8 Chapter 8

A few days pass as the two brothers reunite and talk, before the last day of June arrives and with it Dumbledore.

Having come to check on the wards for Rose's coming and to talk more about the planned ritual, it came as a pleasant surprise for him to see the survival of Regulus.

Though learning of the reason behind his disappearance dropped his mood almost immediately.

"Where is this locket now?" Dumbledore asks with probably the most serious tone any of us have ever heard from the man.

Calling for Kreacher, he eventually brings the locket in question.

Quickly taking possession of the locket, Dumbledore goes through a lot of obscure spells as he tries to learn all he can about it.

After almost half an hour of spell casting he calmly hands it back to Kreacher. "It is as I had come to suspect, Voldemort has fallen far to resort to such measures."

"Horcruxes, yes?" I interrupt his thoughts as his head near whips in my direction.

"I'm curious to know where you came to learn of such things." His gaze is penetrating as his full attention focuses on me.

Giving a shrug as the others continue to observe the two of us. "In my time at Hogwarts I've come across a few hidden rooms that hold a lot of old items and books. One of these books describes objects that match the locket perfectly."

Giving the ring on my left hand a subtle swipe, I remove said hand from the pocket it had been in to show a small bag to everyone.

"As well as coming across another." At this I pull out a destroyed, but certainly recognizable diadem, and hand it to Dumbledore.

Taking a moment to observe the diadem, Dumbledore inquires further. "You found this in the castle you say?" He doesn't expect an answer as he hums and quickly continues. "This answers many things." he mumbles to himself.

"How did you destroy it, as I assume you did not find it in such a state."

I give a slight nod. "When I found it, it was pristine and whole, and almost instantly tried to compel me to put it on. At the time I did not know much about it and the compulsion took me off guard, however I pride myself on my mental protections and it did not take."

"I took some time to learn what I could to try and destroy the soul attached to the diadem itself before concluding such as impossible and having to resort to destroying the relic entirely. I accomplished this by using some Basilisk Venom." I finish.

Dumbledore blinks in surprise. "And where did you acquire such a thing?"

"In the Chamber of Secrets." I answer with a smirk.

Regulus inhales sharply as Dumbledore inquires further. "You found the entrance to the chamber?" He seems extremely interested in the location.

I nod. "Yes, as well as the Basilisk Slytherin left there to defend the school. The same Basilisk that Voldemort found in his time at Hogwarts and used to kill a girl who found herself in the bathroom that hid the entrance at the wrong time, and has since become a ghost haunting the same bathroom."

Quick on the uptake, Dumbledore immediately understands what I'm referring to. "Ms. Myrtle."

"Yes." I nod. "The Basilisk sadly wasn't keen on just letting me take its venom and I was forced to put it down, though the task itself was certainly not easy."

This time it is Sirius who inhales sharply, as he learns of my encounter with the worlds deadliest serpent, and no one would fault him for his reaction.

"When did this occur?" Dumbledore obviously is concerned for my safety but standing in front of him with no wounds and not having heard of any times I had appeared hurt enough, he continues on with his line of questioning.

"Near the end of second year."

Surprise enters his eyes. "So young? I admit you have always shown an aptitude in your magic and studies but it is a hard thing to imagine having slain a Basilisk at such an age."

Giving Dumbledore a smirk. "What can I say, I am a man of many talents."

"It would appear so." His eyes twinkle as his opinion of me must have risen.

"But back to the items in question." I decide to bring us back to the important topic. "After destroying the diadem, I spent the rest of my free time searching for any other information regarding Voldemort, and learned of another possible location for a different Hocrux, as he didn't seem the type to stop at only one."

Holding out a destroyed ring, sans faceted stone of course, I continue. "And during the following summer, I found it."

"A ring?" Dumbledore questions, taking a hold of the simple band. "It is a little hard to believe he would use such a mundane item."

"Well, the ring itself was the Head of House ring for the Gaunts, His grandfather's ring." I pause for a moment before adding further. "A ring with a peculiar stone attached that was not damaged by the venom and was not affected by the horcrux at all, being solely in the band of metal holding it."

I must admit that while he hid it quite well, and I'm sure neither Sirius or Regulus noticed. But the look in Dumbledore's eyes and the focus he gave me, he certainly had an inkling of what I might be referring to, as his whole demeanor screamed his desire.

"That does seems strange." He tries to sound only mildly interested. "Do you still have it? I would like to take a look at it some time to make sure it was as unaffected as you make it out to be."

