Never Return

"Kreacher!" Bernard called.

Bernard couldn't believed it. He only just got here, still recovering from jetlag, and this happened. Bernard knew he'll eventually have to tell Alfred the news that his upperclassmen is Voldemort of all people. Bernard could only guessed where Voldemort could be hiding, but he didn't want to risk it. After all, he needed to figured out how to get rid of that curse from that shack. Bernard knew how powerful Voldemort was. Will he need backup? Maybe, but for now, before he gets into that shack, he needed to be careful first. He was hoping it was a something he knew he could deal with, but this was different. If Bernard played his cards right, he might be able to figured everything out in a week or a week and a half. Enough time to get back before Thanksgiving holiday. It almost felt like his abilities as a Curse-Breaker was being tested.

"Mister Bernard called Kreacher?" the house elf asked.

Bernard nodded. "Yes." he crouch down. "Kreacher, I know Regulus was a Death Eater, but did he told you anything before he died?"

The only reason Bernard asked was because he was told Regulus was a Death Eater. His death was always a mystery to Bernard. Yes, there was a possibility that Voldemort killed him, but he wanted to ask one person who knew him well and that would be the house elf. How he knew that? Uncle Sirius told him. Also, Bernard was sure that if he knew more about Regulus as a Death Eater, he might find something more about what the Gaunt Shack.

"Why does a filthy half-blood like Mister Bernard needed to know?" Kreacher questioned.

Ah, there it is! Bernard thought. He knew it was too good to be true. However, he did noticed how defensive Kreacher was when he asked. He wondered if something did happened to Regulus at his time as a Death Eater. He knew Uncle Sirius never really talked about Regulus unless Bernard asked and how Regulus was the perfect child. However, despite all of that, Kreacher probably might know something and Uncle Sirius told him that Regulus often spent time with Kreacher than anyone else in the family.

"Because I'm dealing with a curse that was created by Voldemort," Bernard answered.

Kreacher blinked. "A curse?"

Bernard nodded. "Yes, a curse. It's at the Gaunt Shack at Little Hangleton. All I know is that there is tons of protective barriers and curse to protect that curse. One of my fellow curse-breakers in America got cursed, but luckily he's alive. I just want to know if Regulus had experienced or seen these types of curses before he died. The more I know, I will be able to get rid of that curse."

Bernard could've swore he saw hope in Kreacher's eyes. He wasn't sure if he should be worried or not. It just made him more on guard than ever. Bernard had his wand ready in case if Kreacher wanted to harm him. Kreacher never caused him physical harm as a child, but he was sure it was because Grandma Dorea was there. Now Bernard was a grown adult, Kreacher would have reasons to harm him.

"Kreacher will be right back," the house elf said as he left the living room.

It didn't took long for Kreacher to come back. He was carrying a glass jar that had a locket. Bernard raised a brow. Why a locket of all things? Does it had to do with the Gaunt Shack? Bernard held the jar and took the locket out. His eyes widened as he saw an S on the locket. This was probably Slytherin's locket. Bernard placed his hand on the locket, feeling the magic inside. It almost felt like another person was in there, but at the same time, it was dark and heavy.

"A horcrux," Bernard muttered.

Why did Voldemort made a horcrux? Bernard thought. Of all things dark magic, Voldemort went too deep into it. Why a horcrux of all things? Why did Kreacher has a horcrux in Grimmauld Place? How come Sirius didn't even noticed?! What does this horcrux had to do with Regulus? What does it have to do with the Gaunt Shack?! Does the Gaunt Shack has a horcrux? Was this locket a cause of Regulus's death? The more Bernard thought about that last part, the more Bernard wondered if it did.

Bernard had dealt with horcruxes before. He was only a rookie Curse-Breaker at six months when he dealt with a horcrux. It was the time after he was starting to get recognition as a curse-breaker. It was rare for a rookie like him to get noticed. All Bernard wanted was just do the job that he enjoyed. The second time he dealt with another horcrux was last year and at that time, there were three horcruxes. Now he had to deal with another horcrux. Bernard knew the effects of a horcrux and how to deal with this type of dark magic. Horcruxes were rare, but he knew how to end it. However, as much as he wanted to end the horcrux, he needed to know how many where there first. Bernard knew he should start with the locket first. He'll probably need to call Alfred if he knew anything about Tom Riddle or noticed something during school.

"Kreacher, I know how to destroy this," Bernard said. "I don't know how or why you have this horcrux in this house, but before I do that, I need you to tell me now."

