Chapter 19

Bill, Sirius, and Remus stood at the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, the wind whipping around them as they surveyed the rugged landscape. The waves crashed against the cliffs far below, the sound echoing through the air.

"This is the place," Sirius said, his voice carrying over the roar of the ocean. "Tom Riddle's orphanage used to come here for trips. The Locket is hidden in a cave below the cliff, accessible only by magic."

Bill nodded, his eyes scanning the rocky terrain. "Alright, let's find this cave. We'll need to be careful. Voldemort's protections could be anything."

Remus adjusted his wand, his expression focused. "Agreed. Let's proceed cautiously."

With their wands at the ready, the three of them began to carefully search the area, looking for any sign of the hidden cave. The wind howled around them, adding an eerie atmosphere to the already desolate landscape.

After several minutes of searching, Sirius spotted a narrow opening in the cliff face, partially concealed by a tangle of gnarled roots. "Over there," he called out, gesturing to the opening.

The three of them approached the cave cautiously, their wands held aloft. As they entered, the darkness enveloped them, the only light coming from the dim glow of their wands.

The entrance was blocked by a large stone. Bill stepped forward, his wand at the ready. He cast a few diagnostic charms, his brow furrowing in concentration. "The stone will move only after an offering of blood is given," he stated, his voice echoing in the cavernous space.

Sirius and Remus exchanged uneasy glances, understanding the gravity of the situation. With a deep breath, Sirius extended his arm, holding it steady as Bill made a precise incision with his wand. A small drop of blood fell onto the stone, and they watched in silence as it began to glow faintly.

The stone rumbled, then slowly began to slide aside, revealing the passage beyond. The air grew colder as they ventured deeper into the cave, the darkness pressing in around them.

"We must proceed with caution," Bill warned, his voice low.

With a shared understanding, they entered the cavernous space, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. The green light cast an otherworldly glow over the scene, lending an ominous atmosphere to the already foreboding surroundings.

In the center of the cavern, an island rose from the dark waters, with a pedestal perched atop it. The pedestal seemed to emanate a faint, pulsating light, drawing their attention like a beacon in the darkness.

Remus, his senses attuned to the magical energies surrounding them, spoke in a hushed voice. "This place is heavily enchanted. We must proceed with extreme caution."

Bill nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "Agreed. Let's stay together and approach the island carefully."

They moved forward cautiously, their eyes scanning the dimly lit cavern for any signs of danger. As they reached the edge of the water, a sense of unease settled over them.

"Voldemort must have left a way for him to traverse the lake," Sirius said, his voice low but determined. "We should go around the edge of the lake to see if we find something."

The group nodded in agreement, their senses on high alert as they began to follow the perimeter of the underground lake. The water lapped gently against the rocky shore, its surface shrouded in darkness, adding to the eerie atmosphere of the cavern.

Bill, trained to spot magic, senses something along the ground, hidden by magic. He grasps at it, only to see a chain materialize out of thin air. Pulling on the chain leads to a small boat emerging from the water, its wooden surface glistening in the dim light of the cavern.

"Looks like we found our ride," Bill said, his voice echoing in the cavern as he gestured towards the boat. 

The group approached the boat cautiously, each one eyeing it with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. It was clear that the boat was enchanted, and they knew better than to take anything for granted in the presence of such powerful magic.

"It seems this boat is only big enough for one person," Sirius remarked, his brow furrowed as he examined the small vessel.

Bill nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, it appears so. We'll have to proceed one at a time."

Remus interjected, his tone thoughtful. "Considering Voldemort's hubris, it's likely that the boat is charmed to carry a person with a certain amount of magical power rather than weight. As such, I believe it can carry two people and a dog."

Sirius and Bill exchanged a glance, considering Remus's analysis. It made sense given Voldemort's tendencies to create magical protections based on power rather than conventional limitations.

With a smirk on his face, Sirius suddenly shifted into his animagus form, shocking Bill. He transformed into a sleek, black dog and bounded over to the small boat that would take them across the underground lake.

Bill watched, a mixture of surprise and amusement on his face, as Sirius, now in his animagus form, effortlessly climbed onto the boat. He couldn't help but grin at the unexpected turn of events.

