1 January 1994
The party had gone on well into the morning with very few guests having trickled out before the end. Plenty had stayed for an early breakfast. Many were given rooms to sleep in, but most of those had port-keyed in from another country.
Harry had been one of the few who had trickled out before the wee hours of the morning. Much to his surprise, a few of his friends had trickled out with him.
Per usual, he opened his eyes and stretched only to find a heavy weight on his chest. He looked up to find Andrei's open mouth very near his head. He looked to his right to find Cassius there.
Harry reached up to tickle Andrei's jaw. He pinched his nose and even moved his lips with his finger. Andrei swatted his hand or attempted to, but it was only when Harry kissed his jaw did he open his eyes.
Andrei raised his arm and Harry braced himself for the hit that came. Soon enough both boys were fighting in the bed.
"What the – oi!" Harry heard Rolf say.
"Fucking cunts," Cassius said.
Andrei pinned Harry to the bed and Harry took the opportunity to kiss his face again.
"Stop that!"
"No!"
Harry made to do it again, but Andrei mushed his face then got off him.
After muttering in Russian, he said, "Where's the bathroom?"
"Somewhere over there," Harry said pointing to the left.
"What's going on in here?" Auriel asked was wearing a different set of clothes. "You're a spoiled brat, by the way," he told Harry.
Harry rubbed his face. "What day is it?"
"New Years. Middle of the afternoon. You people look like you stink."
Harry have him the bird.
"Fuck off, blondie," Cassius said. He stretched. "Are my parents still here?"
"Nope," Auriel said. "They went home hours ago. Said for you to meet them there. Yours, too," he said to Rolf.
Cassius yawned and nodded before turning to Harry. "See you later, mate."
He said goodbye to everyone else before heading out. Rolf did the same and followed Cassius a few moments after .
When the room was clear, Auriel said, "Boy, everyone is tense. You've really done it now."
"I'm not in the mood, blondie."
"I'm serious," he said. "Narcissa took Draco and left without your father, who disappeared somewhere. Your four grandfathers have had their heads together for hours. Looks like you'll be my brother after all."
Harry looked up and blinked. When Auriel just continued to smirk, he closed his eyes and thought back. At last, he said, "Higgs."
"Correct."
Harry his eyes. "Are you trying to tell me Narcissa is offended?"
"Yes."
Harry got to his feet feeling affronted and incredulous as the door opened. "Is she out of her bloody mind?"
"Yes," Auriel and Nymphadora said.
"She just yelled at my mother," the latter said as she closed the door. "Big row 'cause Mum casually said you had a point."
Harry felt gooseflesh rise all over his body. "You're damn well right I have a point. I was beaten in that house! And do you know what was done about it?"
"Nothing," they, and Andrei, said.
"Exactly!"
His three guests stayed with him for some time, eating, dozing, and talking. They stayed up there until the late evening when all four were called downstairs. In the dining room, which had been returned to size, were the Rosiers, Potters – including James – and the Blacks.
Harry inhaled as he looked at Audrey. " Mon Chouchou. "
Audrey rolled her eyes, but it was belied by her smile. "Shut up, Harry."
"What's going on then if this isn't my engagement announcement?" he asked as the other three sat down.
"I have been hasty," Laurent announced. "I had not considered that my company and home afforded Narcissa shelter from scorn."
Harry whistled. "Who here had?"
"The question is: why?" Charlus said. "I'm familiar with little girl Narcissa, who, in essence, isn't different from little boy Sirius Black…"
Both Harry and Charlus looked at Sirius, whose eye twitched.
"The question we have," Charlus asked, "is why you, your cousins, and your friends didn't consider that?"
Auriel waved his hand. "She didn't bother me, so I didn't really consider she knew Bellatrix or Evan's plan from the start. I'm a little annoyed now, though."
"I'm a girl and her sister's daughter," Nymphadora said. "She didn't give me a problem."
Andrei shrugged. "I'm not around her."
As they spoke, Harry shot them each baleful looks. "If you remember, I didn't come back to your house until Aunt Cass dragged me there," he told Laurent. "What was I supposed to do? Ask you to throw her out?"
"You could've said something in the past year!" James yelled.
Harry jumped then looked at him with wide eyes. That most of the others were looking at James didn't seem to affect him. He did twitch at Timothé and Regulus' snickering.
"Once I accept things, I don't think about them."
"Maybe you should," Sirius said.
Harry looked at him. "I'm not doing your dirty work, Black."
"Fine, but you're gonna blow one day and I'm leaving at the first sign of trouble."
