Chapter 6
Chapter 6
He paced back and forth so much he may as well have been digging a hole in the floor. He was nervous about getting caught. If he got caught it would all be over. He’d lose his advantage of being legally dead and would be put on trial and go to Azkaban for being a Death Eater. They would never hear him out about defecting and working to stop Voldemort. They would never believe him as long as he had the Dark Mark on his arm. Something he didn’t know how to rid himself of. The only way he could think of removing it would be to cut off his own arm. A thing he did not have to do.
He had the cloak and map but he wasn’t sure if Dumbledore saw through the cloak and he wasn’t sure if his wandless magic would be enough to make the map work, something he learned to do after watching Sirius and his friends at school. They weren’t as sneaky as they thought they were. At least not to Regulus.
He kept checking the clock which seemed to be going slower every time he checked it. Finally it was 5 minutes to 7 and he pulled out the map hoping it would work. He squeezed his eyes shut holding the map time.
“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.” He looked back down at the map and was relieved to see the ink fill the page. He stared at Dumbeldore’s name “Alright Kreacher, time to go,” He said, holding out his hand for Kreacher to grab.
Kreacher apparated them into Dumbledore's office. Thankfully house elf magic is not limited inside the walls of Hogwarts like wizards and witches magic is. He glanced around the cluttered room. Quietly he muttered, “How are we meant to find anything here? It's a huge mess.” He walked around the room looking at everything around. Being careful to look at each area so as to not miss the sword even if they are on a time limit.
He looked at his wrist watch and saw the time was 7:20 already. He’d have to move faster. He searched around the office checking every nook and cranny, every corner of the office. He did a double take when he saw the Sorting Hat sitting high on the shelf. He remembered how much he dread having to put that hat on. He also remembers the look on Sirius's face when the hat shouted out Slytherin. The look of disappointment and slight disgust. He knew even at age 11 their relationship would never be the same. He shook his head to rid it of such thoughts. He had a job to do. There was no time to think about his brother.
He almost looked away from the Sorting Hat to ignore the thoughts it brought him when he saw glinting metal underneath it. He walked over with Kreacher making sure the cloak covered them and he knew this was the sword. It’s shining metal and bright rubies even after all these years. It looked like it was crafted only yesterday. Reaching his hand out of the cloak he grasped the handle and carefully placed it in his bag that had an undetectable extension charm on it.
“Ah, how interesting,” Regulus jumped at the voice, looking around quickly to see who was here but there was no one. He knew the voice but he could not place where he heard it.
“Up here boy,” The voice said again. He looked at to see the Sorting Hat.
“Hello?” Regulus said hesitantly. The hat seemed to smile. Regulus hesitantly pulled the cloak off his head. “How interesting indeed.” The Hat seemed to smile more.
“What do you mean? What’s interesting?” Regulus said feeling apprehensive about the answer.
“Simply interesting to see how you turned out. Maybe I should have placed you in a different house than Slytherin like you asked of me.” The Hat said which confused Regulus.
“What does that mean? I belonged in Slytherin.” Regulus scrunched his nose again.
“It is what you asked. Not necessarily where you belonged.” said the Hat.
“I don’t understand.” Regulus said feeling confused.
“Perhaps you will one day.” Regulus glared at the Hat feeling confused and wanting answers.
“Tell me now,” Regulus said but the Hat did not respond to him.
“Won’t you answer me?” Regulus asked but the Hat seemed to have decided the conversation was over.
He glanced back down at his watch and saw the time was 9:08. The conversation with the Hat having made him here longer than planned. At least he was finished before Dumbledore came back.
“Kreacher, let's go.” Kreacher grabbed his hand and they apparated away.
