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The Search Is Over, A Kreacher/Regulus Black fic	By : blaisegellert Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 1155 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Mature content, violence, sex. A Harry Potter fandom, no money is made off this project.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
Kreacher was in the lake now, being dragged down by the horrifying grip of the Inferi...So many of them, disgusting and so very strong! He knew that he was about to die. As he choked on the foul black water, his thoughts were of Dearest Master Regulus who he loved so much...But wait! Master Regulus had said to come home after he had carried out the Dark Lord's orders...And the Dark Lord was no longer here...no longer giving orders!
Using his last bit of strength, Kreacher apparated home, collapsing onto the floor of the library in a wet, shuddering, choking heap of misery.
"Gods, Kreacher," Regulus said, rising as he tossed down the book he was reading and scooping Kreacher into his arms in a flash. "What happened?"
The elf's skin was cold and Regulus held him close in an attempt to restore his warmth.
"Master Regulus, Kreacher is a bad elf," Kreacher announced through his sobs, looking up into Regulus's face with eyes full of torment. He'd never cried before, but the shame combined with the exhaustion, added to the guilt he'd begun to experience while drinking the potion, made him not care in the least about breaking this particular rule of his. It did not matter, it could not have, in the face of the disgrace he brought upon the honorable House of Black. Only his death could pay for that, Kreacher well knew.
"Of course you aren't," Regulus objected. "What on earth are you talking about, Kreacher?" Shocked and confused, Regulus didn't know what to make of Kreacher's state, but it was quite alarming.
"Kreacher must have been a bad elf," he nearly howled through his sobs of utter misery. "Because the Dark Lord left Kreacher in the black lake of Inferi to drown!"
Regulus went completely still with shock. "He did what," he asked, nearly unable to breathe. There had to be some mistake. "Did the Dark Lord fall into the lake too?" Why were they near a lake of Inferi anyway?
Kreacher shook his head, clutching desperately at Regulus's robes as Regulus rocked him back and forth. "NO! He left Kreacher there to drown, because Kreacher must have been a bad elf. But he did everything the Dark Lord asked of him! He drank the potion even though it hurt Kreacher's insides so very badly and made him see horrible things!"
"What potion! What are you talking about, Kreacher...Start from the beginning, please," Regulus said, struggling for a calm soothing tone through his own state of concern. The last thing he needed to do was to add to Kreacher's upset with his own. "It's alright, love...I promise we'll sort it," he assured gently, still rocking Kreacher as he spoke. He'd never even seen Kreacher shed a tear, so this had to be bad...But why? How? Kreacher would've served the Dark Lord well so what ever could've happened to inspire this?
"I'm here, Love...It shall all be well."
Kreacher's arms reached to wind themselves around Regulus. "Kreacher is so glad Master Regulus isn't angry with him," he sobbed gratefully, and Regulus felt his stomach twist.
"Never...How could I be...Kreacher...Tell me what happened and I promise we'll fix it together."
Breath hitching, Kreacher clung to Regulus. He began his story when he departed with the Dark Lord and ended it with his recalling Regulus's orders to return home and doing so. As he spoke, he sobbed in abject misery.
"Shhh. There, there...There. We will sort this," Regulus said, but the words were empty, something to say in hopes of relaxing his friend while his mind struggled to process Kreacher's recounting. Holding Kreacher close, he continued to rock him until the elf's body finally relaxed against his own.
"To think...I so badly wanted to free you, but the fact you took my words about returning home as an order saved your life," Regulus said, feeling suddenly awash in relieved gratitude at that particular twist of fate. Kreacher didn't speak, merely nodding wordlessly against Regulus's shoulder.
Of course this fact wouldn't stop Regulus from freeing Kreacher in the future, but he was relieved for anything that had saved his friend's life nonetheless.
"You do understand what the rest of this means, don't you, Kreacher," Regulus asked gravely.
"That Kreacher let down the house of Black in the worst of ways," Kreacher replied dully.
Regulus shook his head. "No! It doesn't mean that at all. It means...well it means that the Dark Lord isn't at all who we believed him to be and that we have no idea who it is that we're supporting." Even as he spoke the words, they were a blow. He had committed so whole heartedly to Voldemort and his cause only to discover...it was something horrible...It had to be, else this never would've happened to Kreacher!
"Indeed. That place and the things he required Kreacher to do were very disturbing," the elf agreed.
Regulus nodded. He held Kreacher even closer in his own distress as his mind continued to work this out. "We could be in a great deal of danger if we aren't careful," he murmured. "The Dark Lord surely believes you to be dead. I wonder if it didn't occur to him that I'd ask about you! As if I wouldn't wonder!"
Kreacher shrugged. "Perhaps he believes that Master Regulus considers Kreacher to be expendable."