"Well, that's one way to travel," Bill remarked, a hint of laughter in his voice, as he and Remus joined Sirius on the boat. With a chuckle, he added, "I suppose it's a dog-eat-dog world, after all."

Sirius barked in amusement, his tail wagging as they set off across the dark, still waters of the underground lake, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them in their quest to locate the Locket of Salazar Slytherin.

As the boat set off on its own, wading through the waters towards the small island in the center, the disturbance in the water allowed them to see what was inside it: dead bodies. The sight was chilling, the corpses eerily still, their faces twisted in expressions of eternal anguish.

Bill shuddered, his eyes wide with a mix of horror and determination. "Inferi," he muttered, recognizing the signs. "Voldemort has placed them here to guard the locket."

Sirius, still in his animagus form, growled lowly, the sound reverberating through the tense silence. His instincts were on high alert, sensing the danger that lurked beneath the surface.

"We have to stay calm," Remus said, more to himself than to Sirius. "As long as we don't disturb the water too much, they shouldn't attack."

Bill, paddling the boat carefully, nodded in agreement. "I'm more worried about what happens after we get our hands on the locket," he said, his voice low. "Voldemort would have made it so that the Inferi become active the moment we touch it."

Sirius, still in his animagus form, growled softly, the sound a reminder of the danger they faced. Remus tightened his grip on his wand, his eyes scanning the water's surface for any sign of movement.

"Just remember," Remus said, his voice steady and calm despite the tension in the air, "fire destroys an Inferius. Keep your wands ready and stay alert."

Bill nodded, his expression serious. "Got it. Let's hope we don't need to use it, but better to be prepared."

Sirius, back in his dog form, growled softly in agreement, his eyes also scanning the eerie waters as they continued their journey across the underground lake, every muscle tensed for whatever might lie ahead.

—

As they reached the small island in the center, Sirius, Remus and Bill carefully disembarked from the boat, making sure not to touch the ominous water surrounding them. The air was thick with a sense of foreboding as they stepped onto the rocky surface of the island.

In the middle of the island, they spotted what they initially thought was a pedestal. However, as they approached, they realized it was not a pedestal but a basin, filled with a strange, glowing liquid.

Bill's eyes narrowed as he studied the basin. "This must be where Voldemort hid the Horcrux," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The liquid likely conceals or protects it."

Sirius, now back in his human form, examined the basin closely. "It won't be as simple as just taking it," he remarked. "There are undoubtedly more protections in place."

Remus nodded in agreement. "We'll have to figure out how to safely retrieve the Horcrux without triggering any traps."

Sirius rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his grey eyes scanning the dimly lit room, taking in every shadow and corner. "Knowing Voldemort, he'd never make it easy to get to one of his Horcruxes. That potion," he gestured towards the basin with a grimace, "is likely a nasty piece of work."

Bill frowned, his mind racing through various spells and enchantments that could possibly counteract the potion's effects. "We could try siphoning it off with a *'Evanesco'* spell, but there's no telling if that would trigger an alarm or some other defense mechanism."

Sirius nodded slowly, "True, but we can't just stand here doing nothing. We need that locket." He paused, a determined glint in his eye. "I say we take the risk. I'll drink the potion."

"No," Remus said sharply, his hand reaching out to grasp Sirius's shoulder. "You've been through enough because of him. It's my turn to take the lead on this one."

A moment of silent understanding passed between them before Sirius reluctantly agreed with a nod. "Alright, Moony. Just... be careful."

With a steady hand, Remus conjured a small, silver cup, the light from his wand casting eerie shadows across the stone walls. He dipped the cup into the basin, watching as the clear liquid filled it to the brim. His heart pounded in his chest, not from fear of what the potion might do to him, but from the dread of facing his most painful memories once again.

Sirius watched with bated breath, his fists clenched at his sides. He knew all too well the ghosts that haunted Remus, and it pained him to see his friend willingly walk into their grasp.

"Remember, it's not real," Sirius said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Whatever you see, whatever you feel, it's just the potion."

