Chapter 171, It's The End Of The World As We Know It

When Kreacher and Regulus woke the next evening, the first sound they heard was Loughness laughing. Regulus sat up with a start. Had the situation escalated quickly enough to have the children sent home from school already? The water at Hogwarts was supposed to be safe. Of course when all the students went home for the summer, they would be exposed to the Stripper potion in the water but not at Hogwarts. It had to appear to be an illness, and there was no reason it should strike the school. So why was Loughness home? "We'd better go see," Regulus said, fully aware that Kreacher must have heard their child as well. The elf nodded grimly and they hurriedly dressed without a word. When they got downstairs, they found Walburga and Orion chatting with Loughness and Hydra in the Parlor. "Anyway, so long as none of my baby pictures are being gotten rid of, there is nothing else I care about in that old attic," Loughness was saying.

"We'd never put your baby pictures in the attic," Walburga declared, as if the idea was the most scandalous she'd ever heard.

Regulus and Kreacher exchanged a bemused look. "Of course not," Regulus agreed.

"Fine then," Loughness said, waving a dismissive hand."It's just that I was such a beautiful one of a kind baby that the world shouldn't lose a single photo that may exist of my greatness."

Regulus laughed in spite of himself. "You are a weird child, Loughness."

Loughness grinned. "Brilliant and amazing, you mean," he suggested.

"What I really meant was modest," Regulus assured, and Loughness laughed.

"All I have in the attic are baby clothes I don't care about and a few school awards we didn't have room for in the library, and I know you wouldn't throw those away, so there is nothing in the attic I care about," Hydra told Orion and Walburga.

"We aren't getting rid of anything belonging to anyone currently present," Walburga told Regulus and Kreacher darkly. "How out of control do you think we are, anyway? We would never get rid of things someone who exists may want some day. I was more thinking of the old furniture and such that's gotten all moth eaten and perhaps some of the more dull paintings from the time of my great-grandparents... or was it great-great? Anyway, what with Hydra and Loughness getting older, some day they will be having children of their own, and we'll need room. That is all." She returned her piercing gaze to her grandchildren, pointedly ignoring Kreacher and Regulus. "Your silly parents had no cause to disturb you at your studies with their silly letters over nothing. They've become so vexing lately!"

"I have said that for a long time," Loughness said. "You know, that they're vexing."

"We are still here," Regulus reminded pointedly.

"That's alright. You can leave," Walburga said. She didn't even turn to look at them when she spoke.

Regulus grinned. "Fine. Enjoy chatting with your grandparents. We shall go away now... Or rather as soon as you tell us why you are home... what is it five days early? Did the Stripper Potion somehow get into the water at Hogwarts in spite of Griphook's assurances that it would not? Hydra and Loughness both shook their heads.

"No, but some of the students that sneaked into Hogsmeade on a week night when they weren't supposed to sure got punished for it. You know by that flu that makes one feel all rubbish and magicless and all." Hydra chuckled. "Bet they still won't learn not to break the rules. Obnoxious people like that never seem to learn."

"So when a few students started getting sick and you know, running out of magic, the Headmistress flipped and sent everyone home, which is cool with me," Loughness concluded.

Both children were aware of the revolution. Like everyone else, though, they just hadn't known when it would happen, due to the goblins not knowing precisely when the Stripper Potion would be ready. The fact that Hydra and Loughness had just discovered that the time was now didn't seem to rattle them at all. Both were calm and completely at ease. Regulus admired that, wondering if he'd have been the same at their age. Perhaps so, and damn he felt old for it.

"Well as you're all fine here, we're going to go feed," he said. Taking Kreacher's hand, he headed from the room. "Should we check in at Dora's after we feed," he asked. Kreacher was opening his mouth to reply when the door chime rang out. As they were going in that direction anyway, they headed for the door where they joined Stormy who was just opening it up to Dora. "It's all good," she assured as Stormy stood back to give her room to step inside."

"Good," Regulus said, letting out a sigh of relief. He was more on edge than he'd believed.

"Greok and Ballan are fine," Dora assured. "They just went to see Griphook to check in and find out if he wants anything done today now that this thing has been set into motion."

"Ah. That's good," Kreacher nodded.

"Thank you for coming to tell us," Regulus said, giving his maker a grateful smile.

"Sure," Dora said. "It hasn't been bad at all dealing with the creating two new vampires thing, and because they're a goblin and an elf, it's even more interesting than I expected."

"Has Dora noticed anything unusual while she has been out today," Kreacher asked.

