A/N: Lol, I freaked out when I woke up to 600+ reviews. Huhu thank you all so much.
Special thanks to my lovely Beta, lozipozivanillabean! Enjoy!
xxxv.
be the light in the dark of this danger – part ii
(A Safe Place to Land by Sara Bareilles)
January 3, 1979
Hermione, in her Animagus form, spotted a heavily cloaked Regulus hiding in the shadows at the most secluded booth in the whole of the Leaky Cauldron.
Her blue eyes glanced at the scuttling overgrown rat beside her and she gloomily meowed, relaying that she'd seen Regulus Black.
She wasn't sure if it was possible in Animagus form, but Hermione could actually feel Peter's deathly glare directed at her furry back.
When Peter had demanded he was coming with them, Hermione had tried every means she could think of just to stop him. The Pettigrew siblings had exchanged a few well-aimed spells, with Hermione mostly meaning to petrify or stun him, so that she could run away and meet Regulus. But to her utmost surprise, Peter dodged them all and even tried to petrify and stun her instead. Perhaps, Auror training had made Peter a better fighter. She would have been relieved at that thought, seeing that he was already being sent into different dangerous missions. But his constant dodging and attacking was frustrating, and nine pm had been steadily approaching.
In the end, Hermione called for a ceasefire and a reluctant agreement that Peter could come with her to the Leaky Cauldron.
Before they left, Hermione had scrawled a letter telling Anya she might spend the night over at Lily and Sev's. After that, she and Peter had decided to Apparate near the Leaky Cauldron instead of Flooing, just so they could arrive in their Animagi forms - nobody would remember them in the pub that night.
Hermione took the lead and slinked towards the tense Slytherin. She loudly meowed at Regulus, who flinched and warily glanced at her cat form.
"Pettigrew?" he tentatively whispered.
She meowed in confirmation. At this angle, Regulus looked positively green, deep terror in his mercurial eyes. Perhaps, he also knew that this mission was dangerous – more dangerous than their break-in at Gringotts months ago – and had been on edge ever since.
Hermione meowed once more and bounded away, hoping that Regulus got her signal to follow her. She didn't look back as she slipped past the entrance between the Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley and only stopped when they were finally at the back of Flourish and Blotts.
She turned into her human form and grimly greeted Regulus Black. Almost immediately, Peter turned into his human form too, prompting Regulus to backpedal in shock, his wand now clutched tightly in his hand.
"What the hell is he doing here?" he furiously cried, jamming his wand tip in the Auror's direction. Horror and disbelief coloured his face as he glanced back at Hermione once more. "Are you… are you double crossing me?"
"No," Hermione flatly said at the same time Peter murmured, "So you're really a Death Eater, huh."
Regulus suddenly looked thunderous as he lifted his wand again, threateningly pointing it at Peter. Her brother also had his wand drawn, ready to defend himself in case the need arose.
"Please, we have other things to do," Hermione snapped, eyeing their wands warily. It was Peter who first withdrew his wand and stiffly stared at Regulus, unwilling to look away from his suspicious, grey eyes.
"Regulus…"
"What is he doing here, Pettigrew?" he spat, not breaking his glaring contest with her older brother.
"He's going to help us," she tiredly explained, lifting her fingers to massage her throbbing temples. "I may have fucked up a bit and didn't burn your letters after receiving them. Peter found them and he demanded to come to this… this thing."
"Yes, well, what the hell are you both going to do?" Peter hotly asked, his blue eyes shifting away from Regulus to look at his sister. "You never answered my question when I asked you back at home. Are you sure you're not in cahoots with Voldemort?"
Regulus flinched at the mention of the Dark Lord's name, but a sneer appeared on his face. "Didn't your sister tell you?" he spat. When Peter suspiciously glanced back at him, he added, "We're going to bring the fucking Dark Lord down."
Peter's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "What?" he cried. His wild eyes landed on Hermione. "Hermione—"
"I'll explain everything to you soon, Peter. I promise," she gruffly said, stepping forward to knock Regulus's pointed wand away. The Slytherin glowered, but Hermione was unfazed. "We really have other things to do and I'd rather we finish this as soon as possible."
She ignored Peter's indignant cry and frowned at Regulus. "Where's your house-elf?" she asked.
