The Search Is Over

Chapter 156

Chapter 156, These Are Days

Uncovering the lost history of the elves didn't appear to be in the cards. No matter how hard Kreacher and Regulus tried to uncover lost knowledge, there was none to be found. Of course both realized how wrong this was...wrong and clearly intentional. They were quite certain that whoever had originally enslaved the elves, had likewise taken definite steps to ensure no one would ever learn how or why. Dora assured them that much Muggle history was lost as well. "Elf history may not have been lost by magical means. There are many ways history is lost. Sure political coverups are one, but there are also natural cataclysms and such that can cover entire cities and civilizations. Not to mention after ages, things that are buried in such ways deteriorate.

Muggles believe humans only had cities for around ten thousand years or so, but high tech civilizations have risen and fallen several times before those primitive cities of which their archeologists are aware." She chuckled, giving a bemused shake of her head. "I would've been more than shocked to know that back in my mortal days. How things do change." She also disagreed with their concerns of elf history being magically hidden. "All human races have been slaves to one another at various points of time," she pointed out. "Conquerors have unfailingly enslaved the conquered. It is not a new concept. What makes you believe magical folk would be exempt from such a useful practice?" When Kreacher and Regulus gave her matching looks of aghast, she frowned, shaking her head at them. "I didn't say that I agreed with it! It just happens and those who do it find it bloody useful!"

Nothing even turned up from the discovered connections to elves and the fae. Though they found and explored many avenues into fairie lore, they could discover nothing new. By the time the two conceded this point, they likely owned any and every tome on the fae folk ever written. It seemed that Salazar Slytherin was the end of the road for their ghostly explanations when it came to attempting to discover knowledge about elf enslavement or even elf culture before they became slaves to wizards. Kreacher and Regulus ran out of old graves to explore, which meant Ariana had done all she could for them. She never mentioned Salazar again, and shrugged it off the single time Kreacher asked if she'd had more dealings with Slytherin's ghost. It hardly mattered, because the Founder had no useful information for them regardless. With all avenues exhausted, they hoped the information of past elves that was lost would not be required in the future.

Perhaps it was a result of being so long lived, but Regulus and Kreacher hardly felt the years passing. They didn't change and little changed in their world. The only clear indication of the passage of time showed itself in the growth of the children. They grew in leaps and bounds, seemingly over night! They outgrew clothes at least twice a year, though being half elf, they always remained small in stature.

The development of their minds was rapid as well, showing clearly that time indeed could fly. Walburga and Orion were already teaching them advanced spells and the children learned them with an avid hunger that made both Kreacher and Regulus more than proud. When Wulfric came to visit for the holidays, he was nearly as tall as Regulus. By then he was in his third year at Durmstrang. Soon the children would shrug off childhood for good.

It was strange, like watching a flower unfold or a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, Regulus thought more than once. He knew the children well, yet did not, because no one knew what sort of adults they would become. Loughness swore he would marry Kereston when he grew up, for example. Likewise Hydra thought relationships were disgusting. Regulus was certain both would have other views as life presented itself to them outside of #12 Grimmauld place. They would make choices and have options that would change who they were. He only wished that thought wasn't so terrifying for him as a parent.

When they headed off to Hogwarts the next year, he was no less terrified. Kreacher was just as affected, wiping a tear away as he and Regulus helped the children pack the night before they left. Once the packing was done, it was Kreacher who placed the disguise illusion on the children that he and Regulus had decided should be worn at Hogwarts. Kreacher's magic would go undetected by even the most trained wizard or witch, and he'd practiced his illusion charms for years for this very purpose. Regulus and he had decided before the children were even five that it may not be safe to send them to school as half breeds. Both feared that certain types of children would treat them badly if they did.

Children could be innocent and wise, but often some could be cruel due to a lack of understanding. Of course some of the purebloods who failed to understand that elves were actually the superior race rather than the inferior one simply because one probably served their household were the obvious concern. There were others, though, who may not be any kinder, perhaps even fearing Loughness and Hydra for their difference. With Kreacher's illusion in place, the twins appeared to be very short and small humans. Their elf features were well hidden under fully human ones. While Loughness did not mind this in the least, it troubled Hydra.

"Do you fear people would attempt to enslave us if they knew," she asked, peering up at Kreacher and Regulus with troubled blue elf eyes.

Regulus bent to hug her close. "Oh no, Baby. You're free. Even were you a full elf, you are free, and no one can enslave you."

"But you don't even know how it was done in the first place," Hydra protested. "How can you be sure?"

Regulus looked to Kreacher who patted Hydra on the shoulder. "Kreacher is certain," he promised. "He will kill anyone who tries to make his Hydra do anything. He will drink them for dinner, and she will be safe."

Regulus smiled. As ever, Kreacher brilliantly navigated the situation. He couldn't speak on lost elf history or assure his very smart child with a simple 'just because.' That was the phrase all parents employed all too often and that never satisfied. Instead he approached the topic from another direction, simply obliterating the danger like a true Slytherin.

Hydra accepted his words, if unhappily. Clearly she did not wish to change her appearance. Sending the twins off to school, where others would see to their well being, was frightening in itself. Knowing that Flitwick, a trusted family friend, was there to look after the children helped. It would've been even nicer if Severus and Albus were still at Hogwarts rather than Durmstrang, though. Kreacher and Regulus wrote the children to see how they were liking school the very first week. Each wrote a paragraph or so, and signed both their names at the bottom of the page. Loughness only scrawled a few hasty lines in return.

Hi, Daddies

Things are great. Well nothing bad is happening at any rate, and we've already made a few new friends! Don't worry, we're fine.

Loughness

Under his letter was a longer one from Hydra

Dearest Daddies

I was sorted into Ravenclaw and Loughness is in Slytherin. I hope you aren't disappointed that I'm not in Slytherin, because though it is a fine house, Ravenclaw is just as fine. As Severus always says, Knowledge is power, after all. Oh speaking of Severus, Sortia is here. She had fits until Mag and Severus allowed her to attend Hogwarts rather than attending that dreadful girls school in France.

She's pretending to be a Snape cousin and no one seems to care or to ask questions so it all worked out. She's in Slytherin too, but our two new friends re in Ravenclaw. We met our first friend on the train to school. His name is Guillermo. He's the younger brother of that Spanish Auror that Blaise and Gellert are friends with. Romeo, you remember, he's the natural telepath.

Guillermo isn't a telepath, but he does have a seer ability. He and Loughness are both annoyingly girl crazy! Ug. Our other new friend is James. He likes food quite a lot and thinks of opening a restaurant when he grows up that serves magical food. Like he'll make food that does things.

A cookie to promote happiness, pasta for sound sleep, soup that gives one energy, things like that. It's a very unique, smart idea. He is a Ravenclaw, though, so grand ideas are only to be expected. Nessy and I hope the both of you are well and that you aren't too much at loose ends without us. Actually that's mostly me, Nessy thinks you're busy shagging all day now that we're gone. Do give our love to all the elves and the Grandparents too.

With much love to you both,

Hydra

Regulus chuckled. Loughness did detest it when his sister called him Nessy. As he hated being called Regi by the Lestranges, Regulus could relate.

(Dear Reader,

If you'd like to follow Loughness and Hydra in their Hogwarts adventures and beyond, their story, Pureblood Squared, is also uploaded here with our other stories.)