Dora shrugged. "Not really more than usual. There is no looting in the streets or anything."

"Has Dora fed yet," Kreacher wondered and she shook her head. "Master Regulus and Kreacher haven't either. Perhaps she could come along with us to do so now? Afterward we could venture into Diagon Alley to see if any word of the illness has spread yet."

Dora smiled. "Sure, okay. We can do that. It ought to be interesting." She turned for the door, then paused, frowning over her shoulder at Regulus. "Are you alright?"

Regulus glanced away, shifting in discomfort. Was his anxiety so very obvious then? So clear to everyone? Regulus shrugged. "As much as I can be. I do approve of the actions being taken and see the necessity. If I'm going to live as long as I plan to thanks to this vampiric gift that you've given me, I can't always be afraid of a revolution when one is necessary simply because of what happened in the last one. History provides us with a map for the future and revolutions or wars happen every hundred years at least with Muggles if not wizards."

"Well, that's a sound attitude," Dora said after a surprised pause. "I'm proud of you."

"It is indeed nice to see Master Regulus using that brilliant mind of his again at last," Kreacher said.

Regulus frowned. "You expected me to do otherwise?" He wasn't truly certain which of the two he was asking, but Dora replied first.

"I just probably wouldn't have in your place with all you've been through," she admitted, giving a nervous chuckle. "At least none of this is truly to do with me, which makes it far easier."

He nodded in understanding to her words, giving her an appreciative smile while deciding not to press Kreacher for the reasoning behind his own answer. Though this situation could turn into something wonderful, and hopefully would, it brought far too much up from the past for both of them that was best left alone. As that was currently impossible, Regulus chose to at least not make it worse. His thoughts must have been in the proper direction, for Kreacher chose not to expand on his own statement. "Let's go have dinner, then, shall we," Dora said and the three slipped out into the night.

The three stuck close together as they moved with vampiric speed through London. So great was their speed, that no one saw Kreacher due to mortal eyes not having the ability to track such fast motion. This meant that they didn't need to use disguise charms or cloaks of invisibility. If they did or not, truly depended on the reason they were out and how they chose to travel. Rather than apparating, they walked in order to scan the minds of everyone nearby. Nothing was happening yet, which was odd.

Some wizards lived among Muggles, those Half-bloods or Mud-bloods, but it seemed that none of them were out and about in downtown London. Griphook's people had leaked the Stripper potion into Muggle water too, because of such wizards so they definitely would've been exposed. Perhaps they were just inside of their respective homes being ill and not projecting any particular thoughts, Regulus reasoned.

Diagon Alley was another story, however. A few witches and wizards moved about, but they were clearly those working with Griphook as most were thinking about others not having their magic. Most were edgy and excited, a disconcerting state to which Regulus could completely relate. No one who had lost their magic was on the streets. Kreacher suggested they get close to St. Mungos to have a look at how busy they were, so they left Diagon Alley and headed for the magical hospital. It was full to overflowing. Many people waited outside, some literally engaged in physical altercations if they thought someone else was getting too close. Regulus found this ironic, as if they'd come, they were clearly ill, so how did another ill person getting into their space matter?

He stood with Kreacher and Dora a block away scanning the minds of those waiting outside. They had flu like symptoms and their magic wasn't working. While everyone gathered did appear panicked, the level wasn't to the degree that Regulus expected it to be. This was likely because it was difficult to have a dreadful flu and panic at the same time, he reasoned. They were frightened but also felt dreadful, which surely reduced their energy to act upon that fright. Eventually the flu symptoms would fade, but the magic would not return. That was when things were going to get ugly. "And so it truly begins," Regulus murmured. Kreacher Apparated them home to find Gellert, Blaise and Griphook waiting in the Parlor. Griphook had come to check in with Kereston on how things were at the Ministry, but she had not yet come home. Blaise and Gellert had come to visit Kreacher and Regulus. The two men were in easy conversation with the goblin, and it was the first time Regulus recalled Griphook wearing a relaxed and pleasant expression. How did Grindelwald do it?

"Business in the shop was slow today," Blaise drawled. "So we popped in to see how things are going and such on the people being too ill to shop front."

"I told him the plague symptoms will wear off in a week or less, but as most of them won't be able to use magic, they won't be shopping at Enchanted Odds for expensive Dark items," Griphook said. "More goblins and elves shall be about and making money, though, so business should pick up again soon."

"Not to mention we have an international client base," Gellert said. "People come from near and far to buy the brilliant items we craft, so I am not concerned about business." The blonde tossed his long locks in a casual careless pride over that fact.

