approached carefully, and quickly realised that it wasn't only her hissing that he could hear. He could hear running water - no, not simply running. Even through the closed bathroom door, it sounded like a near waterfall from the room beyond. He eyed the edges of the door nervously, noting that no flare of light peaked out from the gap.
What was Potter doing? Not for the first time, he found himself glad that the suite was warded so that the boy couldn't hurt himself.
"Just because he can't hurt himself, doesn't mean he doesn't need help," he heard Lily murmur from somewhere behind him. He didn't turn to look.
He knocked firmly on the door, and called, "Potter? Are you in there?" A stupid question - why else would his snake have been frantically racing back and forth in front of the door. There was no answer though, "Potter? I'm coming in - do you hear me?" Again, no answer.
He pressed the door handle down, half expecting it to be locked, but finding no resistance. He pushed slowly into the room, unsurprised when the snake scurried immediately through the gap and towards Potter. He was reluctant to throw the door wide open - after months of training with Bellatrix, he had no doubt that the boy's reflexes were faster than his own. He'd rather not be cursed.
The sound of pouring water reached his ears, and he worked an arm through the door to pull the light switch, "Potter? Are you decent?"
No answer.
He stepped fully into the room and turned cautious eyes towards the sound of running water, prepared to look away immediately. He needn't have worried.
Fully dressed, and with his knees pulled up to his chest, Potter sat in the bath, both taps running and water lapping at the edge of the tub and overflowing onto the tiled floor below. Potter hadn't looked up at his entry, staring somewhere dead ahead into the middle distance. He hadn't even looked around at his snake, who had wound her way up onto the sink basin and was stretching out towards him.
Severus swallowed heavily, and any notion that he'd had that Potter had found torturing Wormtail in anyway easy was washed away.
"Potter?" He said quietly. Potter didn't look round, and Severus watched as the single tear that clung to one of Potter's long lashes finally gave up the ghost and rolled its way down his cheek.
Severus approached slowly, ignoring how his robes swept through the water on the floor. He leant past Potter towards the taps, half expecting Potter's eyes to snap to him, but they never did. He just kept staring straight ahead, ignoring Severus as he turned off the taps and banished the water that had flooded the bathroom floor. A light cloud of steam floated up from the floor and his robes as the last of the water boiled away.
Severus grabbed the chair in the corner (the one he had sat on months ago when he'd first brought Potter up and out of the cellars) and pulled it closer to the tub's edge. He sat heavily, and waited a moment to see if Potter would acknowledge his presence. He ignored the flash of red hair he could see in the mirror behind the near frantic snake on the sink.
It quickly became clear that Potter would not speak first.
"Potter? Potter - tell me what's wrong," still nothing; Severus took a steadying breath, "Harry?"
Potter stirred, and two eyes, one green and one gold, turned slowly to look at him. He looked as if he were seeing Severus for the very first time. His Adam's apple bopped up and down as he swallowed, and he finally began to speak in a hoarse whisper, "The Dark Lord made me torture Pettigrew,"
Severus nodded slowly, "I know,"
"H-he said…," he shuddered, glancing around him as if only just realising that he was sat fully dressed, up to his armpits in the full tub, "He said he'd hurt Narcissa if I… if I couldn't…," and Severus understood immediately. No wonder Wormtail had been a quivering mess on the floor, and Potter a shuddering mess in the bath.
"I see,"
"I told you there was something more to this,"Lily's tone was accusatory, "Have faith in him,"
"I-… I was so terrified that I'd fail," Potter stuttered with a hiccup, his eyes drifting away from Severus and back to the middle distance, "I thought it would be hard. That I'd end up locked in that room listening to him torture Narcissa instead. But it…," his expression crumpled, and tears spilled down his cheeks, "It was so. Fucking. Easy," a sob caught in his throat, "So easy. Nearly the easiest thing I've done since I've been here. And I was getting so fucking angry with him - with Wormtail. For the noises he was making. The crying and begging. In the end, I wasn't even thinking about Narcissa and keeping her safe. I was just thinking about how much I hated him,"
Severus nodded slowly. What was there that he could say? What comfort could he give, that wouldn't betray him to the boy?
"Are you hurt, Harry?" He asked softly.
Potter shook his head, but didn't answer out loud, "Is this who I am now?" His whisper echoed on the tiled walls, "I don't even…," he let out a huff, "I don't even feel bad about hurting him. Not really. I'm more upset, that I don't feel upset. Who amI?"