Regulus looked hesitant. "Are you really sure it's wise if we bring Kreacher with us?" he tentatively asked. "After his field trip with the Dark Lord… he didn't look too well, Pettigrew. In fact, he looked like he was going to – to die."
Hermione swallowed down her trepidation. "He's the only one who knows where the cave is, Regulus," she reasoned out. "My best friend didn't tell me where exactly the cave was located. He was merely brought there by Dumbledore by Side-Along."
"Best friend? He? You mean Snape?"
"No," Hermione distractedly replied to her bewildered brother.
"Then who—"
"Later, Peter. I promise," she harshly cried, piercing him with a cold glare. "Please. Just – just bloody hell, shut up. I'm going to tell you everything soon. Please, just don't ask any questions and – and go along with everything."
"Well, that's very comforting," he sarcastically spat.
"Just shut up and do what she tells you, Pettigrew," Regulus growled, darkly glaring at the older wizard. "She may be the only one who can get us out alive. So shut your damn trap and follow her lead, yeah?"
Peter didn't appreciate being told off by the Slytherin, but blessedly, he clammed up and moodily glared at his feet. Terrified tears appeared in Hermione's eyes as she reached forward and squeezed his arm in reassurance. "I promise to tell you everything after we've finished this mission," she softly said, voice thick with tears. "Marauder's honour, Petey."
He glanced at her, his mouth drawn into a firm line. He nodded twice to show his agreement.
Hermione gratefully smiled at him. Brushing her tears away, she turned to Regulus once more. "We need Kreacher now," she said.
"Fine, if it's the only way," he sighed. "Kreacher!"
A loud pop instantly filled the abandoned alley. Regulus's personal house-elf appeared beside the Black heir. Despite the darkness blanketing them, Hermione could see that Kreacher looked terrible. He looked ashen and shaky, like he'd gone through hell and back. Seeing that he'd accompanied Voldemort on a horrible task, perhaps that wasn't too farfetched at all.
"M – Master Regulus called for Kreacher?" the wiry house-elf stuttered, glancing curiously at Hermione and the silent Auror.
"Kreacher," Regulus firmly started, "we need you to take us to the cave where Voldemort brought you."
Terrified tears welled up in Kreacher's eyes. "No, no, no," he chanted, wringing his large ears as he started to pace. "No, no, Kreacher cannot take Master Regulus and his friends there. No! Kreacher cannot go back there, Master Regulus. The cave! And dark, very dark and so cold… Kreacher thought he was going to die there. No, no, no, Master Regulus. Kreacher cannot!"
Regulus surprised Hermione when he fell on his knees, just to level his eyes with his hysterical house-elf. "Kreacher," he called, placing both of his hands on top of Kreacher's knobby shoulders to keep him in place. "I know you don't want to go back there. But… but this is the only way for me to escape Voldemort."
Kreacher was visibly shaking, big, fat tears sliding down from his round eyes. "Master Regulus can escape h-him?" he stuttered in disbelief.
"Yes," Regulus resolutely replied. "If you take us to this cave, then there is a chance we may actually defeat him."
The house-elf looked deeply troubled as his huge eyes swept from his master to the Pettigrews. "Okay," Kreacher finally breathed out. "Okay."
Regulus exchanged a relieved glance with Hermione. He then clambered onto his feet as Kreacher noisily sniffed and positioned himself in front of the trio.
"Master Regulus and his friends must hold onto Kreacher."
They did what they were instructed to do and soon disappeared with a soft pop.
-ooo-
The salty air wafted up her nose as Kreacher reappeared them on top of a huge stone cliff. Peter yelped, almost slipping away and losing his balance, but Regulus was quick to wrap a tight hold around his wrist and pulled him back.
Hermione warily eyed the huge waves that crashed against the weathered stone before disappearing back into the sea, only to rise up again and crash once more. If they were to fall, the waves would be enough to pull them deeper into the sea until they couldn't break above the surface.
"Where are we?" Peter exclaimed, keenly scanning the stony platform they were standing on. His eyebrows were slowly knitting together as he glanced at the other two. "Can you feel it too?"
"Dark magic," Regulus gravely said. "At least we know we're in the right place."
Kreacher squeaked and started sobbing hysterically again. "Kreacher cannot enter again, Master Regulus! Kreacher would rather die!" he exclaimed.
