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

A/N: Thanks to PenguinLord0029, who beta this story.

Chapter Fifty-One

Kreacher's Secret

Remus lead Dumbledore to the downstairs den and Sirius put a hand on Harry's shoulder, making him stop so that he could look into his eyes. "Are you sure you want to hear this … whatever it is that Dumbledore is going to say?"

"Yeah," Harry said looking down. "I want to know … beside you know how I hate being left out."

"Yeah," Sirius gave a weak chuckle, before sighing. "Are you feeling any better?"

Harry shrugged and he didn't feel like answering that. He wasn't sure how he felt about what he heard but he didn't really want to talk about that. He wanted to know what was going on.

"I'm not sure I'm going to like this conversation either," Sirius said, knowing from what Remus had said earlier, his brother might be involved. "But I think we should go downstairs right now."

Harry nodded his head and they both headed down so that they could join the others in the den where Remus made some hot chocolate for them all … having always liked chocolate himself and knew that it usually cheered him up. Sirius sat on the couch and Harry sat next to him, knowing that he needed to be close to his uncle right now.

Dumbledore was looking thoughtfully into his own mug of hot chocolate, obviously trying to figure out what he was going to do next. He never planned on having a conversation like the one that was about to take place with Harry this soon, nor did he think that others would be there when the conversation did happen. He had already had a conversation that concerned this with Remus and Sirius a long time ago right after what had happened to the Potters but that didn't make talking about this any easier.

"So … that locket," Remus prompted after a long pause, he could see that everyone wasn't looking forward to this conversation, though Harry was looking between him and Dumbledore curiously, obviously interested in hearing what his headmaster had to say.

Dumbledore looked thoughtful for another few moments before he said in a solemn voice, "it was one of the Horcruxes that Tom Riddle had made."

"Horcruxes?" Harry said frowning as Remus's eyes widen and he gasped, "one of!"

"A Horcrux is a dangerous object that someone can encase part of their soul so they will be protected from death," Dumbledore chose to answer Harry first, wanting everyone on the same place before they continued on with Remus's concerns. He could see Harry's face turn from confusion to a pale color and knew that the boy understood what he was saying. "The only way to be able to split your soul is by murder …" he felt that he had to add the last horrible fact about Horcruxes.

Harry grimaced as he hear that but still his mind was reeling, what Dumbledore had just say made him realized so much about Voldemort. "That's why he's still alive … he should have been killed when I was …" he trail of, thinking of the day his mum had died and then the image of the fake James of just a few minutes ago telling him that his parents would have been better off if he had never been born. Sirius wrapped his arms around him and Harry was grateful that his uncle was there to comfort him.

"Yes, Voldemort should have died that night," Dumbledore sighed, looking uncharacteristically old (it's odd that despite the fact that he was over a hundred he never really looked old). "The Horcruxes that he had made have done their part and have kept him alive."

"There it is again … Horcruxes, as in more than one," Remus said. "How many Horcruxes does he have?"

"Sadly, I can't answer that," Dumbledore sighed again, looking even older than before. "I believe that only one person can answer that for sure," Remus raised an eyebrow at Dumbledore, why had he said for sure, was there someone else out there that could answer this other than Voldemort himself? However, Dumbledore didn't say any more about this before he continued. "There has been proof, however, that more than one has been made and I believe there are still several that still need to be found."

Harry frowned, remembering the feeling he had when the locket was destroy and blurted out his theory, "the diary … it was a Horcrux too, wasn't it."

Dumbledore gave him a smile, not a happy smile, but one that showed that he was pleased that Harry was able to put the pieces together so quickly. "Yes, the diary was a Horcrux … a most dangerous Horcrux too, though apparently they will all be difficult to destroy if the locket is any indication."

"Er … how do you know that there are still more Horcruxes out there?" Sirius asked; he was silent before now because he was trying not to think of his brother, but it seemed that all he could do was think of their last conversation. "Would the spirit like creature die if all of the Horcruxes were destroyed?"

"It is a possibility, but the answer to that has never been documented," Dumbledore said. "Though, the fact that it is suggested that those that make a Horcrux protect them with such powerful curses, you might very well be right. Either way, I'm sure that Voldemort has made more than two and I have a theory on how many that he would want to make … but I can't be sure."