Harry rolled his eyes. He was perfectly fine. Stress? He could handle that. Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and two Tom Riddles, too.
Harry sat on the arm of Fleamont's chair and looked at Laurent. "I'm not trying this again in thirty years. You either get it done now or it's not happening."
"My daughter isn't good enough for your son, Potter?" Auriel asked.
" No ." Harry pointed at Audrey. "I don't want one of those in the house."
Audrey started. "Papa!"
"What can he do? Grandpa Charlie is here. They can battle thick neck to thick neck."
Charlus stood and Timothé stepped forward. Harry moved to crouch behind Fleamont, who was laughing with the others.
The group had a light dinner then Harry left with Regulus.
They had business to take care of.
But Regulus wanted to wait for night to settle in, so Harry found himself wandering the castle.
He ended up at Slughorn's door.
Slughorn stood up as he entered. "Harry, m'boy."
"Hello, Professor," Harry said. "How was your Christmas?"
"Fine, fine," Slughorn said. "I enjoyed the blueberry wine and the crystallized pineapples. Thank you again."
Harry inclined his head. "You're welcome. I just stopped by to apologize for leaving your party without saying goodbye. It was rude."
Slughorn waved him off. "It's alright, m'boy. When duty calls one must answer." He leaned forward as Harry started to raise his hand in farewell. "Do you have some place to be?"
"Not really," Harry said. "I'm waiting for Reg – err – Professor…Regulus," he said. "I'm waiting for Regulus."
Slughorn held out his hands. "Sit. Stay awhile."
Harry smiled and stepped inside. He hadn't had an opportunity to get too close to Slughorn at Castelobruxo. There was always a Hogwarts student around as if they were protecting the professor.
Annoying.
Harry took a seat on one of the dark green, button-tufted sofas. Slughorn walked over to sit opposite him.
As vanilla liqueur poured its contents into two glasses, Harry remembered his words to Calderon.
He wanted to laugh as he said, "So how did you get into potions, sir?"
"Ah, transfiguration," Slughorn answered. "I initially found the subject to be boring and tedious. Then I found myself enamored with human transfiguration."
"Are you an animagus, sir? A rooster perhaps? Or a lion?"
Slughorn laughed and wagged his finger. "Now was that an insult?"
Harry tilted his head then his eyes widened. "Oh, no! I think a lion is fitting. King of the jungle and he loves his comforts."
Slughorn laughed a little harder. "I don't have much of a mane, m'boy."
Harry smiled.
"But, no, I am not an animagus. Lion or otherwise." Slughorn leaned forward. "Would you be interested in becoming an animagus?"
Harry nodded. "I've thought about it."
"Well if you think about it next year, my door is always open," Slughorn said. "How did you come to have a fondness for brewing?"
"My grandfather."
Slughorn nodded. "I thought as much. Simeon says much of the same. Now do you plan to continue the tradition of creating your own potions?"
"Probably not. I think my contribution will be improving technique."
"Some of us observed your unorthodox methods in October," he said. "I have seen some of those techniques before."
Harry tilted his head as Slughorn unwittingly gave him an opening. "Tom Riddle or Severus Snape?'"
"Snape," Slughorn said.
Harry nodded with a frown. "I imagine he was a favorite of yours?"
"Wasted potential. He had a chance to be something great and he threw it all away for…"
"Power and revenge?"
Slughorn nodded. "Something akin to that, yes."
"And Tom was a favorite, too, right?" When Slughorn looked a little uncomfortable, Harry gave a little more rope. "You were a favorite of his. He spoke of you a lot."
Slughorn hesitated then said, "Tom? You call him Tom?"
"Yes."
"You were close?" When Harry inclined his head, he said, "How close?"
Harry leaned forward. "He's the reason I am the way I am."
"Which is to say?"
"Great."
Slughorn brought his glass to his lips and stared into Harry's eyes. Harry, in turn, let his mind be wide open.
"Why would he do that?" Slughorn asked. "Why would Tom Riddle create such a person as you?"
"Because he believed I would never be a threat to him."
They stared at each other.
"Are you?" Slughorn asked. "What did you come here for? What have I opened myself up to?"
Harry got to his feet and pulled his shirt up to show his midsection. The faint scar lines had faded and the deeper ones had lessened in appearance. The sight of his bare midsection still left him disconsolate and distressed, however. He doubted a time would come where the mere thought of it didn't leave him humiliated.