I give a small nod. "I do. We can certainly set a time later for you to give it a look."

Motioning back to the locket Kreacher is still holding, though his attention is fixed on the destroyed objects I had provided, his mind obviously on the thought of the cause of their destruction, I bring the line of conversation back once more to the intact Horcrux.

"From what I could gather, the Locket is the last one Voldemort made, and with it's destruction, any possible threat he could pose should end with it."

Dumbledore seems to give me a look of skepticism. "And why do you believe he did not make any more?"

"I can't say with complete certainty but before I destroyed the diadem I devised a spell that would, by using one item, point out any similar items to the one used. When I did, the spell pointed me towards where I found the ring, and a second direction that I could not point the exact location, no doubt the wards here blocked me from fully locating it. This however only showed two other Horcruxes with a similar soul contained."

Gesturing for the locket, I cast the spell over it, and two almost invisible wisps of magic seemed to extend towards the ring and diadem, with no indication of further anchors. Of course I had retrieved the remaining items and fully destroyed them, no need to give any doubts to my 'hypothesis'.

I'm sure Dumbledore will still believe there are more and continue to search in secret, but he won't find anything and hopefully eventually let things be.

Handing the locket once more back to Kreacher, I decide to broach the topic of destroying this last relic.

"Regarding this last anchor, I believe we should wait until Rose arrives and offer her the chance to help with it's destruction. Out of everyone, she has the biggest right to see it destroyed and have a chance to participate."

Dumbledore seems to give it a thought and after a few moments gives a slow nod. "I would like to be here for that as well, but I do not see a problem with it if it is done safely and with care."

Kreacher just nods, his only desire to see it destroyed and his master's order fulfilled.

At this point Sirius and Regulus are just bystanders and are still processing the information revealed, and look to be in no state to contribute.

"With that taken care of, I can go grab Remus while you check the wards professor. After you are done we can sit down and go over the ritual in more detail, including the ingredients I still need." I stand, and follow Dumbledore out as Sirius jolts, leading him towards the main ward stone.

~}-{~

About an hour later, I find myself in the kitchen, using the table to spread out a diagram showing the particulars of the ritual to cure Remus of his curse, with Dumbledore, Sirius and Remus standing around the table as I point out each part.

"There will be three people involved, and a total of 8 ingredients, 7 used in the actual ritual itself, with the final used to bridge all the ingredients together in the shape shown."

The design of the ritual is in the shape of the Deathly Hallows, with Sirius standing in the northern most point, Remus in the center point, and myself in the southern point. The seven ingredients used will be Dittany, willingly given Unicorn Blood, and Phoenix Tears, to symbolize healing. Occamy Eggshells will symbolize change, Dragon's blood will symbolize the power needed for change, and Basilisk Venom will symbolize the change being made to Remus' bite, which will let him affect other werewolves. Most of the ingredients used are of such rarity and quantity, the ritual will not be feasible to use more than once and as such, it is easier to use Remus afterwards to change others instead.

The seventh ingredient will be Wolfsbane, which symbolism needs no explanation.

To connect all the ingredients together, Phoenix Ash will be used to draw out the lines and symbols.

Remus will need to be transformed, and as such it needs to be during a full moon, which luckily the Winter Solstice will be, but he will need to not be under the effects of any potions so will not be able to use the wolfsbane potion.

Sirius and I will be involved to symbolize a wizard not afflicted by the curse, and a wizard afflicted but not cursed respectively. Our shared blood as father and son linking us further.

If all goes to plan, which it should according to my calculations, Remus should harmonize with his werewolf half, healing both and making him whole. It will seem to all who see him afterwards as if he was a wolf animagus, as the original ritual was trying to achieve and have full control of himself at all times.

After giving everything a thorough look through Dumbledore hums to himself. "I must say, this is a marvelous piece of magic. The calculations alone are superb." Giving me a look, his posture practically radiating pride. "This alone would give you full O's in Newts of most subjects that Hogwarts teaches."

"Sadly after this is all said and done, I doubt this will be seen by anyone else again. It would bring too much attention if fully publicized." I counter as the whole point of this was not for the recognition, but to help Remus and other werewolves.

Nodding, the twinkle in his eyes dimming slightly, Dumbledore agrees. "Probably for the best, but still you should take pride in this accomplishment. Many lives will be improved through your efforts, and to us who know, you have done great good with this."

Sirius nods his head enthusiastically. "He's right, this is amazing and even if only the four of us know of it, it is something to be proud of."