When they got back to Aunt Dorea’s house he pulled the sword out and laid it on the coffee table. He stared at it wondering why such an item would cause so much fighting. Yes it was beautifully crafted but it was still just a sword. Maybe he just didn’t have the eye for it. All he knew now was he had to trade it to the Goblins to get access to Bella’s vault. Which he felt would be easier said than done. Goblins were tricky and did not always keep their word. He’d have to be careful how he handles the situation. He’d have to give them the sword only after returning safely out of the vaults below ground. Would they even believe him when he says he has the sword or would they think he is lying? Would they accept the risk he is telling the truth to get back something so important? He’d have to tread lightly.
He walked carefully and did his best not to run into anyone or have the cloak fall off him. He could feel his hands shake as he walked into Gringotts. He glanced around at all the Goblins and turned to walk down a hall where the offices of Goblins who worked with different Pureblood families personally. He stared at the door to his family’s Goblin. Brimstone. He hesitantly knocked on the door.
“Come in.” A croaky voice said from inside the room. Regulus looked around stepping into the room being sure to close the door behind him before pulling the cloak off his head.
“Well what a surprise. Regulus Black in my office. You were declared dead.” Brimstone had a wicked grin.
“I got better.” Regulus said, making Brimstone's grin grow at the comment.
“And what are you doing here?” He leaned forward resting his hands on the desk.
“I need access to Bellatrix LeStranges vault.” Regulus said taking a seat in the chair facing Brimstone’s desk.
The Goblin got a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“You know that's not possible. Whatever could you need that's so important you want me to fill out such a request?”
Regulus took a deep breath saying, “That is private information. I don’t expect you to do this without getting something in return.”
“And what could you possibly have that could make me agree.” Brimstone said feeling amused
“The Sword of Gryffindor.” Regulus said making Brimstone took a sharp breath.
“It would do well not to lie to me about such an important matter.” He seemed angry at the suggestion. Regulus reached into his bag and pulled out the hilt of the sword. Brimstone stared at it intensely.
“You do have it.” His voice had a wistful sound to it. He slipped the sword back into his bag saying, “I will return it to you when I am safely back out and standing in this office. That is my condition.”
“And if you cannot find what you are looking for?” Brimstone stared at the bag instead of looking him in the eyes.
“I will still return it to you.” He held out his arm saying, “Would you believe me more if I did an unbreakable vow?” Brimstone grasped his arm.
“I vow to return The Sword of Gryffindor to the Goblins when I am safely out of the vaults.” Regulus said as light emerged from their joined arms sealing the vow. Brimstone grinned and walked to the door.
“This way.” Regulus slipped the invisibility cloak over his head. Brimstone had a curious look on his face.
“People still need to think I’m dead.” Brimstone nodded and Regulus followed him down the hall towards the cart that would carry them to Bellatrix’s vault. Regulus pulled the cloak off his head and stuffed it into his bag just as the cart shot forward at high speeds to the underground. Regulus squeezed his lips together learning from his mistake when he opened his mouth to say something to Sirius when he was 10. He hated how fast the cart went. It made him feel nauseous and always messed up his hair.
The cart came to a stop and Regulus pulled the cloak back over his head.
“This way.” Brimstone walked down a hall with Regulus following his footfalls. They came to an open area with a bloody white dragon. Regulus always hated this part. He felt sorry for the dragon that did nothing but exist. Brimstone grabbed the noise maker and shook it causing the dragon to flinch and hunch in on itself in the corner. He began to cross with the room with Regulus following close behind. Once they were cleared of the room Brimstone put the noise maker down and continued down the hall.
They got a vault and stopped.
“This is Bellatrix LeStrange’s vault, take what you want.” He pressed his hand on the door causing it to open. Regulus cautiously stepped into the room. He turned to look back at Brimstone.
“Do you know if there's an enchantment on the vault?” Brimstone just grinned at him. Which was answer enough. He treaded carefully making sure not to touch anything. He looked at all the stacks of gold and magical items trying to feel the same darkness as the locket and diary. It was a bit harder to do in here since there were multiple dark objects. He walked further into the vault feeling more nervous the longer he spent in the room. He had barely been in it and already wanted to leave. An object caught his eye. A goblet sitting at the very top of a pile in the center of the vault. He squinted his eyes and could barely make out a badger on the side.
