Dark Memories

Book 2 - Part 15 B: Elimination

Harry followed Sirius and Lupin into Grimmauld Place after reading a note and watching the home appear. Stepping in, it was clear Sirius had been busy cleaning and preparing the place while Harry was at school.

He had also gotten a job at a legal firm, giving advice to clients (who were previously screened by him—he has a gift for seeing true guilt/innocence, and knows how to get certain potions when needed...) about what they should do legally about whatever issue they may be having with the Ministry.

Harry thought this was rather humorous.

Sirius even had an in now with some of the prison guards at Azkaban. After some of them had learned he was truly innocent, they promised that if he needed anything, just to ask. They seemed to remember he wasn't a horrid prisoner like the true criminals were.

Lupin was living at Grimmauld place as well, paying for his rent by helping Sirius fix up the place. He also was working part time with Sirius, taking care of the paperwork in Sirius' cases.

"Harry," Sirius whispered, "Be quiet when you enter and in this area of the house, we haven't been able to remove my mother's portrait, and she wasn't a very kindhearted lady. Actually, I doubt she even had a heart," he said, motioning to a curtained potion of the wall.

Continuing down the hall, which had recently been cleaned, they made it to the kitchen.

"The place isn't finished, but much better than it was. I still have a few things to clean out, particularly with a certain house elf, but all of that will be taken care of soon. But before then, I will have to deter you from going into certain areas of the house, Harry, at least alone," Sirius said.

"You have a house elf?" Harry asked, curiously.

"Yes," Sirius nearly moaned. "We do. Now that I've adopted you, you're his master too. Kreature!"

-POP-

Well, whatever Harry had been expecting, it wasn't what had appeared before him.

"Yes, Master?" the hideous looking house elf drawled, joy and all degree of positive emotion completely nonexistent.

"This is Harry, my godson, and your other master. You are to treat him as you do me, no, actually you will treat and serve him better than you do me, and do whatever he says. Understood?" Sirius ordered.

"Yes, Master. Kreature lives to serve the noble House of Black. Kreature will serve the one who destroyed the Dark Lord..." he said, before muttering, "Kreature wonders how he did it."

Harry simply stared, his heart clenching as a memory surfaced . . .

He entered Grimmauld Place, a ghastly, overdressed woman, with makeup nearly an inch thick, greeting him proudly.

"Oh, Milord, what an honor it is for you to enter my home. I am so proud you have chosen my family to assist you in whatever it is you currently need. Now, you said you needed someone specifically? Kreature, correct?" she asked.

"Yes, your house elf," he said. "Regulus suggested him, and I believe he will do nicely."

"Of course, milord. Kreature!"

-Pop-

"Yes, Mistress, what can Kreature do to serve the most noble house of Black?" he asked with a bow.

"Oh yes, he will do very nicely," he said from behind the elf.

Kreature turned around, immediately bowing low as he did so.

"The Dark Lord," he breathed, "truly desires my service? I am honored beyond all previous thought."

"As you should be. Now, come with me," he said.