Dear Bella

The information that James Potter and Lily Evans were dating shocked Hogwarts in a way Harry had never seen.

"Really, haven't they got anything else to do?" Regulus commented distracted when many girls passed crying through them. "Let's be honest, it's just a date."

"I'm afraid they might go after me…" Lily glanced at the group, and Emmeline smiled:

"You must admit it was a surprise. You went to Hogsmeade with Harry and came back dating James!"

The red – headed blushed, and Regulus sighed as he looked at the Slytherin table.

"They're mad at me. Narcissa asked me what was my problem and said mum was going to kill me when she found out I was talking to you, Sirius."

"Screw her. Does Narcissa have a fiancée? Can't imagine aunt Druella leaving her precious little princess without a husband."

"She's got one. Lucius Malfoy."

"Your aunt's crazy." Dorcas said as Regulus laughed.

"Maybe. Are you going to the Halloween's party?"

"Of course!" James grinned.

"Where is it going to be?" Ginny asked

"Three Broomsticks, just sixth and seventh years. Costume!" Sirius said excitedly.

As they got up from the table Remus's arrival silenced them all. Tired and pale he walked towards Hermione and whispered:

"I'm not going to class today; can you pick up the homework for me, Hermione? I don't ask James and Sirius because they don't even know their own homework…"

Sirius and James opened their mouths to protest, but Peter's sarcastic look made them stop. Hermione nodded and Remus left, dragging his feet. Dorcas sighed.

"Poor thing, he's very likely to get sick, isn't he? This must be the tenth time I see him like this… Just hope he gets better for the party."

"Yeah." Sirius giggled, exchanging significant looks with James and Peter. Regulus stared confusedly at them, and Harry had the sudden memory the boy in front of him knew more about Voldemort and his horcruxes than anyone else."

"Regulus?"

"Yes?"

"How much do you know about Voldemort's life?"

As soon as the boy mentioned Voldemort the group looked at him.

"Don't say his name!" Ron gasped.

"A lot." Regulus answered "Why?"

"Would you happen to know where his school diary is?"

"Of course, New Kid!" Sirius mocked. "Hey, Regulus, do you know where are his nursing bottle?"

"Hilarious, Padfoot." Harry replied. Regulus grinned.

"You know about it too."

"About what?"

"This summer I've been reading some newspapers. And according to my notes, there's only one way he could have changed so much in so little time."

Harry noticed the rest of the group gazed worried at them. Regulus gazed at Harry, a glimpse of comprehension shinning in his eyes.

"Horcruxes."

"What are horcruxes?" Lily asked frowning.

Hermione, even though worried about the direction the conversation was taking, couldn't resist asking:

"Horcruxes are objects in which a dark wizard keeps parts of his soul in order to search immortality. It can damage the appearance if done more than once."

"And how many does he have?" Marlene asked Regulus, who shrugged his shoulders. Ignoring Hermione's appeals, Harry answered:

"Seven, but one has been destroyed."

"Seven" Regulus shocked. "Oh, God."

"Six." Ron corrected. "Do you know where his diary is?"

"I don't…" the boy admitted, disappointed. Suddenly, a smile showed in his face. "But I know someone who does. See you at lunch!"

On the way to potions' class, James said:

"So that's what you came to do!"

Harry nodded and the marauder exclaimed:

"Why didn't you tell us? We can help!"

Harry glanced at Hermione, who shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm clearing their memories." she whispered. "Say whatever you want, I'm tired of trying to stop you. Ginny is convincing the girls that we are from the future. Do you think Ron would be surprised if I asked him to the party?"

"Nope." Harry smiled. "I really think he would love it."

Hermione giggled and got into the dungeon with Ron. Beside him James sighed, holding hands with Lily.

"Here we go…"

The moment they entered the room Professor Slughorn came walking to them, a wide smile in his face.

"Mr. Potter and Mrs. Evans; the couple of the minute! I'm not surprised; you were made for each other!"

