Fangs, Frowns, and Fundamental Meetings
March 2nd, 1980
Attending meetings had become a painstaking and rather anxiety inducing task. Knowing where two more horcruxes were was eating away at him from the inside. All he wanted to do was waltz up to his family vault and grab the item, then stop by for dinner with the Malfoy’s and swipe the other, but Dumbledore made him promise to wait. How long was he going to have to wait? It had been nearly two months since he found out about them. He even knew now that Bella had a goblet, potentially Helga Hufflepuff’s goblet and Lucius had the old diary with the initials T.M.R. pressed into it. He knew what he was looking for, but he had to wait.
Merlin, he hated waiting. Regulus knew he had very little patience, he could admit that. It was something he had in common with Sirius, but it was making this job feel unbearable already. If he already knew where the two horcruxes were, why did he have to wait?
Dumbledore wouldn't explain to him why he had to wait other than it was simply not the right time. Well then, what was the right time? How much longer did he have to wait? The longer they waited, the stronger the Dark Lord grew and he could only sit by and watch.
Most of the information he had gathered wasn't even during the meetings. He often heard new information from Bellatrix when she and Rodolphus would come by for dinner. She couldn’t help but to talk about what she was helping the Dark Lord with now. She always had something she needed to brag about at dinner.
One night, in early February, she and Rodolphus had joined them for dinner again. As per usual, Rodolphus ravenously ate his dinner without a word and Bellatrix barely touched her food as she went on about what the Dark Lord had tasked her with to Walburga who intently listened.
“I’m not sure why he needed it hidden, my assumption was because of its value or maybe it has some greater purpose I’m not aware of, but I’d never question the Dark Lord,” she explained, “If he needed it done, then it would be done. All I wonder is how he managed to obtain Helga Hufflepuff’s goblet. I mean I thought it was missing. He truly is brilliant, isn't he?”
“I’m just so proud that he’s entrusted these things to our family.” Walburga said, weakly.
Regulus nodded in agreement as he continued to silently eat his food. He continued to listen to everything Bellatrix had to say, letting her just continue to spill out every bit of information he could take in.
When he had relayed this information back to Dumbledore, he was told yet again, “This is very useful, thank you Regulus.” and nothing more, but to continue to wait while he confirmed some things, but that was almost a month ago.
What the hell did he need to confirm? Then finally, he received an owl.
Regulus was in his room, hiding from his father who seemed to be in a harsher mood than usual, probably due to Walburga’s deteriorating health. As he sat at his desk, reading a book from their family library on forbidden dark magic, he heard the familiar tapping on the glass of his window and drew back the curtain. Sitting on the ledge was a small tawny owl with a letter in its beak addressed to R.A.B. that looked rather small. He clicked open the window and the owl hopped down onto his desk with no hesitation. He took the letter and gave the owl a quick pat on the head and a single galleon that the owl seemed quite pleased by as it flew back out the window.
He unfolded the letter and gave it a quick read, which was easy by its short nature.
Dear R,
I have gathered those notes you were looking for from your seventh year. Please stop by my office at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Herbert Dore
Dumbledore often wrote his letters as if he were just offering some help to an old friend over a useless matter in case a Death Eater happened to come across it. He always signed it with a random name, but Regulus knew it was him. They were always such odd names, but he was never that surprised. He also knew that this letter meant he had something. Maybe Regulus would finally be able to go after those damn horcruxes.
Not wanting to wait any longer, he folded up the letter and pulled out his wand, pointing it at the piece of parchment.
“Incendio” he said as a small flame shot out of his wand and lit the letter on fire, burning it to nothing more than cinders.
He left his room and went down to the front door, leaving as quickly as possible before he could be stopped and interrogated. He couldn't apparate to the Hogwarts grounds so he’d have to apparate to Hogsmeade and take a hidden tunnel Sirius had shown him, hoping that no one else knew about it. The tunnel led from the Shrieking Shack out to a hidden entrance below the Whomping Willow where Regulus had to be careful to tap a knot in the tree’s stump to stun it long enough to climb out. After that, it was just making sure he didn't get seen. It was late enough past curfew that no one should have been out in theory.