Kreacher nodded. "Master Regulus found out what the dark lord was doing and wanted to stop him. He went to the cave where the dark lord took Kreacher..."

The Kreacher told him what happened. Bernard listen intently and took notes as Kreacher told him the story. It turned out that Voldemort made Kreacher drank a potion-a Emerald Potion. Kreacher went into detailed about the effects of the potion, which Bernard wrote down everything. After Kreacher drank the potion, Voldemort left him to die, but Voldemort obviously never owned a house elf and didn't know how apparition was different for house elf than humans. Kreacher went back to Regulus and told him everything. Regulus went to the cave, drank the potion, and switched the locket with a fake one. He told Kreacher not to tell anyone what happened and then died by the inferi.

To be honest, Bernard never expected this. He always thought that Regulus died because he just got in too deep with Voldemort and for being a Death Eater. Now he knew the truth...Regulus was a brave and selfless person who was willingly to protect the people he love even when he realized he couldn't escape from being a Death Eater. Regulus's last wish was to destroy this horcrux. Luckily for his uncle, his nephew is an experienced curse-breaker and had dealt with horcruxes before. Bernard will make sure that both Regulus and Kreacher will be at peace when he destroyed the locket. However, Bernard wished he was prepared on dealing with a horcrux. He had everything he needed to deal with high level curses, but a horcrux was something that didn't crossed his mind. For someone who had dealt with horcruxes twice, Bernard was stupid enough not to think it might happen again. Bernard knew there were usually three ways to destroy a horcrux;

1. The Killing Curse.

2. Fiendfyre.

3. Basilisk venom.

Bernard had used the Killing Curse before. Not on a person, but he did when he did his first horcrux hunting. He had to hunt down a horcruxes when he was a rookie. It was quick, easy, and nothing happened to the object after the soul was gone. Fiendfyre, Bernard had used it in his second horcrux hunt after he got so much recognition from around the world. At the time, it was difficult to control and somehow Bernard was able to manage not to have the Fiendfyre go out of control. It took a lot out of him at the time and Bernard swore he'll never use that dark magic again, but considering the fact that Harry is endangered, he will.

Now for the basilisk venom, Bernard did had a little bit of it, but it was running low and he wasn't sure if it's enough, since he didn't know how many horcruxes Voldemort made. Bernard had a feeling that the Gaunt Shack might have a horcrux in there. However, one drop of the venom can kill a horcrux. Even if a blade is coated with the venom, it will work. However a drop of venom works differently than a blade being coated by venom. After the venom is dropped on the horcrux and when the object stops being it's host, the object is cloaked in basilisk venom. For safety precautions, if the object is wearable, to get rid of the venom, it needs to either be purified or use phoenix tears.

However, during Bernard's experienced on dealing with four horcruxes, there were other means to destroy them;

4. Blood magic

Blood magic can be use for both dark and light magic, depending on the situation. For a horcrux, dark magic will be the option. Even though it's common knowledge to use light magic against dark magic, but not all light magic can be effective, even for a horcrux. Since a horcrux can be destroyed with dark means, using dark against dark is the option. Nothing happens to the object after the horcrux is gone.

The other option to destroy a horcrux will be;

5. Purification

Either by magic or by a ritual. It's the only light magic that can work on a horcrux. However, it's rarely used because it's a high level magic. It takes a lot of understanding and process to do the magic. Bernard had done purification before and it was a process. Casting the spells, he didn't mind, but the ritual was difficult. However, since the horcrux is an object, an ancient artifact at that, it was best to make sure nothing happens to it.

The last option was;

6. The person who made the horcrux can refers the magic - Not going to happen, obviously because Voldemort.

Dealing with horcruxes that were objects is easy, even if the object has a curse with it, with caution, the horcrux object can be destroyed. If the horcrux was a living being...it's tricky. There is a fifty-fifty chance that the living being will survive the extraction. Bernard didn't want to deal with that. He had a possibility that if Voldemort did had a living being as a horcrux, it would probably be a pet or a fellow Death Eater. If it was a victim...Bernard didn't want to think about that part. However...if the horcrux ended up being an innocent human being, Bernard would do in his power to make sure that person stays alive.

"Thank you for telling me this, Kreacher," Bernard said. "I know what to do, but there are some supplies I do need. Do you want to help me?"

Kreacher nodded. "Kreacher will."

Bernard smiled. "First, I need you to find newspapers of Hogwarts and Harry Potter from the last thirteen years. After that, I need you to go to Knockturn Alley and try to find information where I could find some basilisk venom."