Regulus glanced at Hermione, waiting for her instructions. The witch thoughtfully nibbled her lower lip, wondering if it would be wise to let Kreacher return to Grimmauld Place.
The cave was undoubtedly surrounded with Anti-Apparation Wards, because surely Voldemort wanted to make sure no one would get out of this place alive. Kreacher's house-elf magic may prove useful in case they needed to get away as soon as possible. But, if they entered with him, when he was clearly terrified beyond reason, the plan may get botched up too.
"It's all right," she said after coming to a decision. "He can return to Grimmauld Place." Then, to Kreacher, she kindly added, "But, if we ever call for you, it means we're in danger and we need your help. You must come immediately to us, Kreacher. Do you understand?"
Despite his tears, the house-elf glared darkly at Hermione. "Miss is not Kreacher's Mistress!" he loudly exclaimed. "Miss cannot order Kreacher around!"
Hermione sighed and glanced at Regulus for help.
"Follow what she says, Kreacher," the Black heir ordered with a firm frown. "If something happens - if she or her brother calls for you or orders you to do something, you must follow. Am I making myself clear?"
The antagonistic look disappeared from the house-elf's face. "If Master Regulus wishes it, then Kreacher must abide," he said, deeply bowing down until the pointy end of his nose almost touched the cold, stony floor. "But Kreacher will only follow Master Regulus's friends orders if Master Regulus himself gives them his blessing."
Regulus expelled a deep sigh and extended his hand towards Hermione. "Hold my hand," he said.
"Why?" Peter thundered whilst Hermione quirked an eyebrow.
The Slytherin rolled his eyes and snatched Hermione's hand. Then, without Peter's permission, he also grabbed the older wizard's hand. Kreacher then wordlessly placed both of his hands on top of theirs. A warm, yellow wisp entangled around their wrists before melting into their skin.
"What was that?" the brunette asked with widened eyes. She pulled her hand away and stared at her hand, lightly grimacing at the tingly feeling around her wrist.
"Technically, my house-elf cannot do anyone's orders unless he or she is a Black," Regulus explained matter-of-factly. "Some Master-House Elf contract crap. No time to explain. But basically, as the Black heir, I've given you permission to temporarily share the binding magic I share with Kreacher."
Hermione's lips curled in disgust, biting down a snide comment about abuse and house-elf slavery.
Regulus shot an amused glance at her face. "What?" he asked.
"Nothing," she said, deciding that they had more pressing matters to attend to right now.
The Slytherin still stared at her dubiously, but chose not to comment about it any further. Instead, he turned to his house-elf and said, "You may leave."
Kreacher didn't need to be told twice as he snapped his fingers and popped away.
"Come on then," Hermione said, leading the small group as she meandered along the slippery stone path. She had to occasionally catch herself from tumbling, grasping onto sharp stones to break her fall. "Bloody convenient," she muttered darkly under her breath as she broke her seventh slip.
They were soon faced with a huge, stone wall. Hermione tried to search for a small opening to crawl into, but there was nothing in sight. There was something brown and crusting against a slab on the wall, which piqued her interest. Despite Peter's protest, Hermione strode forward and inspected the stain.
Grimacing, she glanced at her other companions. "Blood," she spat disgustingly. "I think we need to offer a few drops of blood to enter the cave."
"Of course," Regulus muttered as he slowly pulled his wand out from his robe pockets. Peter's own wand was immediately out too and he was threateningly pointing it at the Slytherin. "Calm down, Pettigrew. I'm going to form a wound big enough to offer a few drops of my blood."
Hermione frowned. "Why does it have to be you?" she asked.
He looked at her like she was barmy. "This is the Dark Lord we're talking about," he drawled matter-of-factly. "Of course he'd want pure, precious blood to drip all over the entrance of his cave."
The brunette rolled her eyes. "Of course," she muttered, stepping aside to let Regulus past.
"Diffindo," Regulus muttered, slashing a clean slice along the skin of his palm. He grimaced and clenched his hand into a fist, managing to drop three, bright red spots of blood onto the stony wall.
There was a mighty rumble as the stone wall slowly shifted aside, revealing an entrance wide enough for them to pass through.
