The Search Is Over,
Chapter 166, Brothers In Blood
"You want me to do what," Dora nearly shouted. When Regulus opened his mouth to repeat the request along with the reasons behind it, Dora added, "I'm sorry. What I really meant is no."
"But if they were turned by Miss Dora, they would have an advantage that Master Regulus nor Kreacher could give," Kreacher coaxed. He looked up at Dora with limpid eyes that could melt any heart, an innocent expression somehow sculpted onto his face. Regulus was impressed. How Kreacher's face was able to manage innocent so well was perhaps one of the eighth wonders of the bloody world. The elf was apparently a master of manipulation, and no one ever knew. Then Kreacher somewhat ruined the effect by covertly glancing over at Regulus to see how he was doing. At Regulus's impressed look, Kreacher gave a satisfied smirk and Dora scowled.
"I said no. It's too much responsibility. If they do something dreadful, or worse regret their decision, that burden would then be on me. Though I must admit to being curious over what goblin and elf blood tastes like," she murmured half to herself.
"But doesn't Miss Dora want Griphook and Kereston's endeavor to succeed," Kreacher coaxed. "Didn't Miss Dora hear what Master Regulus said about how much help a vampire goblin and a vampire elf would be to the cause? Vampirism combined with their more powerful magic would be a true asset on so many levels!" Had Regulus ever heard Kreacher actually coax? He thought perhaps not. Not to such a high degree at any rate. Once again he was impressed. Dora was wavering. At least she hadn't said no again yet.
"Well you're a vampire elf," Dora pointed out. "You could help the cause and if your skills make that much of a difference, we can speak on it again."
Kreacher frowned, shifting about in clear consternation. He sat beside Regulus on Dora's plush red velvet sofa. The two had Apparated to her manor in Rome where she was currently residing as soon as the meeting at Gringotts was concluded. They knew that talking her into assisting would not be easy, so getting an early start was best. "But Kreacher is very busy with Master Regulus," Kreacher protested. "He doesn't have time to go about reading the minds of bothersome wizards when they lose their magic in order to see what they're planning to do about it. Nor does he have time to do whatever else it is that Griphook will wish of Ballan and Greok."
"And we all know that no one makes Kreacher do anything he isn't of a mind to do," Regulus chimed in reasonably. "Including Griphook."
Dora sighed. "Fine. I will think about it."
"How long shall Miss Dora need to think," Kreacher wondered. "Because Griphook will be pressing Kreacher for some answer soon, Kreacher is certain." The elf gave her a woeful look. "Poor Kreacher. Griphook can be so trying!"
Regulus bit his lip and looked away to prevent himself from smiling. Kreacher was quite the ham.
"Kreacher. You don't know what you're asking." Now it was Dora's turn to try a coaxing tone.
"Kreacher does," the elf disagreed eagerly. "He is asking Miss Dora to help to improve the wizarding world and the vampire world as well by adding interesting magic to it." Regulus felt his brows come up. Now that was a new one! Kreacher made a valid point, though. Ballan and Greok would certainly make for interesting additions to vampiric society did they choose to enter it. The few of Dora's friends that Kreacher had opted to meet were quite fascinated and impressed by him. He could have definitely had power and sway among their ranks if he ever wanted it. He did not, but perhaps Ballan or Greok would. Then again as the other vampires were humans, the two may not give two shakes about getting to know them or moving within their society.
"You aren't going to let up until I do it, are you," Dora asked Kreacher darkly.
"Perhaps not," Kreacher agreed thoughtfully. The two were playing mental chess, Regulus realized.
Dora sighed. "Fine. I'll do it, but if anything goes wrong it's on both of your heads!"
Regulus and Kreacher exchanged a look. Though that didn't seem particularly appealing, neither did the badgering they would surely get from Griphook until this thing was done. Both Ballan and Greok wanted this, so heavy responsibility or not, it should work out well enough. Both were powerful magic users with strong sound minds. "They have good heads on their shoulders and they want this for the cause," Regulus assured Dora. "Had they not seemed suitable, we never would've mentioned it."
Her worried frown remained in place. "I've just seen a lot go wrong, even among people like myself who wanted it. Often people don't know what they ask for until they get it. I understand that it is their choice, but if I facilitate it and it goes wrong, it is partially my fault regardless. That is a heavy load."
