Vici’s ears drooped low, but her voice was strong as she reported the news to Hermione. Regulus, not having been actually inducted into the Dark Lord’s ranks, had never volunteered Kreacher to be Voldemort’s guinea pig, so one of the Lestrange elves had gone instead. The poor thing had been adroit enough to Apparate away, the same as Kreacher had, which was a relief. Hermione could guarantee that that elf would have no master willing to avenge them.