Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, and I don't make money from this fic.
September 26, 1979 London, England - Sirius and Hermione's Flat
Sirius awoke in the middle of the night to a familiar bang on the door. He groaned, pulling himself up and not bothering with putting on his dressing robe as he grabbed his wand and headed for the door, hoping the banging hadn't woken Hermione. He peered through the peephole and saw a mop of black hair pacing back and forth in the landing outside his door. He tugged the door open and Regulus rushed inside, resuming his pacing at an alarming rate.
"Reg, why are you always banging on my door at two in the morning?" Sirius sighed, clicking on a lamp and plopping into the chair, looking up at his brother.
"It's not two in the morning, it's four." He said matter-of-factly. "And I've just discovered a bit of information that is very valuable to the Order." That caught Sirius's attention and he sat up a little straighter. "I think the Dark Lord has created a horcrux. Perhaps more than one, but I know of at least the one. We need to go get it, and destroy it, before he finds out that I'm helping the Order."
"Slow down." Sirius said, holding up a hand. "What in the bloody hell is a horcrux?"
"Dark magic, very Dark magic." Regulus said, wringing his hands. "To create a horcrux you must intentionally damage your soul. You must kill someone. The object itself is created by trapping that piece of soul that is severed during the act of murder in a vessel. Should its creator's mortal body be killed, he would not truly die a proper death, as that fragment of soul in the vessel lives on."
"He'd become immortal." Sirius said, understanding.
"Essentially." Regulus said. "Voldemort is terrified of death, that much about him has always been true. It's why he named his followers 'Death Eaters.' He wants to escape death himself. I've suspected something like this for quite some time, but it wasn't until he asked to borrow a house elf for a task that I knew." Regulus balled his fists up until his knuckles were white.
"What happened, Regulus, talk to me." Sirius said, seeing that his brother was close to breaking. He knew how much he loved the house elf that had been his constant companion during the summers.
"He came to us, the Dark Lord. He had need of a house elf, he had a task that needed doing. And of course, only a fool denies the Dark Lord what he wants. I volunteered Kreacher, hoping to secure my position in his ranks further." He spat, unclenching his fists just to clench them again. "He came to collect Kreacher yesterday, even speaking to Mother to thank her for her contribution. I swear, she nearly fainted," He rolled his eyes. "He collected Kreacher and left. It wasn't until earlier this evening, midnight, that Kreacher returned. He was in pain, he looked ill and he was reliving horrible memories. I was able to nurse him back to health after a few hours, but when he told me what occurred…" he said, his face going pale.
"The Dark Lord took him along with him to test his defense mechanisms around the hiding place for what Kreacher described as a locket. He told me how to get there, said something about blood, and a boat that came out of the water, and a glowing potion in the middle of a black lake. He was forced to drink the potion, it was what caused him so much pain. Then, the Dark Lord left Kreacher there to die. I'd ordered him back to the house once the Dark Lord was done with him, and that was his saving grace. He was able to apparate out of there, due to his being a house elf. I don't reckon it'll be so easy for a wizard."
"Why did you come to us with this, Reg? You've known You-Know-Who thought wizards superior to house elves for years." Sirius asked, with a frown.
"Because I offered him the servant of the House of Black, and he left him to die." Regulus said, puffing out his chest. "Kreacher as good as raised us, and I'll not tolerate anyone intentionally doing him or my family harm. I very nearly went to that cave this very night, Sirius." Regulus turned, his grey eyes meeting Sirius's.
"What do you mean?" Sirius asked.
"I had a plan. I was going to have Kreacher take me back to that cave, show me where this horcrux is hidden, and leave me there. He would have been ordered back to the house with orders to destroy the horcrux. Then you'd all have a chance in bringing Voldemort down."
Regulus looked defeated, he stopped his pacing and deposited himself on the couch. He was far from the popular quidditch player Sirius had known in school. This war had taken its toll on them both, it seemed.
"I want him dead, Sirius. I want this to be over. I want my family to be safe, once and for all. I very nearly went to my death tonight in an attempt to save you. In hindsight, that would have been foolish and I'm glad I didn't. But the fact remains, we have to do something. This is your chance, the Order's chance, to take him down. Go to Dumbledore, he'll understand everything. He'll be able to piece the rest of this mess together."
Sirius sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face. His little brother had nearly gone on a suicide mission to help the Order. He had come to him instead. He was overcome with several emotions all at once- pride for his brother, relief that he was okay, anger at Lord Voldemort, and a fierce sense of loyalty to both his brother and the Order. It seemed now, they were on the same side.
"Have a talk with Kreacher, would you?" Sirius said. "Let him know that should I call, it's imperative he cooperate. Dumbledore is going to need the exact details of this place. But I want you to know, Reg," Sirius said, holding his brother's gaze firmly. "Your name will be mentioned. I will not have my brother landing in Azkaban, especially not when he's played such an important part in this information."
Regulus smiled at him, a half smile that didn't reach his eyes. Sirius knew that Regulus would gladly serve time in Azkaban for crimes he did not commit if it meant his brother was alive and free. He'd do anything to protect his family. There was never a time when Sirius understood his brother more than he did in that moment.
