A Life Changing Moment
Chapter 28
After leaving Dumbledore's office, Alastor returns home to await a owl from either Amelia or Augusta. Hours later with a drink in hand and sitting in his favourite chair, when an owl flies in and drops an envelope on his lap before flying away.
He takes the last sip of his drink before finally opening the letter. It simply has these words written down: Gaunt Shack is located near Little Hangleton. With the potential horcrux now in hand, Alastor begins to formulate a plan which includes surveillance and seeking help from Sirius.
Alastor quickly writes a note to Sirius to which asks for his help in surveilling the area around Gaunt Shack. Since he needs Sirius ability to be an adorable stray wondering the streets of Little Hangleton.
Within the hour with another drink in hand, Alastor receives Sirius response telling him that he will meet him tomorrow evening at Hog's Head.
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Sirius arrives at the gates of Lestrange Manor in the late afternoon. He's escorted inside by one of the family's house-elves. This particular house-elf leads Sirius into the study where Lord Lestrange was already awaiting his arrival.
"Lord Lestrange" says Sirius unhappily at the man that he has not seen since his cousin's wedding to his son years earlier before he escape his childhood home.
Lord Lestrange asks questionably "Lord Black, what do I owe the honour of your visit?" wanting to know Sirius motives for this is it because his meeting request was vague.
Sirius takes a deep breathe to explain to the older gentleman "During the tri-wizard tournament, my godson Harry Potter was selected as a the fourth champion. That every evening in the Headmaster's office it was revealed that Harry was not the son of James and Lily Potter" before he could say another word.
"What does that have to do with my family but more importantly my family's heiress?" asks Lord Lestrange impatiently wanting Sirius to get to the point.
"During an heritage test taken with his two best friends, it was revealed that Harry's biological parents happen to be my own brother Regulus and Elisabeth Potter" replies Sirius mysteriously not revealing the entire truth at once.
Lord Lestrange says in disbelief "My beloved Regina is someone's soulmate but he better be a pure-blood" knowing that he will never approve of his granddaughter marrying anyone else then a pure-blood as it will spoil the great house of Lestrange. Especially when he's in talks with Lord Flint to negotiate the final betrothal contract over the winter holidays.
Sirius says hopefully "My cousin Regina's soulmate happens to be George Weasley the son of Arthur Weasley and Molly Prewett" then he asks one of the questions that has been in the back of his mind during this entire conversation "Is she betrothed as of yet?" as he remembers that Regina's mother was betrothed to her future husband at the fifteen.
"I am about to finalize the betrothal contract between Regina and Heir Marcus Flint this coming November" replies Lord Lestrange bluntly in regards to the situation because why would he want to tie his family to a pro-light and pro-Dumbledore family who does not even have any status in their society.
"Lord Lestrange maybe you should re-concern the betrothal contract since Regina has a soulmate" says Sirius quickly hoping that the man comes around to his way of thinking.
Lord Lestrange asks simply "Why would I do that?" as he plans to finalize the betrothal contract during the winter holidays.
Sirius boldly says his reason "If Regina marries George instead of Heir Flint, her children along with herself could continue the Lestrange name" knowing that the surname of Regina's children would be a great matter in the betrothal contract.
"I shall think about it but in the meantime Regina will be allowed to leave school tomorrow to undergo the heritage test" says Lord Lestrange in a dismissing tone he adds "Also Regina will not be told that she's Mr. Weasley's soulmate nor will she be granted permission to speak with anyone in that family as well"
Sirius says calmly "Of course" as he leaves Lestrange Manor knowing this was a step in the right direction.
Upon his arrival back at Hogwarts, Sirius sends a quick note to George and the Burrow informing them all of today's events at Lestrange Manor.
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Once it was dark outside, both Alastor and Sirius who were both dressed in muggle clothing in order to blend in left Hog's Head. They arrive within minutes in the alleyway behind a local pub in Little Hangleton,
Alastor says matter of fact "I will go into the pub and ask around while you are searching the area around the Gaunt Shack" but before Sirius could change into a big black dog he also sternly informs his former cadet "We will meet inside of the pub in a hour" with that Sirius barks happily in agreement.
With that they went their separate ways, Alastor into the pub and Sirius is walking down the path to Gaunt Shack which is about a five minute walk away from town.
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Almost a hour has past since their arrival in Little Hangleton, Alastor has spent the time speaking with the locals in the pub and learning about anything about either the Riddle or Gaunt families.
It was during that line of questioning one of the locals in pub says quite loudly "You know there has been strange things happening around the old Riddle House" to the woman beside for anyone to overhear.
Alastor walks over to the middle-age couple and asks cautiously "What are these strange things?" wanting more information on this matter
"The caretaker of Riddle House mysteriously died but he was completely healthy" says the local man drunkly as his wife informs the newcomer "There has been talks about the lights being on in the house and even some noises coming from the house as well"
Alastor taking that information into account realizing that Voldemort or followers could be using the Riddle House as some sort of base of operations. When he notices Sirius entering into the pub and excusing himself from the local couple.
Sirius sits at the table farthest away from the crowd gather at the pub that evening. He begins to give his report "There was no activity within the area of Gaunt Shack as it's seems that no one has been there for years" as he remembers walking around the grounds surrounding the house.
