"No! Master, no..." Kreacher seemed to finally develop a glimmer of proper reverence for his current master, trembling as he spoke: "I haven't done it, I haven't leaked anything..."
"See! He's just occasionally muddled..." Hermione pleaded desperately. But Sirius remained utterly unmoved.
He continued questioning according to Orli's parchment: "Besides Narcissa Malfoy, who else at Malfoy Manor issued you commands?! Give me their names, one by one!"
"No one! Kreacher truly hasn't, no one else has commanded Kreacher..." Kreacher writhed and struggled against his bonds.
"Release him!" Hermione continued her appeals.
"It appears nothing irreversible has occurred yet," Orli said, setting down her quill and studying Kreacher with calculating eyes. Perhaps Voldemort discovered Kreacher's usefulness at a later point. She remembered with crystal clarity how, in the original timeline, Kreacher had deliberately lured Sirius away and deceived Harry, precipitating the tragedy at the Department of Mysteries.
At that time, Kreacher had shown zero remorse for Sirius's death—had even anticipated serving Narcissa or Bellatrix afterward. Unfortunately, Sirius's will bequeathed him to Harry, shattering all his schemes.
So even though Kreacher eventually "reformed" after Harry destroyed the locket and fought in the final battle at Hogwarts, Orli harbored absolutely no affection for the creature.
"What should I do with this thing?" Sirius asked with undisguised revulsion, then turned to Orli for counsel.
"Remus and I aren't home often. Dumbledore wants us maintaining the Hog's Head as the Order'sHogsmeade outpost. The moment this house is empty, who knows what mischief this damned creature might orchestrate!"
"No need for such anxiety," Orli said, regarding Kreacher with a smile that made him shudder violently.
She retrieved her quill and filled an entire parchment page with dense script, then handed it to Sirius.
"Command him according to what's written here. Remember—maintain eye contact and speak with absolute solemnity."
Sirius accepted the parchment, raised an eyebrow, glanced once more at Orli, then began reciting to Kreacher:
"I, sole legal proprietor of the Black family ancestral residence at Number 12, Grimmauld Place, hereby issue the following formal commands to the Black family house-elf Kreacher: First, Kreacher shall not depart Number 12, Grimmauld Place under any circumstances, except upon receiving direct formal orders from master Sirius Black while conscious and uncoerced. Second, Kreacher shall not employ owls, fireplaces, Muggle telephones, Muggle postal services, or any other method to communicate or correspond with the outside world, except upon receiving direct formal orders from master Sirius Black while conscious and uncoerced. Third, without express permission from his master, Kreacher shall not engage in conversation with any beings beyond Number 12, Grimmauld Place, including but not limited to humans, house-elves, Animagus-transformed creatures, and other sentient or non-sentient beings..."
"Merlin's beard..." Ron muttered from the staircase, actually casting Kreacher a sympathetic glance.
"Orli, perhaps you should consider a career at the Ministry drafting legislation..." Harry said, jaw agape.
"This is complete and absolute enslavement and imprisonment!" Hermione shrieked, her face flushing crimson as she glared furiously at Orli.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
🔥 Want to read the next 100+ chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on Patreon - patreon.com/DarkGolds]