He dropped his shirt, but Slughorn's eyes didn't move from the area. "We both know Tom Riddle opened the Chamber of Secrets both times this century. We both know there's only one way he could've done that because right now there is a teenage Tom Riddle walking around with my death on his mind."
Slughorn met his eye. "He did that to your stomach?"
"And my back." Harry inhaled as Slughorn closed his eyes. "We've all done things for Tom Riddle we regret. I learned the streets of Paris by scouting for him. I found out where people lived and they are all dead now."
It's why no one thought anything of a five year old leaving in the middle of the night or staying out late. He'd played the part of an urchin well. Besides no one Death Eater ever asked another what he was up to.
"You were a child indoctrinated to do as you were told."
Harry nodded. "And you were an adult who ignored all the warning signs and talked yourself out of doubt," he said. "But so is Dumbledore. So are the Flamels. So is Bath – a lot of people are. I have spent my life letting adults use me to ease their conscience and guilt. I'm not opposed to adding another."
The load was heavy, but there was always a big pay off.
"We don't have too much time left. Soon enough big Tom will realize a shade of him is running around, sir. He's going to come to you regardless. You are a stone that is still unturned. If the worst comes, don't you want to say you dealt him a huge blow? Instead of being known as a fearful accomplice who was killed while unintentionally protecting Tom Riddle's secret?"
Slughorn closed his eyes. His jaw worked, but he didn't open his mouth.
"Dumbledore knows you have a secret you don't want to tell. He still let's you sleep here. He didn't throw you out ten years ago and he's not throwing you out now to fend for yourself," Harry said. "He keeps you safe. Can you help me keep my house, my cousins, and their homes safe, too, please?"
Slughorm opened his eyes as he summoned a vial. He then placed his wand against his temple. Out of it came a string of silver memories he placed into the vial.
"Take this to Albus. He will wish to see that immediately." He held the vial out to Harry. "Try not to think the worst of me."
"Thank you," Harry said. "And helping Tom isn't the worst thing the company I keep has done. You're still fine in my book."
Slughorn nodded. "You would have done well in Gryffindor."
Harry smiled then ran to Dumbledore's office. He banged on the door when he got there.
"Enter."
Harry stepped inside with his mouth open wide, but snapped it shut when he found Thanos standing in front of Dumbledore's desk.
"Good afternoon, Harry," Dumbledore said.
"Afternoon – err – I can come back."
Dumbledore beckoned him. "No, Professor Thanos and I are finished here."
Harry nodded at her. "Professor."
"Potter," she said softly as she looked between the two. "You get around."
Harry inclined his head. "My hand is in every cauldron."
"Including mine?"
"Every pot means every pot."
They stared at each other until she nodded. "I'll see you later."
Harry inclined his head. "Of course."
She disappeared through the Floo and Dumbledore said, "You're honest."
"Unless I'm lying to your face."
Dumbledore folded his hands. "Do you do that often?"
"No."
He nodded with frown then asked, "How may I help you?"
"Professor Slughorn gave me a memory."
Dumbledore paused then summoned Regulus, who appeared by floo a minute or so later.
"Headmaster?"
Dumbledore held up a finger as he, once again, opened his cabinet to reveal his pensieve. Harry dumped the contents into the cauldron and the trio placed their faces into the water within.
They watched Tom Riddle question Slughorn about Horcruxes. Slughorn, in turn, explained everything in detail: their nature, their affect, what an existence without a body would be like, the way to go about splitting the soul.
Harry was pleased Slughorn was aware enough to be ashamed of himself.
They stepped out of the pensieve some minutes later.
"Ol' Sluggy," Regulus said. "A greedy, gluttonous, oily fool for now and forever."
"I believe that greed and gluttony allowed you to get away with near murder," Dumbledore said softly as he leaned against.
Regulus sneered in derision. "And where did that get me? My life hasn't been my own in fifteen years. And I may die tonight."
Harry looked at him. "If that's your thinking, you're on your own tonight. You and the swamp people can have this out without me."
Regulus said something under his breath.
"Speak up!" Harry barked.
"Shut up, Cassiopeia."
Harry snorted.
"Seven," Regulus hissed. "Seven plus the one in his body. They could be anything."
Harry frowned.
"Could they be anything, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"No," he said. "Everything should have meaning and anything doesn't have meaning."
Dumbledore nodded. "Indeed." He stood and placed his own memory on the pensieve. "Come."
They watched Dumbledore visit an orphanage and meet with a young Tom Riddle. Harry had sucked in a breath at the boy and Regulus had spent his time looking between Harry and the memory of Tom Riddle. The way he spoke, the way he acted…
It was appalling.