A badger? Why would Bellatrix have something with a badger on it? That's Hufflepuffs symbol.
That's when he realized that was the horcrux. Salazar Slytherin's locket was turned into a horcrux when it disappeared from the Gaunt family; the goblet had disappeared from the Smith family. It was Helga Hufflepuff’s goblet; he just knew it. Now how to get it. He didn’t want to have to touch anything but that was the only way he could think to get it. Well there was one thing he could try first. He held out his hand and took a deep breath.
“Wingardium Leviosa.” Nothing happened. He sighed and shook his head and held it out to try again.
“Wingardium Leviosa!” The cup shook a bit but did not levitate. He groaned in annoyance and shook his hands out again, raising both of them this time.
“Wingardium Leviosa!” The cup thankfully floated and dropped down lower in the stack where he could reach up and grab it. He stood on his tip toes and just barely grasped the goblet and sighed with relief knowing now he could leave. The darkness of the horcrux was buried with the darkness of all the objects in the room so hopefully if Bellatrix visits her vault she won’t notice it's gone. He quickly left the vault and closed the door behind him.
“The sword?” Brimstone held out his hand.
“I said after I returned safely to your office.” He looked annoyed but nodded and led Regulus back to the cart using the noisemaker again against the dragon.
Regulus put the goblet in his bag as the cart shot forward.
Once the ride was over he quickly put the cloak over his head and walked with Brimstone to his office. When they were in the office Regulus reached into his bag and pulled out the sword holding it out for Brimstone to take. He took it with such care and whimsy.
“The sword is now back to its rightful owners. Thank you for letting me enter Bellatrix’s vault.” Brimstone was so distracted by the sword he didn’t seem to notice Regulus’ thanks. He smiled a bit at seeing the Goblin he’s known since childhood so happy. He left the room and quietly left Gringotts. He paused when he Flourish and Blotts. If the horcruxes were the Hogwarts founders' artifacts he’d need to know more about them.
If 2 out of 4 artifacts are horcruxes why not a 3rd one. The Sword was impossible to curse because of how it was crafted but that doesn’t mean something from Rowena Ravenclaw isn’t able to be cursed.
He stepped into the shop being careful not to step on the cloak or run into anyone.
Now where would they be?
He walked down the uneven paths between the stacks of books. He found a few that looked good slipping them under the cloak and into his bag. When he felt he had enough he walked to the counter and dropped some Knuts for the books and quickly apparated out of the shop and back home.
He pulled the cloak off running a hand through the mess his hair had become after the high speed cart and the cloak. He pulled the goblet out of his bag to look at it closer. Now that he was home he could feel the darkness pouring out of it. He could see the badger better too and the age. He was right in believing this was Helga Hufflepuffs goblet. He saw it in her portrait during his school years.
He carried it to the basement to hide it with the others. He felt near nauseous at the immense dark energy in the basement but he did not know where else to hide them. He thought of burying them but he was worried of grass growing over the dirt and losing them in the ground. He left the basement as fast as he could to get away from the energy.
He walked into the kitchen to make himself tea since Kreacher was back at Grimmauld taking care of Mother, her health was thankfully not getting worse but was not improving. He did not know why he was worried about her after everything she did to him growing up but he still felt sad at the thought of her dying. Or maybe he was just sad at her dying without him ever feeling love from her. He shook his head and took his tea to the parlor to get comfortable and read through the books he got about Hogwarts founders.
He felt like he was finally getting somewhere. Maybe he could do this.
He could not do this. He stared at the photos of Rowena Ravenclaw.
“A lost diadem. Maybe Voldemort couldn’t find it either. Which means it's a different item. I’ll still have to figure out what it is. Where do I even start?”
Then a thought occurred to him.
“I may not know but I know who will.”