Alastor nods his head as he says in response "That will make our mission easier" as they try to find another one of Voldemort's horcruxes as he then adds to the conversation "There has been movement around the Riddle House, so we must be careful with our movements" knowing that this mission must remain a secret.
"Let's go" says Sirius knowing that they must do that every night because soon enough. The two men leave the local pub and walk down the path towards the Gaunt Shack.
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Alastor and Sirius are in front of the a small vacant house known as the Gaunt Shack. They carefully enter into the house to make sure they don't set off any traps that might be in place.
Both Alastor and Sirius takes different parts of small shack to search for Voldemort's horcrux. Alastor states leaving no room for disagreement "You will take the kitchen area and I will search the living room area" as they moved to search their designated areas because they want to limit their time spent in this place.
Sirius eventual returns to the living room to see Alastor staring at the bookshelf with old photographs of the Gaunt family. Alastor firmly says "I think a found what we have been looking for" as he points at the silver ring box among those family photographs.
"Don't touch it with your bare hands" says Sirius quickly knowing from his research that a horcrux could influence the individual wearing or touching said item for a extended amount of time. That is why Alastor magically opens the silver ring box to find the Resurrection Stone inside of the Gaunt's family ring.
Sirius breaks Alastor's concretion on the ring to say bluntly "We need to leave" with that they leave the Gaunt Shack and the area of Little Hangleton by quickly apparates.
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They find themselves standing outside of Shrieking Shack, the two men walk into the haunted house to find the rest of the horcrux hunting team awaiting their arrival.
"Who did it go?" asks Dumbledore hoping that night's mission was a successful.
Alastor places the silver ring box on the table beside Gryffindor's sword to say joyfully "This box contains the Gaunt's family ring" after confirming that it was in fact one of the horcruxes before leaving the Gaunt's Shack before adding "Who gets the honour of destroying this particular horcrux?"
Barty says passionately "Mad-Eye should destroy the horcrux" with everyone in agreement.
Alastor picks up the Gryffindor sword knowing that he's meant for this and not teaching students at all. He stabs the stone to reveal Voldemort's voice come out of the ring until it just disappears.
Dumbledore retrieves the ring from the table and says "You will store this ring in a place of your choosing" as he hands the ring to the Greengrass knowing that the destroyed horcruxes will not be kept in one place but spilt up.
With the mission completed, they all went their separate ways into the night.
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Sirius is awaiting the arrival of Regina outside of Dumbledore's office the next days after destroying Voldemort's horcrux. He sees the teenage in question walking towards him and notices that she closely resemblances her mother with midnight black hair but has the Lestrange dark brown eyes.
Regina politely says "Cousin" knowing that it's proper to show respect for any Head or Heir of Most Ancient & Noble families especially if the man is the Head of her mother's family. As they enter into Dumbledore's office to use the floo network to the Leaky Cauldron.
Sirius and Regina were joined by Lord Lestrange at the Leaky Cauldron as they walk together into Gringotts. Nobody said a word to each other until Regina rudely states "I am here for my heritage test" to the gobbling before her with her grandfather looking on proudly.
"Lord Black, Lord Lestrange, and Heiress Lestrange follow me" says the unfortunate goblin as he leads them back to the office of the ceremonial chambers as Ranglock was already awaiting for their arrival.
Once inside of the ceremonial chambers, Ranglock simply says "Sit down Heiress Lestrange" at the prepared station for the heritage test to be conducted.
Regina half-listens to the instruction of that Ranglock is giving her. She quickly did as she was told and within minutes the heritage test was completed.
Before the results could be heard, Lord Lestrange joyfully looks at his only grandchild and Sirius to say "I shall arrange Regina's tudors on my own" not wanting Dumbledore to have any involvement in choosing the individuals that will teach Regina.
"Of course grandfather" says Regina happily to know whatever the results will be she will have appropriate tudors to teach her. With that Ranglock reads out the results of the heritage test:
Regina Cassiopeia Lestrange
Borne on November 29th 1978
Father: Rodolphus Alexander Lestrange
Mother: Bellatrix Irma Lestrange nee Black
Inheritance
Heir to the Family Estate of the Most Ancient & Noble House of Lestrange
Member of the Most Ancient & Noble House of Black
Abilities
Metamorphmagus
Affinity For
Charms
Prodigy At
Non-Verbal Magic
Potions
Masters In
Mind Arts
Duelling
SOULMATE
George Fabian Weasley
Borne on April 1st of 1978
Father: Arthur William Weasley - Pureblood
Mother: Molly Renee Weasley nee Prewett - Pureblood
Regina is stun to learn that a Gryffindor is her soulmate especially a blood-tradition but at least he's a pure-blood.
When Lord Lestrange announces to both Sirius and Regina "I will allow Regina and Mr. Weasley to meet with an appropriate chaperone present during the next Hogsmeade visit" but still is unsure whether or not to go through with the betrothal between Heir Flint and his granddaughter as of yet.
"Of course grandfather" replies Regina knowing that her cousin Draco and his betrothed could be a chaperone. With that final words they leave Gringotts and depart for Hogwarts after a quick goodbye to Lord Lestrange.
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AN: Please review.