Marauders In Time part 2

Master and Servant

"But how-"

"I know some people in the Ministry," Percy said confidently. "They were able to help me get the Time-Turners. However, I am not sure what date you wanted except that it was around 1998."

"We said 1997," George replied.

"Oh. Well it won't make too much of a difference. Besides, I heard from classified sources that the place that stores these Time-Turners had been broken into in the past. And whoever broke in left the place in quite a mess," Percy explained, placing the Time-Turners on the table and turning his attention to Ginny. "Hello Ginny. You've grown. Did mum agree to you going back in time?"

"And since when has anything mum thought ever matter to you?" Ginny glared at her older brother. "Anyways, what was that about people breaking into the Department in the past? In this time, me, Harry and the others haven't broken in yet."

Percy shrugged, "I don't think they were talking about you, because it was all over the news wasn't it? Although that was undoubtedly reckless-"

"Brilliant!" the twins gleamed at Ginny identically, causing Percy to scowl as he continued.

"I think they were talking about something that happened way before. See my friends at the Ministry, they heard about a project being done on time travel for decades. The Unspeakables, those that work in the Department of Mysteries that is, were rumoured to be on the brink of a groundbreaking invention. I think it must have worked, seeing as you guys have managed to return in time by 2 years. Anyway, whoever broke in, I think they knew about the Time-Turners and, crazy as it may sound, it might have something to do with whatever you and your friends are up to."

The mood in the room darkened.

"Do you know who broke in?" Fred asked.

Percy shook his head, though he got goosebumps as he did, "Whoever broke in never managed to get out. Sources tell me that whoever did it got into a terrible accident in that room, because once the Ministry tried to investigate who broke in, there was no evidence to suggest anything had ever happened. Everything in the room just disappeared."

Percy's story caused everyone to go dead silent. No one knew what to say but so many thoughts flew through everyone's head. Did Neville fail, Ginny thought. Was there a bigger plot altogether, Moody wondered. It was all very odd.

"Well I say we get this over with," Sirius said firmly, picking up a Time-Turner and handing it to Moody. "Haven't time travelled in almost 20 years. Should be fun. What do you say boys?"

"I agree," Fred nodded. "Ready George?"

"Wait what are we supposed to do?" Percy asked, moving to the one Moody was holding. 

"Just grab one of the handles. Make sure you don't let go until we have arrived. Mad-Eye, if you just want to press that red button once everyone's ready, it should take you to the future."

"Good luck everyone," George grinned, grabbing a handle next to Fred.

Ginny moved to where Percy was, gripping the Time-Turner firmly. Sirius counted down by 3 and he and Moody both pressed the red button at the same time. There was a rumble in the ground and those holding the Time-Turners started to spin, with the Time-Turner right in the center of the spiral. Percy tightened his grip on the handle as they started to lift off the ground momentarily and there was nothing but white surrounding them, with the sound of rushing wind that could be mistaken for a small tornado engulfing them. And as quickly as it formed, it disappeared and the time travellers landed on the ground in the exact same spot as they left. Only it was left untidier than before. The first thing Moody noticed was broken glass and fallen furniture, like there had been a struggle.

"Well that wasn't too bad," Sirius exclaimed, dusting his robes clean. "Are we still in Headquarters?"

"The Time-Turner doesn't take us to a different place. Just keeps us in the same spot but in a different time," George explained. "Speaking of which, we don't know what happened now because this is after we had left."

Fred nodded in agreement, "Wands out."

Before any of them could actually draw their wands, the kitchen door had opened and in walked a small creature wearing the filthiest rag any of them had seen.

"Kreacher?" Sirius stared at it, bewildered.

"Master Black has returned," Kreacher croaked. "Even though Dumbledore said he was dead. Master has returned."

"What have you done to the house?" Sirius asked, his tone rising.

"Easy Sirius," Ginny said gently. "Kreacher, what happened here?"

Kreacher looked at Ginny, narrowing his eyes at her and blinking profusely, "Its the blood-traitor Weasley. Sister of the other blood-traitor that is master's best friend. She speaks to me."

"And she is allowed to!" Sirius spat angrily. "Kreacher, I demand that you treat my friends with more respect."

Kreacher closed his eyes, "Kreacher has to obey his master, even though he is supposed to be dead. But Kreacher thinks his other master is kinder. More noble, oh yes."

"What other master?" Fred was confused. "Who is he talking about?"

Sirius sighed, "Because I knew I would die, I had created a will and I left Kreacher in my will to Harry. That way, he wouldn't spill the Order's secrets if he decided to join my cousin. I see Harry has been seeing you often? Where is he?"

"Master has not returned for months now. Kreacher had prepared a nice dinner for his master when he returned from his mission. But Kreacher was left to wait-"

"Mission?" Sirius asked. "What mission Kreacher?"

"Master Potter speaks of a mission. A mission to get Master Regulus' locket."

"Locket?" Sirius was getting as confused as the others. "My brother had a locket?"

Kreacher nodded furiously. "The locket was Kreacher's mission too. Kreacher was supposed to destroy it. But I failed Master Regulus. Oh, Kreacher failed. Master Regulus sacrificed himself to save Kreacher from the Dark Lord but Kreacher-"

"What?" Sirius blinked furiously, almost imitating his house-elf. "Regulus did what?"

Kreacher started to sob, sitting back and curling his knees to his face.

"Kreacher did a job for the Dark Lord. Kreacher was left to die in that terrible cave. But Master Regulus called Kreacher and told Kreacher to take him to the cave. Master Regulus drank until Master Regulus couldn't think. And Master Regulus told Kreacher to leave and destroy the locket."

Kreacher had burst into tears, causing Percy to jump a little. Sirius, who was dumbfounded, stared but not moved. Moody pushed his way forward and took out a flask, handing it to the elf.

"Drink," Moody grunted. "It will help."

Kreacher drank silently, slowly calming down. Sirius had sat on an empty seat and said nothing. Ginny slowly moved to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Ginny asked solemnly.

Sirius didn't answer immediately. As rare as it was, he was stunned silent. There weren't any tears, but Ginny could tell there was a lot that was hidden behind the grim look on his face. Fred and George, sensing this wasn't a scene for them, decided to leave the kitchen and check that the house was clear. Percy had placed the Time-Turner on the table, pursing his lips.