The cave by the sea

The weather is awful. As the waves break it makes a loud sound and large water drops soak our cloaks. A harsh wind chills me to my bones. "I hope this is not your idea of a nice vacation," Severus sneers.

I clench my wand. My hands feel cold and start to feel numb. "Well," I drawl, "It makes you realise a nice holiday to the cote d'azure would be nice, would it not?"

I can feel the dark magic oozing and I am sure that I have to go into that cave. I jump into the freezing water and I immediately feel my heart beating erratically. At least the cold drives away all thoughts of fear as the painful, sharp cold takes up my mind. I reach the cave and climb onto the slippery rocks. I turn back expecting Severus to still stand at the exact place where Kreacher had apparated us, but his wet hair clamps to his pale face as he is swimming determinedly through the large waves. As he comes close I grab him by the arms and pull him onto the rocks.

Severus is breathing harshly. I cast a drying spell on us and then cut my arm with a quick swish of my wand, having had a little time to grow sure of this being the only way closer to the horocrux. I heal my arm and then feel a shudder down my spine as I see the inferi in the lake. For now, it seems they are sleeping.

I grimly look at Severus, who nods at a sunken boat. Severus is studying the boat, while I still look feeling slightly horrified at the inferi. I then force myself to look away from all the inferior that float in the water and look at Severus, who with a switch of his wand conjures the boat. "I think only one is allowed."

I enter the grim-looking boat and as it courses towards the green-glowing island. There was no way I could grasp my wand even tighter and I felt rejected by the little comfort it gave me. Then I saw Kreacher was close behind me. I smile grimly at him. "Master wants me to drink the potion?"

I sigh. "No, I need you to ensure I drink every bit of that potion." I swallow. I had never seen Kreacher that upset. Not even if mother threatened to behead him as she had with some former house elves. I was not putting Kreacher through that again. I was not like the dark lord. "I want you to take the locket to Severus and help him destroy it. You need to do whatever Severus wants you to."

Kreacher looked upset. "Master should not drink the horrible concoction. Kreacher would feel terrible. Kreacher has always taken good care of young Regulus. Kreacher will drink horrible concoction again for his favourite master."

I smile at Kreacher. It would be so easy to take the offer, but something in me stays strong and refuses. "No, Kreacher, mind my orders."

Kreacher dejectedly bows down.