Chapter 21

The Cave

Regulus Black stared idly at the heavy book in his hands, wiping off a bead of sweat that was inching slowly down his temple. He lost all interest in Malum Nocte hours ago, but its disjointed prose and elusive themes had been distracting enough for Regulus to forget the burning of his skin and the weakness in his arms. To his right, a little figure was bent down by the fireplace in his room, tending to the flickering flames.

"Kreacher," he rasped, and immediately the little elf sprang up from the fireplace and was by his side.

"Yes, Master Regulus?"

He gestured weakly to the window on his left. "I'd like some fresh air, please."

The elf's eyes boggled. "Master must keep warm if he wants to get well quickly," he squeakily reminded, emphasizing it by tucking Regulus in more firmly.

"I know," said Regulus with a sigh, "but it is hot. And I am already much better than before, thanks to the tonics you gave me."

Kreacher looked torn, but he gently patted Regulus's hand. "Just a crack, if it makes Master happy." And quick as a mouse, he cracked open the window, letting a steady stream of cold air into the room. Regulus sighed in relief.

"Thank you."

Just then the door to his room opened, revealing his mother in her usual long, billowing, black dress. She frowned down at Kreacher. "How is my son, now, Kreacher?"

Kreacher bobbed his head in a deep bow, replying fervently, "He is doing well under Kreacher's care, Mistress! He is most improved already!"

"Good," she nodded curtly in approval. She turned to Regulus. "You should be fully restored by tomorrow, I expect. Our stores of healing potions are the best in the country, and this is just a cold."

That was as close to a 'feel better' as Regulus could hope for from his mother, and he smiled weakly. She sniffed. "Though how you became sick is beyond me."

"It's just a cold," he shrugged slightly. Walburga observed him with narrowed eyes, before moving close by his bedside. Her hand reached out to gently brush the damp bangs from his eyes. A soft smile lifted Regulus's lips.

Walburga dropped her hand and walked away. "Dinner will be brought to your room." The door closed quietly behind her.

"Mistress is pleased today," Kreacher nodded as he returned to tending the fire.

Regulus shifted so he could sit better, and reopened his book. "That's not always a good thing, Kreacher." His eyes roved tiredly over the verses, squinting at fine print. "Gods, it's as if an insect had written these poems. Do you know which edition this is?"

Kreacher hobbled forward and took the book from Regulus's hands, pressing the cover against his large ear as if listening.

"This is an original, Master Regulus," Kreacher handed the book back, and Regulus's eyebrows rose. "As are most of the books in the library of the Noble House of Black."

"Not surprising," Regulus murmured. "The tragedy of nobility is limited access to legible books. My mum would consider it an insult to the family if she saw a sixth or seventh edition in this house."

Kreacher humored Regulus with a smile, and went back to his work. Regulus flipped back to where he had left off, squinting.

And mark his hours I did

With prowess alone we stood apart

Wrought with fear he hid

To keep the embers from his heart

But I was torn asunder

"Lo!" I wept in the night

His body fell dead under

The green embers of light.

"Medieval sentiment," Regulus mumbled, turning over and quickly falling asleep.

xxx

The smell of hot broth awoke him.

Regulus rubbed his eyes and found a tray of food on his bedside table. He was feeling much less clammy and hot, and found he had a raging appetite that was long-overdue. He still felt weak as he shifted into a sitting position, his arms trembling as he tried to pick up the tray. It clattered loudly to the floor.

"Damn it," Regulus cursed. Kreacher popped into the room, having sensed the disturbance and promptly began cleaning up. "Sorry, I didn't mean to drop it—"

"No apologies Master, it is Kreacher's fault for not waiting for you to awaken." With a snap of his fingers the tray refilled with food and he set it carefully on Regulus's lap.

"It's not," Regulus said firmly. "But thank you."

Kreacher beamed, swelling with adoration. "Is there anything else Kreacher can do for you? Would you like more pillows? Shall I read your book to you while you eat?"

Regulus gulped down some soup and was pleased that he could finally taste it properly, licking his lips at the savory broth. "Whatever you like, Kreacher."

Kreacher was frozen in indecision again, still not quite used to the liberties Regulus allowed him so frequently. Though he had served the family since before Regulus's birth, he was quite taken by Regulus the most out of all of them. Regulus also felt a kind of affection for the House-Elf, as Kreacher had been his sole companion for the better part of his childhood—apart from Sirius, of course, before he had started at Hogwarts.

"I will read to Master Regulus," Kreacher decided, and picked up the heavy book before settling on the foot of the bed. Quietly, he began to read.

"Lo!" I wept in the night

His body fell dead under

"Next verse," Regulus mumbled as he took a bite of bread. "I read that already."

Kreacher nodded quickly, and turned the page.

Two I had become

One less than the other

A monstrous thing I'd done

To sacrifice another

Then came Death, who showed me how to conceal

"In a hilt," said Death wisely, "It is last to break."

I cried, "But what if someone were to steal?"

And Death laughed with glee, "That was your mistake."

Regulus frowned. "I don't understand. What is he trying to hide? The man he killed?"

Kreacher shook his head furiously. "No. He tries to hide himself."

"Himself?" Regulus repeated. "How can he hide himself in a sword hilt?"

Kreacher shook his head again, looking at him emphatically. "Master misunderstands. It is the Dark Magic he must hide. It is himself he must hide."

"There was a second spell?" Regulus's brows furrowed curiously. "Have you heard of this before, then?"

Kreacher suddenly went stiff, his mouth pressed firmly in a line. Regulus recognized that look.

"It's alright to tell me," Regulus said kindly. "I shan't mention it to anyone in this house."

Kreacher's ears drooped, and he clutched the book tightly to his chest.

"It is Old Magic," Kreacher whispered, his big eyes bulging in fright. "The most evil in the world."

Regulus leaned closer, waiting with bated breath. But without warning, Kreacher disappeared.

Regulus blinked. He barely had time to process what had happened before Kreacher returned with a pop, looking wild.

"Mistress says to get ready!" He squeaked, grabbing the tray and spelling it away. He threw off Regulus's covers and prodded him out of bed. Luckily the soup and bread had given Regulus enough energy not to sway on his feet.

"What? Why?" Regulus said crossly.

"Guests are to arrive, guests Mistress fears," Kreacher moaned, and pushing Regulus towards the bathroom and shoving a fresh set of clothes into his hands. "They will be here within the hour! Quickly, Master!"

Alarmed, Regulus took the clothes and showered as fast as his body would allow. He knew better than to resist, for these particular meetings were often sudden and important. He dressed quickly and took the Pepper-Up potion Kreacher held out for him, drinking it in one gulp.

Regulus descended to the parlor where his mother and father sat waiting. Walburga was anxiously wringing her hands, and jumped up from her armchair the moment she saw him arrive.

"Thank goodness," she said, relieved, and reached forward to smooth down his hair. "We only just got the owl. We are to have a special audience this evening."

"From whom?" asked Regulus. Walburga only stared back quietly. Regulus's heart stuttered a beat.

Numbly, he walked over to the sofa and waited. Kreacher was standing far behind them, waiting for his orders, and Regulus almost wished he was not the elf to attend to them; it would have been much safer for Kreacher to go the kitchens. It felt like hours had passed until the first knock came. Regulus swallowed as he watched Kreacher dart forward to open the door.

