The Search Is Over,
Chapter170, Something Is In The Water
As soon as Kreacher Apparated them home to #12 Grimmauld, reality came crashing back. Suddenly more things were important than the feel of Kreacher's hands on Regulus's body. "I should write the twins." Regulus was already hurrying toward the library as he spoke. "With the parents cleaning up the attic, I want to make sure there is nothing Hydra or Loughness cares about up there, because if their is, they'd better Apparate home and deal with it or write their grandparents."" Kreacher gave an amused smirk as he trailed after Regulus.
"If I get the letters out to them now, they'll have them at breakfast tomorrow," Regulus said. He kept the notes to Hydra and Loughness short and to the point, only concerning the attic situation. He didn't dare to update them about anything to do with the revolution. Not in a letter that someone else could potentially get their hands on. The end of term was coming up soon, and they could inform the twins of everything when they were home for the summer. "Should we pop in at Dora's and see how everything is," he asked Kreacher as he stamped Hydra and Loughness's notes with the Black family crest. He'd give them to Stormy who was the only person in the home that their new owl didn't bite.
Regulus and Kreacher used to have Stormy, Ripper, Piper or Jazz bring the twins their letters from home, but Hydra felt that it was embarrassing to have someone from home showing up personally with her mail when everyone else had owls. The Black family had had a few owls when Regulus was growing up, but when everyone save for Kreacher was gone, the elf hadn't had a use for sending mail. Not wanting to care for the owls, he'd sent them to Narcissa. When Regulus returned, he and Kreacher had just never bothered to get new owls until Hydra expressed a wish for one. The owl lived in a large cage in the attic and Stormy cared for it because it hated everyone else. At first, Regulus had believed the bird disliked him and Kreacher specifically for being vampires, but the theory was quickly debunked when it hated Jazz, Ripper and Piper as well. As Piper frequently declared, the bloody thing just hated everyone. It even hissed at Mortis once, so Regulus thought Piper's opinion a sound one.
"We could," Kreacher said. "Or we could write a quick note. Dora may have them out training again, after all. Besides, that bloody owl looks as if it could use exercise," he added mutinously and Regulus chuckled.
"Fine. Why don't you write them? Griphook seems to want you to take the lead in this." Kreacher sighed, but acquiesced, taking Regulus's place at the desk. "As Dora's is closer, the owl can see to that letter first, then take the children's letters to Hogwarts," Regulus reasoned. Kreacher made a sound of agreement without looking up from the parchment over which he was bent. For a brief time, the room was silent save for the scratch of quill to paper. Kreacher had nice handwriting, Regulus found himself thinking. Somehow today that was erotic. Hell what was happening to him?
"It's the stress of everything or rather our way of handling it," Kreacher said as he rolled the parchment and stamped it.
"You're in my head a lot of late," Regulus said, lips twitching in mild amusement. "Not that I mind in the least."
"Kreacher usually wouldn't be, but of late, he wishes to assure himself that Master Regulus is thinking safe thoughts."
Regulus laughed. "And am I?"
Kreacher smiled and nodded. "Thus far."
"Should I be reading your mind too, then," Regulus wondered teasingly.
"Regulus may not be able to handle it," Kreacher challenged with a chuckle.
"You called me Regulus instead of Master Regulus," Regulus practically purred. "Is that an invitation, because it truly feels like an..."
"Kreacher will be back," the elf interrupted casually. "Kreacher will take the letters to Stormy with delivery instructions so that he can attend to that blasted owl."
Regulus sighed regretfully, but nodded. He'd initially suggested that they just get rid of the owl and buy another that was more generally amenable, but Kreacher had insisted that it may make Stormy feel important to have a specific task that no one else could do. Regulus didn't get the impression that Stormy particularly felt such a need, but as he'd long since decided to leave elf business to Kreacher, he'd made no further comment on the matter. Idly he prowled the book shelves for something to read while waiting for Kreacher to return. He was just settling down with a book on the wizard vs Muggle war which centered around Troy when Kreacher reentered the room. "What is Master Regulus reading," he wondered as he approached.
Regulus slid over in the large armchair they usually shared to make room. "You know, just another war book. Just in case I find something inspiring in it if trouble comes of this." He didn't need to say what *this* was, as they both knew. "No more just Regulus I see," he added with a disappointed sigh.
Kreacher grinned as he slipped into the chair beside Regulus. "Kreacher could tell that Master Regulus found it too exciting, and as we should wait before enjoying ourselves again in case Dora or one of the others responds to the note, it seemed safer."
"Well if you just call me Regulus all the time, I'd likely get used to it," Regulus pointed out with a chuckle.