"What will Mister Bernard do?" Kreacher asked.

"I am going to locate if there are many more of these horcruxes," Bernard explained. "Then, I'll destroy the soul inside of the locket. It's a precious artifact anyway. It'll be a shame if it got destroyed. This will take me all day, but the results will be worth it. Then tomorrow, we'll go to the cave."

Bernard would've like to make a potion to counter the Emerald Potion, but he's not a healer. Bernard only knew the basics of healing. He knew how to make a basic healing potions and simple cures from school, but he didn't want to risk it. From what Kreacher told him, after he drank the potion, he was very thirsty and tried to drink from the water, but the infini almost got him. Bernard guessed that the potion is both a poison and a healing factor. It even caused intense thirst and drinking from the water caused the infini to wake. He wondered if just bringing regular water would help? Besides, it seemed like water is the cure.

Kreacher frowned. "Mister Bernard wants to go to the cave?"

Bernard nodded. "Yes. After all, there is something that belonged to Regulus there."

Bernard knew what he was doing was probably a death sentence, but he wanted Kreacher to have something that belonged to Regulus and that fake locket was the one that Regulus made. Besides, from what Uncle Sirius told him, Kreacher did cared a lot about Regulus, so he was sure that Kreacher would like to have something that belonged to his beloved master.

"Is Mister Bernard going to sleep first?" Kreacher questioned.

Bernard blinked by that question. To be honest, the didn't expect Kreacher to ask that question. The house elf pretty much ignored him when he got here. Bernard looked at the time and it was three in the morning and he was still wide awake. Then again, Bernard just got here. It was like nine at night in Gotham.

"Don't worry about me," Bernard said. "I'll sleep later. Oh and don't tell anyone. It's a secret between you and me."

Besides, he'll probably need some coffee, but he'll be fine...Oh Merlin, Tim was rubbing off on him. Is this what he get for dating someone who's blood is just coffee? Bernard made a mental note to make sure he gave Tim a sleeping potion when he gets back. Knowing Tim being Red Robin and all, Bernard would like his boyfriend have a good night sleep.

"Kreacher will do what Mister Bernard told him," With that Kreacher apparated.

Bernard nodded to himself and got to work. He waved his wand and opened his suitcase where he had all of his supplies. As he use his wand to get his supplies out, he moved the furniture to make room. Once everything was cleared, Bernard sat on the floor and pulled out his cauldron. He took out all of his ingredients. Bernard knew what he was doing for this type of tracking potion. This particular tracking potion lets him track objects that was casted by the user. It will give him multiple locations if the user casted the same spell. Since a horcrux is performed by splitting one's soul and placing them into an object, it will be the same effect if the user made multiples. However, he needed to make the potion strong enough to give him the exact locations of these horcruxes.

The first thing Bernard did was crushing Angel's Trumpet carefully. Bernard knew this plant was poisonous, but when done right in potions, it won't kill the person who drinks it. He crushed it until it becomes a mushy liquid. As he put in the crushed plant in his cauldron, he put in three cups of dragon blood and seven strings of unicorn hair. After that he put in an eye of newt, a dash of grinded Occamy eggshells, and the juice of a sage. Then Bernard used the Erumpent horn and sliced it in half. He scooped up the contents in it and put it in the cauldron. Lastly, Bernard used the roots of a snowdrop flower and it's petals. With a wave of his wand, Bernard stirred the potion and put it in the vial.

A smile grew across Bernard's face. The potion was clear now, but after three hours or so, the potion will turn red. The darker the red, the powerful the potion was to track the horcrux down. Bernard made himself some coffee, Tim's Death Wish coffee to be exact. When he was done, Bernard made a little brunch. While he ate, Kreacher came back with tons of newspaper of the Daily Prophet and other papers as well.

"I brought Mister Bernard the newspapers," Kreacher said.

Bernard smiled. "Thank you Kreacher. Did you find anything about the basilisk venom?"

Kreacher nodded. "Kreacher snuck into Hogwarts. Kreacher has friends working there. They told Kreacher that they heard from students that Harry Potter fought a giant snake. It happened in Harry Potter's second year."

Bernard froze as his eyes widened. "What. The. Fuck?! Do they knew why?"

"Kreacher doesn't know. They said the dark lord was involved."

