"His name is Henry Collins. We were in the same year at Hogwarts, although he was in Hufflepuff, and both joined the Aurors at the same time." Sirius said. "He was also Minister Bones' chief of staff and the highest ranking muggleborn in the government. The Death Eaters apparently didn't like that and used the Cruciatus curse on him until he was driven mad. Then they did that to him."
"They're trying to scare muggleborns." Hermione commented as she looked at the picture.
"Probably so." Sirius agreed.
"No, you don't get it." Hermione said. "Whoever did this knows more about muggles than the average wizard. I wouldn't be surprised if they were a half blood or raised around muggles."
"Why?" Sirius asked.
"This man wasn't just nailed to the wall, he was crucified." Hermione explained, but from the look on Sirius' face she could see that he still didn't understand why that was significant. "The most common religion among British muggles is Christianity, and crucifixion is a very powerful and symbolic image for them. Also the word 'cruciatus' uses the same root as crucifixion or excruciating. All of this was done in a very specific way meant to taunt and provoke muggles."
"But what Death Eater would know enough about muggles to do that?" Sirius wondered.
"Maybe it was Voldemort himself. He was a half blood and raised by muggles after all." Harry said. "I bet he would understand what message was being sent."
"That could be important if it's true." Sirius said thoughtfully. "Up until now there haven't been any reports of Voldemort actually participating in attacks. It's not good news if he is feeling comfortable enough in his new body to start leading the Death Eaters in to battle again."
"It was bound to happen eventually." Harry pointed out. "If he doesn't fight the Death Eaters might start to wonder if he still can. I've seen him though, and even in his weakened state he's more powerful than any wizard I've ever met. Dumbledore might be able to match him, but I'm not even sure about that."
"That's not good to hear." Sirius said with a sigh.
"I do have good news though." Harry replied. "We got another Horcrux today."
"Harry you said you were going to wait for me to come with you before you tried to enter that cave!" Sirius said, the worry evident in his voice. "Inferi, especially in great numbers, are incredibly dangerous. What would you have done if they had taken hold of you?"
"Calm down Sirius." Harry said. "We didn't go into the cave. It turns out the Horcrux was here all along."
"What? How?"
"Your brother Regulus betrayed Voldemort, and died trying to make him mortal again." Harry explained. "Kreacher brought the locket back here but couldn't destroy it. We did."
"You're not joking here are you? My brother fought against Voldemort?" Sirius asked. Harry shook his head no and a small smile broke out on Sirius' face. "Damn it Regulus, why didn't you come to me for help?"
"Were you two close?" Hermione asked.
"Not as close as we should have been." Sirius answered. "I was an outcast in my own family, but my parents loved Regulus. He got sorted into Slytherin like they thought I should have and always acted just like they wanted him to. But maybe in the end we had more in common than anyone thought. Thank you Harry, and you too Hermione. You have both given me a gift that I will treasure for the rest of my life: the knowledge that my brother redeemed himself before he died."
"I'm glad we could help." Hermione replied.
"Sirius, Bellatrix Lestrange is your cousin right?" Harry asked, unexpectedly changing the topic. From the look on his face a thought had just occurred to him.
"Yes she is, you know that." Sirius said. "Why?"
"Well, her husband Rabastan is dead. So who would her vault go to if she died?" Harry asked. Sirius leaned back in his chair a little and thought about the question for a moment.
"She never bothered to make a will, I know that much." Sirius began. "I suppose I might have a claim to it as the head of the Black family, but according to goblin law Rodolphus or any Lestrange would have a better one because Bellatrix is still technically considered a Lestrange."
"How many Lestranges are there?" Harry asked.
"Just the two of them." Sirius replied. "I see where you're going with this Harry…"
"It's not a bad plan." Harry argued.
"But it'll be difficult."
"Easier than breaking in to Gringott's, don't you think?"
"Wait a second!" Hermione said, interrupting them. "Are you seriously considering killing two people just so you can take what's in her vault? That's awful!"
"They are both evil people, Hermione." Harry explained. "They tortured Neville's parents into insanity. They are part of the reason Moony is dead. And if by killing them we can bring Voldemort one step closer to being mortal then I am in favor of it."
"I'm not arguing that they are good people, but isn't there another way?" Hermione asked.
"If you have a better plan I want to hear it." Harry replied. "All I'm saying is that if we do run into either of them again it might be a good idea to try and take them permanently out of the fight."
"I don't like it, Harry." Hermione said. "And I'm going to figure out another way to get the Horcrux."
"I hope you do." Harry answered honestly. "But until then this is the best plan we've got."
"We have no idea where they are or where they're going to be, Harry." Sirius commented. "I can't help but feel like your idea is very dependant on luck."
"But Bellatrix wants the both of us dead." Harry replied. "We're bound to run into her again. And wouldn't you think that whatever she is trying to do Rodolphus would help? It was his brother that died after all."
"Perhaps so." Sirius agreed. "I'm not saying it's a bad plan Harry, but I'm just not sure it is one we can act on at the moment. I'll keep it in mind though."
"I guess that's all we can do then." Harry said. Harry continued to think about his plan. It did not really bother him that it required the death of two Death Eaters. In his mind the Lestranges had already committed crimes worthy of that. He also wished there was another way to get the Horcrux, but could not think of a better idea. Perhaps, he thought, Hermione could come up with something. She had rarely failed to come up with a good idea in the past. Still, the one part his plan assumed was that he would actually be able to kill the Lestranges when he got the opportunity. That might be more difficult than it sounded. "Hey Sirius, you up for a duel?"
"I've been wondering when you would finally ask me." Sirius chuckled. "Come on, let's see if all of that training of yours has paid off." Harry and Sirius practically sprinted off to the basement with Hermione following not far behind to watch. Over the next hour as the fought each other it became clear that Harry was already significantly more powerful than Sirius, but Sirius was also creative and had excellent instincts during a fight which mostly made up for his disadvantage. In the end though Sirius was not able to stop Harry from winning, and even then he had the creeping suspicion that Harry had been toying with him for the last half of the fight. All of which made him wonder, just how good was Harry? And how good could he become?
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