"Where are my children," Regulus wondered. "Things are too quiet," he added suspiciously and Kreacher chuckled.

"They're in the attic with your parents for some reason," Gellert said, shrugging. "Your family is weird, so I didn't ask."

"Ah. Says the man who was adopted by a woman who keeps killing her husbands... Ur husband," Regulus said with a laugh.

"Brilliant parents, aren't they," Gellert asked happily and Blaise rolled his eyes.

Regulus and Kreacher settled down to chat with their guests, while Dora moved to the large antique piano that now sat in the room's far corner. Kreacher had acquired it when learning of Dora's love of playing. She listened to the conversation in undisguised interest as she quietly provided background music. Her fascination with all things magical, though not as avid as it had been in the early days, was still very much alive and well.

"So how do the two of you feel about the current state of affairs," Regulus asked Gellert and Blaise curiously.

"As long as it isn't bad for business, I couldn't care less. It isn't as if any of my family or friends are affected," Blaise drawled.

"I find it very intriguing, and I can't wait to see how it all plays out," Gellert said brightly. The door chime rang then and to Regulus's surprise, Stormy showed in a young Auror. He had neatly cut brown hair and brown eyes. His face was pleasant, but the sort to blend easily into any crowd.

"This Auror wished to see Miss Kereston, and when Stormy said she was not in, he asked if he could wait. Miss Kereston should be in any time now, so Stormy did not see the harm."

Kreacher nodded, waving the young Auror to a chair. "I came to see Kereston, but perhaps you all can help," he said, expression politely strained as if it had been quite a long day. He glanced to Griphook, giving him a slight nod of respect before turning to Kreacher and Regulus. "The Lestranges are your family, after all."

"He's one of ours," Griphook said of the Auror. "Greg, isn't it?"

A huge, pleased smile broke over the Auror's face as he took a seat on the edge of the chair Kreacher had indicated. He was apparently tickled pink that Griphook knew his name.

"Yes, Sir!" Turning back to Kreacher and Regulus, he continued. "Little Bit... Kereston, that's what I call Kereston. Anyway, Little Bit and I go way back to our training days in the Ministry mail room, you know the place everyone is made to start out. It's so dreadful that if you manage to stick around for a month you're worth the bother of training in whatever field you've chosen to work in." Regulus nodded politely in understanding, though he couldn't relate. Never in his un-wildest dreams had he ever planned to work at the Ministry. Kreacher gave Greg an assessing look before finally giving him a friendly smile. "I came about the Lestranges," Greg continued. "I was sent by the old Ministry to get a healer for them but as the old Ministry is about to vanish probably by tomorrow, I figured you lot would rather keep it in the family."

"A healer?" Regulus felt his heart drop. He didn't think he could take more family loss. This thing had just begun and already something had happened to his family? Perhaps this entire revolution was a dreadful idea. "What happened? Are they alright?" Well bloody clearly they weren't, else they'd not need a healer!

"Oh they're fine," Greg hastily assured, and Regulus felt his entire body relaxing. "Sorry to have frightened you," the young Auror apologized sheepishly. "We need a healer because while briefing the Lestranges about something or other, their Shadow Ops overseer learned that their minds were tampered with some time around the later seventies. The Lestranges are interested in knowing why, so the Shadow Ops bloke requested an Auror handle the situation... You know, discretely bring a healer to their manor. It's a work perk for handling such a predicament," he explained. "Knowing what I know, I volunteered. I figured they'd not want their personal information, whatever may come up, to be known by anyone not on our side as it were." Regulus liked the young man quite a lot for that. "So I was thinking a goblin healer," Greg suggested, looking from Regulus and Kreacher to Griphook.

"I happen to be skilled in the art," Gellert said. "I could handle it if you'd like." He directed the later part of his statement to Regulus and Kreacher.

"I think I know what it's about, but I won't complicate things by getting into it now," Regulus said, giving Gellert a meaningful look. Gellert nodded. He stood and Blaise followed suit.

"Let's go then," Gellert told Greg.

"I'll go along just in case," Griphook said, and stood as well. "Have a good night, you two, and keep me updated if you learn any news about... Well anything."

Regulus exchanged a bemused glance with Kreacher then shrugged. "Sure." Turning to Gellert he added, "Please stop back over when you're finished with my cousins and let me know that they're alright and what happened."