"Do you want me to get Narcissa, Harry?"
Potter shook his head again, screwing his eyes shut as more tears spilled down his cheeks, "I don't want Narcissa - I want Draco," he said the name like a terrified child calling out for help, imploring and desperate.
His heart sank. It appeared that Narcissa was less concerned than she should have been - Potter was clearly in love with Malfoy in return.
"Comfort him," she whispered against his neck.
It felt almost as if her fingers had worked their way through his, lifting his arm and reaching out for Potter before he could think better of it. He pressed a comforting hand to the top of his head, "I'm sorry that I can't get him for you,"
Potter's eyes suddenly snapped to his, though the movement was not enough to dislodge the hand that Severus was stroking through his hair. His eyes, green and gold, flicked between Severus's. His lips trembled, "Who's side are you on?" He gasped, confused and frightened.
Severus felt the answer tripping off his tongue before he had time to think it through, "I'm on your side, Harry,"
Potter froze, his eyes wide. He looked abruptly to the snake who was nearly hanging off the sink, and listened to her frantic hissing with rapt attention, "She said you're telling the truth," he said slowly, as if he hardly believed it himself, "You're telling the truth…," he let out a laugh, "and I still don't know what you mean,"
Severus hummed, and let his hand fall into the lukewarm water with a small splash, "Come on Harry," he said softly, refusing to elaborate on his slip of the tongue, "We must get you out of this bath and into dry clothes,"
Potter asked no more questions, and Severus offered no answers. He helped the boy stumble out of the bath and left him to undress while he found dry clothes for him. He left him sat perched on the end of the sofa, wearing soft pyjamas, looking faintly shell shocked with his snake nuzzling into his neck.
Severus stumbled across Rodolphus once more at the bottom of the stairs, though now he had a lit cigarette dangling from his fingertips.
"I'm not sure Lucius would approve," Severus said dryly to cover the racing of his heart in his chest.
Rodolphus didn't even look his way, speaking into the paper in his hands, "Lucius can kiss my arse," and he took an exaggerated drag from the cigarette before continuing as if no words had passed between them.
Stepping out onto the drive, Severus allowed himself to feel the panic in his chest.
"Harry won't say anything,"
"You can't know that!" Severus hissed.
"He won't. He's desperate for someone to be on his side. He'll embrace this and protect this secret,"
"And if he doesn't?"
"Then you'll think of something," it was the note of finality in her voice that silenced his tongue.
It was rare now that Severus arrived at Grimmauld place in time for the beginning of the Order's meetings. It had become routine in fact, for Black to save him leaning space on the back wall for when he inevitably did turn up. Not that he needed it that evening, as he arrived only in time to nod in greeting to the Order's other members as they streamed past him out of the dining room.
"Ah, Severus," Albus called in greeting, banishing the swathes of parchment in front of him, "I was concerned we wouldn't see you this evening," Lupin and Black lingered by the dining table, exchanging subtle glances, while Moody and Shacklebolt seated themselves without a word, "Is there anything for us to speak of this evening?" He asked lightly.
Moody rolled his eyes, "Obviously there is, or he wouldn't be so bloody late," he grumbled, rubbing at the stump of his amputated leg.
Lupin and Black took a seat reluctantly, "Is Harry alright?" Lupin asked carefully.
Severus waited for the door to seal behind him, taking a seat at the far end of the table on the same side as Black and Lupin. He hesitated before speaking.
His impulse was to lie. They would judge Potter if they knew; perhaps condemn him. They wouldn't understand.
"If you lie, and they find out, you will damage your reputation as a spy," Lily muttered from the corner of the room, "Tell the truth. Save the lies for later,"
Severus cleared his throat, "It appears that the Dark Lord has begun teaching Potter to cast the unforgivables," nervous glances were exchanged across the table, "Using Pettigrew as their lab rat, and threatening the wellbeing of Narcissa Malfoy as motivation," he paused, "It would appear that Potter was successful in his casting,"
As he predicted, Moody was the least sympathetic to the boy's ordeal, "This is how it begins," he growled, "Mark my words! Magic such as this is a corrupting force. That he was successful in casting them is telling as to his changing mental state! It was only a matter of time before the Dark Lord was successful,"
"Shut up Moody," Black growled, "What would you have done in his position? If you had Voldemort himself at your back?"
