The Search Is Over

Chapter 59

When Regulus woke Saturday evening, it was to see a flushed Kreacher bending over the coffin and peeking in under a slightly opened lid.

"Kreacher has watched. The sun is gone," the elf murmured half to himself.

"I am awake," Regulus said with a chuckle as he pushed the lid back the rest of the way and sat up.

Kreacher seemed wired or excited or both. The elf paced about in a tight line along side the coffin and back again, eyes bright as they rested unwaveringly on Regulus. For his part, Mortis sat calmly on the bed preening.

"Whatever is it, Kreacher," Regulus asked, then recalled Kreacher's movie outing with Kereston and Millicent.

"Did you like the movie?"

"Kreacher did, but we can speak of that later," he said.

"There are so many other things Kreacher wishes to speak of now. First, he had an idea...He had it as soon as he returned home from Adler Manor. Kereston works at the Ministry as Master Regulus is aware. So it occurred to Kreacher that perhaps she can get us in to speak to the Aurors so that Master Regulus may make them help the Lestranges."

Regulus nodded thoughtfully.

"Good idea, as always," he said, giving Kreacher a smile of fond approval.

"How much can we safely tell her, do you think?"

Kreacher frowned, one finger coming to rest on his bottom lip as he thought. He stopped his pacing to lean against the end of the bed. Regulus waited, allowing the silence to stretch out for several seconds, giving the elf time. It had always been thusly between them and some things he knew never would change. They gave one another space and time to sort their thoughts, and through that patience, the best thoughts always came.

"Kreacher trusts Kereston, so were it solely a mater of trust, we could tell her anything at any time, Kreacher believes. She may have reservations, but she listens well and she would consider our explanations. Kreacher believes she shall be willing to help us in our endeavor. He merely fears, with the Ministry so much under the Dark Lord's control, that if Kereston knows too much too soon, she could be in danger. Kreacher would not at all like for anything to happen to her."

Regulus nodded quickly.

"Of course not."

"So perhaps we should tell her as little as possible while explaining that we need access to the Aurors for a very good cause," Kreacher continued.

"Kreacher thinks that honesty is best with her, so we can tell her that we fear for her safety if she knows too much at present. We can promise to tell her as soon as we are able, and of course we shall."

Regulus smiled.

"Brilliant as always, Kreacher."

Kreacher beamed, obviously basking in Regulus's approval. This may have made Regulus feel awkward, had he not always valued the elf's own approval equally as highly.

"Kreacher will speak to Kereston about it next Saturday unless Master Regulus wishes to be there as well."

"Next Saturday," Regulus asked, aware that he was obviously missing something.

"Oh yes," Kreacher said, glancing away almost shyly.

"Kereston requires Kreacher's company to take her mind off the stress of work. Kreacher and Millicent have agreed to spend next Saturday with her as well, though Kreacher does not yet know what we plan to spend it doing as of yet."

"Well that's lovely," Regulus said warmly, meaning it.

"I'm thrilled that you're making friends, Kreacher. If you'd only had friends back when...when everything happened, you would not have been alone with it all."