Merlin, why is there a basilisk in the school?! Why did his baby cousin found an ancient chamber and fought a basilisk at age twelve?! Why is Voldemort involved with this?! Why is he hearing about this now?! Bernard really didn't want to believe it, but considering that he hadn't heard from Harry and Sirius, but only got letters from Dumbledore. He just wondered how did it all happen. Why didn't Dumbledore closed the school and find the basilisk himself? There were so many questions roaming in his mind that Bernard really wanted to punch the headmaster. However, Bernard knew he'll eventually get those answers when he sees Harry. All he knows is that the basilisk skeleton is in that Chamber of Secrets and he needs to restock on his basilisk venom.

"Good job, Kreacher," Bernard said. "We'll go to Hogwarts this Friday. Dumbledore would be at the Wizengamont meeting then. We have plenty of time to get the venom." then he gestured to the food. "I made us some brunch. Have some. I do think you deserve a break and a reward for your hard work."

Kreacher looked at him and back at the food. Slowly, Kreacher sat at the table and begun to eat. The house elf didn't say anything. Bernard assumed that it was probably his cooking was bad. While Bernard drank his coffee, he read through the papers since the death of his aunt and uncle. Nothing much aside from the celebration of Voldemort's death. Bernard flipped through another paper and he froze as he read the headline:

Sirius Black sent to Azkaban!!

Bernard gasped. He read on the article as it told that people saw Sirius Black killed thirteen people around him and killed Peter Pettigrew. Bernard knew that name. He never met Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew, but he knew who they were and what they looked like thanks to the photos. As Bernard read on, it just said that Sirius went straight into Azkaban. There was nothing of a trail. There has to be papers about the trail. Bernard flipped through the papers to try to find a trail, but nothing. All in the papers said that Sirius Black betrayed Lily and James Potter to Voldemort and killed Peter Pettigrew. Bernard shook his head. This had to be a lie. Sirius would never do that. Also in the papers, it said they only found a finger of Pettigrew and no body. If there is no body, Pettigrew had to be alive.

Bernard's eyes widened. If Sirius was in Azkaban...what happened to Harry? Harry should've been living with him and his parents. That's what the will of Aunt Lily and Uncle James said. If Sirius couldn't take care of Harry for some reason, guardianship would go to the Dowd family. Then where was Harry? Who was raising him? Bernard knew that aside from him and his parents, the only other relative Harry had was Aunt Lily's sister, Petunia Dursley, but Petunia hated magic. Aunt Lily made sure in her will that Petunia didn't had custody of Harry. There was no way they gave her guardianship to raise Harry...did they? 

Licking his dry lips, Bernard skimmed through the papers as he went on year by year. He noticed that after a few years, people stop talking about the famous The-Boy-Who-Lived. The papers don't talk about Harry until his first year at Hogwarts when people saw and noticed him. There were pictures of Harry being spotted at the Leaky Cauldron. In the picture, Bernard noticed Harry has Aunt Lily's face and eyes, but everything was from Uncle James. From what the papers said, Harry was wearing no-maj clothing that were too big on him. Of course there was nothing wrong wearing no-maj clothing, since Bernard always wear them, but from the photos...it looked like Harry hadn't eaten for weeks. He looks malnourished.

"What happened to you, Harry?" Bernard asked himself.

Bernard pursed his lips. On the picture showed a photo of eleven year old Harry walking with a giant and looking awed at everything he saw. Bernard was concern. A bit too concern. Why is Harry acting like he just discovered magic for the very first time? Bernard knew magic was amazing, but from the pictures...it looked like this was Harry's first time. The reaction reminded him of how Bernard showed Tim around. It was the same thing!

The only thing Bernard could guessed that Petunia and her family would be the ones who raised Harry. It was the only solution Bernard could think of. Harry being malnourished and wearing clothes too big for him. Also in his pictures, it looked like he had tape on his glasses. If Dumbledore was the one who put Harry in an abusive household and didn't follow the will of Aunt Lily and Uncle James, Dumbledore could face legal issues.

"What's going on?" Bernard muttered to himself. "Why am I getting more questions than answers?!"

He looked through the papers again. One was about the break in at Gringotts, the other was about Harry Potter meeting Gilderoy Lockhart. Then on the next paper was about how Harry and his friend discovered how Lockhart was a fake. That news Bernard did heard of because a lot of curse-breakers were talking about him. Bernard never dwelled on that news either. As Bernard kept looking, he saw another newspaper about Sirius.

Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban!!

Now that was something Bernard wanted to know how that happened. His mother told him that it was difficult to escape from Azkaban. There were dementors and you can't apparate from Azkaban. So unless Sirius had another way of doing it, Bernard would like to know.