Before they could walk inside however, Hermione grabbed onto Regulus's hand and healed his cut. She ignored his surprised gaze as Hermione pushed Regulus aside and took the lead once more, tentatively taking a peek inside the opening his blood had made.
The whole cave was drenched in complete darkness. Hermione tried to make out any silhouettes of a basin or even a boat, but it was too dark. "Lumos Maxima!" she exclaimed, throwing a huge ball of white light into the air.
She held her breath as she followed the path of the hovering light.
"There's something over there," Peter said, squinting his eyes to get a clearer view. "I think… I think it's a basin of some sort."
"That's where the horcrux is placed," she distractedly said, slowly climbing inside the cave. To her dismay, there was only a small patch of stone beside the small lake surrounding the basin. She fearfully eyed the dark waters, wondering how many Inferi were lurking underneath. "Whatever you do, don't touch the water."
"Why?" Peter harshly asked, panic now heard in the tone of his voice.
"Inferi," Regulus murmured, his silver eyes almost glinting in the darkness surrounding them.
The Auror took a sharp intake of breath. "Bloody fucking hell," he cursed. "Of course. Of course." Peter tightly clutched her arm and forced Hermione to look over at him. "Do you want to die, Hermione? Whatever this horcrux is, is it really worth it for you, and fucking Regulus Black, to venture into an Inferi-infested cave, in the middle of the fucking ocean?"
"Yes," she replied without blinking an eye.
Peter's face crumpled, his wild, panicked eyes glancing at Hermione and then back to the water.
"No time for breakdowns," Regulus hissed at the hyperventilating wizard.
Hermione worriedly stared at her older brother. "Peter—"
"Give me a few seconds," Peter said, raising a hand to halt whatever Hermione was going to say. The wizard took a few lungfuls of air and tightly closed his eyes. Hermione watched in amazement as the panic slowly seeped out of his system, leaving only a serene indifference that she usually only saw Regulus wearing when he was out in public.
"All right," he said, voice strangely strained and tight despite the blankness of his face. "Carry on."
She guardedly eyed Peter, watching for other signs of panic that may cost them their life. But when she saw none, she tightly nodded her head and looked straight ahead once more. The conjured ball of light was now hovering over the basin holding the horcrux, illuminating the little island that was too small to hold all three of them.
"How are we going to get there?" Regulus asked.
Instead of voicing out an answer, Hermione pointed her wand towards the lake and whispered, "Accio chain." There was a clanging sound from the water and Hermione opened her palm, waiting. A thick, coppery chain soon leapt out from the waters and into her palm.
"Help me pull it out of the water," she instructed, passing the chain to both Regulus and her brother.
With a mighty heave, they pulled the chain until a small rowboat with a greenish hue emerged out of the water. Besides the menacing glow, the boat looked sturdy enough to hold at least two people inside. Peter also came to that conclusion as an expletive broke out from his mouth.
"Only two people can fit inside," she whispered, cautiously glancing at her brother. "One of them has to be me."
"And the other is me," Regulus said without batting an eye.
"No," Peter growled. "If anyone has to ride this stupid boat to get to that stupid basin, it has to be me. Merlin only knows what will happen once you get there."
"I actually do know what will happen once we get to the other side," Hermione firmly revealed. "Regulus too. If anyone has to stay behind, it has to be you, Peter. I'm sorry, but you're the one who has the least information on what is happening right now."
"Because no one will tell me!" he cried, his voice ringing throughout the vast cavern. His eyes looked hysterical once more, but he was trying his very best to stop himself from completely exploding.
Hermione deflated and leant towards her brother. "Even if I tell you everything right now, you might not understand it," she whispered apologetically.
"She's right," Regulus piped in. "Took me fucking weeks to wrap my head around everything she said." When Peter growled angrily, Regulus huffed. "We're not purposively leaving you in the dark, Pettigrew. We're just trying to save you from an inevitable breakdown. And like I said, we cannot afford that right now. Not when the horcrux is in sight. Not when there are dormant Inferi swimming here in the water."
"Besides, you're an Auror," Hermione appeased. "If something happens to us, we need you to act quickly and save us all."
Peter snorted, his grip on her hand tightening. "You put too much faith in me when you and I both know you're the one that acts quickly," he snapped.