October 5, 1979 Hogwarts, Scotland - Headmaster's Office.
"Thank you for meeting with us, sir." Sirius said, sitting next to Hermione across from Dumbledore. Sirius had told Hermione all about what transpired between him and his brother the morning after, as she hadn't woken up throughout their conversation. She had insisted they write to Dumbledore at once, requesting a meeting and Sirius couldn't agree more.
"Of course, I regard Order members as quite a high priority, especially you two. You've proven yourselves quite the informants time and again." Dumbledore said.
"Sir," Sirius began, "The information I have today, before I give it to you, I need to ask something of you." Dumbledore arched his brows, his long, spindly fingers folding together to lay flat on his desk.
"Is that so? Well then, go on, Mr. Black." He said.
"My brother, Regulus. He's been feeding me information about the Death Eaters since we were both in school. He's the one who provided the information that we have for you today. I need to know that he won't go to Azkaban after this is all said and done." Sirius said.
"Hm. Very interesting." Dumbledore said. "And why doesn't your brother simply defect?"
"If he defects, he'll be forced into hiding, or killed. He's far more useful to the Order as a spy and we all know it." Sirius said with confidence. He'd always looked up to Dumbledore, but Merlin, if the man didn't intimidate him. He was always a step or two above the rest of the wizarding world, a god among men. Dumbledore nodded, a twinkle in his bright blue eyes.
"Very well. I do believe you are correct in your assessment. So, what is this information that you have to offer the Order?"
"We believe that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has the goal of immortality. And has taken steps to achieve his goal. He requested from his followers a house elf, and my brother volunteered ours, Kreacher. Upon Kreacher's return he told Regulus of a cave which was guarded with enchantments, and a potion in the middle of a lake. The potion had something, a locket, in the bottom of it. Regulus believes that the locket is a horcrux."
"A horcrux?" Dumbledore asked, sitting back in his chair. "Yes, that would make sense. Tom has never been afraid to use Dark magic. But knowing him, I don't believe he'd put all his eggs in one basket, as it were."
"What do you mean, sir?" Hermione asked, with a frown.
"If this object is truly a horcrux, I believe Voldemort, the man once known as Tom Riddle, would have strived for more. If one promised resurrection after death, I believe he would have thought more would ensure immortality. But how many, and what are they?" Dumbledore pondered, standing and strolling to the window. "Hermione, did you know anything about these horcruxes in your time?"
"No, sir, this is news to me." She said.
"I will have to look into this further. There is a lot more research into this that must be done before we can proceed further." Dumbledore said.
"What about the horcrux that we know of? What do we do about it?"
"For the moment, nothing." Dumbledore said simply.
"What? We know where the cave is, we know the defenses, why should we not storm the cave immediately?" Sirius said, a panic rising in his chest. "I will not sit idly by while my brother could be nearer to death by the hour!"
"Mr. Black." Dumbledore said coolly, a tone Sirius had never heard him use, but that scared him senseless. "Your brother is not the only life I am accountable for, and I will remind you that I have many years more experience in magic than you. We will not be storming this cave on an impulse, and for several reasons which it seems you have not thought through.
"Voldemort has recently been to the cave himself, ensuring that all the protections were in place. Who's to say he does not have something monitoring the entrance, or would you like the Dark Lord to know that you've found the secret cave to one of his undoubtedly most prized possessions? And should you go after this locket, and the Dark Lord were to find out, your brother would most assuredly be outed as a traitor. After all, who would know about this place other than the house elf he took there, and his master? If there are more horcruxes that Voldemort is hiding, it would do no good to rush into getting and destroying one when we have no idea what the others are. It is wiser to gather out intel before we send out the troops."
Sirius fought the urge to squirm in his seat, forcing himself to look Dumbledore in the eye and not move a muscle. Part of him, a part left over from several terrifying incidents with his father as a child, wanted to hide, perhaps even cry. Another part wanted to lash out, that was the angsty teen Sirius had been in school. But the part of him that won out was the man he had grown into; he knew when to accept he was wrong. He knew that Dumbledore was only doing what he must for the greater good. Sirius sighed, his shoulders dropping and his eyes sliding to the floor in defeat.
"My dear boy," Dumbledore spoke again, his voice soft. Sirius glanced back up at him and he could see his facial expression had changed to one of pity. "I often forget that you are barely more than a child. This war has taken its toll on all of us, and I apologize sincerely that you are caught up in all this. You have much to learn, Sirius. But I am proud, indeed of how far you've come."
Sirius nodded, sitting back in his chair. Hermione put a comforting hand on his arm.
"Don't worry, love." She said. "Regulus is safe, for now. If we do not act on the information, he has no way of knowing it was leaked." Sirius nodded again, and Dumbledore turned from the window, returning to the desk.
"Right you are, Hermione, dear. Now, enough Order business. How about a spot of tea? You've yet to tell me about the engagement." Dumbledore said, with a smile. Hermione smiled widely and even Sirius found it in him to grin.
"Let the Dumbledate begin." Dumbledore announced, winking at Sirius. He blushed and threw a glare at Hermione, who was laughing so hard, she nearly fell out of her chair.
"Let the Dumbledate begin, indeed." Sirius mumbled, sinking further into his chair.