The streets of London were cold and damp as Roy Valvas arrived at the hidden entrance of 13 Grimmauld Place, accompanied by Narcissa Black. The blackened, soot-stained façade of the house loomed over them, almost alive with the echoes of centuries of magic.
Inside, the air was heavy with enchantments and the faint smell of old magic. Lupin, Sirius, and Harry stood in the main hall. Their expressions shifted from curiosity to relief as Roy entered.
"Roy," Sirius greeted, his voice a mix of respect and gratitude. "I requested Dumbledore to allow Harry to stay under my custody, but he refused. He said… the magic that binds Harry will strengthen him for protection." Sirius's fists clenched slightly. "I… I don't know what to do."
Roy's dark eyes swept over Sirius and Harry, taking in the tension, the frustration, and the potential. A plan began to form in his mind, precise and flawless.
Harry, sensing Roy's calculation, interrupted nervously, "I'll pay anything you want, Roy. Just… make sure the Dursleys don't bother me again."
Roy allowed a faint smile. "Very well. Give me 10,000 Galleons, and I will ensure they not only leave you alone but also change their mindset entirely. They will treat you as a person, not a burden."
Harry's face lit up, and Sirius hesitated for a moment before transferring the gold. "Done," he said. Roy nodded. "Harry, stay in the Dursleys' home. In two days, I will come and resolve this properly."
With that settled, Sirius guided Roy through the labyrinthine corridors of 13 Grimmauld Place, revealing the hidden rooms and secret histories of the Black family. That's when Roy encountered Kreacher, the house-elf, whose small, sunken eyes brightened slightly at the sight of Narcissa and Roy.
"Greetings, Master Roy. Mistress Narcissa," Kreacher murmured, bowing low.
Roy's sharp gaze caught something in Kreacher's demeanor—a flicker of hesitation, a shadow of secrecy. "Is there something you are hiding?" he asked, his tone gentle but firm.
Sirius prompted Kreacher, who then recounted the story of Regulus Black—his bravery, his determination, and the tragic sacrifice he had made. As Kreacher spoke, Narcissa and Sirius, along with the other Black family lords present, could not hold back tears, mourning the heroic actions of the young Black.
Roy's eyes narrowed as he focused on the necklace Regulus had given Kreacher, examining it with a precision born of years of magic and system-enhanced intelligence. The magical signature screamed at him: this was a Horcrux.
With a calm, practiced hand, Roy destroyed the Horcrux. Sparks of dark energy dissipated harmlessly into the air, leaving only a faint echo of its past power. He handed the remnants back to Kreacher. "Check this, Kreacher," he instructed.
The house-elf's eyes widened with gratitude. "Thank you, Master Roy," Kreacher whispered, bowing again.
Roy's mind, ever the strategist, was already moving ahead. "Now," he said, "take me to the place where Regulus died." Sirius and Kreacher complied, leading Roy through the twisting streets of London to the site that held so much history, danger, and memory.
Even as they moved, Roy's mind was alive with plans, calculations, and strategies. He had saved lives, destroyed Horcruxes, and altered destinies—and this was only the beginning.