He returned to the parlor, bowing deeply until his nose touched the floor. "The Dark Lord has arrived."

He was thinner and more frightening than Regulus last remembered, his gaze cold and penetrative. Regulus exhaled evenly and chanted in his mind the things Snape had taught him. Close your mind…close your mind…

"It is an honor to have you in our home again," Walburga curtsied, and Orion stood promptly and bowed. Regulus inclined his head.

"I have been impressed by your loyalty these few months," Voldemort replied, smiling. "I admit, I had little hope left for this family, though noble and pure it is. But the servitude of your son, however, has been….most excellent."

Regulus bowed again. "It was only right, my lord. Your path is the true path."

The words felt like venom in his mouth, but the came out smoothly, softly, like silk. Voldemort's smile deepened.

"So young," Voldemort looked at Regulus, his long nails gripping his shoulder. "But so wise." He released his grip and stepped away. "In truth, I have come for assistance. I require a House-Elf…for a time being."

Regulus's eyes widened a fraction. He glanced briefly at his mother, whose mouth was pressed in a line. She averted her gaze purposefully behind them. Regulus turned back to Voldemort.

"Our most loyal House-Elf will service you," Regulus said boldly. He turned his head to the back of the parlor. "Kreacher, come."

The House-Elf startled, but rushed forward instantly. "It would be an honor for Kreacher, and for our family, to serve the dark lord."

Voldemort smiled thinly, coming off as more of a sneer. "Excellent." He whirled around and sent his black cloak fluttering behind him, striding out of the parlor. Regulus crouched down and leaned forward, quietly muttering in Kreacher's ear, "The second your mission with Lord Voldemort is complete, return straight to me."

Kreacher nodded feverishly, and quickly left the parlor. Regulus knew the moment they had gone, for a quiet stillness like no other filled the manor. He started to feel ill again, his head dizzy and unfocused. It seemed would have to ask for another elf to deliver his tonics.

Regulus glanced at his mother, and walked away without a word.

xxx

A week passed and still Kreacher did not return. Regulus began to grow restless, distractedly eating his meals and frequently glancing out his window. He was afraid Voldemort would return again, this time asking for Regulus himself.

This is the price of loyalty, Regulus thought bitterly. His attempt to prove he could be trusted meant more would be asked of him. Impressing the dark lord was no little feat, and in doing so Regulus had irreversibly tied himself even closer to him. The very thought made Regulus's stomach turn in disgust. This is the price of curiosity.

Regulus shook the thought away. Curiosity was not the villain here. He glared at his hands, squeezing them into fists. The blood in his veins, the name embedded into his identity, were to blame for this particular misery. And love, the back of his mind reminded. Love for your mother.

Regulus made an irritated noise and collapsed back onto his bed. He picked up Malum Nocte again and attempted to read through it, but was still pondering on the verses that Kreacher had hinted at. The entire book was a poetic retelling, thought to be the true accounts of the earliest wizards of existence. Regulus had taken it as fictional poppycock with elements of dark magic being practiced for the first time, but there was something more to it that he was still unable to quite grasp. There was something hidden in the prose, something so obvious but was evading Regulus. And as it was in his nature to obsess until he found a solution, Regulus returned to the passage that puzzled him the most.

Before my ashes the woman sighs

With victory and hilt in hand

Avenged her betrothed with my demise

She returned to her homeland

Yet in her hand I grew stronger built

The half-life no longer small

Until I sprang from the cursed hilt

And struck her down to fall.

Regulus flipped through the next pages, unimpressed by the other wizards' stories. The rest was mere retellings of landmarks and cursed runes, all things Regulus had read before over and over. Dark magic was abundant in the books he'd read, and reading them in poems did not change much. The only part that struck him were these verses, written near the end of the book, filed under the chapter Exsecratus.

"'Two I had become, one less than the other'," Regulus recited, his fingers pressing into the lines. "A monstrous thing…and then hiding himself in the hilt…"

Had he somehow torn himself into two pieces? Regulus didn't understand how that would be feasible, but he humored the idea nonetheless. If he tore himself in two, it meant he hid one part of himself in his sword hilt…then he'd been burned to death, but part of him was still alive.…Ah, Regulus thought with a smile. It was starting to make sense.

He almost didn't hear the faint pop that entered the room, so distracted he had become by his discovery. Regulus glanced up from his book and saw Kreacher, sprawled and unconscious on the floor.

"Kreacher!"

Kneeling down, Regulus turned the House-Elf onto his back and tried shaking him awake. "Kreacher! Wake up!" He moved him to his side and pounded on his back, and Kreacher took a sharp, gasping breath.

"Water—Master—water—I beg—"

"Yes, yes," Regulus hastily grabbed the goblet from his table and pointed his wand inside it. "Aguamenti!"

It filled instantly, and he tipped the cup to Kreacher's mouth. He refilled it four more times before Kreacher finally calmed down, but a wild, glazed look still remained in his eyes.

"What happened, Kreacher? What did he make you do?"

Kreacher shook uncontrollably, feebly clutching Regulus's arm. "He made Kreacher drink," Kreacher rasped, his eyes downcast in fear. "He took Kreacher to a cave and forced us to drink a terrible potion, hurting Kreacher. Then he laughed and left Kreacher to die."

He coughed violently, and Regulus summoned another House-Elf to bring him some food and assess if Kreacher needed any healing potions.

"No potions!" Kreacher panicked, jumping to his feet. "No more potions!"

"Alright, alright," Regulus said, alarmed, as Kreacher swayed heavily on his feet. "Leela, just bring the food, then."

"Yes, Master Regulus." With a bow, she disappeared.

Regulus returned his attention to Kreacher. "If you have the strength, I'd like to hear from the beginning what the dark lord did."

Regulus could tell the mysterious potion was affecting Kreacher still; he would pause in his story to clutch his head, muttering under his breath, and Regulus sometimes caught snatches of words of "keep safe" and "not my fault"; more often, however, he heard Kreacher utter his name. Leela returned with a small plate of food and Regulus encouraged Kreacher to eat it, and when he refused Regulus decided to feed him himself. Perhaps it was this that shocked Kreacher into awareness, for almost immediately Kreacher's eyes glistening with tears and shoveled down every bite by himself.

When Kreacher finally finished his story, Regulus was frowning deeply.

"A locket?" Regulus repeated. "He did all this…to hide a locket? But that's…"

"More than a locket," Kreacher muttered and closed his eyes. "So many curses guarding it…"

Regulus looked away tiredly as Kreacher nodded off. He was not cured, but he was mostly out of danger. Regulus had no idea where to begin with the things Kreacher told him. A secret cave, a basin of poison, all to guard an article of jewelry…Regulus rose to his feet and settled back onto his bed, pondering on what Voldemort had accomplished. Clearly the locket was important to him, if he had to go through such great lengths to conceal it…not only concealment, but punishment with certain death if anybody attempted to steal the locket…

In the corner of his eye he caught sight of the book lying forgotten on his bed.

His eyes widened.

Two I had become, one less than the other...

xxx

Hermione lowered her wand and knelt by Regulus, looking worriedly between him and Kreacher.