"I'd rather die than do anything that scum asked me to do!" Moody barked, "Die! And keep my honour!"
Black had to be held in his seat by Lupin's arms about his shoulders.
"I think we should all bear in mind," Dumbledore began gravely, "that even the Aurors have been known to utilise the unforgivables. And I doubt that any of them were under the same duress as Harry,"
"Against scum!" Moody declared, pounding his fist against the table, "In life-or-death scenarios!"
"One might argue that this was a life-or-death scenario, Mad-Eye," Shacklebolt reasoned, "Harry's life,"
"And Narcissa's," Severus reminded them, "His actions were to protect her. It would appear that Potter has become attached to her,"
"Is this strength of feeling reciprocated Severus?" Albus asked curiously, leaning closer.
"I believe that it is," he answered with a deep nod, "Though I'm not sure that Narcissa would admit to it, but her affection for the boy is clear to anyone who has eyes," he hesitated, and then chose not to mention whatever was growing between Potter and Malfoy. He had no proof yet. Only a gut feeling. Though even if he had more than that, he wasn't sure he could bring himself to say anything. It felt like a betrayal.
Moody snorted, "And how are we meant to utilise this 'affection'? The woman is bound to the Death Eaters by her husband and son. If anything, she's just binding Potter closer and closer to Voldemort,"
"Only time will tell," Albus said gravely, "Did you see Harry today, Severus?"
"Yes. He was distraught. I found him sat fully clothed in an overflowing bathtub,"
"Poor Harry," Lupin muttered, "He must feel so alone,"
Severus bit his tongue to prevent himself confessing his own faux pas. He would tell Lupin and Black another time - they would be comforted by the knowledge that Potter was not as alone as they thought he was.
"I think we can say that this event has caused Harry significant mental anguish, Alastor," Albus said, his voice heavy, "This is not the response of a boy who has embraced evil, but of a child who is desperate for help. While we must maintain an awareness of how Harry's experiences may be warping his ideologies and loyalties, I cannot help but feel compassion for him. He does not deserve this,"
Severus watched him closely as he spoke, looking and searching for any hint of deception. While he found none, he was not naive enough to believe that it meant anything. Albus may have felt compassion for the boy, but he doubted that would stop the man from destroying him if it meant the end of the Dark Lord, even if the choice caused him pain.
"How much longer must Harry be subjected to this?" Lupin said mournfully.
No one spoke to answer him.
Severus rose to stand with the others when it became obvious that there was no more to be said, but Albus stopped him, "Severus - might we speak for a moment?"
Black left only after pinning Severus with a hard stare, but Severus didn't know what message he was trying to communicate.
"If you are not too weary Severus, I would ask you to accompany my on an important journey this evening. I believe I have located another of Riddle's Horcruxes, and our last experience has demonstrated to me the value of having another pair of hands for such an undertaking," he said frankly with a wry twist of his lips, "Though I promise not to try and wear whatever we find this time,"
Severus found himself blinking in surprise, "I… that is not what I was expecting you to say," he admitted, "You are certain you have found one?"
Albus hummed, "Fairly certain - if you require more time to prepare yourself, we may delay our departure for another day? I apologise. I had not intended to spring this upon you,"
Severus shook his head though, "No - now is as good a time as any. Why wait?" He should have been eager to destroy another of the Dark Lord's soul vessels, but he found himself unsettled by the prospect. He turned to lead the way out of the house.
"One less Horcrux. One step closer to Harry being the only thing tying Voldemort to life,"
Severus swallowed heavily, and silently agreed with her - with himself. What happened when all the Horcruxes were destroyed, and only Potter remained?
"I will lead the way, Severus," Albus said, offering his arm as they stood on the house's stoop, "Our landing zone is somewhat precarious, and I would rather guide us both to safety," Severus did not disguise his grimace. He despised side along apparation. Still, he consented, folding his hand over the headmaster's arm and gritting his teeth an anticipation.
The scent of salt water and seaweed flooded his senses, and he understood immediately why Albus had been so particular about their destination.
The sea, black as night and illuminated only by waning moonlight, swirled and roiled beneath them. Above them, a sheer cliff face loomed like some great God, watching and judging them. Albus had brought them to a small stretch of rocks at the cliffs base. Even the slightest error in navigation would have had them free falling from the top of the cliff and plunging into the icy water below.
"Where are we?" Severus asked slowly, "What is this place?"