Kreacher's lips twitched. "Kreacher doubts that will happen." Regulus was uncertain if he meant his own getting used to it or Kreacher actually just calling him Regulus all the time. Not certain that he wanted to know, he didn't ask. Instead he slid the book over so they could both read it with ease. They sat in companionable silence doing just that for nearly half an hour before there was a tap on the library door. "Come in," Regulus called. It was Piper announcing that an elf was there to see them. It was Leaf. "Is everything alright," Regulus asked at once and her face broke into a cheerful smile.
"Oh it is fine! They're out practicing with Miss Dora. Leaf very much enjoys working for her. Miss Dora is very happy that Leaf can dry clean her clothes with a spell. She said she hates going to the dry cleaners, though how Muggles manage it without water, Leaf has no idea. She also cleaned Miss Dora's shoes to give them extra sparkle. All of them! She has a lot of shoes and Leaf loves them all! Miss Dora has such pretty things!"
"Ur, yes, but how are Ballan and Greok handling the vampire bits? Any problems so far?" Of course if there were, certainly Dora could handle them, but due to her earlier reluctance, and his and Kreacher's subsequent promise, Regulus felt he should ask.
"Leaf thinks so, but Greok doesn't say much to her about it. She thinks he doesn't want to frighten her, but every time she asks if he is alright, he insists that he is. He says he is just growing accustom to things." She bit her lip. "Although he is sad about his family, or rather his sister. His parents are fine with his decision, and even consider him a brave goblin for doing this for the cause, but his little sister is angry and won't speak to him."
"Why," Regulus wondered, after exchanging a look with Kreacher, who for once had chosen not to speak.
Leaf shrugged, clearly uncomfortable. "Leaf does not know, but she is sad for Greok, because he is sad. She isn't certain that he knows either."
"Well why don't you come in, and we can talk in the library," Regulus offered. "Stormy can bring you some tea. You've likely been working all day and you deserve to relax."
Leaf smiled regretfully. "Leaf would like that very much, but she wouldn't want to be away whenever Greok and the rest return in case she is needed. She may have to clean Greok and Ballan up again. She just wanted to let Kreacher and Mr. Regulus know that everything is fine and that she will make sure Miss Dora, Ballan and Greok know that they checked in."
Regulus nodded but before Leaf could move to depart, the door chime rang out, causing her to start. Idly Regulus wondered if Dora and the others had realized where she'd gone and come to visit as well. Kreacher moved around leaf to open the door. It was Griphook. The goblin's face was flushed with excitement as he pushed his way inside. Leaf gave a little startled squeak and jumped backward out of his way, nearly running into Regulus as she did. Griphook pushed the door shut behind him with a resounding bang.
"Well, it's done," he nearly shouted. "It's in the water! It's happening. Muggles and wizards alike will be drinking it and soon everything can change without anyone in the way to stop it!" At those words, Regulus felt his heart begin to race. At last he was able to see the change he'd longed for when he'd chosen to follow Voldemort. The unexpected frozen terror mixing with the glee that caused his heart to pound was quite strange.
Not how he'd pictured it, but that was always the way. In one's imagination, there was only pretty shiny excitement and glory, but the reality was, yes that but also more gritty and real because there were choices and things could go very right or very wrong. As a Death Eater, he'd not considered how wrong things could go. There were only the imaginings of glory until it was too late. Now he was hopefully going in with clear sight, or at least clearer sight. "That's wonderful," he told Griphook with a smile.
"Leaf had better get back home so that she can share the news with everyone when they return," she said excitedly. Griphook nodded. "Good. Thank you. I will be sending out letters to everyone about meetings and such, so tell them to keep an eye out." The little elf nodded, then Apparated away.
"Is it done, then?" Kereston spoke from the middle of the stairs. She wore a casual outfit of soft looking pants in silver and a matching top and her blonde curls were messy. She looked sleepy, and Regulus assumed she'd been catching a bit of rest while she could. Reynaldo hovered behind her, all eight eyes watchful.
"I may be scared," the spider murmured.
"It's fine," Griphook assured, nodding at Kereston. "Yes. It is done."
"I have no idea what to expect at work tomorrow, but I will be careful, and I'll be in touch with Gringotts," Kereston told him. "We shall require extra magical back up to keep the Ministry running as soon as people start getting sick and realizing they can't use their magic. I dread the panic that will ensue. If wizards are anything like Muggles, and one likes to hope they aren't, while fearing that they might be, they will not respond to fear well. I don't want violence and looting and craziness, so we'll have Aurors on it, but we'll need more fast."
Griphook smiled, nodding. "Yes, exactly as we've planned. Just keep a cool head and know that we're here for backup, ready when you are. We also have willing elves, eager to do more with themselves as well as those few Acromantulas who want more out of life, and they are all ready when you need them. I'm glad to see things moving forward, because it was becoming a little crowded, storing everyone at Gringotts."
Kereston laughed. "That bank is huge. There is plenty of room there and then some to spare! I bet you were just worried the spiders would forget and eat someone."
Griphook glanced away. "Perhaps."