"What do you mean Voldemort's done something terrible?" said Hermione. "What's happened to him?"

"Kreacher is well," the old House-Elf croaked to Regulus, and stood tall. "Master is too kind."

"It's a very long story, but it is urgent," said Regulus quickly. "I know you can do medi-spells proficiently, can you examine him?"

"I—of course," Hermione was taken aback, but raised her wand nonetheless. Kreacher eyed her suspiciously as she wordlessly flicked her wand every few seconds. "Internally I see nothing immediately wrong," said Hermione worriedly, "but he's shaken very badly. He needs a rest. I'm sorry, I can't help with more than that. Wouldn't it be better if you had a healer see him?"

Regulus shook his head. "I don't want anyone else knowing about this."

"And what exactly is 'this'?" Sirius's voice was heard behind them, spoken very quietly. It was only then that Hermione realized that Sirius had been very still the entire time, and had not spoken a word until now. His grey eyes were trained on Kreacher, of whom was staring back up at him contemptuously. He looked as if he were holding his breath for several minutes, his face pinched and turning pink.

"Good to see you again, Kreacher," he said loftily.

Kreacher exploded.

"Filthy blood traitor!"

"Hey," Regulus said sharply, and Kreacher stiffened. "None of that. Sirius can be trusted. And he's not a blood traitor, nor should you put stock in those words."

Kreacher looked at Regulus in shock. "Forgive me, Master Regulus. I have displeased you." His huge eyes darted around Sirius's room, until he spotted the candlestick on his desk. Hermione, sensing what Kreacher was about to do, snatched up the candlestick and held it away from him.

"It's okay," Regulus assured with practiced ease, "just don't do it again." He glanced up at Sirius angrily. "Don't provoke him like that."

Sirius looked away agitatedly, as if being in the very room was painful. Hermione suspected it had more to do with Kreacher than it did with Regulus.

"Come, sit on the bed, the both of you. And tell us exactly why you had to Apparate here right now and endanger yourself," Hermione crossed her arms.

Sirius turned back to Regulus interestedly.

Regulus swallowed. "The dark lord used Kreacher. He came to our home a few nights ago, asking to borrow him. I believe—that is, from what Kreacher has described to me—he has made a…a h-horcrux."

He waited. Sirius and Hermione exchanged glances, and Hermione replied kindly, "Yes, we knew that. What else?"

Regulus gaped. "What else? Blimey—what else could be more important?"

"Maybe if you hadn't been a git, we might've told you sooner," said Sirius idly. Regulus looked at him sourly.

"That has nothing to do with it," Hermione said sternly, glaring at Sirius. "Regulus, I knew from the beginning this was Voldemort's plan. Since…well, the day I walked through Hogwarts' doors, I knew I had to stop him."

"You knew?" he said incredulously. "Since last year?"

"Didn't you wonder," said Sirius carefully, "what plan she had to defeat Voldemort and have you and Snape as spies?"

"I—I did…but…" Regulus trailed. "How long have you known?"

"Since the last Hogsmeade trip."

Heat crept up Regulus's neck as he looked away. Hermione looked between the two brothers anxiously.

"The important thing is that you came to us right away," Hermione said firmly. "You did the right thing."

"So this was always part of the plan?" Regulus looked between Sirius and Hermione. "You knew Voldemort was splitting his soul into pieces?"

"Yes. I…did my own investigating, and ever since my parents were killed I've been hunting them down and destroying them. It's the only way Voldemort can truly be killed. The more we destroy, the more vulnerable he becomes."

"And…and how many of them have you found?"

"Three so far," said Hermione with a half-smile. "It was very difficult, but it's not impossible."

Regulus digested this information silently.

"You said you knew Voldemort's made another horcrux," said Sirius. "How did you figure it out? What happened?"

"I'm not sure I would've figured it out that easily if it weren't for our library," Regulus admitted.

Sirius pulled a face. "You still read that dragon dung?"

"I was bored," Regulus rolled his eyes. "And ill. There was nothing else to do, and this particular book didn't give me blisters when I tried opening it."

Sirius chuckled, shaking his head fondly. "Still got the scar, then? On your left b—"

"Yes, yes," Regulus said quickly, going red. "It was Malum Nocte, behind the glass bookcase. There are forty poems detailing the adventures ancient wizards and witches who first began using the dark arts, and the consequences behind them."

"Do you have it with you?" asked Hermione, eagerness lighting her eyes.

He reached under his robe and pulled out an old, black book, handing it to Hermione. "Good Merlin," Hermione breathed, flipping carefully through the pages. "This is…ancient! Far older than any of the books in the Restricted Section back at Hogwarts."

"It's an original," said Regulus with a shrug.

"Most of the books in Black Manor are," said Sirius, as if he'd said it several times before.

Hermione closed the book, setting it aside for later. "Go on," she said gently.

"About a week ago, Voldemort came to our house." Regulus paused, gathering his breath. "He—he was pleased with me. With my...actions…and…he felt I was trustworthy. He asked for a House-Elf. He never explained why. But I know now he went on a mission to test the security of his horcrux….I offered Kreacher, and told him to return to me when his task with Voldemort was complete.

"Voldemort took Kreacher to a remote location inside a cave, placed with several enchantments and curses. Inside there was a lake, and at the center was a basin filled with a potion. Voldemort forced Kreacher to drink a terrible potion until the basin was empty, leaving a necklace at the bottom. He—he laughed, refilled the basin, and left Kreacher there. Kreacher returned, of course, half-dead into my bedroom—Voldemort seemed to have forgotten the binding magic of the House-Elves, markedly different and more powerful than any wizard's. Voldemort could not Apparate out of that cave, but Kreacher could. And now here we are."

Hermione was frowning deeply, her eyebrows pinched together in concentration. An enchanted cave, a basin filled with a toxic potion…he was definitely guarding a horcrux. Voldemort would never take that many precautions otherwise, especially to protect an otherwise harmless object.

"The necklace," Hermione said urgently. "Was it a locket?"

"Yeah, it was."

Hermione jumped from the bed and exhaled shakily, running her hands through her hair. The fourth horcrux. So quickly. Hermione paced in circles around Sirius's room, zoning out the others and trying to formulate a plan. They'd need to know where the cave was, and Apparate nearby…judging from what Regulus just revealed, there was an anti-Apparation charm around the cave, so she would need to make sure she knew where she was Apparating…the last thing they needed was to land in the middle of the ocean. Would she go alone? Would she—

She felt a pair of hands halt her pacing and close around her shoulders. Sirius was looking down at her worriedly.

"Hermione. It's okay."

"This is the fourth horcrux, Sirius," said Hermione anxiously. "We have to destroy it before term resumes. We have to—"

"We will," Sirius said firmly. "Which is why we have to calm down and think this through."

Regulus watched them apprehensively. Hermione nodded stiffly. "Yes. I know." Sirius dropped his hands from her shoulders and Hermione returned to sit on the bed. "This is very serious," Hermione said to Regulus. "And we have to be very careful how we approach this."

"You're going to destroy it, aren't you?" Hermione nodded. Regulus stared at her in dismay. "I don't think you understood what I just told you, Hermione. Kreacher nearly died, Voldemort planted this elaborate trap himself—do you honestly believe you can steal that horcrux and destroy it?"