Albus hummed, and began leading them down, down, closer to the cliff face in a journey that Severus found troublesome with jagged foot holds and loose rocks - he wasn't quite sure how Albus was managing it, "This place was visited at one point or another by Voldemort as a child. Or rather," he gestured vaguely over his shoulder, "a village that lies a little way along the cliff face,"
Severus had never thought of the Dark Lord as a child - though he knew he must have been one once, "I can only guess that he was a singularly unnerving child," Severus called over the sound of the crashing waves.
Albus chuckled, "Ah yes. He was quiet. Cold and unfeeling, but equally precocious and charismatic. Dear Horace wasn't the first or the last person taken in by the charm of Lord Voldemort,"
"What did he do down here? At the cliff face," Severus paused to peer at the barren sea beyond, his gaze catching on the foaming water and the reflection of the night sky, "This is no place for a child,"
"He brought other children," Albus said simply, "To abuse and torment them. The other boys who lived at the orphanage with him,"
Severus scrambled to catch up with the surprisingly agile man, "The Dark Lord was an orphan?"
"A self-made one - his mother died in childbirth, which I would not blame him for. But his father, a muggle, died at his hand," finally, Albus came to stop at the edge of the water, and pointed out across the waves, "There - that is our destination," Severus looked to where he was pointing and found a fissure in the cliff face, "You understand I hope, why I could not apparate us any closer?"
Severus had had another thought though, "Are you expecting us to swim that?" He said flatly, "At night, Albus?" He added reproachfully.
"You are a strong swimmer, are you not?" Albus said with a twinkle in his eye, "Come Severus - it will not be as bad as all that,"
Severus watched, grimacing in displeasure at the idea of following the old man, as he slid his way into the waves, managing something more graceful than Severus knew he could achieve. Still. He could not let a man of over a hundred do this, only for him to then remain on the rock. Hating every second of it, he lowered himself into the water, gritting his teeth against the chill, and followed the headmaster towards the cliff face.
It was not a long swim, but still Severus was half frozen by the time he was following Albus out of the frigid water and into the cave. He dried his robes at once, steam appearing in a great cloud for the second time that day. Albus paid him no mind; he was running his hands across the wall of the cave, searching and searching, though Severus didn't know what for.
"What are you looking for, Albus?"
"The way in," Albus said simply, "The entrance to the cave beyond, and whatever challenges Riddle has put in place for us,"
Severus sighed to himself, torn between spectating and helping. In the end, he erred on the side of assistance - the faster they got this over and done with, the better. He preferred a less tactile approach though, raising his wand and using it to cast unobtrusive surveillance charms - he had no doubt that a more aggressive approach would stir some evil to life.
In the end, they found the entrance as one, "There," they said, their voices echoing back at them. Under the influence of Severus's spells, a glowing archway had been revealed.
"How to open it," Albus mused, his brow narrowed in concentration.
Severus sighed, "I imagine something droll like a blood sacrifice will be required," he glanced about their gloomy surroundings, "This is more show, than practicality. More theatrical than the Gaunt shack. As such, I imagine breaching the protections will be equally dramatic,"
"Surely not, Severus," Albus said, "Though… ah… I do believe you are correct," his lip wrinkled, unimpressed, "Crude, indeed,"
Not willing to waste time, Severus strode forwards, and with a slash of his wand across his palm, blood bloomed like a rose and began to drip down his wrist. He smeared his hand across the rock in front of them, and much as he had expected, the rock arch vanished, and revealed only darkness beyond.
Severus healed his hand as easily as he had cut it and illuminated the tip of his wand; Albus followed suit.
"I imagine that is only the beginning of the vessel's protections," Severus warned the headmaster as he stepped through the arch into the darkness beyond.
"I have no doubt that you are correct, Severus," Albus said gravely.
Following behind Albus, Severus froze as an enormous underground lake came into view. He swallowed, "I can only imagine the horrors that the Dark Lord inflicted upon those children," he said quietly.
Albus hummed his agreement, leading the way to edge of the water, "I suggest we stay on dry land this time Severus," he said lightly.
Severus paused and directed his wand towards the translucent lake water, "Whatever is in this lake will surely kill us, Albus," he said incredulously, turning the tip of his wand to where Albus was beginning his careful journey around the water's edge.
