Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I would like to address one review that argued about a plot hole in my story, and would like to clarify the brother wand issue; since they have private messaging turned off I am forced to answer the problem here. The reviewer wonders if I think that brother wands have never happened and thinks it is a weakness in the story, but really it isn't. The problem is a lack of understanding of mathematical probability. The example of the review was arguing that I must think every unicorn hair or dragon heartstring etc. wand came from different creatures, but this is flawed thinking. The best comparison would be a horse; it has like 100+ tail hairs so I will say a unicorn has the same. You have to think about how many of those wands made have yet been sold first; for example say 20 are unsold leaving 80 wands somewhere in Britain. Then remove the number of wands that went to people not involved in any fighting such as healers or people that are too young or old to fight; to make things simple another 20 leaving 60 in the hands of "potential fighters." To make things fair we will give both sides an even split 30 to the light and 30 to the dark. When you think about the population numbers as well as the number of different wand cores out there the probability of running into someone with a brother wand is now very very low; unless there is large scale combat, but when you simplify the numbers down to 1 creature that helped create 2 wands; where one owner is obsessed with killing the other, the odds of seeing the effect increase to 100%. Also when it is first mentioned in the book; the fact that the effect has a name(Priori Incantatem), and is known about would suggest that it has be seen in the past; it is just as I said the mathematical probability of it happening often is low due to so many external factors. I don't know if the reviewer will see this or even care, but hopefully it helps some people understand my thinking better. Sorry for going through all that, but Plot Hole closed, and on with the story.

Unexpected Discoveries and Close Calls

As the door to the office flew open Tonks, Mad-Eye, Kingsley, and Moony all ran in with wands drawn followed closely by Bill and Minerva. The tension in the room was palpable as the members of the Order searched for enemies, but didn't see anything except for a smiling Dumbledore and a stone faced Harry Potter.

Kingsley was going to put his wand away, but noticed that Mad-Eye, Moony, and Minerva still had theirs raised. He would normally expect that from Mad-Eye, but it was the fact that all the wands were pointed at Albus that had him concerned, "Would someone like to tell me what the bloody hell is going on?" He demanded looking to the others.

"Aye lad, that's a good question. Care to answer, Albus?" Mad-Eye asked, fixing both eyes on Dumbledore.

"Just a little spell practice, Alastor. We can't let our skills get rusty." Dumbledore answered with an easy smile on his face.

"That wasn't any spell practice I saw,"his magical eye spinning to emphasize his point,"Care to try again?"

"It's like he said Mad-Eye just some spell practice. No need to be paranoid." Harry with a smile, but anyone could tell it was forced.

"Your not supposed to be doing any magic today Cub, and you know that. It also doesn't explain why we had to blast down the door. Now, as Kingsley said, what the bloody hell is going on?" Moony was fixing Harry with a piercing stare, and McGonagall's lips were drawn into a thin line, their disbelief was obvious. Kinglsey was feeling like he was missing something important. Bill and Tonks could tell from last night that things were stressed between Harry and Dumbledore, but they didn't think they would be shooting spells at each other.

"It slipped my mind. We,"gesturing to Dumbledore and himself," had a lot of things to talk about. I forgot about that, but it's not important. We have a meeting to start. Where is Ron and Hermione?"

"They are downstairs, Harry. I will go get them now." Minerva said. She gave Dumbledore a glare, but after a nod from Harry she stowed her wand and went to get them.

The others were putting their wands away, but Moony and Mad-Eye stared at Harry and Dumbledore for a moment longer than the rest. They both knew in their minds that more just went on than a bit of spell practice, but kept their mouths shut- for now. Minerva came back into the office with Ron and Hermione in tow.

Once Minerva had conjured enough chairs, and everyone was seated Dumbledore looked to Harry, "Is this everyone?"

Recieving a curt "yes" in reply he waved his hand, repairing and sealing the door to the room, and waited patiently; while staring at Harry.

"Albus, I don't have time to waste, sitting on my arse, while you two stare at each other. Now why did you call this meeting?" Mad-Eye asked with as much finesse as usual.

"He didn't Mad-Eye. I did," Harry looked at everyone's faces, from where he stood next to Dumbledore, "There is a good reason all of you are here. You either already know what's going on," looking to Ron and Hermione, "or you are an experienced fighter for the Order. Before we start though, I have to make sure you understand the situation," Harry took a second to think on what he wanted to say, "All of you are good fighters. No one doubts that, but what you are going to hear could endanger the entire war if it got out. This isn't about going out and fighting Death Eaters on a raid. This is about information that if it got back to Voldemort," seeing everyone flinch caused Harry's anger from earlier to come back full force.