Hermione gazed at Regulus steadily. "I have to believe that I will succeed."

Regulus scoffed, looking away. "It's foolishness."

"Do you see anybody else lining up to destroy Voldemort's soul?" Hermione asked, her voice heavy with sarcasm. "This is my purpose. This is what I have to do. I don't expect you to understand. But if I die trying to destroy these horcruxes, I'll die relieved, knowing that I did everything in my power to succeed."

Regulus was shaking his head furiously, rejecting her words. "No, no—this is Voldemort! Do you understand? Look what he's already done, what he's made me do! If he finds out what you're doing—if he gets even the smallest hint—"

"It's an inevitability," said Sirius. "There's already a war stirring, Reggie. You know it's happening. We have to defeat him before he becomes truly invincible."

Regulus stilled, gazing at Sirius with an unreadable expression. Hermione took that chance to quietly pick up the book and sift through the pages, bringing it closer to her eyes as the print was incredibly difficult to read. She only caught a few words here and there, but they were enough to cause a shudder down her spine and promptly close the book.

Kreacher was twitching every few minutes, his knees drawn up to his chest, making himself as small as possible. Hermione bit her lip and slipped off Sirius's bed again, this time leaving the room. Regulus and Sirius stared after her in shock.

She returned two minutes later with two vials in one hand and a two little paper cups in the other. Stopping before Regulus, Hermione held them out. "There's an extra strength calming draught and a sleeping draft in these. Kreacher needs rest and time to recuperate. I would suggest he keep away from a stressful environment as well, but I have a feeling his absence will be noticed."

"It will be," said Regulus, taking the vials and the cups.

"How long can you stay?"

"Not very long. We should actually go back now."

"Then go," said Hermione firmly. "Administer the potions I gave you and follow the instructions on the label. We have to meet again, though. Can you come back tomorrow?"

Regulus nodded slowly. "Yes, I should be."

"Good. I need to know exactly where this cave is, and plan how we're going to execute this without losing our heads. Then we'll decide when to go."

Regulus nodded quickly, stuffing the items into his robes. He looked back at Hermione uncertainly. "You won't do anything before that…right?"

She could see the express concern reflecting in his gaze, still shaken by Kreacher's trauma and the discovery of Hermione's horcrux hunt, and it made Hermione's eyes soften. "No, we won't. Thank you for telling us, Regulus. Thank you for trusting us."

Regulus shifted uncomfortably, nodding once. He glanced at Sirius uneasily.

"Sirius…I'm…"

"Yeah, yeah." He reached over and roughly mussed up Regulus's hair. Regulus scowled and jerked away from Sirius's hand.

"Prat," he muttered, and Sirius smiled. Regulus stood and Kreacher followed him, taking Regulus's hand. "Tomorrow at ten o'clock p.m. in this room." Without warning, the two disappeared.

Sirius whistled low, glancing at Hermione. "Bloody hell."

"Bloody hell," Hermione echoed, rubbing her eyes tiredly. Sirius eyebrows rose. She hunched over, picking at Sirius's blanket.

"What is it?"

Hermione shrugged.

"Hermione?"

She looked up at Sirius. "I'm worried."

"I am too," said Sirius reasonably. "This is some scary shit. But we'll just have to get through it like everything else, right?"

Hermione bit her lip, her fingers twisting the blanket fretfully. "No, it's more than that. It's what Dumbledore told me before I travelled to this time."

"What did he say?"

She swallowed. "He—he tried to tell me everything important before I left. He told me who died, what happened to everyone. He told me what the horcruxes were and a very vague hint of where they would be. I knew one would be in the castle. I knew Lucius Malfoy would be in possession of one at some point. I knew one would be personal to his family. I even know the cup will be with someone who Voldemort trusts. But Dumbledore didn't tell me anything about the locket."

Sirius narrowed his eyes. "Why not?"

Hermione shrugged, not meeting his eyes. "I have no idea. He said that one would be difficult. I tried asking more about it, but he dismissed it entirely. I think…I think it might have been personal to him, Sirius. I think he might have died because of it."

"How could that be? You said Dumbledore died because he broke the laws of nature by travelling back to the present, where two Dumbledores were existing at the same time."

"And that's true. But—he wouldn't tell me, Sirius. He wouldn't explain where he'd gone with Harry that night, he was so distant…something was going to happen that night. I just know it. Why else would he desperately try to hand off that Time-Turner to me? Why else am I here?"

"You've thought a lot about this, haven't you?" Sirius noted quietly.

"It was the only thing that didn't make sense. I know it is in Dumbledore's nature to be elusive, to not let on everything, but this was different."

"You think this horcrux in the cave will be more dangerous than the rest?"

Hermione bit her lip. "I think we have to be very careful."

Hermione departed from Sirius's room and spent the remainder of the day restless and fidgeting. She went through her entire purse filled with items from her time, organizing her books three times. She flipped through some of the darker books she'd been slowly collecting, trying to find anything that could aid her in their newest quest, but it was for naught. There was nothing Hermione could do to calm herself, and no amount of reading material was going to help her this time. The night was spent in fitful slumber, staring out the window wondering if she'd spot an owl from Regulus or her friends.

Sirius had helped a lot in calming her down her anxiety, but the feeling slowly crept back and was now churning inside her like black hole of fear, and Hermione curled into herself on the bed. A bright image of Lily's vibrant smile and red hair came to mind, she longed to talk to her almost desperately. If there was a time Hermione wished Lily knew about her secret, it was definitely right now. Lily was the one constant in Hermione's life; her unwavering kindness and loyalty, as well as her uncanny ability to make Hermione feel safe and loved as she dared anyone to hurt Hermione, was something Hermione cherished deeply. She wondered what gods she had unknowingly pleased to grant her a friend like that.

But Lily was not here, and Lily did not know, and Hermione was stuck in an endless loop of fear and longing. Longing to be rid of Voldemort, the parasite of her existence. Longing to wake up without this burden looming above her. Longing to no longer be afraid.

Exhausted from these racing thoughts, Hermione turned over and finally fell asleep.

xxx

At nine-thirty p.m. the next evening, Sirius and Hermione retired to their rooms. James had been insistent for them to join him to Peter's, but Hermione feigned fatigue and Sirius promised to visit later on. Once James disappeared from the fireplace, the lingering ashes of Floo powder swirling by the mantle, Hermione grabbed a notebook and pen and quietly padded over to Sirius's room.

"He should be here in a few minutes," said Sirius, letting Hermione in. He closed the door softly and Hermione spelled a Silencing charm about the room. Sirius smirked.

"What?"

"Just hope the Potters don't take all this the wrong way."

Hermione's look of confusion turned into a grimace. "You're horrible."

"Hey, I'm just saying," Sirius raised his hands in defense, unable to suppress a grin. "Fact is, you may be James's sister but you're certainly not mine. If they catch us in here with a Silencing charm up…"

"Well it's safer if they believe we're snogging than going out hunting pieces of Voldemort's soul," said Hermione tartly, and Sirius snorted loudly.

"Snogging! Now that's something we haven't done in a while," said Sirius blandly.

Hermione flushed, glaring sharply. "With good reason."

