Author:
valkyriekat_47Title: Regulus, Kreacher: In Silence
Word Count: 388
Rating: PG 13
Warnings: angst
“Kreacher, you've lost three pawns and a rook to my bishop.”
“Kreacher knows Master likes to win. But Kreacher likes to play fairly.”
“You could win easily, couldn't you? You can tell me the truth.” Regulus grinned grey-eyed at his devoted House Elf.
“Kreacher can do many things, but never win a game of chess against Master Regulus.”
Regulus laughed. The evasiveness was one of Kreacher's best traits. House Elves don't often use subtlety. But then Regulus thought of the previous night, and his good mood stole away. He still felt the terror of that meeting like there wsas an inner Dementor that he was carrying around.
He tore back his left sleeve, revealing the Dark Mark to Kreacher. Kreacher made no comment. He'd seen it before. Master wanted to know if he was right.
Whatever was right for the family was what was right. The Mark meant Master Regulus had pride and honour in being a Black.
“This is a strange symbol. To me it meant honour. It still does, but the thing he asked of me...”
“Master Regulus should not worry and play chess, the Dark Lord will decide what is honourable. The Noble House of Black is meant to serve. It is our pride, Kreacher hears from brave Mistress Bella.”
“The Dark Lord wants me to be an assassin. Spying isn't enough. Coercion and blackmail seem so noble by comparison. I have to - to kill.”
Kreacher goggled at Regulus for a moment. “Kreacher will do it if you want Kreacher to do it.”
“Never. The Dark Lord underestimates House Elves and I want it to stay that way. Do you understand? And if I don't do what the Dark Lord wishes he won't kill me. No, first on his list is Mother and Father and Sirius has been on his list for the past ten months. I am now on another mission. My own. I want to die a hero's death for the Dark Lord's downfall and I just await the chance.”
Kreacher sniffed. He trembled, furiously, so that he almost appeared to be having a seizure. Suddenly he stopped and with great tears leaking from his eyes he said, “Kreacher will do it for you. For the family's safety.”
Neither wanted to be right, but right they were. They played chess in silence.