A/N: And our story continues!

...To those who have left reviews - I appreciate it a lot! It really makes me smile, knowing that someone else (other than me and my beta) adores this story as well! And especially those who leave a review to almost every chapter - thank you! :)

Chapter 37: The Cave

November 11th 1978 (Saturday)

On Saturday morning, everyone around her was preparing for the raid, tensely discussing about the details and sharing their thoughts about strategy, while Hermione had different plans on her mind. In the Order meeting the night before, Dumbledore had informed everyone that Hermione and Gideon would be joining the fight later, if possible, since they had a small mission to accomplish before that. The information had of course stirred interest among the others, even though Dumbledore had requested everyone not to ask the questions stirring in their minds.

"Are you going to infiltrate their forces? Trying to strike them from the inside?" James was lounging on the couch, shooting questions at Hermione every now and then between their discussion, as if trying to trick her to answer him. The Marauders, Lily, Mary, Alice and Frank had arrived to Hermione's and Remus's place early in the morning to have breakfast together and to go through the details of the previous Order meeting.

"Prongs, would you stop it? You know we're not supposed to ask her…" Remus said wearily as he walked into the sitting room, nudging the raven-haired Gryffindor to sit on the couch in order to make room for him. Lily, Mary, Hermione and Alice sat around the kitchen table while Remus, Peter, James, Sirius and Frank were in the sitting room.

James shrugged as he stood up to sit. "Reckoned it was worth a shot…And you know, maybe we're just worried about you, Mione," He said and sent a sly grin towards the kitchen.

Lily rolled her eyes at him and turned to look at Hermione. "As much as I hate to agree with James; we are worried, but also, we understand if you can't tell us about your mission," She said with a supportive smile after briefly narrowing her eyes at her boyfriend. Mary and Alice nodded in agreement.

Hermione gave her friends a tight smile. "I really can't talk about it, but I promise you, it's nothing dangerous. And I will tell you the minute I can," She said, trying to sound reassuring. She hated lying to her friends, but she knew she just couldn't reveal how dangerous the mission truly was. Everyone seemed to take her word for it, everyone except one.

Sirius gave Hermione a scrutinising look from the armchair where he was situated. "Hermione, can I have word?" He asked with an expressionless voice. The others eyed them curiously.

Hermione lifted her brows a bit. "Sure. Let's, um…go upstairs, okay?" She asked and stood up from her seat. She knew their friends were eyeing them with interest, and probably drawing their own conclusions from the sudden moment of privacy.

"What's going on?" Sirius asked as soon as he closed the door to Hermione's bedroom behind him. He leaned against the door and stared her with a hint of suspicion in his grey eyes.

Hermione frowned. "What do you mean?" She reckoned acting oblivious would help.

"Don't play vague with me. I know your mission has something to do with your visit to Hogwarts last week." He said plainly.

Or not.

Hermione sighed. "Well, even if it does, I can't see how –"

"Has it something to do with…with my brother?" He asked bluntly, interrupting her.

She gaped at him, trying to give him an answer but failing. He got the confirmation from her dumbfounded expression.

Sirius gave a mirthless laugh. "Thought so…" He muttered, threading his fingers through his black locks.

"So what are you up to? What has he done?" He asked blankly.

Hermione huffed. "You know I can't speak of it. And he hasn't done anything," She said incredulously.

He gave her a quizzical brow. "You can't talk about it with me…but you can with him? You do remember I know about his role and the part you play…?" He muttered, referring to Regulus being a spy and Hermione being his contact.

Hermione caught a hint of bitterness in his voice. She looked down and grimaced slightly before she answered. "I know. But it's, um…different. It's complicated," She said evasively.

Sirius scoffed. "After all this time, you still don't trust me enough to include me in on your secret missions…I bet Reggie knew from the start, huh?" He asked harshly, and when her eyes widened a bit, he continued, "Thought I didn't realise? You asked for my patience, but at the same time, you told everything to him? Everything I wanted to know…" He muttered sullenly.

Hermione tried to swallow the lump that had formed into her throat. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to tell him. Not at first, at least. I wanted to tell you! But I couldn't. It was too dangerous…" She tried to explain with frustration.

"Don't lie to me." He said wearily, shaking his head.