"I am sure they will," Albus answered mildly, "I would recommend, therefore, that we stay well out of it,"
"The Horcrux will not be beneath the surface," Severus muttered as he followed on behind, "It will be somewhere that the Dark Lord could retrieve it if he had need to,"
"I agree, Severus. I believe it is more likely to be in the centre," Severus turned his gaze briefly to the middle of the lake where there was an eery green glow, before refocusing on the ground beneath his feet, "The question is: how do we cross the water without attracting the attention of that which lies beneath it?"
Severus didn't answer him, he simply followed, one hand holding his wand aloft, the other trailing along the caves slippery wall. The further they walked, the heavier the feeling of dread in Severus's gut became. He knew that whatever awaited them in the waters below was more than a simple beast. It was something evil and mindless. He doubted it would rest until they were both dead. He was beginning to regret consenting to this mission.
Severus let out a relieved sigh when Albus found what they had been looking for. With a pleased sound, the headmaster placed his hand upon a hidden chain, "Success!" He murmured into the gloom. With a tap of his wand, the chain began to move, and a small boat was gradually pulled into view.
"That boat will surely sink with us both in it, Albus," Severus said flatly.
Albus looked troubled - more troubled than Severus was comfortable with, "I doubt it has anything to do with weight my friend, and much more to do with power," he crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes fixed on the approaching boat, "I imagine that this boat will only allow the passage of one grown wizard at a time," he lifted a hand, and leant forwards just as the bow of the boat was pulled by the chain into his palm.
"We are not separating," Severus said sharply.
Albus hummed under his breath, "I… am not certain that either of us would succeed on our own," he turned his blue eyes from the boat to the glowing green in the gloom beyond.
"But the boat won't take any more," Severus ran his own hand across the boats edge, and felt the truth in the matter, "No Albus - this boat will carry only one of us. There must be a way around this,"
"I agree," Albus said with a sigh, but then he offered no more ideas, his jaw working as he chewed on his lips and contemplated the answer to the puzzle they found in front of them.
"If the task beyond requires more than one, than that must apply to the Dark Lord as well," said Severus, and Albus nodded slowly, but said nothing, "Therefore, there must be a way for the boat to carry more than one. Or… or…," realisation dawned, "Or the boat can carry something other than a grown wizard without being penalised. A child perhaps?"
"I do believe a child would have been able to ride with Voldemort in this boat," Albus agreed darkly, but Severus wasn't listening.
"But how impractical. Unless the Dark Lord is kidnapping children for this very purpose, which I suppose is possible, but still more trouble than I'd expect him to be willing to take. Especially for him to have specifically engineered this task to require one. No… perhaps there are other groups that do not count. Other beings. A goblin? No - they are not known for their cooperative natures," adrenalin thrilled in Severus's chest as he realised the answer to his riddle, "A house-elf then," Albus sighed, and Severus knew by the sound that he had come to the same conclusion, "A house-elf - something that can be carried in the boat and will follow his every command - it would save him the trouble of an imperious curse,"
"I… concur," Albus said at length, sounding sick at the thought.
"Well," Severus said flatly, "we have plenty of those at our disposal,"
Albus sent him a reproachful look over his shoulder, "I would not command a Hogwarts' house-elf to undertake this," he said firmly, "I do not imagine that whatever task lies ahead has been constructed with the elf's wellbeing in mind. They will likely die,"
"Ah,"
Severus felt a flash of rage in his gut, and the words that left his mouth were echoed across the lake by a familiar female voice that he knew Albus couldn't hear, "So you draw the line at sacrificing house-elves, but not at sacrificing children?"
Albus recoiled at his harsh accusation, "Severus - that is not-,"
"That is exactly what this is," Severus interrupted, "You expect Potter to die - to make some grand sacrifice - but cannot bear the idea of asking a house-elf to do the same thing?"
"Severus - I never thought you one to believe in wizard superiority," Albus said looking faintly disappointed.
"Do not distract from the issue at hand," Severus barked, then immediately regretted his raised voice as the water stirred; they both froze and waited to see if anything would emerge from the lake's depths. He continued when the water stilled again, "This is not about elf and wizard," he hissed, "This is about elf and child, and you have admitted yourself that at least one child must die for the Dark Lord to be defeated-,"
"I told you - I believe Harry will survive-!"
Severus spoke over him, "- but you will not sacrifice a house elf for the same cause? You are being an idealist," he said sharply, "People will die in this war. Wizard, witch, child, house-elf alike. You simply cannot stomach doing what must be done!"