They stepped out the cauldron and Dumbledore asked, "What do you make of that? Are you well?"
Harry had bent over and was taking deep breaths. "He was right. I am the Albus Dumbledore to his Gellert Grindelwald. We are just alike. We look alike. At least you had red hair."
"Your eyes are green," Dumbledore said flippantly. "And you are less charming and charismatic." He held up a finger. "But you are infinitely more graceful and refined. Tom never looked as if he truly belonged amongst the group he led."
"Breeding will out," Regulus said. "He stunk of cockney."
Harry straightened. "Thank you," he said to Dumbledore. "Anyway what did that have to do with anything?"
"What did you make of the scene?"
Harry shook his head. "He was a young cunt." He closed his eyes as Regulus laughed. "He thought – he knew – he was special and he hated being called Tom from the beginning." He opened his eyes. "He let me call him Tom. I hadn't heard the name Voldemort until Bartemius said it."
"Yes, Harry, he did," Dumbledore said.
"Because my name is common, too?"
Dumbledore hummed and turned to Regulus. "Is that all there is to this? Did Voldemort allow Harry such liberties because his name was Harry Evans?"
Regulus exhaled. "No, not just because his name was Harry Evans."
Harry scrunched up his face. "I don't get it."
"You have been invited into the homes, families, and hearts of men and women others have deemed cruel, hateful, and ruthless. Why is this one so unbelievable?"
"Because this one is a psychopath!"
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "Bellatrix was a nightmare before meeting Voldemort because of Cassiopeia Black. Evan learned at Laurent's knee. That is to say Evan didn't suddenly change his ways. Only his targets. Narcissa Malfoy encouraged her son to be hateful and allowed children to be kept as prisoners in her home. Regulus Black was a proud and eager Death Eater. The Potters have never been above getting their hands dirty. Ask your elders how and why they gave us such a rough time fifty years ago. Need I continue? "
Harry didn't answer.
"Good," Dumbledore said. "What else did you make of the scene?"
"He was independent," he said softly. "He knew how to come and go as he pleased." He closed his eyes. "He hated for his hand to be held. He was probably annoyed with all attempts to keep him safe and in a child's place." He sighed. "He liked to collect things, too." He looked at Dumbledore. "They belonged to the other kids?"
Dumbledore inclined his head. "They may look like nothing to the two of you, but to children with nothing – "
"They were prized possessions," Harry said. "I get it, but what of Salazar Slytherin's could he possibly have?"
Dumbledore, who looked pleased, summoned two more vials. "Come."
This time they watched a scene of Bob Ogden paying a visit to the Gaunt shack. The Gaunts had been ugly and destitute.
When he saw Marvolo, who looked like an aged monkey, he said, "Merlin, he looks just like Slytherin."
Dumbledore laughed as Regulus furrowed his brow.
Marvolo had been a cruel man who thought nothing of his fragile daughter and the world of his vicious and sadistic son. He'd been equally ignorant and proud, too. He shoved not only a heavy, golden locket into Bob Ogden's face to prove they weren't 'scum,' but he also shoved a gaudy and ugly, black stone ring under his nose.
"…the Peverell Coat of Arms engraved on the stone!"
Harry's mouth fell wide open.
The memory switched to one of Morfin and Tom Riddle meeting for the first time. In this memory, Morfin was wearing the black stone ring.
When they stepped out of the pensieve Harry stared at Dumbledore with his mind under lock and key. Even if he was assured Dumbledore would do nothing, he still couldn't bring himself to dwell upon the Gaunts, Potters, and Peverells in his presence.
"What do you make of that, Harry?"
Harry exhaled. "That not only do I have to go speak to Caractacus Burke. I'll also have to sit down with Elijah Smith."
"Excellent," Dumbledore said. "Well done."
Regulus raised a finger. "Not all of us can make leaps and bounds to conclusions."
"He never had anything of value. I doubt he ever set foot in Gringotts. He has nothing but his name and wand," Harry said. "So he took the prized possessions of everyone else. And one thing every old family in Britain wants to do is claim a connection to the Founders. The Smiths are descendants of Hufflepuff.
"'Know how much I've been offered for this, with the Peverell coat of arms engraved on the stone?'" Harry repeated. "Not too many people know about the Peverells, but I'm willing to bet Blandus Borgin or Caractacus Burke do and made an offer they were surprised that idiot refused." He exhaled. "The poor, pregnant girl living on the London streets, hungry and ready to give birth, probably all but gave the locket away."