"Sure, alright," Gellert agreed. When Regulus and Kreacher rose to show their guests out, Gellert gestured them back to their seats. "Don't bother. We know the way out by now." He flashed a quick smile and Regulus chuckled. It would all be alright, he assured himself. At last the Lestranges could have their minds fixed from what Voldemort had done to them. If anyone could fix such damage, it would be Gellert Grindelwald, a wizard that Regulus believed to be even stronger than Voldemort. He hadn't been aware of Gellert's skill in healing, or it would've occurred to him to ask the blond to attend to the Lestranges far sooner.

"Is Master Regulus thinking what Kreacher is thinking," the elf murmured.

"That what Gellert will be healing is the compulsion and memory erasing that Voldemort did to the Lestranges," Regulus asked.

Kreacher nodded, a small smile curving his lips. "If so, perhaps it could finally be over.""

Kreacher's words struck Regulus as a realization. Voldemort's hold on them, on their very souls, could at last be over. "Yes," he breathed. Joy flooded him and he laughed as he drew Kreacher into his arms. Kreacher kissed him hard, one arm coming up to put a locking charm on the parlor door. Wordlessly, Regulus scooped Kreacher up and sprinted for the sofa. Tumbling onto it together, they tore at one another's clothes, unable to get them off fast enough. This was a celebration as well as a necessary shag, considering they hadn't done that yet that day.

When Kereston came home two hours later, the two were dressed once again, reading while they anxiously awaited news about the Lestranges. When Kereston entered the parlor, she looked happy enough if extremely exhausted. "What took Kereston so long to get home," Kreacher asked while Regulus attempted to hide his disappointment that it wasn't Gellert.

"I was at the Lestrange's," Kereston explained, sinking into a chair with a tired sigh. "I told Gellert I'd fill you all in. I wanted to speak with them before the fuzz hits the fan at the Ministry because everything for them will change when it does."

Regulus gave her an appreciative smile. Kereston and Griphook had promised protection for his family ages ago excluding the Malfoys because Griphook hated them. As most wizards would eventually regain their magic, he'd decided not to push it. He and Kreacher liked Narcissa well enough, but they'd never been as close with her as they were with Bella, and Lucius was just a headache on two legs.

"I asked them to drop Shadow Ops to run Azkaban," Kereston said. "I figured with them in charge, being given Carte blanche with the prisoners, fewer people shall be stupid enough to commit crimes."

Kreacher smiled. "Brilliant!"

Kereston smiled back, clearly pleased to have Kreacher's approval on the matter. "Rod accepted and I think the other two will go along with whatever he says, which is what I was counting on. Anyway, we'd just settled that when Greg came in with Gellert, Blaise and Griphook." She sat forward in her chair, eyes widening. "I had no idea! Kreacher, why didn't you tell me? The Lestranges used to terrify me, and I had no idea they, along with you lot, were actually and literally the first to try killing Voldemort! I wouldn't have been nearly so frightened of them had I known that."

"We couldn't risk speaking of it. If it got back to them with their minds in that state, I had no idea what further damage it would do. Please understand," Regulus interjected gently.

"Kreacher tried to say as much as he could to Kereston and Millicent without fully sharing the situation," Kreacher added hastily. "He, like Master Regulus, did not wish to take any risk that would harm the minds of the dear Lestranges even more. They were always good to us, and did not deserve any of that."

"None of you did," Kereston assured warmly.

Regulus felt his gaze drop in shame for his past mistakes involving Voldemort. "Thank you," he murmured, appreciating the little blond's sentiment. "Was Gellert able to make everything right with them, then," Regulus asked. A lump in his throat rose as he awaited the answer to that.

"Oh yes. It's all done. Their memories are restored and he cleansed any residue Voldemort's magic may have left. Of course the Lestranges are upset and traumatized, but that's only natural. Something dreadful happened to all of you, and no healer can fix that."

"Of course not," Regulus nodded in understanding. He was relieved that his parents were otherwise occupied elsewhere in the manor and not present for this,. Neither of them needed to hear the rehashing of his father's untimely death, after all. The Lestranges hadn't needed it either, but that couldn't be helped. Seeing that he was still fretting about the Lestranges, Kereston gave Regulus a reassuring smile.

"They are functional and processing. They, like you and Kreacher are very strong, tough people, and like you, they will be fine."

Those words, honest and clearly spoken from Kereston's heart, lifted Regulus's spirits in a way he found difficult to describe. It was as if a weight lifted from his shoulders. When Kreacher smiled and slipped his hand into Regulus's, he could tell that the elf felt the same.