Chapter 63: I Got A Black Magic Hallow
"Think about it," Regulus said. "Because after Voldemort apparently created seven, I certainly have. Then I began connecting what I have discovered about Horcruxes to what I knew of the Elder wand. Back as a student at Hogwarts I was fascinated by the history of famous artifacts, reading everything the restricted section had about any and all of them. It was documented that the Elder wand's former owners felt it was sentient. It was said that the thing seemed to have its own personality and will. This is also true of a Horcrux."
"Very well," Gellert said slowly. His expression was, at present, as difficult to read as his mind, but at least he did not seem to disbelieve, so Regulus continued.
"Did you experience this sentience with the wand," he asked and Gellert nodded.
"It was quite the unique experience. Like having a magical partner of sorts in some ways." As Gellert spoke, Regulus caught another mental flash of Blaise Zabini. As if Gellert thought of the young man as a similar sort of magical partner. Well that was alright, and far healthier, Regulus thought.
"Do you believe it could have betrayed you in the end," Regulus asked and Gellert slowly shook his head, his expression one of doubt.
"I don't see how. It was all so sudden.
"Nonetheless, I still do not believe that any Horcrux can be trusted," Regulus insisted. "I believe that it would have betrayed you eventually had you kept it much longer."
"Alright," Gellert said carefully. His expression was considering if not completely convinced.
"If it truly did not cost you any battle victories, you were extremely fortunate. In the end, it turned on all of its owners if my theory is correct. Keep in mind what sort of person actually wants to create a Horcrux," Regulus said. "Not at all a sane or savory one. Perhaps it gets a thrill from switching owners to personally experience various types of dark wizards, relishing the way each operates for its own twisted entertainment."
Gellert nodded. "Point taken."
Regulus smiled. "That is good. Because I don't feel it would be safe for anyone to keep the thing. I like you and I would hate to see anything befall you for placing your trust in a Horcrux simply because it came in the guise of a powerful wand." Regulus knew that he may be crossing a boundary in speaking so frankly, because this was none of his business. He had a feeling, though, that Grindelwald had had no one back in the day to tell him these things. Followers, even if cherished, were not friends who cared enough to say what required saying even when it could be uncomfortable. Friends dared what followers never would. Now Gellert had friends to care in the way only friends would. He had Blaise of course, and Kereston with whom he seemed close. Regulus assumed as things had changed, perhaps friendly concern would be welcome and heeded.
"Well as I said I no longer have the thing so I am entirely safe." Gellert flashed a bright smile that did not quite touch his eyes. It made Regulus think he still missed the wand, at least a little. That was logical, though. Such a powerful and likely addictive magical tool had to have a pull to it. A lure that must be difficult to resist. It was the main reason Regulus would never pursue such a thing himself fascinating though it may be. "But if you ever got an inkling of where it had gotten to, would you want it again," he asked.
Gellert shook his head, meeting Regulus's gaze directly. When he spoke, Regulus believed he was telling the truth. "No. Not anymore. I have gained too much to risk losing it for any reason."
"Blaise," Regulus asked and Gellert nodded. "Of course. And my family as well as the new friends I have made. My youth has been restored to me, and I will not spend it behind prison walls again. I had no plans to pursue the wand, but if you are correct about it containing a Horcrux, that makes it even easier to resist." He sighed, a look of weariness suddenly in his eyes. "I could never figure out what made it sentient, though I frequently tried," he admitted.
"So you believe my theory to be a solid one," Regulus asked, feeling a sudden ridiculous fanboy sort of pride that Grindelwald liked his bloody conclusions.
"I think it sounds credible," Gellert said. The blonde's unhappy expression made Regulus believe that he wasn't just humoring him. "Speaking of Horcruxes," Gellert said, the cloud of slight sadness leaving his face as he flashed Regulus a smile that this time did fully reach his eyes. "If anything else occurs to you that I should know or understand about this Voldemort, please don't hesitate to inform me. I see that your thoughts and observations are quite valuable."
Regulus grinned. He couldn't help it. Grindelwald of all bloody wizards valued his thoughts! That was nearly as good as Merlin, though he probably wouldn't admit as much to the blond wizard. "Very well. Now I am flattered."
Gellert chuckled. "What of the other two artifacts? Do you believe the other two brothers placed Horcruxes in the cloak and resurrection stone?" As he spoke, Grindelwald leaned forward slightly, his expression thoughtful and interested. He looked at Regulus as though he were an equal. Just a few dark wizards sitting around talking up the dangers of Horcruxes.
"I think it is a distinct possibility," Regulus said. "The only problem is that no one who has owned the cloak or stone has died that I am aware of. Well of course they have died," he amended hastily. "But not by any sort of nefarious means. They all did have an obsession with death and defeating it, though."
