The Search Is Over

Chapter 126

On the evening of October Thirty-first, Regulus and Kreacher rose and hurriedly went out to hunt, then returned to dress for the Halloween performance at Durmstrang. Kreacher had laid out their matching Phantom costumes the previous night in preparation to save time. Kereston was able to find a Phantom of the Opera costume intended for goblins that she got for Kreacher, and he only had to magically alter it slightly to make it work for him.

"Do you think it's silly to match," Regulus asked, beginning to feel nervous once they were both dressed.

"Kreacher thinks we look nice," the elf observed, smiling and waving at their matching masked reflections in the mirror.

"It does make a nice statement, doesn't it," Regulus said fondly as he took Kreacher's hand to go.

Lifting his guitar case in the other he called to Mortis who flew to his shoulder.

"Should we have gotten Mortis something to wear, Kreacher wonders," the elf speculated.

Mortis gave an incredulous squawk quite unlike his usual musical trill.

Regulus laughed.

"Something tells me he wouldn't be interested. Besides he looks properly dark and dashing. What says wizarding Halloween better than a death phoenix, after all?"

"Kreacher supposes that is true."

With that decided, he apparated them to Durmstrang.

They stood outside, pausing to just take in the Bulgarian Halloween night. The leaves had all fallen from the towering old trees which surrounded the school in readiness for the coming winter, and the stark autumn atmosphere was beautiful.

As the festivities were happening inside, all appeared quiet and still, but the night creatures were active. Regulus and Kreacher's vampiric senses effortlessly took them in. Wolves prowled near by and bats swooped among the trees as owls hunted down small warm prey. After taking a few moments to enjoy the ambiance this provided, the two passed into the school's large marble front hall.

To Regulus's surprise, Bera Karkaroff herself was waiting to greet them. She wore a shimmering ghost costume which she somehow managed to make appear mildly seductive.

"I vanted to thank you for agreeing to perform tonight, Regulus," she said, catching his hands warmly in hers before bending to embrace Kreacher.

"Ah the two of you look frightfully ridiculous," she laughed.

"I was beginning to wonder if it was too silly," Regulus said, struggling between amusement and embarrassment.

"Never," Bera insisted.

"It's vat Halloween is all about, after all, for vat other night of the year can ve get avay vith such things?"

"Kreacher agrees," the elf said, and Regulus felt himself relaxing.

It had been too long that he'd allowed himself to be intentionally silly. Or had he ever done? Perhaps not and the thought was suddenly very sad. But tonight he would not allow sadness in. It was Halloween, and thus a time to be frightfully ridiculous.

The entire vast front hall of Durmstrang was all decked out for Halloween with giant hanging spider webs, and enchanted paper bats that swooped around at ceiling level.

Albus Dumbledore hurried from around the nearest corner with a trick or treat bag in one hand that he eagerly extended to Regulus and Kreacher.

"Take it. It's all for the both of you," he exclaimed.

"It seemed such a shame that the two of you could not have candy on this night when candy reigns supreme, so I bought you a load of blood lollipops. It isn't chocolate or lemon drops, but it's something, and it will hopefully allow you to share in the festivities."