"Peter, really, after everything you've been through these past few months, you still doubt yourself?" She roughly smacked the underside of his head and ignored his yelp of pain and surprise, as she darkly glared at him. "You've managed to become an Auror, you buffoon. Have a little faith in yourself."
The older wizard bristled and stared at the high ceilings of the cavern. "Bloody fucking hell," was all he could say.
She threw a worried glance at Regulus, who had now wordlessly tilted his head towards the awaiting boat.
After giving Peter a warning glare, Hermione slowly clambered inside the boat. She stilled as it rocked precariously, and she was only able to breathe a little more easily, when the boat had stopped moving. Next, Regulus climbed in and nervously gripped the edge of the boat until it stopped swaying.
As soon as the two were settled, the boat suddenly lurched forward. Hermione met Peter's worried gaze throughout their small journey. She only broke away from his stare once the boat lightly slammed against the stony dais leading to the glowing basin.
Regulus was the first one to jump out and helped Hermione out. The witch muttered her thanks and took the lead again, climbing up the steps of the dais with Regulus following closely behind.
A lump formed in her throat once they reached the basin with the greenish glow. Hermione peered inside and tried to see the silhouette of the locket, but the liquid inside was murky enough to obscure it from view. There was a clam-shaped goblet sitting on top of the basin, wordlessly providing instructions on how to get to Slytherin's locket.
"You must drink the liquid inside," she murmured, grabbing onto the goblet. "Every drop of it."
Regulus grimaced. "It's cursed, isn't it?" His grimace morphed into a small scowl upon seeing Hermione's pale face. "Of course it is."
"My best friend told me that when Dumbledore drank the potion inside, he started hallucinating," she said, tightly gripping the goblet in her hand. "No matter what I do or say, you have to force me to drink the potion, Regulus. Our priority is the horcrux. Do you understand?"
His eyes widened in surprise, looking at her as if she'd grown another head. "You're the one who's going to drink the cursed potion?" he asked.
"Yes," she dully said.
"No," Regulus harshly replied, snatching the goblet from Hermione's hand before she could protest. "You are too valuable in this mission, Pettigrew. I wasn't exaggerating back at Diagon Alley; you are the only one who can save us in case things blow out of proportion."
Tears sprang up in her eyes as a wry smile stretched on her face. "You put too much faith in me," she mumbled, once again fearfully glancing at the Inferi-infested waters. In another life, Regulus Black had been dragged into the dark waters to become an Inferius forevermore. Could Hermione really save him from such a fate?
"Shouldn't I?" the Slytherin claimed, a dry laugh escaping from his lips. "I've blindly followed whatever instructions you've told me to do since day one, Hermione Pettigrew. I think I'm slowly losing my mind from everything you've told me so far, but if it means I can escape Voldemort, then I'd choose this over him in a heartbeat. And besides—" He eyed the cursed liquid in determination. "Consider this as penance for all of the sins I've made in this blasted, albeit short, life."
"You've done enough," Hermione said, placing a comforting hand on his arm.
"Not enough," he hotly replied. "I'll only be satisfied if I know the Dark Bastard's dead."
Hermione sighed, knowing that whatever she did, there was no stopping him. "I'm going to have to force it down you," she warned. "Remember, even Dumbledore was victim to the dark effects of this liquid."
Regulus considerably paled but his face was set. "Let's just get this over and done with," he murmured.
"Fine," she sighed in defeat. "Give me the replica necklace first before you start drinking."
The Slytherin rummaged inside his pocket and fished out the glinting necklace. Hermione felt sick just looking at the replica; how much worse will she feel when she sees the real thing?
She watched as Regulus slowly scooped the murky liquid into the cup. Once filled to the brim, he brought it against his lips and finished the potion in three mighty gulps.
For a moment, nothing happened and Hermione wondered if Harry had exaggerated about this particular bit of information. But then, Regulus's face crumpled, raw fear and agony painted on his pale face. He started to shake and terrified, incomprehensible words tumbled out of his lips. Regulus threw the goblet on the ground as he tried to get away from the basin.
"Hermione?" Peter called from the other side, obviously panicked, as he had raised his wand in readiness.
"Everything's all right, Peter," she shouted, quickly grabbing onto the goblet to place more cursed liquid inside.
