Chapter 15
When Regulus appeared in the room, the homunculus in the chair jumped and snarled. The red eyes indicated that this was Regulus' master.
"WORMTAIL!" Voldemort bellowed.
"My lord-" Regulus began, cowering.
"Regulus," the man said, relaxing slightly. He still looked angry, however. "Why did it take you so long to find me?"
"I tried using all the tracking spells I knew, my lord," Regulus insisted, trembling. "I spoke to wixen who were good at tracking, I tried potions, I couldn't-" his voice cracked.
He could sense that Voldemort's anger stopped being directed at him. "How did you find me, then?"
"Your diary Horcrux, master," Regulus said quietly.
"You know about my Horcruxes?" Voldemort said coolly.
"Yes, master. After you used Kreacher-"
"I don't care how you found out. Have you told anyone about my Horcruxes?" Voldemort demanded.
"No, but Dumbledore knows, my lord," Regulus rasped. He closed his eyes, waiting for Voldemort to Cruciate him, but it never came.
"WORMTAIL!" Voldemort howled.
Peter Pettigrew came rushing in. "Master, I-" he paused when he saw Regulus.
"Crucio!" Voldemort snarled, pointing his wand at Pettigrew. The little man screamed and collapsed, writhing.
The spell only lasted a moment; Voldemort looked exhausted after using magic.
"Where is Nagini?" Voldemort hissed at Pettigrew. The man shook his head, whimpering. "Find her and bring her to me. Now."
The man fled, slamming the door behind him.
"Does anyone else know about my Horcruxes?" Voldemort asked Regulus stiffly.
"Harry Potter-Black and his goblin accountant, Bloodfang," Regulus said automatically. "Harry is an accidental Horcrux, my lord."
Voldemort blanched and muttered something in Parseltongue. "Where is my diary?" he asked.
"I have your diary, locket, and diadem in my quarters at Hogwarts, my lord," Regulus said quickly. "Hunter Black was hired as one of the Defense Professors."
"Why?"
"Lady Magic chose me as Harry's parent, master."
Voldemort scowled. "So, I am not allowed to kill him."
"No!" Regulus exclaimed, then flinched. "My lord."
The Dark Lord waved him off. He was about to speak again when a giant serpent entered the room. Voldemort spoke to her in Parseltongue, and the snake responded, nodding to Regulus.
"Regulus, this is Nagini, a Maledictus," Voldemort stated. "I met her when I was at Hogwarts. She had transformed fully by the time I graduated."
"Hello," Regulus said to Nagini. Her tongue flickered out, and she dipped her head again.
Voldemort spoke in Parseltongue again, and Nagini nodded, then slithered swiftly out of the room.
"Master," Regulus said nervously. Voldemort nodded. "Where is she going?"
"One of my Horcruxes is in a shack nearby," Voldemort responded. "The Peverell Lord ring."
He had answered him? Why?
"You have questions," Voldemort stated. He leaned back in the chair. "Ask."
"Why... why do you never use the Cruciatus Curse on..." Regulus trailed off.
Voldemort's pale cheeks turned every so faintly redder. Regulus dismissed it as his imagination; Voldemort didn't blush.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Voldemort said gruffly.
"O...kay," Regulus said slowly. "Why did you attack my son? Master?" He tried to keep the anger out of his voice and only mostly succeeded.
The Dark Lord sighed and pinched the homunculus' nose. "About two months before Lily Potter announced her pregnancy, Severus and Lucius were at the Hog's Head. Severus was depressed that Mrs. Potter had married the idiot, and Lucius was there for emotional support.
"While they were there, Dumbledore entered with Sybill Trelawney, the descendant of Cassandra Trelawney. She was rumored to be a Seer, like her ancestor. Severus and Lucius were curious as to why the two were in the Hog's Head, so they decided to listen in.
"Trelawney was there for a job interview."
"That's impossible, master," Regulus interjected. "Dumbledore is required to hold all interviews in his office."
Voldemort's eyes widened and he cursed. "Fucking -- manipulative -- ARSEHOLE. The fucking prophecy is FAKE."
Regulus was going to strangle Dumbledore with his own beard.
"They didn't even overhear the whole thing," Voldemort scowled. "I acted on a half-heard, obviously fake prophecy. FUCK."
"What did Sev and Luce overhear, my lord?" Regulus asked tightly.
"'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches,'" Voldemort quoted. "'Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies.'"
"So, it says nothing about the baby actually defeating you, master?" Regulus asked. "Just that he has the power to do it?"
"I know, it was reckless and stupid, and I hurt a child," Voldemort muttered. "I used the Killing Curse! It's supposed to be painless!"
Regulus stopped himself from yelling at the very dangerous Dark Lord.
"Why do you yell at others for hurting children and not me?" Voldemort asked bluntly.
He felt himself go white and said quickly, "Harry was the only child you hurt, and I couldn't yell at you because you were gone-"
"Don't lie to me, Regulus," Voldemort said quietly. Regulus swallowed. "You aren't yelling at me now, and I'm right in front of you."
When Regulus still said nothing, Voldemort closed his eyes. "You do not have to fear me, Regulus."
Didn't stop Regulus from having a heart attack every time Voldemort was angry.
"Bring me my Horcruxes -- including your son-" Voldemort added "-on Samhain. I will reabsorb all of my soul pieces except the diadem then."
"Yes, my lord," Regulus agreed, standing up.
"And..." Voldemort paused. "Will you visit? I am bored."
Regulus' heart skipped a beat. "Of course, my lord."
"Bring me Lucius and Severus when you do," Voldemort added. Regulus was instantly disappointed, but he knew Voldemort didn't really want him, he just wanted followers there to help.
"You may return to your son."
------
He didn't leave until he yelled at Pettigrew, though....