Gellert nodded, his expression thoughtful as his blue gaze stared momentarily into space. "Excellent point," he murmured distractedly. "I once believed the resurrection stone would make Inferi, but as it turns out, it does something far more strange and less useful than that."
"Really," Regulus said. This time it was his turn to lean forward in interest. "How do you know?"
"Severus told me when both of us were early to a meeting at Wolfgang's and had a bit of time to talk. The stone is in the possession of Albus Dumbledore."
Regulus felt his eyes widen at that information. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. He is Dumbledore after all."
Gellert shrugged dismissively, expression mildly unimpressed.
"So what is he using it for," Regulus asked. By this point, Kreacher was leaning forward as well, equally as curious as Regulus to know the answer.
"I don't know that he is using it at all, though in this particular case I suppose I can hardly blame him, because it isn't that interesting," Gellert said. His tone was mildly petulant, as if personally offended by the Res erection Stone for not making itself more interesting and useful to him. "It only allows a person's dead loved ones to return as something odd...not quite alive but stronger than most ghosts. They can only stay for a short period of time. That seems rather useless and depressing to me," he complained, making a disgruntled face.
Regulus felt his breath freezing in his chest as time seemed to stand still. He exchanged a look with Kreacher and saw the same dawning comprehension on the elf's face. They could use it to speak to Regulus's father, and mother! Perhaps to find out what had befallen Walburga, and to apologize to Orion...Gods could he ever apologize to his father enough, Regulus thought miserably.
"Are you alright," Grindelwald asked suddenly. Confusion blended with concern on his face as he regarded both of them.
"It is just...that we could use such an item to speak with both of my parents again," Regulus said. "I could ask my mother how she died and apologize to my father for getting him killed with my stupidity."
"No, it is Kreacher's fault for not taking care and protecting Master Orion," the elf lamented as his face crumpled.
"That isn't true, Kreacher," Regulus said as he hastily put a comforting arm around his best friend's shoulders. "Please don't get yourself worked up. It is all my fault...all my doing. Had I been here when my mother met whatever ended her, I could've protected her and probably prevented it, but no. I was off stupidly believing that you did not want me around. Somehow I stupidly believed that you were both safer if I stayed away. This was just one of my many grand mistakes."
"Kreacher still does not understand how Master Regulus could believe that he was not wanted," the elf said, sniffing and using the hem of his tunic to wipe at his eyes.
"Because, as I continue to remind you, I ruined everything and placed everyone in danger by my actions," Regulus said, frustrated that Kreacher somehow kept forgetting that.
Gellert gave him a perplexed look. "So you're Voldemort now?"
Kreacher gave the blonde an appreciative grin. "He must think so," the elf snarked, giving Regulus a dark look.
"Of course not, but I handled everything in the worst way possible," Regulus said, frowning from one to the other.
"So Master Regulus was the one to nearly kill Kreacher and he struck the killing blows that ended both Master and Mistress," Kreacher asked, feigning confusion.
Gellert smiled happily and Regulus's frown of exasperation deepened.
"Well not as such as you well know, but my actions brought it all into being."
"So Master Regulus made the Horcrux and decided to gain many followers and lie to them before ridding himself of any who were not behaving as he expected," Kreacher asked. "He was a busy Master Regulus indeed, and Kreacher never knew."
Regulus finally grinned in spite of himself before sighing and giving his head a despondent shake. "No, of course that is not what I am saying."
"Very well then, because the pity party is growing dull," Gellert said cheerfully.
Kreacher nodded in fervent agreement.
"Thank you for telling us what the stone does," Regulus told Gellert gravely. His amusement had quickly faded as his thoughts returned to the possibility of speaking to his parents again. "I will ask Albus if we may use it. Perhaps speaking to my parents can give Kreacher and I what we need as well as helping them to rest easier."
Gellert nodded. "That would be nice. At least the bloody thing will have some use for someone."
Regulus assumed that Gellert had no one on the other side with whom he would wish to speak. He was fortunate. This thought caused him to realize that he did have something to tell Gellert about Voldemort. "You asked for any useful information on Voldemort and I do have something. Love...He does not understand or relate to love of any kind. I believe this is why it can be used as a weapon against him in more than one way if it ever becomes necessary." As he spoke, Regulus remembered the hesitation of all three Lestranges to attack him when they'd met up in Knockturn Alley not so long ago. Family love and loyalty was a thing Voldemort would never understand. Love, be it for friends, family, lovers or one's child was more powerful than anything, and Voldemort's failure to see this in spite of the many examples that had been used against him by Regulus's own family as well as the Potters was very telling.
Gellert considered for a moment, eyes contemplative before he nodded. "I understand. That is good to know. Thank you."