"Oh Severus… neither can you,"
He ignored the whisper in his ear.
"We must leave, and we must return with a house-elf," Severus insisted, "Or would you rather we travel to the nearest village and imperio the first muggle child we come across to follow us,"
Albus swallowed heavily, looking as if he might cry; he turned his gaze back to the dark lake and whispered, "But how could I choose one?"
Severus shook his head, his back straightening, "There is an obvious choice, Albus. An elf that will obey you and will not be missed. Kreacher,"
Albus bowed his head in sorrow, and sighed, "I am glad you are taking this decision from my hands, Severus," he said gravely.
"I take no pleasure in it, if that's what you're suggesting," Severus snapped, turning to lead them back the way they had come, "But you'll excuse me if I'm eager to prevent more children from being tormented the way that Potter has been,"
"Ah, Severus. I didn't realise you cared for the boy,"
Severus whipped round furiously, his foot barely a centimetre from the water, "How could I not?" He whispered harshly.
He didn't wait for an answer, turning from the headmaster and making his way out of the cave.
"Black?" Severus called as he threw the front door to Grimmauld place open, casting a silencing spell on the portrait of Black's mother before she could start screaming, " BLACK!" He shouted up the staircase.
"Is that necessary, Severus?" Albus said warily, closing the door behind them.
Severus ignored him at the sound of a door being opened from the floor above, choosing instead to climb the stairs in the direction of the noise.
"Snape? Is that you?"
He found Black peering over the bannister of the floor above, Lupin appearing a second later at his shoulder, "Is everything alright?" The werewolf asked anxiously.
"We need your elf," Severus said at once, cutting to the chase as he emerged onto the landing.
"Kreacher?" Black said incredulously, "What on earth do you want that useless thing for?"
Albus followed him at a more sedate pace, suddenly looking his age rather than like the man who had just swam through the ocean to gain access to a cave system, "Are we alone, Sirius?"
Black nodded, glancing briefly at Lupin, "Yeah - it's just us. There's no one else in the house at the moment,"
Albus sighed, and gestured to the drawing room behind him, "Let us sit,"
Severus couldn't help but grind his teeth in frustration as they filed into the room and seated themselves on the moth bitten furniture. The man was delaying the inevitable to sooth his own conscience. Despite the other man's accusation, Severus wasn't even remotely eager to sacrifice a house-elf to destroy the Horcrux they had been metres from, but he was infuriated that the headmaster seemed so reluctant to do so. It was as if the man didn't even see Potter as a living being, but rather a puppet to be pulled in the appropriate direction to achieve his goals.
"So why do you want Kreacher?" Lupin said warily.
"I'm afraid that I can't tell you that Remus," Albus said gently, leaning forwards out of his chair, "But I must assure you that it is for an extremely worthy cause. However, before you consent, I must warn you that…," he sighed, "That Kreacher is unlikely to survive the task that I must ask of him,"
Lupin's eyes widened, but Black leapt to his feet immediately, and said grimly, "I'll go and get him," and he stormed from the room.
Albus looked briefly shocked.
Lupin only sagged tiredly, "He… he's not forgiven Kreacher," he said softly, "For lying to Harry and helping to lure him to the Department of Mysteries,"
Albus shook his head sorrowfully, "Sirius has never truly appreciated the nature of house-elves," he said sadly, "If he would only treat Kreacher with more kindness, then I doubt Kreacher would have been as eager as he was to betray him,"
" Stop," Lupin said sharply, "Whether or not you're right or wrong, I won't listen to you blame Sirius for what has happened to Harry, Albus,"
Albus capitulated instantly, "I would never dare to, Remus. Not when the guilt lies entirely with me," he bowed his head, and if he expected Lupin to be placated, the look on the other man's face said otherwise.
The sound of Kreacher's screeching alerted them all to the elf's approach long before the door to the drawing room was thrown open.
Sirius appeared holding Kreacher's upper arm tightly as he dragged him along while Kreacher kicked and screamed.
" BLOOD TRAITORS! MUDBLOODS! VILE! TRAITOR TO THE HOUSE OF BLACK! KREACHER WILL NEVER CALL YOU MASTER! "
"Be quiet, Kreacher," Sirius said dangerously, and the elf reluctantly fell silent, though he didn't stop his twisting and kicking, and occasionally he made a choked gulping noise as his voice tried to escape, "Now listen to me - do you hear? The headmaster has a task for you to complete. I am commanding you to follow his every order, as if I myself were giving it, do you understand? You are not to refuse him. You are to do exactly as you are told. No matter what,"
With every word that Black spoke, the shaking of the elf's head only became more panicked and frantic, until three words were able to break through the silence that Black had imposed upon him, " No! Not again!!"