Regulus shook his head. "But I didn't give that impression at all."
Kreacher nodded. "Yes but if he considers most people to be expendable, it may not occur to him that others would not. Perhaps in that he is limited," Kreacher speculated. He gave a shiver, sinking into Regulus with a sigh. "Kreacher is sorry...He truly does not feel like himself. He is still so weak and his stomach is still rather displeased."
Suddenly concerned for Kreacher above all else Regulus asked, "Shall I call a healer, then?"
Kreacher shook his head. "That can be traced. We should not risk it. Kreacher will be back to himself soon, he is certain."
Regulus was not convinced. "What can I do for you, then? Hot tea, broth, a hot bath? Let me look after you, please! I can't believe he nearly killed you! I can't believe he laughed at your suffering! That is...evil!" At that, a bit of the shock faded to make room for anger in Regulus's heart. "For that he will have to pay," he said grimly.
"Master Regulus must take care," Kreacher said, eyes full of concern as he shifted to look up at Regulus. "He must promise Kreacher not to get himself killed."
Regulus nodded. "Of course...I shall think carefully and we shall talk it all over before any decision is made. I promise. I can't imagine living without you, I won't risk you having to live without me."
Kreacher's arms tightened around Regulus and he hiccuped on a sob just when he thought he was through crying. The idea of Master Regulus being no more was far more painful than the potion had been.
"Kreacher, I promise," Regulus said, bending to brush a light kiss across Kreacher's lips. He straightened quickly, knowing that Kreacher had no energy for such pleasures at present even if they may comfort them both. There was always tomorrow for that.
"So broth, tea, a bath, something else? What can I do," he asked.
Kreacher's expression was thoughtful. "Some broth could settle Kreacher's stomach and then a bath would be nice. He would like to be clean."
Regulus nodded. "I'll take you into the kitchen with me so you can tell me where everything is. With your detailed instructions,I should be able to handle broth," he quipped, lips twitching slightly. Kreacher nodded gravely and with a flick of his wand, Regulus levitated Kreacher, floating him toward the kitchen as he walked along at his side.
When Kreacher had had a cup of Broth, Regulus got him up stairs and into a hot bath. He insisted on washing the elf so that Kreacher could lie back and relax without having to do a thing.
"Are you alright," Regulus asked fretfully for perhaps the eighty fifth time and Kreacher nodded.
"Kreacher is beginning to feel better. He is just so tired. He thinks he will go to bed when he is out of the bath."
Regulus nodded. "We'll go together. I'll just hold you until we both sleep."
Kreacher sighed. "That sounds nice. Being close to Master Regulus will make Kreacher feel better. Should Master Regulus have some food first, though? Kreacher could..."
Regulus shook his head. "No. I have no appetite. I would rather just lie with you. Besides, were I hungry I would simply make something for myself rather than ask you to lift a finger after all that you've been through today."
"If Master Regulus is certain."
Regulus gave a faint smile. "He is."
Once Kreacher was out of the bath, the two went directly to bed. It was comforting to lie in the dark in one another's arms, still and silent. Comforting though it was there were dark thoughts churning in both of their minds. Past memories and future fears on the part of Kreacher, and Regulus was replaying the dreadful recounting over and over in his mind, searching for clues. He very much wished to discover what the Dark Lord could've been doing. Whatever it was, it had nearly cost Kreacher his life. Whatever it was, it was something the Dark Lord didn't want Kreacher returning home to tell anyone about.
At last he settled on the potion. It's effects were so unnecessarily dark and twisted that it had to mean something...It had to be a bigger part of something else, only what? And what end did it serve? To discover more answers, he would have to speak to someone extremely adept in potions to the point of being gifted. Such a person would be aware of the rare and obscure things that Voldemort would have used. The person who came to mind liked him well, so would probably be willing to answer his questions if he phrased them carefully. Carefully because Horace Slughorn also liked Voldemort very much as well.
"Kreacher," Regulus whispered, not wishing to wake the elf if he'd already fallen asleep.
"Hm," Kreacher replied drowsily, snuggling closer to Regulus.
"Want to go with me to see Slughorn tomorrow? I want to talk to him about that potion...I will be careful, I promise."
Kreacher swallowed. "Kreacher does not think he is up to talking about it again."
"That won't be necessary, Dearest One," Regulus assured gently. "I have all the information and I will present it without using the Dark Lord's name so there won't be any risk. I just thought you might like to come along. If you aren't feeling better tomorrow we shall wait until you are if you wish to accompany me."
"Very well," Kreacher said. "Kreacher would like to come along." Regulus vowed that if Kreacher wasn't feeling better in the morning he'd get a healer no matter the risk.
- 9
- 10
- 11
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The Search Is Over, A Kreacher/Regulus Black fic