"I'm not lying. He read my mind." Hermione said quietly.

"W-What?" Sirius asked in bewilderment, staring at her with surprise.

Hermione gave him a small nod.

Sirius huffed. "So, is that's what I should do?" He asked, looking at her sceptically.

"No. Of course not," Hermione said, slightly affronted.

Sirius stared at her silently for a moment. "You love him, don't you?" He asked, as if the thought only dawned on him.

She looked at him in bewilderment. How in the name of Circe, Merlin and Morgana had he figured that out? Were all her bloody emotions somehow displayed on her forehead?!

"I…W-Where did that come from?" She stammered, trying to gather her thoughts.

He clenched his jaw. "Well? Do you?" He asked with a demanding voice as he took a couple of steps closer towards her.

Hermione gripped the desk she was leaning on, her knuckles going white. How had their conversation come to this? And what was she supposed to say to him?

She decided to be honest with him. "Yes…I do." She whispered, looking at him straight in the eye. "But…I know I have feelings towards you as well." She said with her voice wavering a bit.

He gave a dry laugh. "Merlin's fucking bollocks. That is just. I dunno. Greedy." He said with a perplexed look and shook his head. Hermione pressed her lips together when he came to stand in front of her.

"You can't do that…You know?" He said sharply, his brow creasing in thought.

Hermione nodded. "I know," she said weakly.

"And you have to make a decision," he continued, staring at her expectantly.

"I know." She said quietly, feeling embarrassed as she looked away from his demanding eyes.

They were silent for a long time, until Sirius sighed and rubbed his neck. "I can't fucking believe I'm saying this, but…Reggie…means a lot to me…" He said slowly, staring somewhere over her shoulder. "And if you decide it's him you want," He took a deep breath and swallowed, turning his gaze into her eyes. "Then…I'll be okay with it. I promise." He said gravely.

When Hermione didn't reply but only stared at him with a stunned expression, he continued, "I have to go. We're gathering at Hogsmeade in an hour. So…I guess I'll see you around," He said quietly, leaning towards her. He placed a chaste kiss on her cheek and after a final intense look into her eyes, he turned and exited the room.

Hermione was speechless. What? How? Why? were the questions running in her head. Didn't her relationship with Sirius end because he wanted to protect her and couldn't be with her? So…now he had changed his mind? Had he decided that they could be together regardless of the possible threats towards her?

And then there was Regulus…she didn't even know if the possibility to have a relationship with him even existed anymore. As long as they were in war it seemed doubtful, and even if they both managed to survive the war, then what?

She took a deep breath and tried to gather her thoughts. She needed to focus on the mission. She needed to focus on acquiring the locket. She could only hope that everything would go smoothly in the cave. And that she would be returning with preferably all her limbs still attached to her torso and her mind unbroken.

"Hermione?" Remus's voice called from the other side of the door.

"Hmm? Come in," She said absently, and a moment later he stood at the doorway.

Remus studied her for a bit before he spoke. "You okay?"

She nodded and smiled reassuringly.

"I'm going now…Everyone else left already." He said uneasily. "Hermione…um…is there something going on with you and…Sirius?" He asked and gave her a slightly uncomfortable look. She could've sworn he was going to ask about someone else entirely. If he had heard her talk with Sirius, which probably wasn't that hard with his lupine hearing, he had probably heard them speaking about Regulus as well.

Hermione cleared her throat. "No," She said plainly. It was the truth…Sort of…

Remus nodded slowly. "So…I'll see you later tonight? Either in the raid or at home, right?" He asked, and she knew he wasn't asking to pry information about her mission, but merely making sure she would be safe.

"Yes. I reckon I'll be back before midnight, hopefully a lot earlier." She said unsurely.

He gave her another nod. "Okay. Stay safe, yeah?" He said before he turned to walk away.

"You too. Keep everyone safe, okay?" She said softly.

He turned back to wink at her. "Don't I always."

She smiled at him and then he turned on the spot and disapparated.

A couple of hours later it was almost two in the afternoon, and Hermione was startled by the sound of her floo. She had been so engrossed with her thoughts that she hadn't realised the time. Gideon and Regulus were arriving, as they had agreed.