Regulus slid down onto the floor and breathed heavily, his silver eyes wide and frantic, darting all over the cave and seeing nightmarish shadows that the potion had conjured in his mind.
"Come on, one more cup," she urged, tilting the goblet to his trembling lips. Regulus yielded and parted his lips, gasping painfully as he fully consumed the liquid.
Hermione determinedly walked back to the basin and scooped more potion, urging Regulus again and again to drink until the very last drop. She was starting to see the outline of the locket, but Regulus was growing more hysterical. He was violently shaking, his arms batting away unseen ghosts as terrified tears steadily streamed down from his eyes.
She was crying too, her heart clenching tightly at whatever Regulus was seeing.
"Please, please, no more, please," Regulus loudly sobbed, shying away from the liquid.
"Just one more, Regulus. I promise. One more," she begged, her vision already getting blurry from all of the tears in her eyes. Regulus relented and opened his mouth. He lurched forward and tried to claw his way out, his tears growing incessant and horrified. Hermione wound her arms around the terrified boy, whispering soothing words against his ear until he was slightly mollified.
Hermione then pulled herself from him and walked back to the basin. Her heart soared, noting that she only needed to force him to drink one last cup before she could safely grab the locket.
Regulus shrank when she came back. "You said it was the last," he snapped, watery eyes glaring darkly as Hermione showed him the last cup. "You said it was the last!" He started shivering once more, loud, guttural sobs tearing out of his lips.
"This is really the last, please Regulus. One more."
He wildly thrashed around and tried to push the goblet away from Hermione's hands.
"You said you wanted Voldemort to die," she croaked. "You said you wanted to be free. This is the only way, Regulus. I'm sorry but this is the only way."
All the energy zapped out of him as he slumped forward and stared at Hermione with such open vulnerability on his face.
She sobbed in relief when he parted his lips and she didn't hesitate to spill the liquid inside his mouth.
As soon as he gulped down the last drop of liquid, the terror on his face smoothed out. Regulus blearily blinked at Hermione and smacked his lips. "Water," he whispered. "Please. Give me water."
Hermione's heartbeat quickened, remembering Harry's failed attempt at conjuring water to give to Dumbledore. It was a clever plan, for Voldemort to concoct an evil potion that would render the drinker so unbelievably thirsty that he wouldn't have any choice but to get water from the surrounding lake. Hermione knew this was how Regulus had died before - thirsty beyond reason, crawling towards the bank of the small lake to scoop out a few handfuls of the icy cold water and subsequently getting dragged below by the cursed Inferi.
Nonetheless, she pointed her wand at the empty goblet to give it a try. "Aguamenti," she whispered. Predictably, no water was conjured.
"Hermione," he softly begged. "Water, please."
"I can't conjure water here," she said, frustrated. "I'm going to make the switch first, then we can get the hell away from here. Then, you can drink as much water as you like."
His face crumpled, his eyes darting greedily towards the dark water lapping temptingly near his feet.
"I'm sorry, Regulus, but I have to do this," she said, pointing her wand tip at his chest instead. Before he could react, she muttered a soft "Petrificus Totalus", turning him into stone. "I'm not taking any chances."
She carefully placed him on the ground, then rose to her feet, swiping her wayward tears away from her face as she determinedly marched towards the glowing basin.
Every step she took filled her with suffocating dark magic. Amongst all of the horcruxes they'd collected, Slytherin's locket was the one she was well-acquainted with. Her chest felt hot and tingly at the memory of the locket heavily hanging on her neck, whispering dark words that plagued her even during her quiet days.
Hermione pulled out the replica from her pocket, a small, wooden box, and a white cloth. She lifted the true horcrux away from the basin after wrapping it around the handkerchief, and deposited it inside the box. Hermione made her usual litany of warding spells, this time including more complicated spells, as she remembered all of the horrors and pain this specific horcrux had done to her.
Satisfied, she slipped the heavily warded box inside her pocket and placed the exact replica inside the basin.
"NO!"
She flinched in surprise and immediately swivelled around. To her horror, Regulus had broken free from her Body-Binding Jinx and was now crawling slowly towards the lake.