Putting a hand on my shoulder, Remus adds his two cents. "I can't even begin to find the words to express my gratitude in all you've done to help me. I've spent most of my life being ashamed of myself for being what I am, and I always felt it a burden I would have to live with for the rest of my life."

Tears slightly coming to his eyes, he continues. "For once, I have hope that things will change, and I'll be free of this curse, not even accounting for all the help you've given during my transformations."

"Glad to be of help." I smile.

Turning back to Dumbledore. "The only remaining ingredients I need are Phoenix Tears and Ashes, Dragon's Blood, and Occamy Shells."

"The first two will be no problem, and I have some friend's who would be more than willing to assist with the other two." Dumbledore nods.

After going through the details a bit more, Dumbledore moves to head to the floo to head back to Hogwarts to continue preparing for the upcoming year, as Sirius goes to check on his brother, and Remus heads off further in the house.

Just before he reaches the fireplace however, Dumbledore seems to take a moment to ponder to himself, before he turns to me.

"Before I go, if you wouldn't mind and happen to have it on you, could I take a look at that stone you found with the ring?" He asks with barely hidden apprehension.

"Of course." I nod as I lead him towards a nearby side room. "If possible while you do that could you help me with something as well?" I broach as I close the door behind me.

"Of course, my boy." He nods.

The words he next hears, I would bet are not something he would think I would ask. "If I may be so bold, I know the stone you are asking about is the Resurrection Stone." The surprise on his face is sudden as I proceed to shock him further. "And I believe you yourself have the second of the three up your sleeve right now."

The look in his eyes grow guarded as his shoulders tense.

"You do not have any need to worry." I move quickly to reassure him. "My interest in the wand is only of an academic curiosity, and I only wish to have a look at it while you use the stone. I have no desire to keep the wand for myself, I merely wish to see if my hypothesis is correct."

The guarded look in his eyes dim, but do not disappear. "And what would this hypothesis be exactly?"

"I do not believe the stone, wand or cloak to be of death's creation, and that they are merely relics of three brilliant brothers. Powerful they may be, the idea that they were given by some kind of all powerful being is something I do not believe to be true."

"I have studied the stone extensively since I acquired it, and I have found nothing to suggest it as anything more than a very powerful relic." I continue on. "Though without studying the other two, I find myself unable to prove my theory further."

By now, Dumbledore is still weary, but much more understanding of my desire.

It's even true, I have no desire for the wand. The power it supposedly gives its wielder is of little use to me and my advantages already give me all that I need, and the knowledge that I have it would only chance people coming after me for it. I don't need that kind of trouble.

The stone on the other hand, I have every intent to keep and I even plan to try and improve upon. Who knows, I might be able to actually use it to bring people back to life in the future.

After a few moments of thought, Dumbledore gives a nod as he slowly pulls the wand from his sleeve, before handing it to me.

If I had to guess, the chance to finally use the stone is too great for him to risk saying no.

Taking a hold of the wand, I reach into my pocket again, while giving my ring a swipe, to then pull my hand back out, holding out what looks to be an ordinary stone.

The look in Dumbledore's eyes sharpen, as his hand practically leaps forward to take it, his desire clear as day to see.

The wand and myself seemingly forgotten, Dumbledore takes a few steps away from me as he flips the stone thrice and whispers 'Ariana Dumbledore…'."

As a chilling wind swirls up, a shade of a young girl materializes, as Dumbledore seems to shake and he whips his hand to grab a nearby chair's back to steady himself.

"Ariana…" The words on Dumbledore's lips are heart wrenching as his entire being seems to age dozens of years.

"Albus." The shade responds with a sad, but loving tone.

Turning around to give him a semblance of privacy, I turn my attention to the wand in my hand, as I slowly spin it between my fingers, pushing my magic in and around it.

Time quickly passes as I give my entire attention to the masterpiece in my hands, and it is indeed a masterpiece, though it shows no indication of being anything beyond a beautiful relic.

After some time I come to the conclusion that it is nothing more than a powerful wand, a wand that gains its power from those it kills. The feedback I get through my magic tells me that every time it's wielder kills someone, a piece of that persons knowledge is taken and added to the wand, that over time it's wielder can come to learn themselves.

The trick beyond that though, is that even the wielder is not exempt from this, as by casting only a single spell, all that the wielder knows is slowly added as well from then on.

Now more than ever I have no desire to add my own knowledge to this wand, as I finish my look over it.