With the help of her Pensieve, she had been going through her memories of Harry explaining to her and Ron about the cave, and the sitting room table was filled with her notes as well as an assortment of books. It had been difficult, seeing him and Ron in a memory, but Hermione had forced herself to focus only on what had been said. No was not the time to wallow in sorrow and memory lane.

She quickly flicked her wand to organise the parchments and to tidy up the place before she stood up, nervously staring at the fireplace.

Regulus walked into her apartment first, cleaning the soot with the help of his wand before turning to Hermione.

"Hey." He said tentatively.

She smiled and greeted him back just as Gideon came through the fireplace.

"Hermione," Gideon said with a wide grin and walked to her, enveloping her into a quick hug.

Regulus eyed their embrace with interest.

As they broke off, Hermione spoke. "Well, hello to you too, Prewett," She said with a small smirk and eyed her guests. "Shall we sit?" She asked awkwardly.

Gideon nodded and sat into an armchair, leaving the couch to Hermione and Regulus. Gideon eyed the Pensieve in surprise. "Is that what I think it is?" He asked with an impressed tone.

"Depends. Did you think it was a Pensieve?" She asked with a wry smile.

Gideon rolled his eyes, and Hermione could see Regulus's mouth quirking up a bit from the corner of her eye.

"It is, actually. I've been reminiscing the first time I heard about the place where we are going today, and hopefully managed to write everything down for us," She said agitatedly, glancing at the stack of parchments.

Regulus's mouth curved up. "I'm sure you have." He said quietly.

"Oh, how did our red herring work? Did everything go as we planned?" She asked from Regulus, glancing at Gideon for confirmation.

They both nodded.

"Poppy has forbidden anyone from entering the hospital wing today, because of a highly contagious stomach flu Regulus apparently has…" Gideon said with a chuckle.

"Well, let's hope that that's enough to keep your friends from suspecting anything." Hermione said to Regulus, who gave her a bitter smile when she mentioned his 'friends'.

Gideon rubbed his hands together. "So…Shall we go through the plan before we leave?" He asked with a serious expression, all humour now gone from his face.

Hermione took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "Let's do that. But first, would you like to have some tea?" She asked, and after both Gideon and Regulus nodded and murmured their thanks, Hermione flicked her wand towards the kitchen and levitated a tea tray onto the table in front of them. They sipped their drinks in silence for a moment before Hermione put her cup back on the table and picked up her notes.

"At first, I'd like to remind you that I haven't been in the cave myself, and only heard a description from my friend, as well as from Regulus, who told me what he heard from Kreacher.

Gideon and Regulus both nodded.

"That being said…Apparently it is not possible to apparate inside the cave, but…since we have Kreacher to help us –" She said and turned to look at Regulus for confirmation. He nodded and she continued "– we should be able to apparate at least at the entrance, right outside the cave," She explained.

"Wait…Why are we apparating outside? I understand we can't apparate onto the island, since there's a risk of waking up the Inferi, but why can't we go inside the cave instead?" Gideon asked, frowning at her.

Hermione shook her head. "There's a price that must be paid – a blood sacrifice to be correct, to open the door. It is possible that there are charms placed inside which would recognise if the sacrifice was not made and then alert Vol – him," She corrected as she saw the look Regulus gave her. "It is also possible that he will be alerted as soon as we step inside the cave, even if we make the sacrifice. Although I doubt it, since he didn't know when, um…" She said carefully, glancing at Regulus. "When Harry was there. So, we should be okay."

Gideon threaded a hand through his red hair and sighed. "Well, okay then. Outside it is. Then what?"

Hermione worried her lip. "Well, before we enter the cave, one of us should take the de-ageing potion. I know that the boat will carry only one adult to the island, and it is possible that the door to the cave will do the same – allow only one adult inside. There is a problem with the potion though. The trace for underaged witches and wizards could be activated." She said with a troubled look.

Gideon stared at his cup thoughtfully.

"I'll take it. The potion." Regulus said simply.

Hermione and Gideon both eyed him with surprise.

"I can't use my wand even though I am of age. He'll know…" He said quietly, and Hermione nodded slowly. It made sense. And it also caused a problem she hadn't anticipated.