Remus nodded, though his eyes never left the cup in his hands. "I know," he replied, and with a resolve that only those who have faced darkness can muster, he brought the cup to his lips and drank.

The effect was immediate. Remus's knees buckled as he was assaulted by visions of that fateful night when he was bitten by a werewolf, the pain as fresh and sharp as if it were happening all over again. He could hear the distant howls, feel the tearing of his flesh, and the despair that followed knowing his life would never be the same.

Sirius rushed to his side, offering support as Remus struggled to stay upright. "Fight it, Moony," he urged. "You're stronger than this."

With each gulp, Remus felt himself sinking deeper into the abyss of his past, but Sirius's voice anchored him to the present. It was a battle of wills between man and memory, and Remus was determined not to let his past defeat him.

Bill Weasley had been silent up until now, his focus entirely on the protective enchantments surrounding the room. But seeing Remus in such a state, he couldn't stay quiet any longer. "You've got this, Remus," he called out, his voice firm and encouraging. "We're all here with you."

With each word of support from his friends, Remus felt a renewed strength coursing through him. He drank again and again, each mouthful an act of defiance against the darkness that sought to overwhelm him. The liquid's pull grew weaker with every sip as if the memories it conjured were losing their power.

Sirius's hand never left Remus's back, a silent promise that he wasn't alone in this fight. Bill's words echoed in the chamber, blending with Sirius's steady presence to form a shield against the potion's torment.

Finally, with one last shuddering breath, Remus drained the cup for the final time. The basin was empty, its once-menacing contents defeated by the unyielding spirit of friendship and courage.

The room fell silent but for the sound of Remus's labored breathing. He looked up at his friends, a weary smile on his face. "It's done," he said simply.

Sirius let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, relief washing over him. "You did it, Moony," he said, pride evident in his voice.

Bill stepped forward, clapping Remus on the shoulder. "We knew you could."

Together, they turned their attention to the now-accessible locket, the next challenge that awaited them.

The locket trembled in Remus's hand as he lifted it from its resting place. The moment it left the basin, the water's surface erupted, churning with a malevolent force. The Inferi, their skin pallid and eyes vacant, clawed their way out of the murky depths.

Sirius's breath caught as he recognized one of them—the unmistakable features of his younger brother, Regulus. His heart wrenched at the sight. Regulus, who had once been so full of life, now reduced to this mindless, tortured existence.

"Regulus," Sirius whispered, his voice raw with grief. "What have they done to you?"

Bill, wand drawn, stepped forward. "We can't stay here," he said urgently. "They'll overwhelm us."

Remus nodded, determination in his eyes. "We need to get back to the shore. The Inferi won't follow us there."

As the Inferi closed in, Remus's wand flashed with a fiery intensity. "Incendio!" he shouted, directing a stream of flames toward the advancing creatures. The fire engulfed them, their icy forms melting and writhing in agony. Bill joined in, casting the same spell, creating a wall of fire that pushed the Inferi back.

Sirius hesitated, torn between the heat of battle and the haunting sight of Regulus. But there was no time for sentiment. He clenched his jaw and raised his wand. "Incendio!" he bellowed, flames erupting from the tip. Regulus stumbled, his waxy skin blistering, but he didn't falter.

Together, they fought, fire against darkness, until the last Inferius crumbled into ashes. Remus wiped sweat from his brow, his chest heaving. "We did it," he said, his voice hoarse.

Sirius's gaze lingered on Regulus's remains. "Not all of us," he whispered, a promise etched in his heart.

And so, with the locket secured and the memory of flames still dancing in their eyes, they pressed forward.

—

After retrieving the Locket, Sirius, Remus, and Bill made their way back to the Bones Family Estate. The journey back was tense, but they felt a sense of accomplishment having successfully acquired one of Voldemort's Horcruxes.

As they approached the grand estate, its familiar sight brought a sense of relief. The estate's protective wards shimmered faintly in the sunlight, reassuring them of the safety within.

They were greeted at the entrance by Amelia Bones, her stern expression softening as she saw them. "You got it?" she asked, her eyes scanning the group for any signs of trouble.

Sirius nodded, holding up the Locket. "We got it. One down, a few more to go."