"Would you like to explain that farther," Remus asked, Dumbledore wasn't telling them everything.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think now is the time for that," Dumbledore said, he was thinking about items that had disappeared around Tom Riddle … a locket along with a cup and a ring, there had to be at least two more Horcruxes. Which means that Voldemort had made at least four Horcruxes? Four, it was such an awful about of times that someone would split his soul, and yet he didn't think it was enough … something told him that Voldemort would want more. Voldemort's style of grandeur would not be settled for so little and he wonders what the other Horcruxes can be.

"I see," Remus said after a while and Dumbledore realized that he had been lost in his thoughts for the last few moments.

"I need to find out more about this before I can talk about that," Dumbledore explained. "I've already told you more than I think is wise for anyone to know … this information can be dangerous if Voldemort were to find out that you know."

"Why, because he would try to kill us?" Sirius rolled his eyes, "he'll do that anyway."

"He would probably protect his remaining Horcruxes even more if he knew that someone was destroying them … knowing that they are in danger," Dumbledore explained. "Which is why I must ask you not to share this information with anyone."

"We won't," Remus answered, but Harry was looking uncomfortable, he has never really kept anything from his friends before, nothing this important anyway.

"Harry," Dumbledore frowned and Harry looked up to meet the headmaster's eyes and they seemed to be x-raying him, reading his mind. "This knowledge will be a burden to anyone that has to bear it. They would be in more danger, as Sirius has just pointed out …"

"Yeah, okay," Harry said frowning, he wasn't sure if he would be able to handle not telling his friends, but he didn't want to get them in more trouble than they already had with just being his friend.

"I'm not sure if it would be wise to keep all of your friends out of this." Remus said thoughtfully, looking at Harry's expression. "It might be a burden to them, but I think it's one they would all be willing to bear for you … and," he went on though both Dumbledore and Harry tried to interrupt him, "I think you might need them, at least some of them, to know this so they could help you."

"I don't think I want to tell them this," Harry frowned, "and I doubt it would come up anyway."

Remus smiled at him, getting up so that he could place his hands on either side of Harry's shoulders and look into the boy's eyes. "You need your friends now more than ever Harry, and after everything that happened the last few years, it proves that you have depended on them more than you have on anyone else. You know that Sirius and I are always going to be there, but lately when you are in need, you have been turning to them to help you out. I think you'll need them even more in the future …"

"Okay …" Harry said still frowning, "but that doesn't mean that I have to put something this dangerous on their shoulders. They don't need to worry about something like this along with everything else."

"Do you honestly think that you'll be able to hide any of this from Hermione?" Sirius questioned and Harry looked at him with a grimace. He wasn't sure if he would still be upset about what happened with the locket by the time that he saw his best friend again, but something told him that she would notice something. "She's probably going to ask what's bothering you the moment that you see each other again … the girl knows everything you know."

"Yeah," Harry made a face. "But …"

"I'm telling you right now that you can't tell all of your friends like you have let slip that you live with Sirius and I," Remus said. "I am just saying that you need at least one person to be able to talk to about this and, as Sirius has in a way suggested, Hermione might be a good person to talk to. After all, she has proven that she can keep your secrets in the past."

"I still don't think this is a good idea," Dumbledore said with a grimace, "the least amount of people that know about this the better. That being said, Miss Granger has proven herself over the last few years. But again, Harry, I caution you to be careful."

"I will," Harry nodded his head, not sure if he wanted to tell Hermione, or anyone else, what happened today but he would just see what happens when the time comes.

"Very well," Dumbledore said, his voice was suddenly grave when he looks back at Remus and said, "There is only one more thing that we need to discuss before I'll be on my way."

"All right," Remus said, as way to make Dumbledore continue and he felt uncomfortable already as he sat next to Harry on the couch.

"My questions are actually for Kreacher," Dumbledore said in a voice that had Sirius tensing despite the gentle nature of the tone.

