtesy of a mildly traumatized looking Stormy, and who could blame him?
"I can clean up," Greok said, reaching to take the cloth, but Leaf scowled, poking a small finger at his cheek.
"Stay still and let Leaf attend." She drew in a shuddering breath, then let it out as she carefully dipped the cloth into the water. "She had better get used to blood, she supposes."
"It isn't like that. Ballan and Dora do feed more violently, but it isn't really an interest of mine," Greok said. "I just got splattered by Ballan's third meal is all."
Dora sighed. "Greok is another like you, Regulus. No taste for good heart's blood," she said, tone openly disappointed. "Kreacher and Ballan understand the delight to be had from blood directly pumped from the heart, though."
Ballan glanced over at Kreacher with a smile, clearly pleased that they shared the same feeding habits. "I ate until I puked. I wanted to take as many out as I could because it felt and tasted so amazing." Though the words themselves could've concerned Regulus that Ballan was already going dangerously feral, the German elf's cool calm demeanor was a clear indication that his head was steady. He was obviously utilizing his vampirism to work out his hatred for humans, and Regulus could hardly blame him considering what he'd experienced at their hands. Surely the psychological impact matched that done to his right eye and right leg.
"At least consider sticking to criminals and those who wish to die," he suggested.
"We worked on calling victims tonight, so the people who want to die bit has already been handled," Dora said with an amused smile. "These two learn amazingly fast. Even slightly more so than you, Regulus," she said, clearly impressed.
Though vaguely miffed to be displaced when it came to Dora's admiration, Regulus was still pleased to hear it. He was glad that the elf and goblin were taking well to their new vampiric life and making a good job of it. "That's wonderful," he said, meaning it. If Ballan and Greok made good vampires, he couldn't mind if they were even better than he'd been at learning the ropes quickly.
"Does Ballan enjoy being covered in blood," Leaf demanded. She paused in the act of carefully wiping blood spatters from Greok's face and the sleeves of his dark suit to glare over her shoulder at the German elf.
Ballan grinned wolfishly at her. "I must confess that being covered in blood is surprisingly soothing."
"Ballan said he would clean himself. If he does not, Leaf shall have to attend to it when she has finished with Greok," the little elf vowed darkly.
Ballan sighed. "Fine, fine." Waving a hand at himself, he silently worked a cleaning charm that had him spotless in seconds. "Even faster than that trick of yours with fire," he told Dora with a grin.
"Indeed so," she agreed. "I am never over being fascinated by magic," she declared almost dreamily.