The Search Is Over

Chapter 39

"My friend should write me back by the time dinner is over," Albus told Regulus and Kreacher as he rose from his chair. "I shall visit the owlery to send it off right now."

"Thank you so much, Headmaster," Regulus said. He was grateful, but at the same time he wished it wasn't too risky to stay with Dora. They already knew her, she didn't mind them being there, and things were comfortable between all involved. He and Kreacher did not know Dumbledore's friend and Regulus couldn't help but feel they'd be putting him out when they had somewhere else to go. That didn't change the fact that Dumbledore was right, though, so he did not voice any of his objections.

"Feel free to wait in the Great Hall as Adler often comes early," Albus said. "Or the library. I'm sure you would enjoy that. If I recall, you did enjoy your passes to the restricted section as a student."

Regulus nodded. "Indeed I did."

"Let's visit the library," Sabra said with a friendly smile. Regulus smiled back, feeling much better about wandering Hogwarts with others as it should draw less attention to he and Kreacher if they were part of a group.

"That sounds wonderful." He looked at Kreacher who nodded.

"Very good," Albus said. "Do enjoy yourselves, and we shall meet again for a wonderful dinner!" The little group left Albus's office together. Albus headed for the owlery, while Regulus, Kreacher and the Zabinis meandered toward the library. On the way there, Sabra spoke a bit about her son, which Regulus found interesting. The youth was good enough to work closely with Grindelwald, so he was curious to know more in order to understand why.

"We are only here at Hogwarts at this particular time because of the Dementor attack on my son," Sabra divulged as they walked toward the library. "He is such a brilliant boy, he wasn't even affected by their disgusting abilities! As a result, he didn't even notice until they were literally upon him in Knockturn Alley. He escaped them easily, of course, but as it stands we don't feel safe because they somehow knew his name. They used it directly when questioning him about Potter."

Her lip curled in open disdain. "Of course he had no answers for them, because he does not socialize with the likes of Potter. Harry Potter deals with Mudbloods and Blood Traitors as a rule, and my Blaise is properly selective when it comes to his friends. The Dementor business is a true concern in itself, though. We've spent so much time avoiding Voldemort's notice that we don't know what to think at this point...How would they know his name? What are they doing away from Azkaban anyway?"

Regulus nodded. Those were good and reasonable questions.

"They are an abomination I have never figured out," Regulus said with a shudder, casting her a look of honest sympathy. "In truth, though, the things are so dangerous that I never tried, my plan being simply to avoid them at all cost."

Sabra nodded, giving him a strained smile. "Wise man."

Regulus and Kreacher spent a few pleasant hours in the library with the Zabinis and their elf, Bramble. Being back among the stacks was both pleasant and disconcerting because so very much time had passed since he was last there. All the unpleasant years made the time away seem even longer somehow.

When Sabra pointed to the huge hour glass on the far wall and said that it was time for dinner, for once Regulus was eager to put down a book. He very much wanted to meet Adler. The more people who wanted to strike back against the Dark Lord, the better. Having true allies in this really felt good. Having more support really felt good.

When they entered the Great Hall, Regulus was surprised to find the staff table rather full.

Dumbledore was already present, seated beside a young brunette in extremely low cut dress robes who looked positively young enough to be his granddaughter. For all Regulus knew, she was. The man had to have family, after all. Everyone did.