"Kreacher," Sirius called in a grave voice, and the elf appeared in the room looking horrible, his head was bowed and it seemed that the elf had been crying (and very possibly had punished himself for something). Though Sirius still had no love for this elf, he didn't like seeing him in this state, after all Kreacher had just tried to help Harry out. Still there was nothing for him to do but say, "Dumbledore has a few questions for you, I want you to answer everything you can."

"Kreacher will be doing his best, Master Sirius," the elf said miserably.

"Kreacher," Dumbledore said in a kind tone that the elf didn't seem to have notice at all. "I want to know how you were able to get this locket."

Kreacher flinched and then shook his head, "Kreacher is not allowed to be saying."

"Kreacher, answer Dumbledore question!" Sirius said in the most commanding voice that he could muster, he already knew that he didn't want to know what the elf had to say, and yet he wanted to know what had happen at the same time. The elf struggle for a minute, but it was clear that Sirius was giving him an order and he could not ignore it.

"Master Regulus is giving it to me," Kreacher answered in a guarded voice, clearing not giving any details away but Sirius wouldn't let this last long … he made Kreacher tell the story from the beginning.

O

Kreacher was clearing the dining room, his work was hard and he could not be happier about that. His mistress had just order him to make sure that the room was in tip top order because there was to be a guest coming over for dinner that night and he had just finish making everything shine. Master Regulus came into the room looking pleased about something and Kreacher smiled at the boy. Master Regulus was the proper son, knowing the proper place for purebloods and how they were supposed to act. Unlike that awful Sirius that never would do as his mistress wanted and caused her such heartbreak that the eldest Black was such a blood traitor. It was a good thing that his mistress had banished the good for nothing scum from her life and now Master Regulus was the heir to the house.

"Kreacher, I have wonderful news, I have just volunteered you to help my master." Regulus said smiling, he looked so excited about something, he had only been out of school for a month now, and though he had been a Death Eater since the last summer (a few months before he turned seventeen) he had never really been part of the group until now. "I'm not really sure what the Dark Lord wants from you, but I want you to do whatever he tells you and then come back here to tell me how it went."

"Kreacher is honored that you is volunteering Kreacher," Kreacher smiled back at Regulus. "Kreacher will be showing you that Kreacher is a good elf."

"I already know that," Regulus smiled at the elf kindly. "That's why I volunteered you. Are you finished in here, I don't want to get you in trouble with mum if you're not."

"Kreacher is being done, sir," Kreacher said proudly. "Does Master Regulus want Kreacher to be going now?"

"Yes, as soon as possible," Regulus said and it was only seconds later that Kreacher Disapparated and then he was in the house that Voldemort was saying in. Kreacher had never met anyone like Voldemort, he could feel the power in the snakelike furthers of the man he was looking at. It was terrifying and yet inspiring to see this man in person.

"Kreacher is being told to be coming here, sir," Kreacher said as he bowed lowly to the man.

Voldemort didn't say anything as a cruel smile touched the edge of his lips, before he stood and said in a harsh, cold, high pitch voice, "come elf."

The next thing Kreacher knew he was standing on a rock near the ocean. The Dark Lord said no more words to him, but he knew that he had to follow this man and not speak a word as he did so. They scaled down the rock, Kreacher having difficulty at this and actually near the end of the climb fell into the icy cold water. He didn't know how to swim, but the Dark Lord had flicked his wand at him annoyingly and that kept him from drowning, though didn't remove him for the water that was chilling Kreacher to the bone. He struggled to get to the mouth of the cave and when he did so he saw that the Dark Lord had opened a passageway with his blood and was walking through it.

The Dark Lord didn't seem to take any notice of him at all as he rushed through the door before it could close, but Kreacher knew that he would have been punish severely if he had delayed the Dark Lord any and he wanted to make sure that he didn't screw up anything because Master Regulus was depending on him. He again followed the Dark Lord until there was a boat that seemed to materialize out of the black lake they were walking around. He got into the boat and they both sailed to a tiny island in the middle of the lake an eerie green glow coming from it.

The Dark Lord ordered him to drink from the potion where the light was coming from, and he did as he was told. The moment the liquid touched his lips he felt a pain that was worst than anything he had known before, his mind was filled with all of the bad things that has happened to him over the years … all the times that he had let his mistress and masters down. All through that torture, he was commanded to keep drinking. He didn't want to, but he had been order to do anything that the Dark Lord said and so he kept scoping the potion into his mouth until it was gone.

