Hearing that, Kreacher paled.
To Kreacher, his new Master's words could only mean one thing: he would get clothes! That was a complete nightmare for the house-elf for two reasons. First, it of course was a horrible shame for an elf to get clothes, and that alone would ensure he probably would die from sheer shock. Even worse, once he could never return to this house, he would be unable to ever fulfill Master Regulus' last orders! That thought was almost driving him crazy.
Panicked, Kreacher saw only one course of action, even if it meant destroying all of his pride. He fell to his knees and started begging. "No! No! Please, Master! Please no clothes! Kreacher promises to be a good elf! Kreacher will swear to follow all and every of Master's orders! Please no clothes!"
Sirius was taken aback by that reaction. Well, I actually wanted to just hand him over to Narcissa, that elf really likes her after all. However, I shouldn't miss this opportunity.
"Well, your words convinced me not to do it. Get up, Kreacher," Sirius told the elf.
Kreacher did so, but didn't dare to look Sirius into the eyes. "How may Kreacher serve you, Master?"
Sirius scratched his chin while thinking about it. "Well... ah, I know. Since I don't plan to use this house often... Kreacher, here are my orders. First off, get your uniform back in order. Then, I do plan to use this house for bigger get-togethers sometime in the future, so I want it to be kept clean and in good condition as well as having all the hazards removed, which does include my mother's portrait."
"What shall Kreacher do with the portrait of the late Mistress Walburga?" the elf asked, hoping it wouldn't get destroyed.
"Just move it somewhere where guests are very unlikely to get in contact with it. Now, I want you to do all work on this house during the weekends. I certainly don't want you to be all alone the entire time, so you will be working for Hogwarts during workdays. Go to the Headmaster or his Deputy and tell them of my orders, then you'll get further instructions from them."
"As you wish Master." Inside, Kreacher felt he had avoided a major problem. Sure, he wasn't exactly happy, but at least he had avoided the big trouble. For that, he could live with these rather generous orders, as it meant he didn't have to be around Master Sirius too often.
Watching the house-elf disappear to Hogwarts, both men felt the need to leave this house as fast as possible - at the moment it was not fit for anyone to stay until it was made safe by the elf removing all the harmful anti-intruder measures.
Once back outside, Mr. Howe addressed Sirius. "Well, Mr. Black, I think this concludes our current business and I feel there will be more fruitful years of working for you ahead of us."
Watching the man disapparate, Sirius chuckled darkly. I wouldn't bet on it. I need someone competent, not someone who got selected merely due to blood status, to handle my legal matters.
He knew he had to take these matters into hand now, or regret it. Even if it meant a second visit to Diagon Alley and more unwanted attention. Now that everything was properly registered, it was time for him to make some decisions as the Head of House Black.
After all, if he was forced to hold this title, he should at least use it in way that would make all Blacks of past times scream in utter despair.
...two days later, the Tonks home...
"Well, your cousin has made the headlines two days in a row. Either it's a slow news day, or he must have ruffled a lot of feathers with his sudden reappearance," Ted Tonks commented while reading the Sunday edition of the Daily Prophet at the breakfast table.
"He certainly likes to have the maximum shock effect, though I think in this case he just had no other choice. Although in two days there was nothing of actual substance, we still have no idea what happened." Andromeda then gave her now 12-year old daughter a scolding look. "Nymphadora, please don't shovel your cereal into yourself like that."
"Mum, what did I tell you about that name?" The girl by now hated her name, having been teased about it all year at Hogwarts.
Andromeda did look annoyed. "I honestly can't understand why you are complaining about your name."
Nymphadora's hair turned red. "Well, you don't have to suffer living with it! It's social poison!"
Ted tried to tune out that particular argument and hide behind the newspaper. It got really old after a while and he felt it should be their daughter's choice what she wanted to be called outside of legal matters. Now I regret that I gave in to Andy when it came to naming our daughter. 'Gwen' would have saved us so much drama.
-vrroproprop- -screeetch-
Andromeda and Nymphadora stopped their argument when hearing what sounded like a motorcycle through the kitchen window. That was unusual in itself since they lived a bit outside of the village and no one normally visited them - a least no one using a vehicle with a combustion engine. A few moments later, someone knocked on the door.
"I'll get it!" Nymphadora said and ran to the door, clearly to escape from the argument with her mother re-igniting. For a moment there was silence, then suddenly there was a squee of joy. "Uncle Sirius!"
Now THAT got their attention and they walked to the front door, to see their daughter hugging Sirius.
"I would hug you, but that space clearly is already taken," Andromeda said in amusement, though that was her way to show how relieved she was that Sirius had come out of his chosen exile.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Want to read more?
The next 60+ chapters are already available on my Patreon!
By joining, you'll get:
📖 Early access to future chapters
📫 polls to shape the story
🎁 Exclusive content for Patreon
🔥 Bonus adult -- themed pictures & scenes you won't find anywhere else(adult only 🤫)
Don't fall behind -- others are already ahead! 👀
👉 Patreon.com/c/Nixerion(please search this link on Google Chrome)