"What the hell is wrong with all of you? He's a MAN! He may be powerful and dark as hell, but he's a MAN! He can be beaten just like any other man, but if your too damned afraid to hear his name, then you are in the wrong room. If you can't accomplish the small feat of atleast saying his name then the door is right behind you," Harry glared at the others in the room before, throwing down the perverbial gauntlet, he practically hissed out, "Voldemort."

Moony was the first to respond to the challenge followed by Minerva, but everyone in the room was able to say the name, although some still looked ill at ease when doing so. Ron and Hermione were feeling very out of place, watching Harry shame the Order members into saying 'Voldemort,' but felt it would not be good to comment about it; since no one else did.

"Thank you...Now, as I was saying, if you want to just be involved in the fighting. I have no problems with that, but all of you in this room need to understand that if this information gets back to Voldemort. It won't be a matter of if we will lose this war, but a matter of when. Does anyone feel they can't take that risk?"

After giving everyone enough time to decide, and seeing no one leave, Harry told Dumbledore to show them Slughorn's memory. The reactions varied greatly. Ron and Hermione already knew the information, but they were still ill at ease after watching it. Moony dropped into his seat looking sick, but also troubled about something. Everyone else looked like they had been kicked in the gut with the exception of Mad-Eye. Harry didn't think anything could phase the old Auror.

"He made seven of those things?" Bill asked - shocked.

"Actually he made six with himself as the seventh." Dumbledore responded; although it did nothing to improve the mood of the others.

"Well ain't that just bloody wonderful. I suppose you have some idea what they are, Albus. If not then we're right buggered." Mad-Eye stated.

Dumbledore responded by setting the ring and diary on the table for everyone to see.

"We have already managed to find two of them. Harry destroyed the diary, and I was able to find and destroy the ring. There are other memories to look at, but until last night we believed that the others were Hufflepuff's Cup, Slytherin's locket, Tom's familiar Nagini, and something of either Ravenclaw's or Gryffindor's."

"What did last night change? Did you still go after the other one?" Harry asked looking at Dumbledore.

"No, it was actually you that helped me find this one Harry," seeing the confused looks of the room he continued, "I was cleaning the Room of Requirement when I found this," Dumbledore set Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem on his desk.

Ron's 'Bloody hell' and Hermione's 'Language Ron' didn't even break the other's concentration from the diadem on Dumbledore's desk. Mad-Eye let out a long whistle at whatever it was his magical eye saw.

"I hope you have a better way than Fiendfyre to get rid of it." Bill stated looking very sick as he eyed the diadem.

"Mr. Weasly, how is it you know that method of destroying them?" Dumbledore asked, causing everyone to look at Bill.

"We had to destroy one in Egypt. The goblins didn't even care about the other treasure that got destroyed in the process.. A horcrux goes against their most basic beliefs. They may be greedy little buggers, but they hate thieves with a passion. A horcrux to them is nothing more than a way to steal more time from death. It's something only a coward would do, and they hate cowards just as much as thieves." Bill answered

"Well, fortunately, we do have another way. Harry, if you would be so kind." Dumbledore asked, gesturing to Gryffindor's Sword.

Harry pulled out his wand, making sure to grab his holly one, and vanished the glass on the case before grabbing the sword.

"Dumbledore, I don't think that is going to be able to do it. I mean the sword could destroy the diadem, but I don't think it can destroy the horcrux." Bill said looking from Dumbledore to Harry.

"Ahh... normally you would be correct, but basilisk venom is one of the ways to destroy them that we have found; so the sword will suffice for our needs." Dumbledore answered him.

Not everyone understood; since they didn't know that Harry had used the sword to kill a basilisk in second year, but those that did nodded. Everyone got up and moved around the desk giving Harry enough room to swing, and as he struck an unearthly scream was heard that sent chills down everyone's backs.

"So that leaves the cup, the locket, and his snake. Go ahead and show them the Gaunt and Smith memories so they know what we are looking for." Harry said as he set down the sword.

A short while later everyone was out of the pensieve, "Harry, that's it that's the locket!" Hermione exclaimed, causing everyone to look at her strangely.

"Yes, Mione we know that."

"No Harry, remember me, you, and Ron all held that thing. I remember it from when we were at Grimmauld Place. We all tried to open it when we were cleaning. I don't know what happened to it though."

