Okay, so here we go with Chapter 21 - I just realized, there will be only 2 more chapters, plus an epilogue, we're heading towards the end!

I want to thank everyone who read, fav'd, alerted - and especially the 9 people who reviewed! You're so amazing.


"He's in there... oh, Merlin, you're just in time – I doubt he's gonna do it much longer."

I swallowed hard, but nodded and Walburga opened the door for me. The room was very dark as the curtains were closed and only one candle was lit, making it only possible to see vague shapes.

I carefully moved through the room until I reached the bed and carefully sat down on the edge.

"Al? Can you hear me?"

He groaned lowly and then whispered: "Lorraine?"

"Yeah. Yeah, it's me..."

"I'm still alive." He sounded almost disappointed.

"Well – yes."

"Damn it."

I sighed heavily. "Al..."

"I'm surprised you even came," he said in the hoarse whisper that was his voice.

"You asked for me, of course I came."

"Would you have... if I wasn't dying?"

"What sort of question is that?" I asked and he made a great effort to laugh shortly.

"A stupid one... I'm still asking myself..."

"You're asking yourself what?"

"If I hadn't left you back then – maybe we would have..."

I sighed once again. "Al, you can't change the past."

"Looks as if I can't change the future anymore either."

"Sometimes it's not meant to be."

He groaned once more. "I have to ask you a favour."

"Anything."

"Aren't you very quick with that? I thought you had learnt at least a tiny bit... living with Riddle..."

"He takes what he wants anyway, it doesn't matter if I give my consent."

He didn't answer me, but panted loudly a few times.

"Al," I said, worried, "Al..."

"It's all right... I just... don't have long... anymore."

"What did you want to tell me?"

"I'm leaving... leaving my money... all my money... to Sirius-"

"Sirius?" I whispered. No, he couldn't! His family had disinherited Sirius! He wouldn't really. "No, you can't-"

"What's gonna happen... I'll be dead when they know."

I shook my head in disbelief. "They'll never gonna give the money to him."

"Right... I need you... to make sure... that the Ministry... enforces that they follow... my instructions."

"Al," I whispered. "I can't – just think..."

"Do you think... he's a blood-traitor... do you think... I am?"

I stared at him for a while and then whispered, "There is no such thing as a blood-traitor."

"See... that's why I... ask you... will you... go to the Ministry..."

"Of course. Al, of course I will."

"Good...," he whispered. "Good... so... tired."

Tears filled my eyes as his words died away. "Al..."

His heavy panting got quieter, unsteady... every now and then he would breathe. I got up. I couldn't... couldn't be around – I looked at him and his eyes were closed. He wasn't conscious anymore...

"Walburga!" I called as closed the door behind me.


"What did you think, huh?" Tom growled at me. "Running to the Ministry?"

"Why, it's right that his will is heard-"

"This is a family matter!"

"Why do you concern yourself with it, then?"

He stared at me. "Of course," he whispered. "I should have known... he asked you to, didn't he?"

"Don't know what you're talking about, Tom."

He grabbed me by the arms and shoved me against the wall. "DON'T LIE!"

"Fine," I growled. "Fine then. He asked me to!"

"You didn't have to comply-"

"He was on his death bed! His last wish! How could I not?"

"Because this nephew of his most likely will join the Order of the Phoenix and now even has the money to support himself!"

I blinked, confused. "Order of what?"

He waved his hand impatiently. "Dumbledore founded it. Tries to fight me with a few stupid and reckless wizards and witches... Order of the Phoenix, that's what they call themselves. Black will surely join."

"Why do I only hear of this now?"

Tom stared at me. "That's not the point right now!"

"What the hell? Dumbledore founded an organization to fight you, all right, and you don't even think about telling me-"

"They're not important, okay, they're just nobodies. No threat to me."

I shook my head slowly. "Dumbledore's leading them, Tom, I never thought you to be reckless-"

"Could you please drop it now? This isn't about the Order, this is about you giving money to that blood-traitor!"

"I can't help it anymore, Tom," I said quietly. "I've done what was right. I have to, occasionally."

"There's no right or wrong, how often do I have to tell you? There's only the will of those with power."

"It'll be a very sad day," I told him. "When I start to believe that."


"Hello, Walburga. Is Regulus available?"

She stared at me for a long moment, until I sighed and said, "I have an important message for him. From the Dark Lord."

That seemed to reassure her and finally, she stepped aside and called up, "Regulus! A visitor for you."

I took only a few seconds and Regulus came dashing down the stairs. He froze, just like his mother when he saw me, but he regained the ability to speak much faster. "Madam. Such an honour."

"Oh, don't overdo it. The Dark Lord needs a house-elf for... reasons. He thought you might be able to offer something – suitable."

Regulus squared his shoulders. "Indeed – of course – our house-elf – Kreacher, where is he? The Dark Lord is free to have him, of course..."

"Why, excellent."

"What... what does he need a house-elf for?"

I smiled slightly. "I don't think that is important."

"No," Regulus said at once. "No, it's not, naturally."

"Good."

He nodded, very slowly. "When – uh – when is he going to need Kreacher?"

"He'll call for him," I said, already turning away to leave again.

"Madam-"

"What?"

"Tell – tell the Dark Lord, it's my greatest pleasure to serve him, even if it's something as simple as-"

"All right, all right, I think he'll catch your drift."

Once again, he nodded slowly. "Yeah... right... thanks."


"HE KNEW!"

I whirled around, to see Tom hurrying into the room. "What are you talking about?"

"He – he – urgh – Impedimenta!"

I quickly moved out of the way as a vase flew through the air and crashed hard against the next wall. "That was a designer piece," I complained.

"Oh, shut up."

"Okay, okay – what happened?"

"Regulus Black."

I raised my eyebrows. "Well, what about him?"

"He knew!"

"Knew what?"

"About my horcruxes."

I searched for words but there were none. If Black knew... if he knew... what would he do?

"What – and what – what did you do?"

"Killed him, of course."

Tom started pacing up and down the room. "I needed the house-elf to put the locket in a safe place. He must've... got out... told him."

"But he's dead," I asked, hoping to confirm it.

"Yeah, I said that, didn't I?"

"Do you think he told anybody?"

Tom stopped dead in his tracks and stared at me. Finally, he shook his head. "Who would he have told, after all?"

I nodded. "You're right," I whispered. "You're right..."

Tom resumed his pacing and I swallowed hard. "Do you think-"

"WHAT?"

"That he found one?"

"I don't think he would've been able to get the locket. Not alone. The ring is safe as well... I have the cup and the diary here, I have to hide them... the diadem is in Hogwarts, in a place that only I know."

"Good. Good... what are you going to do?"

"I'm finding a new place for the cup and the diary – and I'm gonna make another one."

My eyes widened in horror. "Another one, but-""Can't you count? I only have five! I need the sixth... I should've never waited so long... but I wanted it to be a special murder."

"Please," I whispered. "Please, Tom, you shouldn't-"

"Do you want me to die?" he yelled and I flinched.

"No," I answered. "Of course not."

"Then why don't you just shut up?"

I opened my mouth to retaliate, but then decided to just drop it. "Yeah," I muttered. "Whatever."


A guest reviewer named "anna" asked me what Lorraine looked like - did I never write anything about it? I'm not sure right now - it's probably because of my dislike for authors who describe in great detail what their character looks like or what he/she wears, I just can't stand it. I also don't have an actress who'd look like Lorraine, 'cause, you know, that's something I equally can't stand... I'd be quite interested in what you think Lorraine looks like! Tell me in a review - and I'll search for any information in my notes until next week!