"And we'll help," Regulus assured impulsively. He and Kreacher should help the cause in any way they could, after all, and he wanted to ease Dora's mind especially as they were asking this of her when this had nothing to do with her in truth. "We can help to train them or anything else you need."
She sighed. "Alright. You'd better."
Grinning from ear to ear, Kreacher rushed to twine his arms around Dora's neck in a tight hug. "Kreacher knew Miss Dora would help!"
Three days later, Ballan and Greok stood before Dora in the parlor of #12 Grimmauld Place. Neither looked as nervous as Regulus expected them to considering what was about to happen to them. In fact, both were quite calm.
They listened attentively as Dora instructed them on what to expect in way of perks and drawbacks. She was able to take the time with them that Regulus hadn't been able to afford when he was turned. He and Kreacher listened as she laid out the abilities Ballan and Greok would gain as well as the inconveniences they would also experience in those same benefits. Reading minds could be as overloading as it was useful, and extra strength could be as damaging as it was powerful if one accidentally broke treasured items... or loved ones. At that, Greok's expression shifted from attentive to concerned, his feet in their shiny black boots scuffing at the carpet in evident discomfort. "I could hurt my family by hugging them too tightly or something, then?"
"Goblins hug," Ballan asked curiously, casting Greok an incredulous look.
"Rarely, but yes, from time to time," Greok replied huffily, giving Ballan a frown. "Though we've been hanging out the past few days, we're still learning all that stuff about one another that best friends should know," the goblin added gravely to Regulus, Kreacher and Dora as an aside.
"I told him I don't need friends, but he seems intent on the process," Ballan said, frowning at Greok.
"He's not that bad, really," Greok said of Ballan, quite as if the elf weren't there. Ballan laughed.
"Until you learn your full strength, you would be wise to treat your family, and any valued possessions as if they're made of glass," Dora said. "You'll get the hang of things sooner than you think," she added when Greok's worried expression deepened.
"Is there anything else we need to know," Ballan asked, clearly impatient to get down to it.
"Perhaps, but I can't think of it at present, so please don't hesitate to ask me any questions that may come up during or after the process," Dora said. "I as well as Regulus and Kreacher will be here for you after, guiding you through the transition until you feel fully comfortable." At that, Regulus and Kreacher nodded their agreement. They'd promised Dora repeatedly to do anything they could to help if she did this for the cause. "Who goes first," Dora asked. "Do keep in mind that whoever it is will only be the second person I've ever turned due to the fact that this is such a great responsibility... So if anyone wishes to back out now it is perfectly fine with me."
"I'll go first," Ballan said, stepping forward. Suddenly Regulus stood, unable to watch. The concept of watching the process of what he'd gone through felt like too much. For one thing, it seemed like such a personal thing, and for another, when he'd gone through it, he was at the worst point of his life, and he didn't need any reminders of that. At times it was still far too easy to sink into depression and regret over all his past mistakes. He knew how that got to Kreacher so did truly try to avoid it when he could. "Let's wait in the library, Kreacher," he suggested. Kreacher nodded, silently taking his hand.
"Is it alright if I stay," Greok asked Ballan. "It lets me know what to expect."
Ballan shrugged, grinning wolfishly at the goblin. "Feel free, but if you try to back out, I'll track you down and turn you anyway."
Greok laughed, punching Ballan on the shoulder. "My girlfriend told you to be nice to me, remember?"
Ballan chuckled. "I'll just turn her next if she is difficult," he mock threatened.
Regulus and Kreacher left the room together hand in hand, and Regulus let out a sigh of relief when the parlor door closed behind them. Kreacher turned to him, but before the elf could speak, the door chime rang.
"We may as well see who it is," Kreacher said. "Kreacher will get it," he shouted out to the other four elves as he and Regulus moved to the door. When Kreacher opened it, a small elf stood on the other side. She wore a pink frock with a yellow silk sash around her tiny waist. "Yes," Kreacher said, expression a mix of curious and suspicious.
"Leaf has come to be with Greok through his change if she may," the little elf said. She glanced around nervously, but stood her ground. Her small hands twisted anxiously at the hem of her smock in clear discomfort, but she held firm.
"Why ever for," Kreacher asked, suspicious curious expression still in place.