To say the room was shocked would be an understatement. They had all been in the same house as one of Voldemort's Horcruxes, and didn't even know it. Harry was even more shocked that he hadn't remembered it.

"I know one way to find out," Harry said before raising his voice, "Kreacher."

"Master calls Kreacher," the elf said as he bowed muttering, "probably to serve his blood-traitor and mudblo"

"Kreacher, I forbid you to call anyone a blood-traitor or mudblood."

"Yes, Master," said Kreacher, bowing low again.

"Kreacher, there was a gold locket at Grimmauld Place when we were cleaning. Do you know the one?"

Kreacher seemed to hesitate before speaking,"Yes, Kreacher knows of Master Regulus' locket."

"Harry, Regulus was Sirius' brother. He was a Death Eater in the first war. It was rumored Voldemort killed Regulus himself." Moony stated, still in disbelief that they had been so close to one of Voldemort's Horcruxes.

"Master Regulus wasn't killed by the Dark Lord," Kreacher said before tears started forming in his eyes, "Kreacher failed Master Regulus' orders"

Harry had just enough time to see Kreacher grab one of Dumbledore's silver instruments, and go to hit himself before yelling, "Kreacher, STOP!"

It would normally be comical, the way the little elf froze like a statue as if hit by a spell in mid-swing. His big round eyes were filled with tears that began to fall as Harry asked, "Kreacher, you said Regulus wasn't killed by Voldemort. How did he die? How did he get the locket?"

"One day Master Regulus came home, and told Kreacher the Dark Lord ne-needed an elf," Kreacher said, more tears falling from his eyes, "Master Regulus said it was honor, for Master Regulus, and for Kreacher. Kreacher was to do whatever the Dark Lord ord-orded and to come ho-home..."

"The Dark Lord took Kreacher to a cave by the sea...inside was a cavern with a big black lake and a boat...The Dark Lord took Kreacher in the boat to small isle in the center," Kreacher dropped onto his bottom and began to shiver as he held his legs and cried harder, his voice cracking as he continued, "There was a basin filled with p-potion...He ordered Kreacher to drink," shaking all over as he spoke, "Kreacher's inside's burned, and Kreacher saw h-horrible things...Kreacher cried for Master Regulus to save him, but the Dark Lord just laughed... and Kreacher had to d-drink all of it...The Dark Lord put the locket in, and refilled the basin...Kreacher was in agony, but the Dark Lord just left... Kreacher needed water, but when Kreacher drank from the lake..."

Everyone just watched in rapt attention as the elf loudly sobbed rocking back and forth, Tonks and Hermione both crying as well, wondering just how much damage had been done to Kreacher by that potion.

"Hands, dead hands, came out and grabbed Kreacher, but Kreacher was able to get home... Master Regulus ordered Kreacher to stay out of site, and not leave the house...Master Regulus looked worried, very worried...Then one night he came to Kreacher in his cupboard...Master Regulus was not right, his mind was disturbed...He ordered Kreacher to take him to the cave, and," Kreacher broke out into fresh sobs," Master Regulus had another locket...He ordered Kreacher to take it, and when the basin was empty to switch the lockets...He ordered Kreacher to leave without him, and not tell Mistress...He ordered Kreacher to destroy the locket, and Master Regulus drank the potion...Kreacher switched them, and Master Regulus..."Kreacher was bawling his eyes out as he rocked back and forth.

Hermione tried to step forward, but was held back by Moony, who shook his head at her. Everyone sat and waited for the elf to continue.

"Master Regulus was dragged under the water, and Kreacher went home...Kreacher tried to destroy the locket, but nothing Kreacher did worked...Kreacher would punish himself, and try again, but the magic was just too strong...Kreacher failed," Everyone in the room, no matter how they felt about the elf before, felt bad for everything he had been put through.

"Kreacher, we want to finish what Regulus started. We can destroy the locket." Harry said looking at the elf that he had hated so much for causing Sirius' death, but unable to feel anything but pity for him.

Kreacher looked up at Harry with bloodshot eyes and snot running down his nose, and the most hopeful expression he had ever seen on the elf, "Master wants to destroy Master Regulus' locket."

"Yes, Kreacher. Can you bring it here, please?" Harry asked kindly.

Kreacher began bawling again causing Harry to wonder what was wrong now, "Nasty thief Mundungus Fletcher stole it. Kreacher tried to stop him Master...Kreacher tried,"Seeing the expression of anger on Harry's face; Kreacher went to grab something to punish himself, but Kingsley was just able to get another of Dumbledore's trinkets out of his hand before he could begin hitting himself with it.