Regulus wiggled his fingers. "Why speak to Burke if we know where the locket is?"
"Because Tom told me he use to work at Borgin and Burke," Harry answered and Regulus' eyes widened. "And their hands may have touched something of Ravenclaws and Gryffindors, too." He looked at Dumbledore. "What could that be?"
"The sword of Gryffindor," Regulus said. "But Ravenclaw's diadem has been missing for centuries."
Harry shrugged. "He found the Chamber of Secrets, Slytherin's office, and a bunch of ways out of the school. He found it and hid it someplace." He looked at Dumbledore again. "What's the seventh?"
"A good question," Dumbledore said. "I've debated with myself on whether he has one or not. If the seventh exists, it is Nagini."
Harry started and Regulus gaped.
"If it doesn't exist, she will be one whenever he returns to form. I'm certain of it."
Harry looked at Regulus. "Well?"
Regulus nodded. "Come on."
Ten minutes later, after getting a port-key from Dumbledore, Harry and Regulus stood on a rock, shivering and inhaling the scent of sea and salt. Large chunks of ice floated in the water.
Harry raised his chin. "I'm not swimming in this." He reached into his backpack and pulled out a broom. "Here."
Regulus mounted the broom then looked at Harry, who scoffed and then rose a few inches off the ground. Regulus grinned as he reached over to ruffle Harry's hair.
"Oi!"
"Well fucking done!"
Harry scowled as he patted his hair back into place. Then they took off. They flew low for awhile until they reached a dark tunnel where the slimy walls were close together. Regulus flattened himself on the broom and Harry lowered himself so that his clothes and shoes skimmed the water. His boots tapped against the rocks just beneath the surface.
Some minutes later, they reached the edge of the water, which was on the edge of a cave.
"That looked bloody wicked," Regulus said while drying their clothes. "You will teach me to do that. Soon."
Harry scoffed as he took his broom back. "I'll think about it."
Regulus shoved him and together they climbed the steps.
"Are you certain no one will be concerned for you tonight?"
Harry shook his head. "I'm with Dumbledore and everyone else is with a woman and my father doesn't want to see me."
"Yeah? Who's Charlus with?"
Harry stopped walking to lick his lips then grin. "You can't tell anyone. I don't want this getting back to anyone until Grindelwald is taken care of."
Regulus shook his head. "Who am I going to tell?"
"Draco and Nymphadora."
Regulus shook his head. "Why the fuck would they care?"
"Because it's Thanos."
Regulus snorted. "You're a liar."
"Believe what you want." Harry looked at his watch.
Regulus grinned. "I'm so happy to be back. Thank you for almost getting me murdered."
Harry laughed.
With that they scrambled up the rest of the steps and further into the large cave. At the end they found themselves in, what looked to be, an antechamber with rock walls.
Harry exhaled and closed his eyes to circle the area. He felt the walls with his left hand and muttered Latin under his breath. He circled the cave about four times before stopping next to a patch of wall.
He stepped back. "Open," he hissed.
Nothing.
"The door is here, but it's not parseltongue protected. Something else."
Regulus pulled out his wand and waved it until the outline of a door appeared as a bright, silver light. However, it faded just as quickly as it had appeared.
And Harry felt he understood.
He pulled out his penknife to cut his palm, which he placed on the portion of wall where the door had appeared and subsequently vanished. The bright, silver outline appeared once more, but this time it didn't fade. Instead, the wall within disappeared and they stepped through.
"Well done," Regulus said as Harry healed his hand.
They entered a tall cavern with a ceiling that couldn't be seen and a lake so vast other banks couldn't be spotted. The darkness was dense. Too dense to be natural. The greenish glow from the lake and the light from their wands couldn't penetrate it too deep.
Ever curious, Harry jabbed his wand. "Accio horcrux."
He jumped as a noise akin to that of an explosion reverberated around the cavern. He and Regulus had jumped back for something very large and very pale had come out of the water.
Much to Harry's dismay, the wall was once again whole.
"We have to get across the lake," Harry said while his heart pounded in his ears.
"No shit?"
Harry glared. "How?"
"Flying…I don't think that would be smart. The broom would probably give out across the water. And I doubt we can apparate in here."
"There has to be a way to get across." Harry stepped away from the wall. "I-I want to get the hell out of here, so let's get this over with."
He walked down to the bank. Regulus followed but walked to the other end. Some minutes passed before he and Regulus ended up at the same spot yanking on what felt like a chain.