"Okay, Regulus is going to be de-aged, and possibly only one adult can enter the cave. If both of us can, then only you two can travel to the island. So, I'm either outside or at the shore?" Gideon asked from Hermione, looking a bit irked by the revelation. Hermione was glad he wasn't even suggesting for her to stay behind.

Hermione sighed. "I'm afraid so…" She said and cleared her throat. "So, once inside, we'll search for the boat, and then move towards the island, hopefully not noticed by the Inferi." It sounded simple enough in her head, but she knew the reality was far from it.

"Should they attack, I reckon we all should remember that the creatures fear light and warmth, so…use a fire-summoning spell. I've read that the Inferi are enchanted by their master to avoid flames?" She explained, and glanced at Gideon for confirmation.

"Correct." Gideon said with a curt nod.

Regulus cleared his throat. "Kreacher mentioned something about drinking the water. I gathered we're not supposed to touch it, and even less drink it, but…Why would the elf do that?" He asked, eyeing Hermione curiously. She hadn't really told him about the poison, or the fact that she was supposed to drink it.

"Um…The object we are trying to get is lying at the bottom of a basin in the middle of the island," She started, careful of not mentioning the words 'Horcrux' or 'locket', in case Voldemort was trying to fish certain topics from Regulus's mind. Regulus gave her a nod, as he knew this already.

"The basin is filled with a certain kind of potion – the same one Kreacher had to drink. It can't be penetrated by hand, vanished, parted, scooped up, or siphoned away, nor can it be Transfigured, Charmed, or otherwise made to change its nature. The only option is to drink it. The potion will devastate one's mind, and one of the side-effects is that the drinker will have intense thirst, driving them to drink water from the lake," She explained carefully. Gideon gave her a dubious look.

Regulus stared at her blankly.

Hermione took a deep breath and stared into Regulus's eyes. "I need you to take the artefact from the basin as soon as I have finished drinking the potion. And make sure I'm not going near the water," She said, glancing at Gideon, who nodded with his jaw clenched, even though it was uncertain if he was even going to be in the cave with them. "You can't use magic, but you are stronger than me, so just, I dunno. Knock me unconscious if you need to?" Hermione said and gave Regulus a shrug.

"No." Regulus said with a small shake of his head.

Hermione frowned at him. "What do you mean, no?"

"I'm drinking the potion, Hermione." He said defiantly. "I'm already taking the de-ageing potion, which will practically make me useless with magic if I have the trace on me. And…you can't seriously expect me to watch you suffer?" He said quietly, his eyes blazing at her.

She huffed. "Now is not the time to be heroic, Reg."

Regulus gave her an incredulous look. "Who's being heroic? It only makes sense that I drink it. You know that."

"I won't put you through that," Hermione said stubbornly.

Gideon groaned and rolled his eyes.

Regulus took her hand and brushed his thumb over her wrist, tracing the bracelet he had given her, while staring into her eyes. Hermione could see a mixture of emotions cross them. "Do you remember what I told you when I asked you to never take this off?" He said quietly, glancing at the bracelet.

Of course she remembered. How could she not remember?

'Your life over mine.' He had whispered, pleading her to never take the bracelet off.

No one had ever spoken to her like he had. She had been utterly out of her depth. His words had caused an ache in her soul that still threatened to shake off every bit of self-control she possessed.

Hermione swallowed hard. She felt her eyes stinging, and she quickly looked away, blinking rapidly and clearing her throat.

"I, um…agree with Regulus," Gideon said with an uncomfortable look and turned to look at the younger man. "It's a beastly thing, drinking that potion, I'm sure. But Hermione has the antidote ready, right?" He said, glancing at her.

Hermione stared back silently before she sighed. "I have. That doesn't mean I'm okay with this." She said glumly.

Regulus's mouth curved into a smirk. "You don't have to be okay with it. But you have to play your part," he said astutely.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, and could see Regulus suppress a grin.

Gideon cleared his throat. "Great. So…If the lovers' quarrel is now settled…" He said and gave Hermione a teasing grin as she whirled to look at him with a deep scowl on her face.

Bloody Prewett.

Regulus coughed silently, staring intently at the floor.

"Should we move on?" Gideon asked after schooling his expression.

Hermione sniffed with displeasure before she spoke. "So…Regulus will be the one who drinks the poison, while I will make sure the object is acquired and that we travel safely back to the shore and away from the cave," She said bitterly.