"Where is he?" Harry asked Dumbledore with barely restrained anger, but Moody was the one that answered.

"Don't worry lad. I'm on it," Mad-Eye said before he went to the floo and disappeared in a flash of green flames.

Harry turned back to Kreacher; schooling his expression as not to upset him anymore,"It's okay Kreacher. We'll get it back, and we will destroy it. Why don't you just take a bit to collect yourself. I know Mad-Eye. If he is going after Fletcher he will have him in no time," Kreacher just nodded his head at Harry's words.

The silence stretched for a few minutes before Dumbledore had collected himself enough to speak, but his voice was still almost hollow,"Harry, I was going to take you to that cave last night."

After hearing Kreacher describe what had happened in the cave, everyone in the room except for Harry was shocked. Harry just glared at Dumbledore, "Looks like last nights choices were good all together, wouldn't you say."

Dumbledore just nodded his head unable to speak anymore, and everyone waited in silence for another minute before the floo flared green again. Mundungus Fletcher flew forward, and landed on his face followed my a very pissed off Mad-Eye Moody.

"Bloody 'ell Moody. Ain't no need to be so bleedin rough. The thing doesn't even open. It's jus' a piece of junk." Mundungus said before Kreacher launched himself at him, hitting and kicking him him anywhere he could.

"Stop...Stop...Someone get this bleeding elf off a me." Mundungus cried as he tried to cover himself from getting pummeled.

"Kreacher, stop."

The sad look on Kreacher's face as he looked at Harry caused him to add, "If he is impolite you can hit him again."

Mundungus was going to protest, until he saw the dangerous glint in the elf's eyes, and saw him holding a thick book ready to swing.

"Here ya go lad. Told ya I was on it," Mad-Eye said as he stepped forward and dropped the locket on the table, "Damned fool was planning on selling the thing next chance he got."

Mundungus was feeling very uncomfortable with all the glares he was recieving, but he felt really uncomfortable when Harry ordered Kreacher to wack him again for stupidity. No one even felt sorry for him, knowing what was at stake. Some wished they could get a hit in for good measure.

"I think it would be better if you refrained from selling anything you have stolen from now on, Mundungus," Dumbledore said as he glared at the man, causing him to gulp, "Now leave."

Mundungus didn't need to be told twice. With a pissed off Dumbledore and a crazy elf, he knew it would be best to get out while he could.

"Kreacher, come here and hold this sword." Harry ordered the little elf.

"Harry, are you sure it is wise to have Kreacher do this?" Dumbledore asked, from the looks of everyone in the room it was obvious most didn't think so either, but Harry didn't care.

"I think he's earned the right to finish following his orders. So, yes I do," Harry stated, daring anyone to contradict him, "Kreacher, when I open the locket I want you to stab it with the sword. Do you understand?"

Kreacher bobbed his head up and down, excited to finally be able to fulfill his old Master's orders. Harry grabbed the locket, and again tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge. He looked to Dumbledore for any ideas, "I think, given the origins of the locket, it may be similiar to the chamber, Harry."

Harry nodded and set the locket on the ground so Kreacher could hit it with the sword, "Are you ready Kreacher," getting a nod in return, he looked at the snake on the locket and hissed,"open." He barely had a chance to see an eye before Kreacher impaled it with the sword, a manic look in his eyes. Everyone, again, heard the unearthly scream as the locket was stabbed, but ths time a small blast knocked everyone back.

As everyone was getting to their feet Harry stepped over and picked the locket back up; he looked from it to Dumbledore, "Is it safe?"

Dumbledore nodded his head in assent, and Harry turned to Kreacher, who had tears of joy in eyes, and a look of admiration on his face,"Kreacher you may have this, but for now no one can see it. You must keep it hidden. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master," Kreacher said as he let go of the sword to take the locket. He held the locket reverently before bowing low and popping away

"This has certainly been an interesting meeting. So, the cup and the snake is all that's left?" Mad-Eye asked.

"Yes, the cup and the snake." Dumbledore answered; looking like the events of the day had worn on him greatly.

Only Harry caught the brief glance Moony shot his way, and his gut was telling him Moony wasn't as convinced as everyone else, but he would wait to talk until they were alone. There was still plans to discuss. He only hoped that everything else went as easy as it had so far, and thought that today hadn't been as bad as he thought it would be. Then he thought about the wand and stone in his pocket, and the cloak in his trunk; he couldn't help but wonder what would happen when he was actually holding all three?

A/N: Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, and please review with what you think.