As Bernard looked into more of the papers, he only saw the current ones about the Triwizard Tournament, the Quidditch World Cup, and the Dark Mark. Bernard sighed. As much as he didn't know what was going on with the British wizarding world and at Hogwarts, he really needed answers. However, for now, he needed to focus on important matters:

Horcrux hunting.

Bernard set his plate in the sink and washed it. As soon as he was done, he went over to his potion and saw it was dark blood red. A smirk grew across his face. This was perfect. The potion would be powerful enough to track down the souls, even if they were in tiny fragments and it's exact location. Bernard use his wand and gave it a flick. A projection a map of the world appeared. Bernard took out the locket from it's glass casing and set it down. He poured the potion on the locket and Bernard waved his wand. In an instant the locket glowed as beams of light cast itself onto the map. Bernard crossed his arms. On the map showed six dot of lights. As he flicked his wand, the lights revealed only four objects, but the other two didn't. The four objects was a locket, a ring, a cup, and a diadem. With another flick, the lights revealed which place the horcruxes were in. Aside from the horcrux with him, the rest were in Gringotts, the Gaunt Shack, The Riddle Mansion, and Hogwarts. The sixth was Gotham.

"So the Gaunt Shack does have a horcrux," Bernard whispered.

Now he thought about it, it made a lot of sense. The Gaunt Shack was highly guarded in case if anyone finds out Voldemort has a horcrux. That meant Bernard needed to be extra careful when he breaks the barrier. He knew what spell to break that barrier, but since that ring is inside...he didn't know what else would wait for him there.

Then, Bernard turned to the last two lights. Lips pursed, Bernard knew why it didn't revealed what the horcruxes was. They're living beings. Was it an animal or human? Was it Voldemort's pet, Death Eater, or a victim? However, there was one thing Bernard didn't understand. Why Gotham? If Voldemort was sighted in Gotham, all of the no-maj borns living there, even Scarecrow and Poison Ivy would panic since Gotham was the only place no witch or wizard ever go. Why would a horcrux be in Gotham in the first place? Bernard tried to look more into the map to see where in Gotham it was mainly located, but the horcrux was moving around.

Bernard knew that Gotham would be the last place to look. He knew that he would have to involve the goblins at Gringotts since there's a horcrux in one of the vaults. That wouldn't be a problem since all curse-breakers from each country do work together when it's necessary and the goblins don't have a problem with international curse-breakers asking to get into a vault anyway. It would be different if a random wizard wanted to get into someone's vault. A curse-breaker has the authority to do it as long as they get permission from any goblin. It doesn't matter if it's the head of the bank, any goblin would understand that a curse-breaker with an assignment to do, must do their assignment, and complete it. Any other profession like an auror or a high authority like the minister or president would have to send a letter and meet up with the head of Gringotts to get permission. 

Six horcruxes, why? Bernard thought he was going to deal with two or three, but six? That was too much. Voldemort's soul is damaged. Bernard knew that after a third or fourth horcrux was made, the person starts to loose their humanity and driven into madness. It's a twisted way to become immortal, but there were other factors - good factors to become immortal than using dark magic. The Flamels done it. How they did it? Bernard could only guessed it was a mix of light and dark magic. Bernard didn't understand why Voldemort would use a dangerous method than doing other methods that was safer. Maybe he could ask Alfred about Riddle and see if he knew something about him. Maybe he could ask his mom.

"Dammit, Voldemort," Bernard cursed. "What are you really planning?!"

Then Bernard silently use a transfiguration spell to change the map into a gem with a chain. Bernard put the necklace on. He lifted up the locket as the gem grew brighter. Bernard smirked to himself. Now the map was ready to detect nearby horcruxes, Bernard knew what he needed to do next.

With a deep breath, Bernard took out his waved and moved the furniture around some more, making sure he had more room. As soon as he was fine with the space he made for himself, Bernard waved his wand.

"Accio, chalk!" Bernard said.

A piece of chalk came out of his suitcase and into Bernard's hand. Smiling to himself, Bernard got onto his knees and drew a circle. He made few more circles in the lines, erased the lines inside, and drew a rune for each one. Then he made a star, a sun, and the moon. The moon was on the bottom, almost touching the line, the sun was above it and the star was inside the sun. Bernard placed the locket in the middle of the star and stepped out of the ritual circle. Bernard made a barrier around him, so Kreacher wouldn't be able to interfere and the backlashed of the horcrux won't hurt him. Bernard nodded to himself. He knew it was ready.