"Does the entrance require anything when we leave, or can we just walk outside?" Regulus asked with a thoughtful look.

Hermione racked her brains and glanced at her notes. "There is probably a similar sacrifice to be made," She said with a grimace.

"Of course," Regulus said dryly.

"Okay. So, once we are outside, we apparate here, and then Gideon can escort Regulus back to the school?" Hermione concluded, eyeing the men expectantly.

Both of them nodded in agreement.

Soon they were by the raging sea, away from everyone else, facing the entrance to the cave. Or so she reckoned.

"Where's the door?" Hermione muttered, squinting at the smooth rock wall in front of them. The sun was slowly descending behind them, and she could feel a cool evening breeze brush her back. It was getting colder, and Hermione shivered a bit despite her warm winter cloak.

After going through their plan, Regulus had summoned Kreacher and requested the elf to take all of them in front of the entrance of the cave by the sea. Kreacher had been horrified, and had probably thought that it would be expected to go inside again. Regulus had promised his elf that it would not be harmed again, and that Regulus would protect it. He had sent the elf away as soon as they had landed, with strict orders to not say a word about it to anyone. Regulus had then proceeded to gulp down the de-ageing potion, and after Hermione and Gideon both had made sure it had been successful, they had started to search for the entrance.

She waved her wand again, trying to detect any traces of magic while Gideon was doing the same at the other end of the wall.

"It's here!" Gideon said hastily. Hermione and Regulus walked to him.

"This has to be it," Gideon said while tracing his fingers over the stone.

Hermione flicked her wand on the wall but nothing happened. "You sure?" She whispered with suspicion.

Gideon nodded. "Yeah. I can feel the magic," He said, his hand hovering an inch away from the wall.

Hermione tried not to look impressed, but failed. "So…we just…offer it blood, I guess."

She took a deep breath and held her hand in front of her, palm up. She didn't have the chance to lift her wand before Regulus caught her wrist.

"Reg…I have to." She said and gave him a strained look. "The wards won't recognise you as a wizard anymore. You're underage. And if Gideon does it, there's a chance I can't enter." She said matter-of-factly. In truth, she had no idea whether she could enter if Gideon was the one to make the sacrifice, but she wasn't going to take the risk.

Regulus sighed and let her hand go.

She pressed her lips together and moved her wand vertically over her palm, drawing out blood. She let out a whimper of pain, and at the same time Regulus cursed silently, gritting his teeth. Gideon eyed them both anxiously.

Hermione fought back a wave of nausea as she saw Regulus's hand, which was equally bloody as hers. She gave him a remorseful look before she quickly pressed her palm against the wall. Instantly an opening appeared. With a nervous glance towards the others, she walked through the opening, into the dark cave, lighting her wand as she went. Regulus immediately followed her, and Gideon walked behind him, successfully entering the cave.

After Gideon had stepped inside, the entrance was closed again. And it was dark. Even with Gideon's wand giving them another ball of light, Hermione blinked for several moments before her sight started to adjust to the darkness. They were standing in a large chamber with an underground lake. Hermione could see the island in the centre, from where a faint green light was emanating. She took a step forward, stumbling a bit on the uneven ground. Regulus steadied her, and she gave him a tight smile in thanks.

"Give me your hand." Hermione whispered to Regulus, who lifted his palm up so that she could heal the cut.

Gideon eyed them suspiciously. "What is going on?" He asked as Hermione studied Regulus's hand – the wound was even deeper than hers.

"Nothing. I'll explain to you later," She said tightly to Gideon before she turned to Regulus, arching her brow pointedly. She knew the effect on him had been worse than he had implied. Regulus gave her a non-committal shrug before she pressed the tip of her wand on his palm with a frustrated sigh. The wound sealed up, leaving only dried blood as evidence. She pursed her lips at him with disapproval before healing her own palm.

They returned their gazes towards the shore in search for the boat.

"It can't be summoned?" Gideon asked, even though he knew it couldn't, as he walked along the edge of the great black lake.

"No, not this time…" Hermione said wryly, remembering her gobsmacked reaction as she had managed to summon the diary at Malfoy Manor. "Based on what Harry told me, the Inferi will intercept our spells." She said and pointed her finger to some feet away. "There, I can see a chain. That must be the boat," She whispered and approached the spot. The eeriness and the threat of the dead corpses made her want to be as quiet as possible, and she reckoned the others felt the same way.