The torture didn't stop after he had finished the potion, and now he was filled with the desire to get some water, he needed water now. He moved so that he would get to the lake and he heard laughter at this as he saw the Dark Lord place a locket in the basin before pouring more potion in.

"My Horcrux will be perfectly safe here," the Dark Lord laughed as Kreacher put his hand in the water, the Dark Lord was already in the boat and it was moving away from the little island. Inferis came out of the lake; surrounding the elf that seemed to be struggling against them before they finally dragged it to the bottom of the lake.

Kreacher struggled more than ever as he sunk farther down, he was sure to be lost, but he could not … not when Master Regulus had told him to come back. He was gone in mere seconds after that thought, he could not let master Regulus down by not coming back.

"Kreacher?" Regulus said when the wet elf landed in his bedroom gasping for air. "Kreacher are you all right?"

"Y-yes," Kreacher answered as he coughed, not being able to deny his master an answer to the question.

Regulus didn't believe that answer, and though he had a millions questions to ask, he forced himself not to do so until the elf would have time to gather himself. It took hours for Kreacher to stop shaking, and Regulus had to give him many cups of water, but eventually he was able to talk.

"Kreacher … what happened?" Regulus asked miserably.

"Kreacher is doing as you asked, sir," Kreacher said and then he explained everything that he had done and saw the Dark Lord do, including the mention of a Horcrux. Regulus didn't look please by anything that Kreacher was saying so the elf added said, "Is Kreacher being a bad elf?"

"What?" Regulus said looking confused before he smiled at the worried elf, "no Kreacher, you did exactly what I wanted you to do … thank you."

Master Regulus seemed unnerved after all this happened, reading a lot of the old books in the study, seeming to try to figure something out. Kreacher didn't know what he was doing, but he trusted that it had to be important if Master Regulus wanted to do it. On that day, the worst day of Kreacher's life, Master Regulus looked crazed and yet determined at the same time. If Kreacher had known beforehand what Master Regulus was planning, he wouldn't have gone along so easily, but then again there was nothing that would have stopped his master from doing what needed to be done.

Still, when he was standing in front of the basin again, he had expected to be the one to drink, as he had the last time, but Master Regulus order him to do something a whole lot worse. He ordered him to make sure that his master drunk everything until it was gone and he could take the locket that the Dark Lord had left there. Even as he listened to his master scream and his trembling hands forced his master to drink he didn't realized that his master would never be leaving the cave again. He thought that he would be taking Master Regulus out of the cave with him when he finished, but that wasn't to be the case. He was order to leave his beloved master behind … never tell his mistress of what had happened to him and to try to destroy the locket that his master had entrusted him with.

This was not exactly the story that Kreacher told the others, the details were not all there, but they all understood what he was saying. He had expected Sirius to yell at him, to shout that he should not have let Master Regulus die in his stead, but Sirius was beyond words at this point, his hand were covering his face and he was crying silent tears.

"Thank you, Kreacher," Dumbledore said at the end of the story, and he looked at the remaining people in the room, not sure what he could say to them. Remus seemed to be the only one that was able to look at him, Sirius was obviously beyond caring about anything at the moment, and Harry seemed to be completely absorbed in comforting his uncle.

"I think we need to be alone," Remus said to him, "thank you for coming to help us when you did."

Dumbledore recognizing the dismissal, and knowing that there was nothing else to be discussed, got up and walked away. He felt a bit of pain for hearing this story with Sirius in the room, he had known that it would be about Regulus's last few days, but Sirius must have known that too. The only good point that he could note about this, is that he no longer had to look for the cave. He had always suspected the cave might be a hiding place for one of Voldemort's Horcruxes. It also confirmed his theory that Voldemort would place his Horcruxes in places that had a significance to him which might make Dumbledore's search for other Horcruxes easier.

"Sirius," Remus said softly after the old headmaster was gone. Sirius didn't seem to notice him at all but Remus hadn't expected him too. He just got up so he could sit by Sirius, and waited until his friend was able to say something.