Note: I'm not sure if they send update emails anymore when I update a chapter, so please kindly check in at least once a month if you're interested in update.
"Regulus?"
"Hello big brother".
"How? … They said you were …."
"I can explain." Regulus held up his hands. "Please hear me out" he implored.
Sirius took Regulus inside Black Manor and into one of the empty rooms where no one could hear them. He took a look at his brother that he hadn't seen in fourteen years. The thirty-two year old man in front of him had a more mature face than the eighteen year old boy Regulus was the last time Sirius had seen him. But aside from that, he looked quiet the same. His hair was still the same almost shoulder length black hair and there didn't seem to be any noticeable change in his weight. Sirius and Regulus resembled each other quiet a bit. Both were thin, had similar facial features (though Sirius was said to be handsomer) and had the same sleek black hair which Sirius in the recent years had kept short and stopped growing out. He couldn't believe that his brother who he thought he had lost and failed was standing right in front of him. Sirius pinched himself. As much as he felt a warmth and affection for the man in front of him, he was also cross and annoyed that Regulus hadn't contacted him in fourteen years and let him believe he was dead.
"How have you been Sirius?"
Sirius crossed his arms. "Really? Regulus, you said you wanted to be explain, so start explaining where you were all these years and why you waited till now to show up at my house."
Regulus began explaining how back in 1979, Voldemort had asked to borrow Kreacher to which he enthusiastically agreed. This received an eye-roll from Sirius. Regulus found out afterwards that Voldemort had used Kreacher to test the defenses guarding his locket Horcrux at the cave. Fortunately, Kreacher had managed to escape using house-elf magic and Regulus had subsequently gone back and exchanged the locket for a fake one. He was on his way to seek out Sirius but had met with an accident during which he lost his memory. He had only recently regained his memory and had been at Grimmauld Place with Kreacher for the past few months.
Sirius had listened to Regulus's whole tale without interruption and didn't know how to feel when he finished. A part of him was shocked. A part of him of was happy that his brother was alive and well. Another part of him was proud of what his brother did. A part of him felt guilty for being angry since Regulus's memory loss was a good reason for him not reaching out all these years. It was overwhelming to have all these emotions bundled up in him at once and he wasn't sure how to react or which emotion to react on. He stood staring blankly at Regulus for while before reacting.
Sirius ran his hand through his hair and his brows were furrowed. "Blimey. I don't know how to respond. I've heard of horcruxes but never though anyone would actually make one. I hate to say I told you so, Regulus, but I did warn you that Voldemort was bad news."
Regulus flinched at the mention of 'you know who's' name before crossing his arms. "I know .. alright. I screwed up. But I tried to make it right."
Perhaps Sirius was being a bit harsh. His brother seemed to have come to his senses and was trying to reach out. "I'm sorry. You're right. We've all done things we shouldn't have as teenagers. The most important thing is that you redeemed yourself."
"I'm not sure if I redeemed myself. I mean I didn't really stop 'you know who'." Regulus looked down, clasping his arms.
"You had a conscience when you realized he went too far and you switched his horcrux with a fake. For that I'm proud of you," said Sirius.
Regulus narrowed his eyes. "Really?"
"Well yes," Sirius shrugged. "We didn't get along much, growing up. And while a part of me thought you were an idiot for the path you chose, a part of me felt like I failed you. That I should have tried harder to get through to you," he said ruefully. "In fact, this might sound silly but I've been reaching out to Draco Malfoy, trying to save him because I felt guilty that I didn't try hard enough to save you."
"Draco Malfoy?"
"He's Narcissa's son with Lucius. Yes, the bastard procreated, unfortunately. And our dear cousin helped him do it. He's in Harry's class. Harry's …"
"James's son. I know. I heard about you know who's downfall," Regulus finished for him. "Maybe we can start over?"
Sirius nodded in agreement.
"So what's been going on with you? And how are James and Remus? I can't believe Peter was a traitor."
"They're good. We'll catch up later. First we should tell James, Remus and Professor Dumbledore about the horcrux."
"Alright".
Sirius wasn't sure he was prepared to tell Regulus that he had a son named after Regulus in honor of his then assumed to be dead memory. Was it weird to have a son named after his brother if his brother was still alive?
