A truth found
"That's the second time you've told me that"
The voice, the slight smirk distinctly heard behind the voice, it was undoubtedly familiar. The two knew exactly who that voice belonged to, and it wasn't Peter Pettigrew.
Volubilis Potion - a potion that allows the taker to assume the voice of their target. And the voice was that of someone long dead.
"Is this some fucking joke?" Sirius hissed, squashing down any of the hope that brewed in his heart, "Is this your sick twisted torture for us, Pettigrew? He's long since dead and you take his voice to what, make me feel worse? Remind me that I wasn't strong enough?"
"I did take a potion, yes-" His oh so familiar voice, said, "- but it wasn't Volubilis."
"He's DEAD" Sirius screamed loudly, as if to remind himself of that fact.
"And yet no body was found to be buried?"
"His portrait was changed in the family tapestry to that of a skull. That's all the proof I need!' Sirius argued.
"There are ways, magical ways, to do that."
"Impossible" James whispered, alerting the two bickering that he was still there. The traitor smirked, moving closer to the two as he continued to speak.
"Tell me, what was his favourite subjects? What was he most passionate about?" The two chained kept quiet, both of their hearts heavy as they slowly realised that neither knew much about him. The traitor hummed, "Of course, you wouldn't know. Alright, at least tell me you knew who he was closest to?"
"Crouch?" James meekly answered.
"Not quite. Crouch is a close friend, but not the closest. Since neither of you know, I'll answer: His favourite, most passionate, subjects were both Magical Creatures and Potions. His closest friend was Pandora Lovegood - a seer who knew where to find even the least known creatures."
"And, your point?" Sirius said, looking up as the traitor now stood proudly in front of them. He had a smirk on his face as he fumbled in his cloak's pocket, looking for the keys he nicked to unlock the chains.
"What if a pureblood with great knowledge and relations with creatures and their cultures, especially amongst Elves and Goblins, faked his death? With the help of these creatures, he could even officially be killed off - by documentation and even by the tapestry that you refer to. He could even create new identities to continue on as."
Tears fell on Sirius' face as hope inside of his heart grew, "I-I don't believe you" he said, "Not until I see you."
"That will have to wait till after we are out of here" He mumbled as he freed the two prisoners, dropping the key on the floor as it served no purpose now.
Even as the two prisoners stood up and dusted off their clothes, doubt filled them, "How will we escape? The charms or wards here could prevent us from doing so" James asked.
He smirked at the two before the distinct sound of apparition was heard. "Master called?" An older, more eery voice rang out; one Sirius always hated but now was relieved to hear.
"On time as usual" He mumbled as he bowed slightly to Kreacher, the house elf of the Black Family that used to hate Sirius the most. Kreacher looked at the two freed prisoners before his lips curled into disgust; some things just never change. "Shall we go then Master?" Kreacher asked, he wanted to be done with this - with those 2 - as soon as possible.
He reached out his hands, one for Kreacher to take and one for Sirius. Sirius gripped on before taking James'. Within seconds, the house elf apparated them to a location unknown to even Sirius.
********
"If that be all?" Kreacher asked before he Disapparated back to wherever he came from.
He nodded as he turned to the two, gesturing them to follow him, as they went into the dark cave in the middle of the forest.
"Where are we?" James questioned.
"My hideout. A perfect place for no one unnecessary to find"
As they walked forward, the cave grew darker. Soon, they reached a body of water. He turned to them, lips curling into a familiar smirk, before saying "Tell me, are you afraid of drowning?"
Looking at the confused expression of the two newcomers, he gestured towards the slightly worn out boat and made them follow him. The three sat inside, Sirius took the paddles, and they rowed on the water. As they rowed, the two noticed how beautiful the water really was; crystal-like appearance with shimmers. They had never seen anything like this.
They rowed on the water body in the cave for a short while before he stopped them. "How big is this cave?" Sirius muttered.
"Quite big. And quite unknown. Perfect for me"
He looked at the two now, "I need you both to hold your breath as we dive in and follow me. Stick closely, the water here is awfully cold."
The two nodded in agreement. He jumped in first before he wordlessly and wandlessly used a spell to conjure up a bright ball of light. This way the two would be able to find him. Both of them jumped in soon after. He muttered something, making the boat row back on its own till he called it the next time. Taking a deep breath in, the three dived in.
They went deep down, following the not-Peter further while questions rang in their head. They wanted to ask it all, but now was definitely not the time. Soon, they reached the bottom and the not-Peter entered a hole in a big rock formation. There was an invisible barrier there, the two realised when they saw him disappear the second he entered the barrier. They entered eagerly, ready to finally breathe again. Passing through the barrier, they entered a dimly lit gothic styled hallway - with dark grey walls with dark green accents, and wooden flooring and carvings. He stood in front of them, perfectly dried off and the two noticed that they too were no longer soaking wet.
"Where are we now?!" Sirius asked exasperatedly.
"France-" He replied, "-The barrier under the water can be accessed by only a few people such as myself. I gave you permission to enter as soon as I did. We're in a tiny town in France- I bought this place and set up the barrier as soon as I died. Now, follow me into the Parlour. You want your proof, correct?"
They eagerly followed him into the parlour. The walls and flooring were the same as the hallway. A beautiful dark rug was at the centre of the hallway with a wooden table on top. Comfortable wooden couches (single seaters as well as a triple seater) surrounded the table at a distance. Books were placed haphazardly on the table along with quills, ink bottles and scrolls. At the end of the room, A large window with luxurious curtains stood proudly, along with a wooden couch underneath it; perfect for laying down while enjoying the sun. At one side, there was large wooden table with shelves above it propped up against the wall.
He stood at the centre of the room before taking out a wand - one neither had ever seen, different than when he was in Hogwarts- before casting Revelio. The disguise soon began to fade out - his true features popping in. The chiselled jaw, sharp cheekbones, icy grey eyes, and curly black hair.
In front of the two order members stood Regulus Arcturus Black.