Amelia's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the Locket, but she quickly composed herself. "Let's get inside. We need to discuss our next steps."

Inside the estate, the atmosphere was a mix of anxiety and determination. Harry, Susan, and Drakor were waiting in the main hall, eager to hear the details of the mission.

Remus placed the Locket on the table, its dark presence palpable even in the well-lit room. "This is only the beginning," he said, his voice steady but filled with the weight of their task.

Bill, still a bit shaken from the intensity of the mission, added, "The curses protecting this thing were formidable. We'll need to be even more prepared for the next ones."

Drakor, perched on Harry's shoulder, examined the Locket intently. His milky white eyes narrowed as he scrutinized every detail.

After a moment, Drakor looked up, his voice resonating with a mix of disappointment and urgency. "This is not the Locket of Salazar Slytherin," he announced, his tone grave. "It is a copy."

Sirius growled in frustration, his eyes flashing with anger. "We went through all that," he snarled, his voice rough with emotion, "even saw my brother turned into an Inferi, for a fake!"

Bill frowned, the weight of the situation sinking in. "If this is a copy, then where's the real locket?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

Drakor's milky eyes gleamed with determination. "We need to find out who created this copy and where the real Horcrux is hidden. Whoever made this must have known the original's importance."

Harry, feeling a surge of curiosity, picked up the locket and carefully opened it. As he did, a small piece of parchment fell out. He unfolded it, revealing a handwritten note:

To the Dark Lord

I know I will be dead long before you read this, but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more.

R.A.B.

Harry's heart pounded as he read the note aloud to the others. 

Sirius's eyes widened in recognition. "Regulus," he whispered. "Regulus Arcturus Black. My brother."

Bill looked up, intrigued. "So, your brother took the real Horcrux and tried to destroy it. We need to find out where he might have hidden it."

Sirius nodded, determination setting in. "We have to search the Black family home. If Regulus left any clues, they'd be there. Kreacher, our old house-elf, might know something as well."

Drakor's eyes gleamed with renewed purpose. "Then that's our next move. We find the real Horcrux and destroy it."

The group exchanged resolute glances, ready to follow the trail Regulus had left and continue their quest to defeat Voldemort.

—

Sirius, Remus, and Bill arrived outside Grimmauld Place, the Black family home. The imposing, dark structure loomed over the street, its facade echoing with memories both good and bad. Sirius turned to Bill, a hint of nostalgia mixed with apprehension in his eyes. "This is it. The Black family home."

As they entered the house, the air was thick with the scent of old wood and dust. Almost immediately, they were greeted by a shrill, angry voice. "Mudbloods! Blood traitors! Filth besmirching the House of Black!" The voice belonged to the portrait of Walburga Black, Sirius's mother.

Sirius winced but moved forward with determination. "Shut it, you old bat," he muttered, pulling the curtains over the portrait to muffle her screeching.

Remus gave Sirius a sympathetic look. "Still as charming as ever, I see."

Bill surveyed the house, noting the layers of dust and the oppressive atmosphere. "Where do you think we should start looking?"

Sirius glanced around the dimly lit room, a mixture of nostalgia and sadness in his eyes. "Kreacher," he said thoughtfully. "The Black family house-elf was especially loyal to Regulus. If Regulus hid something, Kreacher would know about it."

Without hesitation, Sirius took a deep breath and bellowed, "Kreacher!"

The sound echoed through the room, and within moments, a loud crack signaled the appearance of the ancient house-elf. Kreacher looked around with his usual disdainful expression until he spotted Sirius. His eyes widened in surprise and wariness.

"Master Sirius calls Kreacher?" he croaked, his voice dripping with reluctant respect.

Sirius nodded firmly. "Kreacher, we need your help. Regulus took something very important from Voldemort and tried to destroy it. We believe you know where he hid it."

Kreacher's eyes flickered with a mix of loyalty and pain at the mention of Regulus. "Master Regulus was good and brave," he muttered, mostly to himself. "He tried to destroy the Dark Lord's locket. Kreacher was there when he retrieved it."

Bill leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Do you know where the locket is now, Kreacher?"