"Hold while I reveal," Regulus said.
He then tapped the bit of chain in Harry's hand with his wand. A thick, green chain came into existence. Regulus then took the chain and pulled. Harry held up his wand for they both were too close to the lake. Regulus' boots were skimming it and it left him ill at ease. Soon the prow of a boat rose to the surface. The entire thing was tiny and glowing as green as the chain.
Regulus stepped back.
"That's too small," Harry said.
Regulus shook his head. "Kreacher crossed the lake with the Dark Lord. You don't matter."
"Do I look like a house-elf to you?"
"No," Regulus answered. "You look like a human child, which means these spells can deter you, so you're, therefore, weaker than Kreacher." He then moved to get into the boat. "I thought you wanted to get the hell out of here?" he asked an offended Harry.
Harry sighed and got into the boat. He had to bring his knees to his chest and sit with his arms around them, but there was enough room.
"I don't understand," he said as the boat started moving of its own accord.
"Spells, and the wizards who created them, discount two things: creatures and children," Regulus explained. " You know the importance of language, so you understand how the Anti-Apparition and Anti-Disappirition jinxes, which have the sole purpose of preventing Apparition and Disapparition, don't prevent house-elves from Apparating or Disapparating. Apply that logic to the wizards who raised generations of children in their image, but are so arrogant in their own greatness they cannot see the flaws in their actions and plans. Hence two wizards fit in a boat meant for one because a once child prodigy didn't consider another would come along."
Harry heard every word, but only nodded his head to acknowledge them. He was too busy watching the lake and hoping the bodies floating near the surface didn't become too much of a problem.
Foolish, but hope was all he had.
He'd never forgive Dumbledore for this.
Minutes passed and it felt like an eternity. Each moment was full of nervous anticipation and acute dread. They stared at each other as each passing moment bathed them in more and more green light.
At last the boat knocked into something. Harry raised his wand to find they had reached an island no bigger than his room and sitting room combined. It was a flat, black stone rock that contained nothing but the source of the green light: a stone basin.
"Take your time getting out," Regulus said. "Don't touch the water."
They then walked over to the stone basin. Harry made to touch the potion, but Regulus stayed his hand.
"Behave," Regulus hissed.
Harry scowled at Regulus from the other sighed of the basin, but, before he could say anything, something else captured his attention.
The cave was freezing. He could see their breath and Regulus breath skated over the potion. The whole trip over he could see their breath, but the lake in the cavern had no frost and no sheets or rocks of ice. Not that that mattered. Not at the moment anyway.
Harry breathed over the basin. Instead of the air going straight down, it spread out over something then disappeared. He stuck a finger in the basin and found he could not touch it.
Oh, no.
Their eyes met over the potion.
"We can try to change or get rid of the contents, but I think that will prove a futile exercise." Regulus nodded. "This is my punishment and your test."
He raised then twirled his wand. A purple goblet with his family's coat of arms on it appeared and he caught midair.
"Don't forget your purpose here," Regulus said. "Empty the basin and get the locket."
"Why can't we conjure a dog or something?"
Regulus swished then twirled his wand.
Nothing happened.
He tossed the potion onto the floor. Harry then watched as the contents in the basin rose back to its original level.
"Well that's that." He refilled the goblet. "You're the God of Fire and have great understanding of language." He tipped the glass. "Cheers."
Then he downed the potion.
Harry watched him with baited breath, but Regulus just closed his eyes.
"Reg?"
Regulus didn't respond. Instead he blindly dipped the goblet into the basin then drank another cup full. Harry watched as minutes passed with Regulus drinking blindly. All that could be heard in the stillness was the goblet tapping against the basin.
Then, as he filled his fifth cup, Regulus whimpered.
Harry straightened, but this time he said nothing. The weight of his predicament had him in a grip. By all intents and purposes, he was alone on a rock in a cave full of inferi. He'd have to get them home and he didn't know if he was equal to it.
Regulus downed his fifth goblet and gasped as he gripped the podium holding the basin. The goblet clattered to the floor causing Harry to jump. The sound was harsh in the deathly silence.
Wary of attempting to summon anything, Harry bent over to pick up the goblet and wiped it off with his t-shirt. Much to his dismay, the green spot disappeared from his shirt and he knew it was back in the basin.
Harry hesitated as his heart sank. He wanted to go home, but they couldn't return empty handed. With slumped shoulders, he dipped the goblet into the basin.
"Reg. Here," he said.
Regulus just continued to breathe heavily over the basin.
