The Search Is Over

Chapter 78

Though Dora had been able to interact with Walburga's portrait, she was quite unable to see Kreacher's Boggarts. She could sense their existence vaguely with her mind, but not enough to pick up any true impressions.

"That's probably a good thing," Regulus said, hoping to ease her disappointment with blunt truth.

"At least they can't terrorize you with your worst fears if you can't see them."

"Kreacher," Dora reprimanded sharply, turning an accusing look on the elf.

"You acted like they were your pleasant little pets! You didn't say they'd terrorize me!"

Kreacher shook his head.

"Kreacher would not have allowed them. He planned to make them show their true forms to Miss Dora. Besides, can she truly fear anything anyway? She is a strong and powerful immortal vampire."

The elf's eyes were round with genuine confidence in Dora's lack of fear as he regarded her.

She gave a nervous laugh, slender hands wiping nonexistent dust from her skirt.

"Everyone fears something," she said quietly.

As she spoke, she averted her gaze, eyes dropping to the soft brown swayed of her skirt, that as far as Regulus could tell, still had no hint of dust on it.

"Well whatever you fear, I won't allow it to even come close to you," Regulus promised and she smiled.

"That's nice to know," she murmured.

Regulus found himself studying her expression, unable to decide if he saw doubt there or simply quiet contemplation. After a moment her eyes brightened with interest again as she turned her attention back to Kreacher.

"Is your library as large as Doge's?"

Kreacher smirked proudly.

"A bit larger, and with far more dangerous books."

"Dangerous how," Dora asked.

"Only dangerous to those who are snooping, unwanted in the Black family library," Kreacher pronounced grimly.

"The books will not harm Miss Dora, though. Kreacher will ensure it and she may read any and all books that she finds to be of interest."

"Why thank you, Good Sir," Dora said with a warm smile that made Kreacher blush.

"Because were I to run afoul of a magic book, I can not drink it's blood or break its neck, so I would be rather at a loss."

They spent the next hour and a half giving Dora the tour of 12 Grimmauld place from top to bottom. She was fascinated by everything and kept pausing to ask about the history of this tapestry or that portrait. She even found the troll leg umbrella stand to be amazing.

"There are really trolls," she asked, poking a finger at the foot experimentally.

"And someone just chopped this from one to make an umbrella stand?"

Regulus couldn't help letting out an amused laugh.

"After it was dead, I assure you, and there are actually several breeds of trolls."

"Even cute little ones who live under bridges and terrorize cute little goats," Dora asked eagerly and Regulus nodded.

"Even those."

"Kreacher believes we have a book on trolls and their various habitats in the library," the elf said thoughtfully.

"He can show Miss Dora if she would like."