Harry sat by Sirius' side, who was trying not to laugh at James and Lily's embarrassment. When they could finally sit, Slughorn turned to him:

"What about you, Mr. Black? When will you find yourself a lady?"

Sirius was crying with laughter.

"I-I don't think it – would – work." He gasped, pretending to be serious.

"A shame… A shame indeed." Slughorn bewailed, and Harry poked Sirius for him to stop laughing.

Harry, to whom the half blood prince's notes were missed (for Hermione's complete utter happiness) was surprised when at the end of the class, when almost all of the students ran away from there, the Professor came to talk to him.

"I've heard you are really talented in quidditch, Mr. Parker." He begun smiling, but Harry already knew where was he going to.

"Oh… Yeah."

"I suppose the students already talk about this… The Slug Club is the name of a little club of mine, to where only a small proportion of the students are invited to. Of course I wait for you at the next meeting, sir."

"Yes, sir." Harry started walking away. From the far he kept grinning as Slughorn waved unstoppably. "See you there!"

When he finally reached his friends everyone was around Sirius, reading a note he held in his hands:

Friends,

Meet me at the owlery.

Thank you,

R.A.B

"Let's go" Sirius asked when he saw Harry with them. Marlene ripped the note from his hands.

"Regulus? R.A.B?"

"Yes." Sirius rolled his eyes. "His middle name is Arcturus. Pompous git."

The owlery was completely silent when they arrived, and for a moment they thought there was nobody there. Only when they walked to the main tower they saw Regulus backing up on a wall holding a piece of parchment in his hands and smiling victoriously.

"So, Regulus." James asked. "What's up?"

He handled James the parchment gladly, and Prongs begun to read:

Dear Bella,

It has been a long time since we don't talk, cousin. How is the marriage going? I hope everything is fine and Rodolphus treats you as you deserve.

Well, cousin, last summer you came to know about my extreme interest over the Dark Lord's life, when I told you about my research about horcruxes and how I could link them with your master.

In the last part of my quest I would really appreciate if you, a person who He trusts greatly, could tell me the location of the Dark Lord's former school objects.

If you detain this kind of information please tell me, and if possible sub serve my access to such reliquary, which certainly will become part of Wizardry's History soon. It is important I finish my research in order to enter the Lord's intimate circle better prepared.

I finish this letter assuring you that your younger cousin will take good care of the object, which for us represents the beginning of the new Era.

My best wishes,

R.A.B

"Genius!" Ron exclaimed.

"Thank you." Regulus thanked as he attached the letter to a dark owls leg that took off the moment he was done. "I guess the reply won't take long."

"Cynical." Ginny and Sirius laughed, and the boy tapped Regulus on the back when he was leaving.

"Continue like this and maybe I'll be proud of you."

Harry grinned as he got down the stairs, wondering why he didn't ask for help to the old Order of the Phoenix to find horcruxes.

When the weekend approached they went to the owlery again after an urgent call from Regulus. When they arrived, a reply awaited.

Dear Regulus,

It is obvious I have the Master's complete confidence for any subject, Regulus. As for my marriage, it is terrible. I barely see Rodolphus, who is always in some mission for the Dark Lord, but everything else is doing well.

The only object from the Lord's school time that remained is an old diary, which is today inside the vault of Rodolphus's father, Abraham Lestrange. Fortunately for you, my last missions were succeeded and the Dark Lord gave me a copy of the key. For some reason he wills to protect this diary strongly, and feels dreadful about it falling on the wrong hands.

As guardian of this key I can lend you it (it is within the letter), but I need you to give me back as long as you use it. Be careful.

Few minutes after I received your letter, Narcissa's note arrived. Is it true you started talking to Sirius again? Thought you hated him! But is not important, I'm sure you're just doing it to bring him back to the family, and I do appreciate it. I have always known that he had salvation.

Send Sirius a kiss and tell him that if he wants the Dark Lord shall welcome him to his intimate circle, as well as our cousins and parents.

My best recommendations,

B.B.L