9- Returning the Horcruxes
Disclaimer: I do not own HP, As it belongs to J.K.
Author Notes: Enjoy~ there's more on the way the next few days.
Regulus boarded the plane, having traveled this way before. He luckily had a window seat as it was to be a sixteen hour flight. This would be hid third time traveling this muggle way in about five years. He was glad to be traveling home as he missed everyone. He kept up on the wizarding news while he was gone so had known his brother was currently rotting away in Azkaban for a crime he didn't commit and also that his parents had died while he was gone as well.
Severus finally had time to bring the diadem to Voldemort, thankfully after the polyjuice was done. He had heard what had happened while he was gone and was glad to have missed it. He did secretly take some glee in the fact he missed it, but near quirked a smile when Narcissa had told him what had transpired. He had arrived around 11pm, having to wait until then so he could sneak away without Dumbledore noticing.
He waited in one of the sitting rooms, keeping Narcissa company while waiting for Voldemort to be done with what business he was dealing with. Voldemort arrived an hour later, knowing a house elf would alert him of anyone wishing to see him. The polyjuice having wore off, he waited to hear hopefully good news from Severus. Severus kept it quick and to the point, having to leave after this delivery. "I've brought something you seek." With that, Severus handed over the diadem before taking his leave once more until he would be summoned again.
Regulus still has a few hours of his flight left but took that time to familiarize his surroundings, knowing he was close to home. The locket was tucked safely in his inner pocket of the trench coat he was currently wearing. This style was as close to home as he could manage around muggles so took advantage of this. He resumed looking out the window of the plane until the stewardess brought snacks.
He arrived in London just before midnight the next day, apparating to the Leaky Cauldron when it was safe and muggle-free to do so. He used a glamour to hide his heritage before walking in to charge a room overnight. He also paid to rent an owl so he could alert Voldemort that he was around since he didn't know where his Lord had resided now. He finished up his message before sending the owl off before turning in for the night after a quick shower. He would have to wait for a reply or a contact anyway.
Voldemort was in his office, Lucius' office, doing some research into soul magic to see what was needed to repair his damaged soul and safely remove the horcruxes from his objects. He still wasn't sure he wanted to get rid of them all, minus Nagini and Harry, and was hoping to see if it was possible to keep one in one of his items still. It was a safer world now, but he was still wary and wanted that security. He heard tapping on the window before seeing that it was a regular messenger owl, opening the window by a wave of his hand as he resumed researching as the owl flew in and landed on the provided perch to rest and hydrate. The letter still attached to its leg brought him out of his musings after he wrote more research after finding an important bit of information, albeit disappointing information.
He walked over, removing the letter from the owl's leg before it flew off again. Opening it, he was relieved, he could get his mind back in gear. Though he didn't seem insane and not wholly there, he felt it on an extreme level sometimes. After reading the letter, he opted to have a one-on-one chat with Barty Jr. before planning on sending him to retrieve their guest. Barty would be pleased but also angry for being lied to, but it was for their cause. He would come around eventually and as a gift for good service and bringing them the Potter brat, he was to send Barty to retrieve Regulus and reunite them but also to get one of his best Death Eaters back.
Barty sighed as he was summoned for a meeting, walking into the office but also surprised that it was just Voldemort and himself. He listened to what was being said, confused when Voldemort had said he must apologize for lying to everyone. Voldemort then brought out a pensieve before tossing in a memory of his and Regulus' plans to fake Regulus' death and send him off to do stealth work while protecting Voldemort's locket horcrux. Barty reluctantly reviewed the memory before blasting a vase that held flowers from Narcissa's garden. He was livid. Once the vase broke though, he calmed down some before listening to the rest of the story and why he was learning of it in the first place.
While Barty was on the way to the Leaky Cauldron, Amelia Bones finally got a court hearing set for the 5th of November to finalize custody of Harry. While Barty was in the meeting, Severus and Lucius both got the court details by a quick fire call from Amelia herself. Afterwards they went about researching for any loopholes in the current laws if things didn't go in Bellatrix's favour. The backup plan was either Severus or Lucius would try for custody if the Wizingamot found Bellatrix unfit. Though things were currently looking hopeful for her.
October went by quickly. Harry and Draco both got tutored by Narcissa, Bellatrix and, in his spare time, Severus. Harry was forewarned and taught the current laws and court etiquette so that he would be ready when he needed to be in a few days time. Meanwhile, Barty had gone to the Leaky Cauldron and surprised Regulus. Though Regulus didn't know it was Barty who would go see him. Barty wore a glamour, as did Regulus, so he didn't let on that he knew him and brought him to his flat for the night. Once inside, he sealed the entrance and any exits before tackling Regulus.
He really didn't think this through he realized when he got sucker-punched square in the jaw. He was still in a glamour, of course Regulus wouldn't have recognized him. He backed off before undoing the glamour before hearing a gasp and ending up with Regulus in his lap as he was tackled to the floor again before Regulus snogged the life out of him.