They managed to reel in a tiny boat, and as it surfaced, the water flowed back into the lake quietly, rippling briefly before going still once again.

The boat was small. Hermione started to worry if two could even fit into it.

"Let's go." Regulus muttered to her, climbing into the boat and holding his hand out for Hermione to get in. She followed him into the boat, and could only hope that the de-ageing potion would work, and that the boat would carry them safely to the island.

Just as she had squeezed to sit down next to Regulus, the boat began to move away from the shore.

"Fuck. Just…stay safe okay?" Gideon cursed silently, eyeing helplessly as the boat made its way away from the shore.

Hermione gave him a reassuring nod, but didn't dare to speak, trying to not disturb the water and the creatures that lay underneath. Instead she gripped Regulus's hand tightly, trembling with fear. He let out a nervous breath and laced their fingers together.

It was unsettling, as it seemed like the surface of the lake did not even ripple as the boat travelled across the water, and the only thing she could hear was the faint clatter of the chain against the boat. She couldn't even see Gideon anymore, but she knew he would be on the shore, waiting for them. The faint green light was growing brighter and brighter, until they reached the small island at the centre of the lake. Hermione and Regulus quickly jumped off the boat as it touched the stone and remained still.

They both stared at the basin, where they saw an emerald green liquid swirling slowly, with a small cup standing atop the rim. Hermione approached the basin, and Regulus followed closely, not letting go of her hand.

"That's it? The thing?" He whispered, his eyes trained at the bottom of the basin, where a golden, shimmering locket sat.

"Yeah," She breathed, swallowing nervously as she stared at him.

He gave her hand a squeeze and dropped it, taking the cup in it instead.

"Reg…" Hermione whispered desperately, not really certain what it was she wanted to say to him.

He stared at her, undecided for a moment. Then he leaned towards her and pressed his lips against hers softly, his shaking breath tickling her skin. The kiss was over as fast as it had started.

"Everything's going to be okay, love." He said, trying to sound reassuring before he turned towards the basin and filled the cup with the greenish potion. Hermione could see that he was terrified.

What scared her even more, was that she knew there was the possibility that she would have to force the poison down his throat, and she already dreaded the moment. She knew it was their only shot, and the entire potion had to be drunk in order to get the Horcrux.

Regulus closed his eyes and inhaled slowly, steadying himself before he opened his eyes, locked his gaze on Hermione's and brought the cup to his lips.

He tipped it and drank.

Hermione stared at him in distress, her breathing quickened, trying to gauge his reaction.

For a moment, Regulus was completely still. He swallowed deeply and lowered the cup, his eyes darkening a bit. He reached over to the basin and filled the cup again, tossing the liquid down. Hermione's eyes widened when she saw Regulus shudder, grimacing at the cup.

Wordlessly, he held out the cup to Hermione with trembling fingers. She knew what she had to do. Hermione took the cup quickly and refilled it. Regulus grasped it and unsteadily brought it to his lips, emptying it with a choking sound. Hermione held her breath as she took the goblet from his hands.

Regulus began to shake uncontrollably.

"Reg!" Hermione said apprehensively.

"Fill it," He gasped, his eyes filled with unshed tears.

Hermione covered her mouth with her hand to muffle a sob that threatened to escape from her lips. She had to focus on the locket. She refilled the cup and placed it between his hands. He stared at it for a long moment before finally drinking it empty.

Regulus moaned loudly, the cup falling to the ground as he doubled over and yelled in pain.

"Regulus!" Hermione cried, rushing beside him and wrapping her arms around him, trying to soothe him. He was trembling intensely, his face twisted in agony.

Hermione gritted her teeth and refilled the goblet, bringing it to his lips. "Reg, drink this. This will help, I promise. You have to drink all of it and then you'll feel better…"

He let out a sharp breath of relief and took a hold of her hand that was clutching the cup. Hermione tilted the cup and Regulus drank the liquid quickly. He groaned loudly, his whole body juddering as his knees gave out and he slumped to the ground.

"Please…stop…make it stop…" Regulus gasped in anguish.