"Leaf is Greok's girlfriend." She smiled proudly. "She had her first date with him two days ago. Miss Millicent introduced us and Leaf likes Greok quite a lot. He is dashing." Smiling up at Kreacher, she blushed. "He is concerned that she will be frightened of him, but she wishes to prove that she will not even if blood does frighten her. Ballan is frightening, but Leaf is trying to be his friend for Greok's sake. Ballan is looking forward to all the blood, though. He said so." The little elf's eyes had widened with fear when she spoke of Ballan, and she swallowed hard after she stopped talking.
Regulus had never seen such a mix of terror and bravery demonstrated at the same time. This prompted him to give the little elf a warm smile. "I think Greok would like that. Do come in. I certainly wish Kreacher had been there with me for my change. We are Kreacher and Regulus Black by the by. Welcome to our home." He gently tugged Kreacher back so that Leaf could enter. Kreacher squeezed Regulus's hand, giving a resigned sigh as the little elf bounced gratefully inside, smiling brightly from ear to ear as she did.
"Leaf is pleased to meet Kreacher and Regulus Black very much and she thanks them both for their hospitality."
As Kreacher closed the front door, Regulus pointed the way to the parlor. Leaf skipped down the hall in the direction he indicated. When she reached the closed door to the parlor, she softly opened it, then hurried inside before closing it carefully behind her.
Kreacher frowned but Regulus spoke before the elf could object. "Had I had you there with me, the experience would've been far more pleasant. He should have that support."
"Kreacher would have been happy to support Master Regulus, had he chosen to tell him what was happening rather than foolishly trying to protect him... And from what, Kreacher wonders?"
So he was still angry about that. Regulus sighed. Would either of them fully get over the hurts of the past, all of which revolved around Voldemort, guilt and death? "I regret that more than you can know, Kreacher," Regulus said quietly.
Kreacher's lips curved up into a satisfied smile as he tugged Regulus gently toward the library. "Good then. Kreacher is pleased to hear it."
Nearly half an hour later Dora entered the library with Ballan on her heals. Greok and Leaf trailed behind hand in hand. "Greok won't break Leaf's hand simply by holding it," the little elf giggled.
"Miss Dora said I might. It may not be safe yet," Greok said uncomfortably.
Leaf sighed. "Fine then. Greok can leave his hand open and Leaf can hold it." Greok nodded and Ballan made gagging sounds.
"Girls are icky," he grumbled.
Kreacher smirked. "Does Ballan fancy a boy, then? Because Kreacher can attest to..."
"No thank you," Ballan assured hastily. "Boys are icky too."
Leaf giggled and Regulus bit back a smile. "One day Ballan will find a girl," Leaf assured. "Then he shall have to eat his words. Leaf will remember and she will remind him to do so."
"Right now, Ballan wishes to eat a few humans," the German elf said gruffly.
"Yes," Dora said. "It is time for all of us to feed. I need to be replenished, and the both of you will find the transition process far easier if you are properly hydrated. Blood is now all your bodies can stand, by the way, so don't try drinking water or butter juice or whatever it is that you lot drink, because doing so will only make you extremely ill now."
Regulus shuddered, recalling the two weeks he'd been out of commission after inadvertently ingesting all that dreadful water from the black lake. "Is Mr. Regulus well," Leaf asked and he forced a nod.
"Yes, I'm fine, thank you. Dora, do you need Kreacher and I to come along?"
Dora considered, then shook her head. "I should be able to handle it. Too many people will draw unwanted attention that we shall then be required to deflect."
When Dora left with Ballan and Greok, Leaf turned to Kreacher and Regulus with an excited smile. "Leaf has decided to quit her new job at Gringotts and work for Miss Dora. She could use some help in the day time, and then Leaf can look after Ballan and Greok. Miss Dora said that they are to stay with her for a bit until they are fully comfortable with their vampirism. They will be staying in her home here in London, so Leaf offered to be there during the day in case anything comes up... or is needed. Miss Dora agreed! Miss Dora said that Leaf can even do some shopping for her! Miss Dora's clothes are so pretty, Leaf hopes she would like her to clothes shop for her."
Regulus couldn't help but chuckle at the little elf's enthusiasm. He was glad that Dora and the newly turned vampires would have Leaf about for support. "Dora is a good person. You shall enjoy your time with her," he assured. Leaf chattered about Greok and how much she liked him while they waited for the three to return from their feeding. She didn't comment about watching him become a vampire, so Regulus didn't ask. The little elf was willing to keep him safe during the day, though, so the process must not have horrified her too much.