Turning back around I find Dumbledore finishing up himself, rivers of tears flowing down his face, his entire demeanor screaming relief and joy, finally having a chance to talk to the sister he felt he failed.

As the spirit of his sister fades, he lightly whispers to himself, though in the silence of the room his words clearly carry. "To fear all this time, to finally know it was not my spell that was the cause, brings great relief to my heart."

With a shake he seems to come back to himself, as he turns back to me, his shoulders broadening as decades seem to slide off and the man everyone reveres shines through. "From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for this." He gently hands the stone back to me. "Did you find what you were searching for yourself?"

I give him a single, sharp nod. "Yes, there is no indication that these two are anything more then powerful relics created by three talented wizards." Handing the wand back to him I give him a warning. "Just so you are aware, the true power behind the wand is in its ability to take knowledge both from its victims, and its user. After all this time in your possession it has surely learned much, and anyone after you to possess will know all that you do."

"I have come to know of the first, but the second is of some concern to know." His face grows serious. "Though I can only hope at my eventual death it comes into no one else's possession."

Giving him a look of doubt. "With the wand pushing for conflict, it is hard for one to believe that to come to pass. Though I too hope for the same."

As we come to the fireplace again, Dumbledore turns back to me one more time before departing. "Again, I thank you for all you have given me today. You have proven yourself to be a remarkable young man and I look forward to seeing all the things you will no doubt achieve in the future."

As the headmaster leaves through the green flames, I ponder on all that I had learned that day, and think about the plans I have for the future.

~}-{~

The day passes uneventfully as the time comes for Sirius and I to pick up Rose for the remainder of the summer.

Trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible, we decide to take the Knight Bus as close as we dare to, before walking the rest of the way.

At first Sirius wanted to go in everyday wizard robes before I gave him a smack to the back of the head.

Regardless of our feelings for the Dursley's, there was no need to bring more attention to ourselves then necessary.

Arriving to the street of the Dursley's home, we walk up their steps to knock on their door.

The one to answer the door is Vernon himself, and as he catches sight of the two of us, his face grows white as his eyes lock with mine.

"Hello Mr. Dursley, we are here to pick up Rose for the rest of the summer. Is she all set to go?" I try to at least start things off politely.

His answer is to slam the door in my face.

'Well that's just rude.' I think as I turn to Sirius.

"Shall we?" I ask him.

He gives a decisive nod and a smirk. "We shall."

With a covert movement I give a flick of my wrist, and with a wave of my hand the door pops open.

As we close the door behind us, we hear Vernon ranting in the kitchen, only for Petunia to screech as she catches sight of us through the hall.

"How dare you break into our home!" The sound of her voice is grating as she continues on. "We have enough trouble with the freak girl than to have to deal with more of your kind!"

Vernon comes from around the corner and between his wife and ourselves, and as he catches sight of us, he seems to forget all that has happened between us as he advances towards us as if preparing to throw us out.

His steps falter as my hand lashes out, my hand transforming with a long claw stopping on his neck, a small drop of blood flowing down his neck.

"Now, now, there's no need for violence today." I tut at him. "We're only here to pick up Rose and then we will be out of your hare. No muss no fuss."

In the time it's taken for me to remind them again of our reason for being here, Sirius' face seems to scrunch up in confusion as his nose repeatedly twitches. It only takes him a moment for his eyes to look past Vernon at a certain cupboard under the stairs.

Even with my finger at his neck, and his eyes locked on my own, they don't stay there as Sirius pushes past him and reaches for the latch.

By now the two are probably shitting themselves, as he jabs his wand at the lock, the lock itself blasting into the wall on the other side of the hall, and he wretches open the small door.

Inside he finds Rose's trunk siting on top of a small cot, and the scent of blood and other horrible smells waft outwards.

Mechanically, Sirius' head turns towards Vernon, as utter rage grows in his features.

Deciding to intervene, before we find ourselves with a house full of corpses, I get his attention. "I believe Rose is upstairs Sirius, why don't you go get her while I deal with this."

The look on his face shows how much he wants to just gut the fat man but with a deep breath, he stomps past Vernon and rushes up the stairs.

As I hear a second blast echo down the stairs, I turn back to the man currently shaking under my grasp. "I do believe we have some things to talk about don't we." With a slight push, I encourage Vernon to walk back into the kitchen as my hand shifts back to normal, my wand now in it.

