The Search Is Over

Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Hold An Old Friend's Hand

Dora went upstairs to pack and Kreacher wandered over to stand in front of the large television. Half as tall as Kreacher, it was turned off, leaving the screen blank. "This Muggle contraption...It was talking when we apparated in," he said, pointing at the screen. "What is it for, Kreacher wonders."

Regulus took a few seconds to consider before answering that question. Of course he knew all about Muggle television by now, having spent nearly eighteen years around Muggles and Muggle things, but explaining it to someone with no experience of such things could get very complicated very quickly. "It's an advanced way of showing...plays and news," he explained. "They are usually pre- recorded. Would you like me to turn it on and show you," he offered.

Kreacher frowned, obviously finding Muggle matters distasteful. Once Regulus would've agreed completely. Now that he'd lived as he had for so long, his agreement, though there, was only partial. He could see the point of some Muggle things at least to a degree by now. He enjoyed some of their music and t.v shows, unable to dislike them in spite of their being Muggle made.

"Kreacher supposes," the elf said hesitantly, expression still skeptical. Regulus reached for the remote control and flipped the television back on. As the screen sprang to life with light and moving, talking images, Kreacher made a small startled sound low in his throat and jumped back. "Are they inside of the box?"

Regulus shook his head. "No. It's all prerecorded and broadcast." He knew he wasn't explaining this well at all, because while, of course, Kreacher knew the meaning of the words prerecorded and broadcast, he would not understand them in the context of Muggle technology. "If you are really curious, I will get you some written information on how it works that will make it much clearer than I can," he concluded, having no problem admitting his shortcomings when it came to the subject of Muggle technology.

"MMM," Kreacher replied noncommittally. Regulus took this to mean that the elf hadn't decided if he cared enough to know more or not yet. He knew his old friend very well, and could read the meanings behind his tones and expressions like a book. It was nice that this hadn't changed as a result of their unnecessary and long separation.

"Why don't you come and sit with me and catch me up on everything else that I've missed while Dora gets ready to go," Regulus invited, moving over to the sofa.

"Very well," Kreacher agreed. They settled down side by side, and Regulus slipped an arm around Kreacher's shoulders, drawing him close.

"So," he asked. "What else did I miss?" Considering the news of his mother's death was one thing he'd missed, he found himself bracing for more unpleasant tidings.

"Well...Let's see...Kreacher must think," he murmured half to himself. "Kreacher is trying to remember everything that Master Regulus missed, hopefully in order. Did Master Regulus know that the Lestranges were imprisoned in Azkaban a few years after his own disappearance for crimes committed for the Dark Lord?"

Regulus felt his own eyes widen in shock and horror as he shook his head. "Azkaban," he breathed. Everyone knew the place was more than dreadful due to being overrun with Dementors. The things could ruin a person! To make things worse, it was basically Regulus's own fault, as he saw it, that the Lestranges had gotten locked up there too. If things had gone properly, they would've been free of Voldemort but instead they were more under his thrall than ever thanks to Regulus.

"They're out now," Kreacher assured, quickly covering Regulus's hand with his own. "Kreacher even saw them briefly when he had an opportunity to inform on Sirius Black." As he spoke, a gleeful smile lit up his face. "And Miss Bella killed him for Kreacher! That is the best news Kreacher has to report to Master Regulus. His brother is no more, thanks to Miss Bella!"