"No," she echoed in terror. She was too late in shooting another Petrificus Totalus at the crawling Slytherin. Regulus greedily scooped a handful of lake water with both of his cupped palms. Even before he could take a sip from the icy cold water, two, rotting hands shot out and latched tightly onto his wrists. Regulus released a loud yelp and was yanked into the water, completely submerged by the time Hermione reached the edge.
"No, no, no," she said, blindly shooting fire spells as Inferi emerged from the water and scuttled towards her. She was able to spy Regulus's black mop of hair amidst the chaos in front of her and her rapid firing increased. "No, not on my watch."
Tears swam in her vision but her wand waving was precise and resolute. One Inferi tried to jump onto her, but she screamed a loud 'Reducto' that blasted the monster away from her.
"HERMIONE! STAY PUT!" Peter cried from the other side. Distractedly, she could see that he was also rapidly firing numerous fire spells just to blast away the Inferi who were clambering towards him.
Hermione ignored him and blasted a clear path from the dais towards the icy, cold water. "Kreacher!" she croaked in panic. "Kreacher we need you now!"
One Inferi managed to yank her - with a single, mighty pull - under the water. The frigid water enveloped her whole body as Hermione was pulled in different directions, tugging her deeper and deeper into the water. Panic was swallowing her whole, the startling truth that she might actually die today weighing heavily on her.
She tightly gripped her wand as the oxygen rapidly left her body. Using the last bit of energy she had, she thought of 'Incendio Tria'. She sobbed in relief as a huge ball of yellow, blinding light surrounded her and pulsed around the scrambling Inferi. With her momentary freedom, she acted quickly and pointed her wand tip against her face. She concentrated deeply for the incantation of the Bubble-Head Charm and gasped greedily as the bubble formed and offered her a new source of oxygen.
Hermione weakly shot another Incendio Tria at the steadily swarming Inferi, and frantically looked around in search of Regulus's body. She spied him not too far from where she was and with two more blasts of Incendio Tria, Hermione had cleared a path.
The black lake seemed suddenly awake, with mighty currents trying to wash her farther and farther away from Regulus. Weakened from the cursed liquid, the Slytherin had already passed out and Hermione would be damned if he'd still die today, despite her very presence in this cave.
This thought propelled her further into the water, tightly clutching onto his arm and blasting away two Inferi that had a firm hold on his leg.
"Regulus," she cried, voice muffled by the bubble covering her face. She spelled a Bubble Head Charm on him to give him oxygen too. But Regulus didn't awaken and her terror heightened.
The current was growing stronger, and when Hermione glanced upward, darkness blanketed over them, the outlines of the Inferi steadily moving towards them once more.
An anguished sob escaped from her lips. Perhaps, she was going to die in this cave too.
Hermione pulled Regulus closer to herself and encircled her arms around him. "I'm sorry," she sobbed. "I'm so sorry."
She tightly closed her eyes as she felt the Inferi steadily closing in around them.
A sudden, blinding light from above drove the animated creatures away. Hermione's eyes snapped open and she watched in awe as a constant stream of light gave her a clear path back to the surface of the water. Whatever despair had enveloped her a while ago was washed away with the terrified Inferi. Hermione began hastily swimming and kicking upwards, desperately clutching onto Regulus's body. She threw a barrage of fire spells at Regulus's feet to shake off some wayward Inferi that tried to drag them back down to the lake floor.
As Hermione neared the surface, an arm submerged into the water to pull them out. Hermione clung onto Peter's arm for dear life as he, with one, powerful heave, pulled her and Regulus back onto the stony island.
Hermione collapsed heavily on the jagged stones, coughing up water she'd swallowed.
"Hermione, are you all right?" Peter looked panic-stricken, tears streaming down from his eyes, but his hold on the light spell he'd conjured was unwavering.
"Le– leave," she chattered, her whole body shaking due to the iciness of the water. "We need t– to leave. Now."
Peter firmly nodded and glanced at the small creature dancing around him, balls of fire emerging from his puny hands which blasted away emerging Inferi. "Kreacher!" he barked. "Apparate us out of this cave! Now!"
The house-elf squeaked upon seeing his unconscious master, but quickly went into action and grabbed onto both Hermione and Regulus. Peter clutched his thin arm and ordered, "NOW!"
Hermione felt the pull at her navel, but it was gone almost instantly as she collapsed onto the slippery, jagged stones outside the cave she'd cursed a while ago.