As soon as my hand comes away from his throat, his own whips up to check himself, coming away with some blood on his hands. The sight seems to only make him both angrier and scared, as his hand goes back to his neck and against the area the blood came from.

In this time, Petunia has scrambled to the counter as she turns back around with a knife in her shaking hands, held out in front of her chest at me.

"Do you really think that's going to help you?" I ask her in all seriousness.

Her eyes dart back and forth before the knife falls from her limp fingers, clattering to the floor, and the fight leaves her entirely.

Probably the first smart thing she's done in a long time.

Swiping my wand to the left, I gesture for the two to sit at the table.

Entering the kitchen proper, it comes as a surprise to see Dudley siting at the table, a giant sandwich frozen halfway to his mouth, as his eyes dart between his parents and myself.

My own eyes widen slightly as I take in this new fact.

Didn't see that coming.

Turning back and forth from parents and child, my thoughts are further broken as Sirius and Rose come down the stairs, to see the current situation.

Rose herself pales as she sees the cupboard open, revealing her shame as her eyes dart between me and the door.

Then she seems to realize the situation, as the fact I'm standing there with my wand pointed at her 'family'.

Indecision wars on her face as she tries to decide what to deal with as she shakily walks towards me.

Coming up to my side, she finally reaches up and gently pulls my arm down, and with it my wand.

"Please." She whispers. "Let's just leave."

As I look into her eyes, all I can see is fear and shame, as she begs for us to leave, even as Sirius shrinks her things and comes to stand behind her, glaring at Vernon and Petunia.

Finally I give a single, sharp nod as with a flick my wand disappears from my hand.

Relief shines in Rose's eyes as she turns back to Sirius and turns her gaze on him, silently begging him to leave as well.

As he deals with that, I turn back to the Dursley's, the look in my eyes telling them everything they need to know about how Rose is the only thing keeping things from going as bad as it was going to.

Apparently finally getting Sirius to comply as well, she turns back to the Dursley's as Sirius turns around to head out the front door.

Seeming to give the three a long look, she takes a deep breath before looking the two adult's in the eyes.

"There are many things I could say in this moment, certainly I have long thought about what I would say when I could finally leave this place for good." She seems to pause for a moment in indecision, before continuing. "But now that the time has come, all I can think of is how much I pity you. How I pity the fact you have such hate and judgment in your hearts that you would treat a child as you did me."

Her eyes seem to twist and turn as she takes in the room. "This was supposed to be a home, and after all this time I can only come to see it as a prison." At her words, a subtle shudder goes through the air, as what I can only assume are the wards come crashing down, though in her troubled emotions, I don't think Rose has even noticed.

"I can only hope that a day comes where you can grow past your hate, though I doubt such a time will come." Turning her gaze to Dudley, she comments further. "I've never said it, but I am sorry what happened to you when Hagrid came to get me years ago." At the reminder Dudley seems to shudder before returning his attention back to his cousin. "Ever since, you've treated me better and for that I thank you. I hope you continue to be a better person, and learn from what has happened here."

With a deep breath and sigh, she turns and walks through the hallway, and out the door to stand next to Sirius.

As Rose leaves, all attention returns to me as I take the family in, thoughts of what I wish to do to them revolving in my mind, before I too turn to leave.

Stopping just before entering the hallway, I turn back to Vernon and Petunia as I decide to say one more thing. "Be thankful." I say simply. "It is only because of her that the whole wizaring world doesn't learn of everything that has happened here. Because I assure you, you wouldn't last a day before being lynched." Turning my head back around. "I would also suggest moving elsewhere, the ward's that kept you safe from other wizard's fell the moment she declared his no longer her home."

With that final parting, I leave the house, closing the door behind me and coming up next to Rose who just sadly stares at the ground.

Taking a moment to try and think of something to say, I decide not to say anything at all, and instead slowly raise my hand to her chin. Raising her gaze to meet my own, my hand gently cups her chin and cheek, my fingers slightly resting behind her ear as I try and convey as much understanding and no judgment as my eyes can possibly show.

Her own eyes seem to take a few seconds to search my own, before she seems to find what she is looking for, and she lunges into my chest, her form shaking into quiet sobs, and her arms crashing around my chest as she clings to me.

Gently wrapping my arms around her as well, the three of us stand there for a few minutes, as Rose takes in all the comfort I am able to give, before I give a wave of my hand, a quick spell obscuring the area from normal eyes, and a swirling portal opens to the front door of Grimmauld Place and away from her former 'home'.

~}-{~