Harry tried to move his hands, but they wouldn't budge. So, with a little effort, he opened Regulus' mouth with his fingers then tilted his head back to pour the potion down his throat.
Regulus fell to his knees, shaking and whimpering. "Please, stop. I'm sorry. Please make it stop."
Harry dipped the goblet into the basin again. In a whisper, he told the pleading Regulus, "This will make it stop."
Regulus moaned and wrapped his arms around himself as he rocked back and forth. "Please. Please, I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean it! Please don't do it anymore!"
Hating himself, Harry placed the goblet in the basin with a trembling hand. He took a deep breath then placed his free hand on the back of Regulus head. "The last one," he said in what he hoped was an assuring whisper.
Regulus opened his mouth and Harry, once again, emptied the goblet.
Regulus screamed.
He fell backwards, writhing and screaming, for Harry had jumped back at the sound.
It was then Harry realized what was happening: someone was torturing him. It wasn't Voldemort. So who? Grindelwald?
"Bella. Bella, please. I'm sorry. I won't say anything again!"
Harry felt himself blanche and he stood there for sometime watching Regulus writhe. That was until he remembered where he was and his purpose. So, with great effort, he sat Regulus up and kept him upright with one hand. With the other, he dipped the goblet back into the basin. Much to his relief, it scraped the bottom.
"Almost there," he said as he crouched down. Supporting Regulus' shoulders with one arm, Harry tipped him back then poured another cup full down his throat.
Regulus' screams grew louder and louder with the next two cups until at least he yelled, "SIRIUS!"
Did Sirius come? Harry hoped he had.
"Please. I want to die. KILL ME! PLEASE!"
Harry dipped the goblet into the basin and the remaining portion of the Drink of Despair flooded the goblet. One last time, did he tip Regulus' head back.
Regulus drained the goblet. Then, with one great, shuddering gasp, fell back onto the stone.
Harry crouched over him. Shaking his person, he said, "Reg? Reg, wake up?" With one hand, he continued to shake Regulus. With the other, he slapped his face. "Reg? Regulus! REG!"
Regulus' chest rose. "If you slap me one more time, I will throw you in the lake." He smacked his lips. "Water. I need some water."
"I don't know that spell, Regulus."
Regulus laughed faintly. "I doubt, very much, that even if you did…I have never been so…"
Harry watched his chest rise and fall for a few moments. He doubted what? That it would matter if he did? Of course, because Tom would design it exactly like that. He would have modified the Drink of Despair to cause extreme thirst.
He took a deep breath then moved to the water. He dipped the goblet into the lake then hurried back to Regulus.
"Open your fucking mouth," he shouted.
With great effort, and too many precious seconds, did Regulus open his mouth and Harry sloppily poured the water down his throat. It was the best he could do for a chill had run up his body from his legs and something was tugging on his jeans.
He didn't look behind him as he said, "Incendio!"
The inferius let him go and must've fallen back into the lack for there was a splat and a thud.
He scrambled to his feet with his wand raised high and a spell on his tongue. It died right there as he took in the scene. The lake was no longer peaceful. Bodies. Hundreds of bodies – men, women, and children – were crawling out of the lake. Some had even made it onto the island.
It was the stuff nightmares.
For several moments, he spun around. His mind completely blank. Even as they grew closer and closer did he do nothing.
It was only when one latched on to Regulus, who opened his eyes and subsequently screamed, did Harry move.
No incantation fell from his lips. Instead, he raised his hands. A ring of fire surrounded them and it extended to lake.
With screams the inferi fell back into the black water, disappearing well below the surface.
"Get up, Regulus, and get into the boat. Open your eyes, so you don't fall into the water."
Regulus crawled to then inside the boat. Harry dropped one hand to snatch the locket from the basin. He then hurried after Regulus, making it just as the boat started to move again. The water on the side they were traveling remained ablaze. The flames parted in a narrow line straight down the middle so that the boat could return to the bank.
Once on the bank, he dropped the fire as the boat sank down into the water once more.
"Mobilicorpus."
With Regulus floating beside him, Harry hurried through the cave, pausing only to cut his hand. In the outer part of the cave, he dropped Regulus then pulled out his broom, which he mounted.
"Regulus, I can fly us back, but I need you to get onto the broom and keep yourself upright," he said.
Regulus opened his eyes. With a number of gasps and grunts, he got onto the broom, which was hovering low enough for him to mount with the least amount of effort.
"Lumos."
