Chapter 50: “The Tale of Regulus and Kreacher”

Standing in front of Regulus Black's room, the only maintained room in the whole building, Sirius called Kreacher.

Kreacher appeared, looking unwilling, and stood before them, mumbling under his breath.

"Kreacher, whose room is this, and why is it in such good condition?" Sirius asked.

"This belongs to Master Regulus," Kreacher replied, then began to cry softly.

Arcturus then spoke up, "I always wondered what happened to Regulus, Kreacher. I tried investigating the events but the only thing I got to know is that something happened which led to Regulus betraying Voldemort and you were involved somehow. Kreacher tell me everything."

Kreacher remained silent, prompting Sirius to plead, "Kreacher, I need to know. Regulus... I've missed him. After I left, my mother cut off all contact between Regulus and me. I heard he joined the Death Eaters and later had a change of heart. But now, there's talk that there's more to the story. Kreacher, please, for Regulus's sake, tell us what happened."

Harry watched quietly, knowing what Kreacher was about to say would change everything. He knew this story was important—it showed courage and sacrifice in the fight against Voldemort. Yet, telling it would bring up the secret of Voldemort's Horcruxes, leading him into unknown territory. Harry worried about how revealing this might change future events in ways he couldn't predict.

Ultimately, Harry chose not to interfere. Given the circumstances, he recognized there was no stopping the revelation from unfolding. He understood that Sirius and Arcturus needed to hear Kreacher's story about Regulus. This truth was essential for them to grasp the full extent of Regulus's actions. Harry figured that knowing this could help them close a painful chapter and maybe even prepare for what was coming.

Over time, Harry's fear of Voldemort had lessened, especially when he thought about the history of the wizarding world. The conflict led by Voldemort paled in comparison to the cataclysmic war waged by Grindelwald, a war in which Harry's own great-grandfather, Charlus Potter, had been a formidable participant. The scope of Grindelwald's war had spanned continents, dwarfing the relatively insular strife Voldemort had ignited within Britain.

After seeing the old battles in Arcturus's memories through a Pensieve, Harry had started to see things differently. The duels he had seen, particularly one where his great-grandfather clashed with Grindelwald, were of a magnitude far surpassing anything documented in recent history. These fights were much bigger and more dangerous than any fight Harry had known or read about, including those involving Voldemort and Dumbledore.

This made Harry feel stronger and more focused. He wanted to do more than just beat Voldemort; he wanted to be even braver and stronger than his great-grandfather. To Harry, Voldemort was just one challenge he needed to overcome on his way to becoming the best wizard ever.

This determination steeled him against the uncertainty of the future. He knew things might change because of what was happening now, but he was prepared. As long as he kept those changes small, he believed he still had an edge over Voldemort. Plus, he was comforted by the fact that Voldemort couldn't make any more Horcruxes.

Kreacher, now compelled by Sirius's plea, began his tale with a heavy heart. "Master Regulus was always the pride of the Black family, embracing his pure-blood heritage with zeal. He spoke often of the Dark Lord's vision—a world ruled by pure-blood wizards. At sixteen, he joined the Dark Lord, a decision that filled him with pride and purpose. But within a year, everything changed. Master Regulus volunteered Kreacher for a task demanded by the Dark Lord himself—a task that would unveil the true horror behind the Dark Lord's secret of immortality."

The elf recounted the harrowing journey to a hidden cave, where a basin filled with potion awaited. "The Dark Lord forced Kreacher to drink the potion," Kreacher's voice broke, tears streaming down his face. "It showed Kreacher horrors, burned him from within. And then... he left Kreacher there, with a locket in the basin."

Kreacher's tale grew more desperate as he described the excruciating pain, the overwhelming thirst that led him to the water's edge, and the dead hands that pulled him beneath the lake's surface.

"How did you escape?" Sirius whispered, dread filling the silence that followed.

"Master Regulus commanded Kreacher to return home," Kreacher looked up, his eyes meeting Sirius's.

Harry and others in the room understood that the cave was not warded against elf travel. So Kreacher was able to easily escape when Regulus called him.

In the somber quiet of Regulus Black's room, a pall of tension and anticipation hung heavily as Sirius, with a newfound understanding and concern in his voice, pressed Kreacher for more of the story.

"So what happened when you got back?" he asked, his tone imbued with a mixture of curiosity and dread. "What did Regulus say when you told him what happened?"

Kreacher, the old elf, trembled under the weight of his memories, his voice breaking as he recounted the events. "Master Regulus was very worried, very worried," he said, his usual grumble softened by the tears that streaked down his face. "He told Kreacher to stay hidden and not to leave the house. Then, one night, he came to Kreacher, his mind troubled, not himself. He asked Kreacher to take him to the cave, the same cave Kreacher had visited with the Dark Lord."

Harry, Sirius, and Arcturus listened intently, picturing the scene in their minds: the young Regulus, so similar in appearance to Sirius yet carrying a burden too heavy for his years, setting off with Kreacher to confront a darkness beyond imagination.

Kreacher continued the sorrow in his voice deepening. "Master Regulus took a locket from his pocket, similar to the one the Dark Lord had, and instructed Kreacher to switch them once the basin was empty." The elf's sobs grew louder, his grief palpable in the silent room.

Sirius's perception of his brother transformed as he listened. Regulus, the brother he had thought aligned with the darkest of wizards, had in fact rebelled against Voldemort with a bravery and love for Kreacher that was unheard of in their family. Regulus had chosen to drink the potion himself, sparing Kreacher the torment, and met his end with courage that left Sirius and even the stoic Arcturus with tears in their eyes.

"So you brought the locket home?" Sirius managed to ask through his emotions. "And tried to destroy it?"

Kreacher nodded, his misery echoed in his words. "Nothing worked. Kreacher tried everything, but the locket remained unscathed, its secrets locked away. Kreacher failed to obey Master Regulus's last order," he lamented, overwhelmed by his perceived failure and the grief that had consumed the Black household following Regulus's disappearance.

The room fell silent as Kreacher's sobs filled the space, a testament to the tragedy of Regulus's untimely demise and the weight of the secret he carried to his grave.

Reflecting on the gravity of his brother's actions, Sirius voiced a question that lingered in the air, "What was so important about the locket that Regulus gave his life to destroy it?"

Arcturus, his mind racing with implications, responded gravely, "If my suspicions are correct, we may have uncovered the reason behind Voldemort's claims of immortality. Regulus's final act was one of unparalleled bravery—a true Lord Black, facing the darkness with courage and resolve."

Turning to Kreacher, Arcturus commanded, "Bring the locket to me. It's time we complete Regulus's last mission."

As Kreacher scurried away to retrieve the locket, the room was filled with a sense of purpose. Regulus's sacrifice had not been in vain; his actions had set his family on a path to confronting a darkness that threatened their world.