" Again?" Said Lupin, confused as he looked between Black and Albus, "What does he mean, 'again'?"
Albus frowned, his eyes fixed on Kreacher, "Sirius," he said slowly, "let him speak," and the entire story came spilling out.
It came in fits and starts and took much cajoling from Albus and ordering from Sirius, but eventually, nearly an hour later, they had the entire story. Lupin was grey, Albus was tired, and Black was crying into his hands. More strangely, Kreacher was carefully petting Black's head. He looked torn - part fury and part distraught.
"There, there, Master Sirius," the elf muttered in his croaky voice, "Master Regulus would not want you to cry,"
"I…I…," Black choked on his words, his shoulders shaking as he sobbed, "I never knew! I thought… I thought he was a Death Eater. I thought he was loyal to him - I never knew-!" He pulled his hands away, revealing his puffy red eyes; Kreacher's stroking hand fell to his knee, "I never knew," he whispered.
Lupin reached over to thread his fingers through Black's hair and lean their heads together, "I know Padfoot," he whispered, "No one knew,"
"I thought he died a Death Eater," Black whimpered, "When really… he sacrificed it all… and I… the last thing I said to him-," he turned desperate eyes on Lupin.
Lupin smiled sadly, and pressed a kiss to his brow, "I know, Sirius," and Black collapsed into the other man's chest. For a moment, all that could be heard in the room, was Black's sobbing.
Albus cleared his voice, "Kreacher - would you be so kind as to fetch the locket for me, please?"
Kreacher nodded and did not require ordering from Black. He disappeared out of the room.
"What I don't understand," Lupin said over Black's head, "is what's so special about this locket?"
Albus made to shake his head, to refuse the information, but Severus interrupted him, "Tell them," Albus froze, and turned uncertain eyes on him. Severus sighed heavily, "Tell them," he insisted, "we can all be trusted, can we not? And this is information that could lead to the destruction of the Dark Lord, and it is becoming increasingly clear that this is a task that will take more than you and I, Albus,"
For a long while, Albus simply looked at him, his eyes darting between Severus's. Finally, he sighed, and nodded, "The locket that Regulus died to retrieve that night, was a Horcrux,"
Lupin only looked confused, but Black gasped and pulled himself out of the other man's arms, "A Horcrux?" He whispered sounding terrified.
Albus nodded gravely, "And not his only one," he said, his voice tired and suddenly ancient, "This will be the third such item that has been destroyed. I believe that three more remain - the snake Nagini, the cup of Hufflepuff, and a third item that I am yet to discover,"
"He had six?" Black croaked, his eyes wide and horrified.
"I'm sorry - but what's a Horcrux?" Lupin asked warily.
It was Black that answered him after swallowing heavily, "There's… there's a book in the house somewhere about them. They're amongst the darkest magic that exists - invented by Herpo the Foul way back when. A witch or wizard tears their soul in two by committing murder, and then uses a dark ritual to bind part of their soul to an object. So… so that even if their earthly body dies, their soul remains, and they can be resurrected," Sirius licked his lips, "Herpo the Foul - he made one, and there's no record of it being destroyed. It's believed his soul still wanders the Earth - there have been sightings of it over the centuries. If anyone set their mind to it, they could still bring him back," he whispered.
"So, until we destroy these Horcruxes, Voldemort will never be truly defeated?" Lupin said, looking as if all the blood had been drained from him.
Albus let out a shuddering breath, "I'm afraid not, Remus,"
"We need to destroy them," Black said sharply, "All of them. As quickly as we can,"
"That is what Severus and I have been trying to achieve, Sirius. Though… perhaps Severus is right that we should involve you. We should discuss this with Kingsley and Alastor as well - wouldn't you agree Severus? They may have new insight to contribute,"
Severus nodded, but he wasn't truly listening. His eyes were fixed on Black. He couldn't help but wonder if the man would be so keen to destroy the Horcruxes if he knew that his godson was one.
"You have to tell them. They will choose Harry - they said they'd choose Harry,"
Severus wished he shared her confidence - though, he supposed, she was him.