The house-elf hesitated, wringing his hands nervously. "Kreacher tried to destroy it, but the locket was too strong. Kreacher failed. The locket is hidden at the Black family home."

Sirius's eyes hardened with determination. "Then that's where we need to go. Kreacher, we need you to take us there and show us exactly where it is."

Kreacher nodded, still looking uncertain but willing to help. "Yes, Master Sirius. Kreacher will take you."

As he turned to lead the way, Kreacher muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Sirius to hear, "Blood traitor, always causing trouble... If Mistress could see him now, she'd turn in her grave."

Sirius ignored the muttered insults, focusing on the task at hand.

They descended into the lower levels of the house, where Kreacher stopped in front of a large, ornate cabinet. With a snap of his fingers, the doors creaked open, revealing a clutter of old Black family heirlooms. Kreacher reached inside and, with surprising tenderness, pulled out a tarnished silver locket.

"This is it," Kreacher said, his voice trembling slightly. "Master Regulus told Kreacher to destroy it, but Kreacher couldn't. Kreacher tried, but the locket is protected by powerful magic."

Sirius took the locket from Kreacher, his expression a mix of determination and sorrow. "Thank you, Kreacher. You've done well."

Bill stepped forward, examining the locket closely. "Now that we have the real Horcrux, we need to destroy it. It's not going to be easy."

Remus' eyes gleamed with determination. "We will. This is just one more step in our mission to defeat Voldemort."

Sirius clasped Kreacher's frail hand warmly, his voice tinged with gratitude and resolve. "Thank you, Kreacher, for your unwavering loyalty to Regulus. We'll finish what he started, we'll destroy the Horcrux." 

Kreacher nodded solemnly, his eyes reflecting a mix of sadness and determination.

—-

As Sirius, Remus, and Bill stepped through the ornate gates of the Bones Family Estate, they carried with them the heavy burden of the real Salazar Slytherin's locket. Amelia Bones, Susan, and Harry were waiting anxiously in the grand foyer, illuminated by the warm glow of torches and magical candles.

Amelia's expression was a mixture of relief and concern as she approached them. "You've found it. Excellent. But how was the journey?"

Remus nodded, weariness etched on his face but determination burning bright in his eyes. "It wasn't easy, but we managed. And now," he glanced at the locket in Bill's hands, "we can proceed with the next steps."

Harry stood beside them, Drakor coiled protectively around his shoulders. The dragon's eyes gleamed with intelligence as it assessed the situation, its presence a silent reassurance in the midst of uncertainty.

"We're ready," Harry said firmly, his voice steady despite the weight of their mission. "Let's destroy this Horcrux once and for all."

Drakor, his scaled form shimmering with an ethereal luminescence, wasted no time as he approached the locket, pulsating with dark energy. With an eerie determination, he swallowed it, enveloping it within himself , the very air around him crackling with magical intensity. The Horcrux, sensing its impending doom, thrashed and writhed against Drakor's grasp, but his resolve was unshakable.

As Drakor's essence melded with the Horcrux, a tumultuous battle of wills ensued. Dark tendrils of malevolent energy lashed out, attempting to ensnare him, but he countered with an inner strength fueled by purpose. Gradually, the locket's sinister aura began to wane, its hold over the world diminishing with each passing moment.

Through gritted teeth, Drakor channeled every fiber of his being into the confrontation. His heart pounded with a rhythm of determination, echoing through his scaled form. The very ground beneath him seemed to tremble in recognition of the pivotal moment unfolding.

"It's done," Drakor declared, his voice resonating with newfound clarity, cutting through the lingering echoes of darkness. His milky eyes, once clouded with shadows, now glowed with a fierce light of triumph.

Amelia breathed a sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing as she absorbed Drakor's declaration. "Thank goodness," she murmured, her voice filled with gratitude.

Remus nodded, his expression serious yet determined. "Yes, but our mission isn't over yet. We still have to track down the final Horcrux, the one hidden in Hogwarts, in the Room of Requirements. And only Drakor knows its location."

Drakor's milky eyes scanned their faces, his newfound clarity holding steady. "I will lead you there," he affirmed, his voice steady and resolute.

---

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