Sirius nodded easily. "Yeah. Last year was…pretty shit."

Hermione looked away, suddenly aware of how much had changed since their last—and only—kiss. They had been two completely different people then, and Hermione had still been so naïve…but as she gazed at Sirius again, watching him clean up his room last-minute, she couldn't help but think that perhaps things were changing again…

A loud crack jolted Hermione from her thoughts, and she saw Regulus and Kreacher once more. Kreacher was looking much better than the last time she saw him. Regulus had done well in his care.

"Right on time," said Sirius, smiling.

Regulus nodded. "We must be quick, though. Mother was persistent about having tea with her and I fear she will try to persuade me again."

"Right," said Hermione, settling down on the bed and opening her notebook. "Let's get straight to it, then. I've already compiled a list of things we need to know about the area itself, and then some other details. Is Kreacher willing to help us?"

Regulus turned to Kreacher, and the little elf stared up at them with giant, orb-like eyes. "Always, for Master Regulus."

Quietly, Sirius spoke to Hermione, "You know he has to anyway, Hermione."

"He should at least feel he has a choice," she whispered back, glaring. Sirius lowered his gaze.

"What do you have first?" Regulus asked, peering at her notebook.

She held it out for him to read. "First, I need a full, detailed description of where this cave was. I need to know what exactly Voldemort had done to get inside, what the interior of the cave looked like, and how vast it was."

Slowly, Kreacher spoke. He detailed what he could remember—much of his memory of the place was fading, perhaps a side effect of the potion—and after a half hour Hermione figured out where the cave could be in England. The cave entrance had been open and gaping when Voldemort passed them through, but Kreacher could recall him muttering a long spell at the opening just before retreating inside.

When it came to what the inside of the cave looked like, Kreacher could not remember.

"Large," Kreacher croaked fearfully. "A lake. That is all Kreacher knows."

"There was a basin, though, that's what you told us before," Hermione said patiently. "Do you remember the basin?"

"Basin…"

Hermione was starting to panic. "You really don't remember…"

"Do you remember drinking the potion?" Sirius asked.

Suddenly Kreacher went pale and a spasm tore through his little frame. He moaned and covered his bat-like ears with his hands. "NO!"

Regulus reached over to calm him, murmuring quietly. Kreacher's hands slid down from his ears, his eyes wet with tears.

"A basin in the center. Drink and drink, and he laughed and laughed."

Sirius and Hermione exchanged worried glances. Kreacher would not be utter another word, too terrified and confused.

"He's only remembering bits and pieces of the cave," said Regulus quietly, concern in his voice. "It is unlike him to forget things. This must be because of the potion he was forced to drink."

"Its effects are much deeper and lasting than I imagined," Hermione shook her head sorrowfully. "This is going to be very hard…"

"We know enough to get by, though," Sirius concluded. "You figured out where it's located, right?"

"Yes, I'm fairly certain it's a beach by the shore, somewhere in West England. He gave me enough description to be able to Apparate in and out of there easily."

"Then it's just the cave itself," Sirius said, his jaw tense. He looked to Regulus. "You should head on back, Reggie. We'll let you know if we make it back safely."

Regulus looked at them incredulously. "Oh no you don't! You think you two will go at this by yourselves? I'm coming with you!"

"You are most certainly not," said Sirius fiercely, his eyes flashing with anger. "It's out of the question."

"Why not? You wouldn't have known about this if I hadn't told you! You think I can let the two of you go about this alone? Not a chance," Regulus growled.

"You're bloody fifteen, Regulus! You can't go on a dangerous mission like this!" Sirius roared.

"Hermione was fifteen when she destroyed her first horcrux, wasn't she?" Regulus accused, glaring at Hermione. Her eyes widened, and Sirius waved him off irritatedly.

"That's different," he retorted.

"It's not," said Regulus heatedly. "You're all talk, then, aren't you? All this about the war starting, about dying to keep the people you love safe—but only if it's what you're comfortable with, right? Starting that defense club, teaching us, is that a farce too?"

"I don't want you to get hurt," said Sirius, his eyes pained. "It was hard enough watching you go down your path for four years. I won't stand by again and let you come close to death."

"I've been close to death since the moment the Dark Mark was burned into my skin," Regulus said quietly.

"And what happens when Voldemort finds out you helped destroy his horcrux? Do you think you'll be breathing after that?"

"At least I'll die bravely."

Sirius looked away moodily.

"You haven't said a word, Hermione," said Regulus.

Hermione's eyes flickered up to Regulus, and Sirius turned to look at her, as if only just remembering she was there.

"You think he should come with us?" said Sirius, perplexed.

"I…don't know." Hermione looked at Sirius. "He has a point, Sirius. Where is the line drawn now? What age is appropriate to fight against evil? Harry…he was fighting since the age of eleven. We can't protect everyone from the uglier side of reality, no matter how much we want to."

Regulus was staring at Hermione as if she were made of pure starlight, half-hopeful and half-surprised. Sirius had gone stiff, and Hermione was unable to meet his gaze.

Finally, Sirius tore his eyes away and pinned Regulus with a dark glare. "I don't like this. I want you to know that." Regulus nodded quickly. "But you did tell us about the horcrux. You're already a bloody Death Eater. You've earned this, I guess."

Regulus nodded curtly. "I am going to help you," he said honestly, looking between Hermione and Sirius confidently. "If it means I am one step closer to being rid of Lord Voldemort once and for all, that my family will be safe—I will do anything."

xxx

She knew Sirius was not happy with her after Regulus left. He'd been terse with her for the week that followed, only coming out from his meal during meals or to go to James's room. Hermione had expected this, but she would not change what she had said. Regulus had every right to come, as much as she hated the thought. He had, after all, risked his life by joining the Death Eaters and willingly pass information with Snape. And above that, he had gained Voldemort's trust like no other, ultimately leading Hermione to their next horcrux. He had proven himself over and over to be capable of advanced magic and making difficult decisions, no matter how much he despised them.

She knew Sirius knew this as well, but it was harder for him to come to terms with this truth. Hermione knew he was not genuinely angry with her, but instead angry that Regulus was correct, and there was nothing Sirius could do to protect him.

They had decided to wait a week before journeying to the cave. In any case, they did not want to destroy the horcrux so quickly after Voldemort hid it, lest he come back to check up on it. Hermione didn't think that would be the case, though; Voldemort was notoriously full of himself, and would never dream that anybody would actually succeed in an elaborate trap built by himself.

On the morning they were meant to go, Sirius knocked on her door.

"Hey," he said, a little sheepish.

"Hi. Come on in," she opened the door wider.

He came in and stood stiffly as Hermione closed the door. She cracked a smile. "You can relax. Nothing in here will kill you without my consent."

"Ha ha," Sirius said dryly, his body relaxing. "So are you, er…ready?"

"I think so. I have several vials of potions with me, a medical kit, some tools…I don't think we'll need them, but it's good to have. Are you ready?"

Sirius nodded. "Yeah. Not much to prepare. Got my wand, got my clothes on." He paused. "We're telling James."

Her heart pounded. "Tell him what?"

"That we're going to do something dangerous. Not about the horcruxes, of course, but…you know."

The panic that had suddenly burst through her instantly simmered. Hermione exhaled slowly. "Yes. Of course. He should know what we're doing, just in case."