"Couple of more, then it will stop…just drink, please Reg. You have to…" Hermione said, her voice cracking as she brought the full cup to his mouth. "Soon it'll be over…"

Regulus drained it again, and his cries became harder, his voice more high-pitched.

"Please…I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! Don't make me do it, please! Please, please, please…" Regulus pleaded, his eyes filled with fear.

Hermione pressed her lips together and swallowed bile from her throat. With shaking hands, she filled the cup again with potion and brought it towards Regulus.

"This will help, Reg, this will help," She said, her voice wavering and her hands still shaking. "It's not real, Reg…It's in your head. The potion's messing with your head, I promise! We're almost done, just drink this…"

Regulus drank obediently, and then his body convulsed violently. He wrenched himself away from Hermione's embrace and lunged towards the water. Hermione let out a scream of surprise and hurt as her head collided with the stone under the basin.

"Reg!" She moaned, crawling towards him as he lay a couple of feet further, punching the ground with his fists and crying in pain. She could see his knuckles were already bloodied from hitting the stone.

Hermione took her wand flicked it towards him. "Mobilicorpus!"

Regulus stilled, unable to move, and it was as if some invisible strings were tied to his body, carrying him towards her when Hermione gave another flick of her wand.

"Please don't make me do it, don't! Please!" He cried as she lifted the spell.

Hermione took deep breaths as Regulus writhed in pain and tried to harm himself to lessen the mental pain he was most likely feeling. She choked back a sob as she refilled the goblet again and saw that the potion in the basin was more than halfway finished. She leaned towards Regulus and stroked his hair soothingly. "Just one more. Okay love? Just drink one more."

He took the cup, emptied it quickly and staggered backwards, weeping as he begged for Hermione to stop.

"Please…please…" He sobbed weakly, his face twisting in terror.

"Regulus, love…I promise we're almost done," Hermione said, her voice thick with emotion.

"No…Don't…" He pleaded her, his voice breaking, a couple of stray tears running down his cheeks after Hermione tipped the contents of another filled cup down his throat.

Hermione began to cry in earnest when Regulus screamed again, the sound of him causing an unbearable pain in her heart. Pressing her trembling lips together, she refilled the goblet once more. They were almost done; just one more and she could get a hold of the locket.

Regulus drank, and the moment he had finished, he whispered, "P-Please…kill m-me…m-make it s-stop." His words were slightly slurred, and his eyes were rolling in his head.

Hermione swallowed deeply, gritting her teeth to focus on the mission. "This…this one will," She croaked, filling the goblet with the last of the potion. "Just drink this, Reg, and it'll be all over!"

Regulus whined and gulped it down, every last drop, and dropped the goblet as he went limp and fell to the ground.

"Reg!" Hermione screamed, trying to lift him up. "No, no, no, please!" She cried and panicked. Before she could do anything, he stirred awake.

"W-Water," Regulus mumbled. "Please."

"Water…No, I'm sorry Reg but I can't," Hermione said and hastily stood up. Regulus started to crawl towards the lake. She pointed her wand at his back and hesitated for a moment. Now was not the time to follow her moral obligations.

"Imperio!" She whispered, and instantly Regulus stilled and went quiet. Hermione let out a shaky breath and grabbed the locket from the basin and pushed it into her beaded bag.

"Regulus…Just relax and walk down to the boat with me," She said, trying to calm her voice. To her utter surprise, he did exactly what she told him to. She reckoned he was too weak to fight back, since she doubted her curse was that strong. It was offhandedly cast due to her stress and the lack of willpower. But it seemed to work, and that was all that mattered.

They reached the boat, and Hermione could feel the air go darker and heavier. She could see movement under the surface of the lake. Fear rippled through her. What if they didn't survive the trip back?

"Climb into the boat," Hermione whispered to Regulus, her eyes darting around the water. Regulus obliged, still quiet as he sat down in the boat and stared lazily ahead. Hermione followed him in and then the boat began to move on its own again, gliding gently on the still black water.

Soon they were approaching the shore, and Hermione could see Gideon's silhouette, pacing along the edge of the lake. Thank Merlin…Hermione thought and let out a soft sigh of relief.

Then several things happened at once.

"No!" Gideon shouted, and Hermione screamed in terror.