Harry flew slow and steady for Regulus was leaning on him and his weight was heavy. He took them to the closest boulder then lowered them enough for Regulus to slide off. Once onto the platform, he pulled out the portkey and took them home.
They landed in Regulus' new office where Dumbledore was waiting for them.
Harry dropped Regulus then set Dumbledore's robes on fire.
As he doused the hem of his robes, Dumbledore said, "That is your one opportunity this year."
Harry pointed to the fireplace. "I'm going to go home and I'm going to tell Henry what you've done." His chest heaved up and down. "And I will never be let out of the house and it'll be all your fault."
"Are you required to tell your grandfather what has happened?"
"No! I'm going to tell him on purpose!"
Regulus laughed faintly from the floor.
"Have you ever…" More great, shuddering gasps of breath. "…been in a dark cave surrounded by inferi? Twice in six months I've been grabbed by one! Enough!" He pointed his finger at Dumbledore. "You. You ! I've made the wrong choice. The other one fed me. Gave me alcohol, books, and a bed to sleep in. You?! You try to have me killed. "
Faintly amused, Dumbledore pointed to Regulus' bedroom. "Let me get him to bed then you may eat, drink, and bemoan your fate." When he returned, he said, "These rooms are secure, but I confess I do prefer the familiarity of mine."
Harry followed Dumbledore to the fireplace and, together, they went to his office. Waiting for him was a steak dinner, mead, and treacle tart.
"Happy?"
Harry sniffed. "It'll do, I suppose."
"May I have your memory to watch, please?"
Harry gave it to him then, after a few moments in the bathroom, returned to the food. One would think he wouldn't be starving, but fear and almost dying had made him hungry.
Dumbledore returned minutes later. After a deep breath, he said, "I wasn't testing you."
Harry slowly cut his steak as he narrowed his eyes. "But you were punishing him."
"Should he not be punished? You, who have far more reason to despise me, ran here to tell me of Lucius Malfoy within two hours," Dumbledore said. "Voldemort knows nothing of your treachery. Only of your position. You are, at present, safe. The moment Voldemort returns, Regulus is dead. He ran."
Harry licked his lips. "And if he had died?"
"Why would he have died? He was with you."
Harry looked at him then rolled his eyes. "Your faith isn't pleasing or soothing." He dug in his pocket to remove the locket. "What an asshole. I can't believe he destroyed Slytherin's locket." He got to his feet and took off his backpack to remove a case with a dagger inside. HJP was on the hilt bedazzled with purple and black diamonds. Harry tossed the locket onto the floor then hissed, "Open."
The locket clicked and the top side sprang open. The glass inside looked like two windows. Inside each was a dark eye Harry hadn't seen in years.
" I've seen your heart and it belongs to me, " a familiar voice hissed. " I see your dreams, Harry Potter, and I see your fears. All your desires are possible, but so is everything you dread…"
Harry tilted his head. Tom hadn't intended to use this one beyond bait.
That was good news.
" You'll never be good enough, " Tom laughed. " You'll never be anything beyond a filthy, little half-blood. A worthless child fighting for acceptance. You are nothing and you never will be!" He moved his head mockingly. " Abandoned by your mother. Nothing your father wanted – "
Harry hadn't noticed when the dagger had slipped out of his hands, but he did notice when it pierced the eye.
The horcrux screamed and screamed until it was no more.
Dumbledore peered up at him.
"I'm not in the mood for a heart-to-heart," he said before turning back to the steak.
"At least you know your place," Phineas mused. "A worthless, filthy, half-blood swine for now and forever."
Harry looked at Phineas with a grin on his lips. Phineas meant every word he'd said, but Harry couldn't help but find it amusing.
Dumbledore stood up with the locket in hand then passed it, and the dagger, to Harry. "This is technically yours."
Harry took them then Dumbledore went to his desk.
"May I be candid?"
He sighed. "How can I stop you?"
"To anyone who has watched you and knows something of your history, it is obvious what you are about," Dumbledore said. "Responding to years of abuse and torture with determination and spite is equally admirable and heartbreaking. One should not know the weight of scorn and yearn for validation at such a young age."
Harry closed his eyes and said nothing. He knew of Dumbledore's history and knew Dumbledore spoke from a place of experience.
"But I feel I must remind you that you are the victor. Abraxas is dead and his grandson is at your mercy. Evan Rosier, Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy, and the Lestranges are living in ruin," he said. "Their offspring cannot hope to be your equal."
He exhaled. "That doesn't help."
"I know, but you are happy to hear to it and I am pleased to tell it."