Sirius nodded. "Have you written to Snape, by the way?"

"I've tried contacting him but I haven't had a reply back. I hope he's alright," Hermione said worriedly.

"Shocking as it may sound, but I hope he's alright too. I would've preferred him accompanying us today than my brother."

"I know," Hermione said softly.

Sirius looked at her, a strange look in his eyes, but it disappeared just as quickly as he came and he cleared his throat. "We're meeting at the bakery, right?"

"Noon sharp." Hermione took a deep breath, her insides fluttering anxiously. "This is it."

He must have noticed her discomfort, for he stepped closer and patted her arm gently. "Right now, you're the only person in the entire world to have destroyed three horcruxes of the same person. The fourth one doesn't stand a chance."

Hermione smiled tremulously, and Sirius left her room. Something was twisting and coiling in the pit of her stomach, and no amount of words of reassurance would bring her peace. Something…something felt strange, and it did not make sense to her, and it left her feeling shaky and cold.

As the hours drew closer to noon, Hermione triple checked her things to make sure she was ready, and started to pace about in her room. At eleven o'clock, Hermione silently went down the stairs and into the parlor, relieved to find it completely empty.

Her hand shook as she picked up the receiver and dialed Lily's number. She waited, her heart beating faster when she heard the line connect.

"Evans residence."

"Lily?" Hermione said shakily.

"Hermione!" Lily said happily, and Hermione could hear the smile in her voice. "How are you?"

"Fine," she said, her fingers twisting the cord. "I just wanted to see how you were doing."

"Well Petunia hasn't been giving me the stink eye as much lately, which is always an improvement," Lily said airily. "Are you still coming to visit before Christmas?"

"I wouldn't dream of missing it," Hermione smiled. It faded, and Hermione gripped the phone tightly. "Lily?"

"Yes?"

"I…you're my best friend. You know that, right?"

"'Course I do, silly. What's this about?"

"Nothing. Nothing, it's nothing. I can't wait to see you. I…have so much to tell you, Lily." Her eyes burned, and she swallowed thickly. "I can't wait to tell you everything."

"Hang on, Petunia's just burst in my room—Alright!—Merlin, she thinks she's so mature for having a boyfriend. Complete tosser if you ask me, what kind of name is Vernon?"

"I wouldn't know," Hermione laughed lightly.

"I'll see you soon, okay Granger? I'm anxious to hear these stories you're itching to tell me. I'm—I'm almost done!—sorry, have to go. Bye, Hermione."

"Bye," said Hermione softly, hearing the call disconnect. Numbly she set the phone back down, her heart feeling heavier than ever before, and trudged back upstairs.

Sirius was waiting by her room, and was surprised to see her coming up the steps. "Ready?" he asked.

"Yeah. Let's tell James."

James had been entirely unhappy and unconvinced when they told them they were leaving to 'find something', but promised he would not say a word to Charlus or Dorea. The pair left quickly, then, heading towards the small bakery down the street, and waited inside.

Regulus arrived ten minutes later. "I'm here," he panted, shivering. "Bloody hell it's cold."

"What did you tell mother?" Sirius inquired.

"That I'm visiting Scabior. She doesn't much approve of him but she's long given up on me about him."

"Let's go to the back alley," Hermione said in a hushed tone. "We'll leave from there."

Quickly they left the bakery, glancing about inconspicuously and making sure they were not being followed. Once they were hidden in the shadows of a back alley, Hermione held out her hands. "Regulus, you're used to traveling with Kreacher, but this will be different and much less comfortable. Make sure to keep holding onto my arm tightly. Okay?"

Regulus nodded stiffly, taking her arm and gripping it tightly. Sirius held onto her other arm, and nodded reassuringly.

"Okay. One, two, three!"

They Apparated onto a large rock, water crashing around them loudly and spraying them with the ocean mist. Regulus looked shocked, as if he couldn't quite catch his breath, but Sirius rubbed his back and asked if he was alright.

"Fine," said Regulus tersely. "Is this really it?"

Hermione pressed her lips thinly, squinting at a cliff not too far away. "This is it. It's exactly how Kreacher described it. See that cliff there with the jagged rock gathered at the bottom?" The cliff was tall and faceless, a shadow of black despite the cloudy daylight. Water was foaming around the cliff, with salty ocean spray licking at their feet. "We have to swim across."

Sirius dived first, coming up for air and swiftly swimming towards the cliff side. Hermione and Regulus jumped in after him, their teeth chattering against the freezing cold water that felt as if it were dragging them down, until they reached a fissure in the rock that extended narrowly for a few feet before abruptly ending.

Hermione's hands clamped onto cold, wet rock, pulling herself up onto the lip of the cave. She was shivering all over, her hands trembling as she took out her wand.

"C-Calidus," she chattered, and Sirius and Regulus sighed in relief as their clothes dried instantly. She pointed her wand to herself and repeated the spell, her clothes immediately warmed as if fresh from a dryer.

"Is this the right cave?" Regulus whispered, looking at the cave entrance apprehensively. Sirius lit his wand and held it high, gazing at the cave walls.

"It's known magic," Sirius murmured softly. "Dark magic."

"Sirius!" Hermione said shrilly. "You shouldn't be doing magic!"

"It won't matter here," Sirius glanced at her. "The Trace won't work. This place is too heavily shrouded with magic. Voldemort made sure of that."

"You can sense it?" Regulus asked Sirius faintly. Sirius nodded.

"Keep your wands out then. You too, Regulus," Hermione lit her wand and held it out, and Regulus followed suit. "And keep your guard up."

Despite the three lit wands, it was almost impossible to see where they were going. They felt at the walls, walking hesitantly forward and holding their wands out high. Finally they reached a silver archway that led into the deep cavern of the cave. But when they drew closer, the archway disappeared, revealing a wall blocking the path.

"Let me," Regulus ushered them to back away, and held out his wand. "Bombar—"

"No!" Sirius shoved Regulus's wand aside, stricken. "Can't you tell? There's a curse upon this rock."

Hermione chewed her lower lip, staring at the wall. She remembered seeing something like this in the dark books. "I think…we have to offer payment."

"Payment?" Regulus repeated. "What kind would that be?"

"Blood payment."

They stared at her in shock.

"Let me," said Sirius.

"No," said Hermione sternly. "I won't have you hurting yourselves. I am of age; I will do it."

Without waiting for a reply, Hermione pointed her wand at her palm and sliced it, wincing at the warm trickle of blood that began to drip. She pressed her bleeding hand onto the rock and waited.

The silver archway returned once more, the rock wall disappearing as if it had never been there at all. Hermione pointed her wand at her hand again and closed up the wound; it was not perfectly sewn together, but it would do.

The cavern was boundless; a lake stretched on endlessly before them, and in the center a faint green light could be seen. They edged along the walls of the cave, careful not to step into the water. It was eerily still, not a single ripple through the black water. Hermione stared off at the green light, feeling suddenly ill.

"I can feel it," said Hermione mutedly. "It's here."

"That green light," Regulus noted, squinting his eyes. "I think…I think that's the center. The basin that Kreacher described must be there. We have to go across."