Soon, the Marauders, Regulus and Dumbledore were at the Grimmauld Place living room, staring at the Slytherin locket horcrux. They had first filled in James and Remus before sending a patronus message to Dumbledore to meet them at Grimmauld Place. Grimmauld Place needed a good cleaning and Walburga's portrait kept lamenting about how blood traitors were in her house and pleading with Regulus not to become a blood traitor like his brother. Regulus knew there was no point in reasoning with his mother's portrait. Kreacher wasn't too happy either but was forced to obey both Regulus and Sirius and had affection for Regulus despite his disapproval of Regulus's current actions. Walburga's portrait was ignored and thankfully could barely be heard all the way in the hall where they explained everything they knew to their former headmaster. They were all shocked when they found about Regulus and the locket horcrux but quickly recovered as there were more pressing issues to address.
Dumbledore stroked his beard and steepled his fingers together before examining the horcrux. "I rather suspected Tom had made more than one horcrux".
"More?" They gasped together. Regulus glanced at Sirius, James and Remus who all looked pale with widened eyes
"Tom?" asked Regulus.
James answered him. "Tom Riddle was Voldermort's birth name before he fashioned himself a new one."
Regulus flinched before nodding "Oh"
"The diary that Harry found was a horcrux," Dumbledore continued.
James pressed his lips together. "Well that explains why it came alive but it's completely ghastly that someone would make even one horcrux, let alone multiple ones," he said, disgustedly.
Regulus was now confused. What diary came alive? He shot his brother a questioning look who gestured back that he would explain everything later.
"How many do you think he made professor?" asked Remus.
"That is a good question Remus and what I'm trying to find out."
"Is there any way to destroy a horcrux?" asked Regulus.
"Yes, basilisk venom. That's what Harry used to destroy the horcrux in the diary at the end of last school year," said Dumbeldore.
Regulus was still confused. Where on earth did Harry get basilisks venom from? But nevertheless he'll wait for his brother and his brother's friends to explain it later.
"Blimey, my son destroyed a horcrux" said James with a surge of pride.
"So we just need to get more venom from the dead basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets to destroy this locket?" asked Sirius.
The Chamber of Secrets is real? And they found it? Now they really lost Regulus.
"The sword of Gryffindor has basilisk venom from when Harry used it on the basilisk," said Dumbledore.
So Harry fought a basilisk and destroyed a horcrux all before he turned thirteen. Regulus was both impressed and curious for the whole story.
"Alright, then let's get the sword of Gryffindor and destroy the locket," said Remus.
"We need Harry for that," said Dumbledore. "The locket can be only destroyed by the basilisk's venom once it's opened with parseltongue. I'll get Harry to do it."
"Professor, Harry won't be harmed or effected by this, will he?" asked James.
"Worry not James. Harry will be perfectly alright and he would have me by his side."
"But there are more?" asked James apprehensively . "So Voldemort might still be able to come back?"
"I'm afraid yes. But leave that to me. I'll look into it and ensure and I find and destroy every horcrux he ever made".
"But how?" asked Regulus. "Do you think he ever told anyone the details?"
"Probably not. But a lot can be deduced of man simply by researching his history and understanding who he was. For instance, each Hogwarts founder has a relic, with this locket being Slytherin's. If Voldemort used one as a horcrux, we can deduce he at least tried to use the rest," said Dumbledore.
"So this sword is a …" began James.
"Fortunately, no. It's the one relic he never got his hands on. But I'm afraid we can't say the same for Hufflepuff's or Ravenclaw's. I'll have to find out where they are and thankfully I have my sources," said Dumbledore.
"But what about Regulus?" asked Sirius. "Would Voldermort's supporters go after him for leaving?"
Regulus looked at his brother's face and saw something he barely ever saw in the past; worry and fear. Worry and fear for him.
"Sirius, I'll be fine. Besides, with 'you know who' gone and his most loyal followers behind bars, I doubt any of his followers still outside are loyal enough to risk going after his traitor."
"Regulus is right. But nevertheless, to be on the safe side, bodyguards can be hired for Regulus just like you've hired ones for yourselves," suggested Dumbledore.
The rest nodded in agreement.
"Do you need our help researching Voldemort's history or with anything else, professor?" asked James.
"Not at the moment. But I will certainly need your help in future and will seek it when the time comes".
After last goodbyes, Dumbledore returned to Hogwarts.
Sirius, James and Remus collectively filled Regulus in on everything he missed. After the number of times he heard Voldemort's name mentioned, Regulus was beginning to get used to hearing the name.
=to be continued=