Chapter 12
"Where are we going, Dad?" Harry asked as Reg led them out of the common room.
"You're staying in my quarters," Reg explained. "You're required to as my child."
"Oh."
"I'm just down the hall, next to Severus' quarters," Reg added.
Harry nodded.
Reg's quarters looked exactly like his apartment. He would have been worried, but Hogwarts always provided rooms that gave teachers the most comfort.
Harry immediately beamed and ran over to his door. There was a woof, a hoot, and a hiss from Harry's pets.
"Harry, do you still have Tom's diary?" Reg asked, sitting down on the couch.
"Yeah, gimme a sec!"
Harry emerged a moment later wearing a silver nightgown. He handed Reg the diary and said bluntly, "Why do all Death Eater kids know you?"
"Because my job was to babysit them while their parents went on raids," Reg explained, setting the diary on his lap. "I also tutored some of the older children."
"But why did Mr. Flint recognize you when you yelled at Professor -- Potions Master Prince?" Harry amended.
Reg snorted. "I'm well-known for yelling at wixen who hurt children. I'm apparently terrifying."
Harry relaxed. Then he cuddled up to him and said sleepily, "Why do you need the diary?"
"I want to bring Tom back," Reg said softly.
Harry made a face. "Why? The diary Tom was shit."
"And he grew up," Reg said, wrapping an arm around Fawn. Harry shifted closer. "The Tom I knew was kind, clever, intelligent, and patient, and he would never hurt a child."
"So, why'd he 'tack me?" Harry mumbled.
"I plan on asking him that," Reg scowled. He set the diary on the couch and picked Harry up. "Bedtime, Fawn. You have class tomorrow."
Harry nuzzled into Reg's neck, humming. Chuckling, Regulus took his son to bed.
Once Harry was tucked in, Reg went back to the diary and cast a few spells. A thin line of silver light pointed from the book downward and to the left.
I suppose I'm visiting the Chamber of Secrets Tonight, Reg thought dryly. He slipped into Harry's room to get Lily.
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It was disgusting. The Chamber hadn't been cleaned in centuries -- it was covered in dust, slime, and rat skeletons. The giant Basilisk carcass didn't help.
Reg did find where the line was pointing -- to a mass of silver mist, which was floating above a puddle of ink.
"Reparo Maxima!" Reg cast, pointing his wand at the diary. The hole sealed itself, and the pages stopped wrinkling. The mist solidified into a very transparent, teenage Tom Riddle.
"Who are you?" Tom asked.
"Regulus Black, one of your Death Eaters," Reg explained. "I'm trying to bring the Dark Lord back. Do you know where the other Horcruxes are?"
"How do you know about the Horcruxes?" Tom snarled.
"The main part accidentally turned Harry Potter into one when he tried to kill him that Halloween night," Reg replied. Tom looked horrified. "Answer the question, please."
Tom huffed. "I don't know exactly where they are, but I can sense when they're nearby. I know one of them is in Hogwarts. I can tell you what they are: the one in Hogwarts is Ravenclaw's lost diadem; the other Horcruxes are Slytherin's locket, Hufflepuff's cup, and the Peverell Lord ring."
"I know where the locket is," Reg said blankly. Memories threatened to surface, but he shoved them down. "Can you tell where the main part is?"
"No, but there is a search spell that you can use," Tom said. "It will require blood from your Mark."