There had to be a way…Hermione stared distantly, her eyes traveling over the walls. "Sirius. Look at these walls and tell me the strongest magical signature you find."

Sirius stepped forward and glanced about slowly. Regulus was watching him, intrigued, for he had never known Sirius to have this ability and to see it was something that both impressed and frightened him, as he had never considered just how strong of a wizard Sirius was.

"There," Sirius breathed, his hand reaching forward towards one end of the wall in midair. As if grasping something, Sirius pulled hard, and a glittering chain suddenly appeared in his grasp. Hermione and Regulus helped him pull it, until a silver boat came rushing from under the water. It hardly made a sound as the water slid back into the lake, rippling briefly before going deathly still once more.

"It's very small," Sirius noticed. "Should we go in turns?"

Hermione worried her lower lip. "No…I don't feel safe having one of us there and another here. We can squeeze in."

"What if it can't hold our weight?" Regulus said anxiously.

"I have a feeling that won't be a problem," said Hermione, staring at the boat. "Voldemort wouldn't let something so mundane and muggle as weight on a boat be the obstacle. No, the real challenge will be the basin."

Sirius and Regulus squeezed onto the boat uncomfortably, and Hermione wobbled a bit as she tried finding her footing. The boat truly was fit for only one person, two with some difficulty, but three was unheard of. Voldemort must not have fathomed the possibility of three students embarking on stealing his horcrux, let alone two underage wizards. Hermione wobbled again, and Sirius caught her arm.

"Just sit here," said Sirius stiffly, not meeting her eyes. Knowing she had little other choice, Hermione sat uncomfortably on Sirius's legs.

The boat began to move on its own. The lake did not so much as shudder as the boat traveled across, and she could hear the faint tinkling of the chain against the boat. The faint green light was growing brighter and brighter, until they reached a small island at the center of the lake, and indeed—a basin sat in the middle.

They quickly jumped off the boat and approached the basin. A little cup was standing atop the rim, and swirling inside was a viscous, silvery purple liquid.

At the very bottom of the basin sat an amber, shimmering locket.

Sirius wasted no time in dipping his hand inside and reaching forward. To his dismay, he could not touch it—it was as if an invisible barrier was between them, and Sirius jerked his hand out.

"What if we…?" Regulus took the goblet and filled it with the potion, then dumped it on the ground. The basin immediately refilled.

They stood silently for a bit.

"There's no way around it," she said softly. "It must be drunk." Hermione closed her eyes and inhaled slowly, steadying herself. It was time.

But when she reached forward for the goblet, Sirius stayed her hand.

"I will drink it," said Sirius.

"No!" Hermione said at once. "No, I can't let you—"

"You know what this potion will do to whoever drinks it," Sirius said forcefully. "If you drink this, there's no guarantee you'll be able to perform magic properly. We need you to Apparate us back and to destroy the horcrux. You cannot be compromised."

"I can drink it as well," Regulus suggested quietly.

"No. If Voldemort catches a single droplet on you or in you, he'll kill you immediately. I will drink it…I was always going to drink it."

Hermione stared up at him in distress, waves of fury and agony washing over her. She had not planned for this, this was not how it was supposed to go, why was Sirius doing this, why couldn't she stop this—

"If we're to get this locket, I have to drink all of it," Sirius interrupted her thoughts. "And knowing what it did to Kreacher…you will force it down me, if you must. Okay?"

Unwillingly, Hermione and Regulus agreed. Sirius took the goblet and dipped it in the liquid. His eyes fixed on Hermione's as he brought the goblet to his lips and tilted it forward.

For a moment, they were all still. Sirius lowered the goblet, his eyes downcast, and a shadow passed over his face. He reached over and filled it again, drinking it quickly this time. Hermione's eyes widened when she saw Sirius visibly stiffen.

"Again," he said hoarsely. He held out the goblet to Hermione with trembling fingers, and she took it quickly and refilled it. Sirius grasped it and unsteadily brought it to his lips, draining it.

He began to shake uncontrollably.

"Sirius?" Regulus said anxiously.

"Again," Sirius rasped, the cup falling from his hand.

Hermione bent down to grab it and refilled the goblet. He stared at it for a long moment before drinking.

Sirius moaned loudly, until it became a bone-chilling scream.

"Sirius!" Regulus shouted, coming to his brother's side and wrapping his arms around Sirius, who was now trembling violently. "Help him!"

Hermione refilled the goblet and brought it to his lips. "This—this will help, Sirius, you have to drink all of it—"

He clamped his hand gratefully around hers and brought the cup to his mouth, drinking it quickly. He groaned loudly, tremors shaking his frame as his knees sank to the ground and Regulus followed with him.

"Please….stop…"

"After this," Hermione said, her voice cracking as she held the goblet to his mouth, "after this and it'll be over…"

Sirius drained it again, and began to cry in earnest.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry—don't make me—I'm sorry, don't make me!"

Regulus struggled against Sirius, trying to hold him down and keep him calm. Hating herself, Hermione filled another gobletful of potion and brought it towards Sirius.

"This will help, Sirius, this will help—it's in your head, remember? It's in your head, we're almost done, just drink this…"

Obediently Sirius drank, and his body spasmed before breaking free of Regulus's grasp and making a desperate lunge for the water. Regulus pinned him down, and Sirius started pounding at the ground.

"Please don't tell—I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"Turn him over!" Hermione shrieked, and Regulus quickly pulled Sirius away from the ground; a lump was forming in her throat as she watched him writhe about as if burning alive, and Regulus fighting back tears as he tried to keep Sirius from harming himself; she refilled the goblet and noted the basin was more than halfway finished, and she crouched down by Sirius and stroked his hair, "Just one more, one more okay? I'm right here, Regulus is here, just drink one more."

He lurched again after emptying the goblet, shivering and crying and moaning, his voice childlike as he begged for Hermione to stop.

"Please…please…"

"We're almost done," Hermione said in a watery voice, "Here, drink…"

"No…"

"Drink this, Sirius, it'll help…"

Tears ran freely from her eyes as Sirius began to scream again, the sound shattering her heart and echoing against the walls; Regulus was whispering to Sirius, sniffling, and Hermione refilled the hated goblet once more. They were almost done, just two more would do it—

Sirius drank, and no sooner had he finished than he yelled, "KILL ME!"

"This—this one will," gasped Hermione. "Just drink this….It'll be over…all over!"

Sirius gulped it down, every last drop, and Hermione pulled the goblet away. He closed his eyes weakly and went limp.

"No!" Regulus yelled, hoisting Sirius and shaking him. "No, no, no, wake up!" Hermione rushed forward and pulled Sirius down onto the ground, checking his breathing. Before she could go any further, Sirius opened his eyes.

"Water," croaked Sirius. "Please."

"Water—yes—water—" Hermione jumped to her feet and went back to the basin where the goblet lay forgotten. She grabbed it quickly, pausing when she caught sight of the horcrux locket.

Hermione seized the locket and stuffed it in her pocket. Pointing her wand at the goblet, she muttered, "Aguamenti!" Instantly it filled with clear liquid.

Hermione crouched down and held the goblet to Sirius's mouth, but to her dismay the goblet was empty.

"What? I just—hold on—Aguamenti!" Hermione watched in horror as the liquid filled the goblet, only to vanish a second later.