Peter fell onto his knees and gathered Hermione in his arms. "Fuck, fuck, I thought you were dead," he cried, his embrace tight and warm around Hermione.
The brunette shivered as the cold, sea breeze bit her icy cheeks. "Re– Regulus," she chattered, weakly pulling away from Peter. "Is he—"
"Master Regulus is alive!" Kreacher jovially exclaimed. Hermione turned her face away from Peter to glance at the unconscious heap beside her. Like her, Regulus was violently shaking, but the unmistakable rise and fall of his chest was a blessed sight. Granted, it was shallow, but it was there and Hermione had never felt such humongous relief in her whole life.
Hermione shakily pointed her wand at herself and tried to utter a drying and warming charm, but her hand and mouth wouldn't cooperate. "Peter," she said. "I– I'm cold."
"Of course," her brother said. With two, quick slashes she was both warm and dry. He also did the same to Regulus, but the Slytherin remained unconscious and continued to violently shake.
"Regulus needs some tending," Hermione worriedly said, tears filling her eyes as she brushed away some of the hair from his forehead.
"Kreacher will take Master Regulus home—"
"No," Peter harshly cut off. When Kreacher looked at him with wide eyes, he continued, "Grimmauld Place is the least safe place for him, especially after everything that has happened today."
Hermione turned to the bewildered house-elf. "You have to leave, Kreacher—"
"Kreacher will not leave Master Regulus behind!"
Frustrated tears tumbled down from Hermione's eyes. "Please, you have to go back to Grimmauld Place and ward his room," she insisted. "You have to make sure no one will know he's been missing. Regulus – he's – he'll be in grave danger if his parents realise what he was doing behind their backs. You don't want your Master to be in danger, do you?"
"No," the house-elf squeaked, his ears drooping in misery.
"We'll take care of him. I promise," Hermione said. "We'll soon return him once he is well. Do you understand, Kreacher?"
The house-elf still looked hesitant, his huge, tennis-ball eyes darting furtively at his unconscious master and the bushy-haired witch. Kreacher was undoubtedly devoted to his master as he'd demonstrated a while ago. He willingly ventured inside a cave just to save them even when he made it clear how he was deeply terrified of returning inside. No doubt he was trying to weigh his choices, trying to land on a decision that would greatly benefit Regulus.
Finally, to Hermione's relief, he gave a curt nod. He gingerly placed a hand over Regulus's for his goodbye, and with a snap of his fingers, the house-elf was gone.
"We should take him to St. Mungo's—"
"No," Hermione firmly cut him off. "It will raise too many questions. Regulus is the Black heir; the media would surely sensationalise this and create rumours that would be harmful to what we've been doing. I think it is best if we just take him home—"
"No," Peter gravely cut her off. He pierced her with his dark, blue eyes and added, "I have a better idea."
-ooo-
A yelp resounded in the dark room where Peter had brought her and Regulus. Too weakened from what had transpired back at the cave, Hermione collapsed messily on the floor. She warily glanced at Regulus, who continued to violently shake. Still unconscious, he rolled onto his side and vomited the huge amount of cursed liquid and lake water he'd swallowed a while ago.
"What the bloody fuck—"
Her eyes widened, recognising James's voice. All the lamps in his room were instantly lit up, bathing each and every corner of the lavish space in light.
James padded closer to the group, his wand gripped tightly in his hand, as he gaped down at the trio. He looked like he'd been sleeping before they'd arrived, his bare chest heaving deeply due to unadulterated shock.
"Sorry to intrude, Prongs," Peter lowly drawled, "but we have a situation."
A/N: Ooh, another cliffhanger. Sorry about that hehe.
This chapter was so freaking hard to write. Most of you are so excited for this chapter and I got a bit nervous about posting it. I hope I didn't disappoint at all huhu.
Also, I'm aware how Voldemort bewitched the boat to only hold one, adult person inside – Dumbledore knew this and brought Harry with him in HBP, as technically he was still underage, so there's a loophole. I also know I've been working really, really hard to stick to canon, so I hope I'd be forgiven for purposively ignoring this canon fact for the sake of this fanfic's plot ahahahaha.
See you tomorrow!
With love,
WickedlyAwesomeMe
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