The Search Is Over

Chapter 26

Chapter 26, The Search Has Come Full Circle

(In The Year 1997)

Kreacher was floating between sleep and wakefulness on the pile of rags that served him for a bed when a knock came at the door to Grimmauld place. He felt his soul shrivel a little at the sound. It would only be more blood traitors or mudbloods with which he had to share air, he knew. Heaving a sigh, the elf reluctantly dragged himself to his feet and shuffled toward the door. His body was tired and hunched due to neglect, depression and inactivity, and he intentionally took his time reaching the door. When he peered dully out of the keyhole into the evening dimness, his heart nearly stopped, because what he saw was impossible. Yanking the door open, he glared. "Who plays such a cruel trick on Kreacher," he demanded. Then as he realized exactly who might play such a cruel trick, he took a hasty step backward, eyes widening in panic. His breaths came faster in anxiety filled hitches. The Dark Lord was at last coming for him. He'd managed to get past all the wards and was coming for Kreacher at long last...But why did he have to send someone wearing the guise of Master Regulus? A Master Regulus that time had not touched to boot. He looked just the same as he had the last time Kreacher had seen him eighteen years ago. "Only to torture Kreacher," he muttered the answer to himself.

"Please, Kreacher. Just talk to me. May I come inside?" The gentle husky voice, so familiar and beloved tore at Kreacher's heart as it pleaded with him. The sudden pain in the beautiful proud and noble face twisted at Kreacher's very will to resist.

"So real," he murmured. "So much like Master Regulus. Yes he wishes very much to torture Kreacher as he breathes his last," the elf observed.

"Please, Kreacher. May I come in?"

Did it truly matter? Did it truly matter where he died, Kreacher wondered. But then again, what if the wards meant that this imposter needed to be allowed entrance. "Kreacher shall not make it easy for HIM. Not after what he has done to Kreacher's precious dear wonderful Master Regulus...and Master Orion and Mistress...Kreacher will not give an inch," the elf murmured, shaking his head, a spark of defiance raising itself in him at last. If he was to die, he would do so without giving ground. He would do this for the honor of his beloved family.

"What?" The Master Regulus look alike blinked in an attempt of feigned surprise or confusion. "Kreacher, it is I! Please let me in before someone sees me and I bring you more danger than I already have in the past. Please...I will do anything to make it up to you. Anything you like, just please talk to me!"

Kreacher shook his head slowly. "Kreacher knows that this is not his Master Regulus. Kreacher also knows that fake Master Regulus must be invited in, and Kreacher will not invite him in. Kreacher will not make his own death easy."

"What?" The fake Master Regulus blinked again, obviously perplexed. "I don't have to be invited in. I simply did not wish to force my presence onto you if you truly did not wish it."

Kreacher forced his tired, aching body to straighten as he looked defiantly into the fake Master Regulus's eyes. He hated that the sight, so warm and familiar and beautiful tore at his heart. His heart wanted to believe even if his mind refused. His heart wanted to fling his body into Master Regulus's arms and cling to him and cry and tell him how dreadful everything had been. His mind, however, knew that this could not be his master Regulus, for he never would have remained away from Kreacher for so long. "If fake Master Regulus requires no invitation to come in, prove it," Kreacher challenged.

"Very well, and I am no fake," fake Master Regulus insisted, and stepped forward before hesitating. "You shall have to step back out of my way," he prompted gently when Kreacher did not move. Once again his traitorous heart sang at the reserved amusement in fake Master Regulus's tone, so much like that of the real one. His heart longed to hear his master again so much that it didn't want to recognize the traitor for what he was, Kreacher knew.