"No, no…Aguamenti—Aguamenti—why won't this work!" Hermione cried. Sirius was now panting hoarsely, his eyes closing.

"Hermione, do something!" Regulus yelled.

"I can't! It's jinxed, it won't work—AGUAMENTI!"

In a moment of desperation, Hermione crawled to the edge of the rock and dipped the goblet into the water, only to scream when a pale, slimy hand clamped onto her arm.

"Reducto!"

The hand release her arm and fell back into the lake, but a dozen more hands slowly emerged and started to crawl towards the island.

"Inferi!" Regulus cried.

"Get back! Get back! Protect Sirius!" Hermione shouted to Regulus, and he dragged Sirius's lifeless body towards the basin and far away from the lake edges. Hermione raised her wand as the once-still lake was now swarming with rising dead bodies, all clambering towards the island where she stood. Only one spell came to mind, one she knew would be the only lasting defense.

With a vicious stroke of her wand, red and orange flames burst from the tip and gave a deafening roar. The walls shook as fire pummeled the air around her, whipping in a large circle as the Inferi scrambled away, some burning instantly while others retreated into the water. So intent was she on the controlling the fire that she had not noticed the small, slippery body that had escaped the wrath of fiendfyre, clinging to the edge of the island and slowly inching towards Hermione's feet. Regulus caught sight of a flash of pale skin, and screamed, "LOOK OUT!"

As the words fell from his lips the Inferi sprang from the water and toppled over Hermione, wrapping its arms and legs around her body like a vice.

Hermione faltered, choking against the rotting flesh that gripped her mercilessly—she heard Regulus shout and saw his leg kick at the Inferi's head, sending it sprawling next to her—her wand was lying next to her and she reached for it desperately, but the Inferi was quicker. It flopped forward and snatched the wand before she could wrap her fingers around it, and Hermione watched in horror as it squeezed and squeezed its fist until her wand snapped in half.

Regulus kicked the Inferi again and it fell into the water, burning in the circling inferno that was now in the form of a chimaera. She watched as Regulus stared briefly at the fiendfyre, a soft look in his eyes, and raised his wand high in the air. With a gentle swipe of his wand, the fire went out.

The lake was still again. Hermione looked at her broken wand. Nothing could bring it back...she picked up the two pieces and dropped them into her purse.

Hermione crawled towards Sirius, checking if he was still alive. When a pulse jumped faintly at her fingertips, Hermione almost sobbed in relief.

"He's okay…he's alright…Regulus…" she looked at him in wonder. "H-How did you put the fire out?"

Regulus shook his head, holding Sirius as if his life depended on it. Hermione staggered to her feet and checked the boat.

"The boat's okay," she gasped, turning back to Regulus. "Let's—let's get Sirius inside—grab his arms…"

The hauled Sirius into the boat and climbed after him. Sirius was half on Regulus's lap, and Hermione squeezed inside trying to take up the least amount of room she could manage. The boat began to move on its own, gliding gently on the still black water.

When they reached the entrance to the cave again they pulled Sirius out and laid him onto the ground. Hermione sighed, feeling like she could think clearly again, and dug inside her purse until she fished out a potion phial. Unstoppering it, she dumped its contents and looked to Regulus.

"I need to borrow your wand."

He stared at her unsurely before holding out his wand. Hermione took it and immediately scourgifyed the inside. After cleaning it out, she muttered, "Aguamenti." It filled with water immediately, and this time it did not disappear.

Hermione pushed Sirius's hair from his face and tilted his head up. She pried his mouth open and poured the water down his throat, and was relieved when he swallowed it immediately. She repeated this three more times until Sirius was blinking again, staring silently at nothing.

"We'll swim together," Hermione told Regulus, his wand still in her hand. They grabbed Sirius on either side and trudged towards the exit, the sound of the ocean becoming louder and louder until it was right before them, crashing against the cliff side where they stood. Regulus turned to her.

"Destroy it first," he said. "Destroy it, Hermione. We're not letting that locket leave this cave until it's dead."

Hermione swallowed thickly. "Okay."

Letting Sirius go, Hermione limped away from the two brothers and took out the horcrux locket. She could feel it thrumming dimly underneath her fingers. She set it down onto the ground.

"Do it quickly. Please," said Regulus hoarsely. Hermione pointed her wand at the locket and cast the fire, hearing it scream and scream until it fell silent. Hermione barely noticed that it did not put up a fight; perhaps it had thought the trials in the cave would have weakened Hermione beyond spellwork. It was wrong.

She ended the curse and the fiendfyre vanished, leaving a charred necklace behind. At her touch, it turned to dust.

They swam to the rock in which they first arrived on, Hermione and Regulus supporting Sirius in the water, who was awake enough to kick his feet and try to swim with them. Once they reached the rock, Hermione wrapped her arm around Sirius and pulled Regulus close to her. Squeezing Regulus's wand and making sure Sirius was still awake, she Disapparated.

It was difficult walking from the bakery to Godric's Hollow, but Regulus made sure Sirius was supported more heavily on him. Hermione pushed the door to her home open and helped Regulus inside. Sirius was unconscious now, and she muttered under her breath and levitated Sirius up the stairs and back into his room. Regulus immediately sat beside him on the bed. Hermione performed several spells to check Sirius's health, and was relieved to find he was only asleep.

Numbly, Hermione's feet took her to James's room. She opened the door, not bothering to knock, and found him sitting on his bed reading. He glanced up at her and jumped up instantly.

"Are you alright? Oh my god, Hermione, you're bleeding! Where's Sirius?" asked James, stricken.

"In his room. Regulus is here. You should sit with them."

"Is Sirius alright?"

Hermione looked at him blankly. "He will be."

She turned around, not waiting for a reply, and went straight to her room. Her body took over, jerking off her shoes and shrugging out of her clothes, walking stiffly to the bathroom. She stared at her reflection and saw bruises all along her body where the Inferi had wrapped itself around her. A lump was lodged in her throat and Hermione stepped in the shower. As the water ran down her bare skin, warm and soothing, Hermione wept uncontrollably.

XXX

Note: Parts of this chapter used direct and semi-direct lines from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince; these lines belong to J.K. Rowling and were used to further the plot of this fanfiction only.

XXX

Horcrux number four destroyed!

I can't explain how I'm writing these chapter so quickly. I don't think I've written three consecutive chapters like this since the summer I started writing Sands. But they're being written so quickly, so I won't look a gift horse in the mouth.

This chapter has been planned for years, so to finally write it was such an amazing experience. Writing Regulus, Sirius, and Hermione working together like this was just something else. And Hermione's wand breaking is a very, very crucial point to this fanfic.

Some of you have asked how much is left to this story. I have to be honest: the outline keeps changing. I know how the story will end, I know what points have to be covered, but writing is unpredictable. This chapter had to be split in two because it would have gone up to 22k, had I stuck with the original chapter outline. I want to say this fanfic will be less than 30 chapters, but I truly don't know. I do think, however, that Sands of Destiny will be completed before the 2016. It is reaching that point.

Thank you as always for your amazing support! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter!

As always, thank you to my ethereal beta hinatas for editing this chapter. She is quick as lightning and is the best beta you could ask for.

Until chapter 22! xx