Bernard took out a gem. It was a silver gem, which was almost made out of a unicorn horn. Bernard crushed the gem. He could feel the gem shards piercing into his skin as it mixes with the liquefied horn. When the drops of the unicorn horn mix with his blood lands on the marked circle, the liquid cloaks itself over the lines as it completely covered the lines. The ritual circle glowed and lightning sprouted out from the lines. Bernard pursed his lips as he squeezed the crushed gem harder. With his other hand, Bernard activate the runs. The runs glowed as a glowing white light, almost like fire hits the locket.

Then Bernard started the incantation. As he said the words, the locket opened. He heard a hissing sound coming from it and a smokey figured of a snake-like man without a nose. Bernard knew right away it was the soul of Voldemort. Bernard spoke the words louder and louder as the smokey snake-man tried to get away. Then the silver lightning and fire became blue as the soul screamed louder. Bernard put all his power into the ritual. He knew that if he failed, he would have to start all over again, and that was one thing he didn't want. Then the blue fire wrapped itself around the soul and the locket. The lights did the same. The fire and lights sprouted out into soft glitter-like lights. The locket was on the floor and the ritual circle stopped glowing. Blinking a few times, Bernard wiped the sweat from his forehead as he walked over the locket. He muttered some spells, making sure the locket was fully purified. A smile grew across his face.

"Mister Bernard...destroyed the locket?" a voice asked.

Bernard turned and Kreacher was there, peeking from the kitchen. He didn't realized the house elf was watching him the whole entire time. Now Bernard thought of it, how wouldn't he not noticed when Bernard had silver and blue lights coming from the living room.

"Yes," Bernard nodded. "It's done. The horcrux is destroyed. Now we have five more to go."

Kreacher blinked. "You've completed Master Regulus's wish."

"I wouldn't let Uncle Regulus died in vain," Bernard said.

Kreacher stared at him. "You called Master Regulus, Uncle."

Bernard chuckled. "Well, he is my uncle, after all."

Ever since Kreacher told him about what really happened to Uncle Regulus, Bernard had a new respect for his uncle. Yes, he knew he never considered Regulus as family because of what Sirius told him and he was sure that there were some truths for that, but at the end of the day, Uncle Regulus did what was right. Regulus knew he was going to die and betrayed Voldemort to get rid of the horcrux and protect his family. Betraying someone like Voldemort takes a lot of courage to do that and Uncle Regulus had earned Bernard's respect.

"What will Mister Bernard do to the locket?" Kreacher questioned.

Bernard shrugged. "Don't know. I'll figured it out."

To be honest, Bernard didn't even wanted the locket. It belongs to Slytherin's descendant, but that wouldn't work because Voldemort is the only descendant. Maybe he could give it to Hogwarts or Ilvermorny. Probably Gringotts? They probably would like a rare artifact.

"What will Mister Bernard do now?" Kreacher asked.

Looking at the time, it was eight in the evening. Bernard didn't realized how much time had passed. As much as Bernard would like not to skip a meal, but he was tired and doing all of that ritual and purification process worn him out. Also he hadn't go any sleep since he got here.

"I'm going to get some sleep," Bernard yawned. "We need to get the fake locket anyway."

Kreacher looked at him. "Is Mister Bernard sure he wanted to get the fake locket?"

Bernard looked at the house elf. He wasn't sure why Kreacher was questioning his decisions for. Did he do something wrong? Bernard did told the house elf he will get the fake locket for him. He knew how much Kreacher cared for Uncle Regulus. Besides, Bernard didn't know how much of Uncle Regulus's belongings was still in this place. It was best for Kreacher had something that he could hang on to and carry around with him.

Bernard smiled. "I'm sure. Don't worry about me, Kreacher."

Bernard could've swore that Kreacher didn't looked convinced. He wasn't sure if it was just him, but he looked...worried? Bernard shook that thought away. Impossible. Kreacher hates half-bloods like him. The house elf called him a filthy half-blood many times whenever he and his family visits. He even called him that today, unless Kreacher finally remembered that he's the grandson of Dorea Black.

"Good night, Kreacher," Bernard said. "I'll see you in the morning."

With that, Bernard went over to the couch. He didn't bother putting the furniture back to it's place. He was too tired to do that. With a flick of his wand, Bernard shut the lights and laid down. As he closed his eyes, the last thing he thought he saw in the darkness was Kreacher's shadow pulling the covers over him...Yep, Bernard was a hundred percent sure he was hallucinating and was very sleep deprived.