Doing his best to stay in the shadows as he crept through the halls of his old school, he eventually found the entrance to the Headmaster’s office and spoke the password, hopping onto the top step as the statue rose up to the door above. When he reached the top, he cautiously knocked and was almost immediately met with a “please, come in” from Dumbledore’s old voice. He entered the large, round office with the walls covered in previous headmasters’ and headmistresses’ portraits.
There was one portrait in there that always concerned Regulus because it happened to be of his great grandfather who had been headmaster at Hogwarts once. His portrait linked to one back at Grimmauld Place and everyday he worried that the portrait would let loose what Regulus was up to, yet he seemed to listen to Dumbledore rather well. It surely wasn't something he expected.
Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk as pieces of parchment would float off of one pile and onto the space on the desk in front of him where a quill would mark off something and the parchment would then float to another pile. He seemed to be barely watching the stack of parchment as they floated around.
“Ah, good!” He said, standing up. “You got my letter then! I was worried the name might throw you off this time.”
“No, Professor. I understood it just fine.” Regulus assured him.
Dumbledore swiftly moved around his desk and down a couple steps to join Regulus where he stood.
“Good, good!” He said, “Now, I think I may have found something.”
He walked past Regulus to what looked sort of like an old wardrobe and tapped his wand on the left door. The door popped open and he pulled it open a little further, reaching inside and clicking something open that popped the right door out. He pulled it open as well and from over his shoulder, Regulus could see a mass of random old weapons - a long, silver sword with a ruby embedded in the handle hung in the back and an old iron sword that was rusted and on the verge of snapping. There were a couple of shelves as well that held an assortment of small, wooden boxes, one of which Dumbledore reached for and pulled out - a small, blackwood box with a shiny lacquer coating.
“Sir? Did you find another horcrux?” Regulus asked curiously, as Dumbledore brought the box out.
“No, unfortunately I have not, but this may help on your journey.” He said, carrying it over to a small, round table made of stone and placing it down.
He tapped his wand to the box and it made a similar clicking noise as it unlocked and popped open, revealing a canvas drawstring bag. Dumbledore carefully pulled the bag out and pulled it open, reaching inside and pulling out what looked like a large fang.
“I have been doing what research I can, looking for anything that can help you along and I may have stumbled on a possible way of destroying the horcruxes.” Dumbledore explained as he held up the fang.
“A fang?” Regulus questioned, starting to feel unsure of his decision to involve Dumbledore.
“Not just any fang. This,” he held up the fang and turned it as he looked it over, “is a basilisk’s fang.”
Regulus’ eyes widened at the fang. How had he possibly come across something this rare?
“Sorry if I’m being rather blunt, but where the hell did you get that?” Regulus exclaimed.
Dumbledore seemed unbothered by the tone change.
“I had to go through many people and make quite a few deals to retrieve this, but how I came across this is unimportant.” He said, “what is important, is making sure this really does work. If my theory is correct, the venom in its fang should be lethal enough that even a horcrux will not be able to withstand it.”
“What happens if this doesn't work?” Regulus asked.
“We start over again.”
Regulus sighed, still feeling a little unsure. Dumbledore walked past him again, this time towards his desk, leaving the fang on the table. He proceeded to rummage around through a drawer at his desk and reached further down into the drawer than his arm should have been able to go. After some more rummaging around, he finally pulled his arm back out holding the familiar silk cloth still wrapped around the locket. He brought the locket back over and picked up the fang, putting the locket in its place on the table and unwrapping the silk cloth around it. Then, he turned to Regulus and held out the fang.
“You should do it.” Dumbledore said, “I suspect you’ll be using it more often than I if this works.”
“Couldn’t this kill me?” Regulus asked, a little worried still.
“You didn't seem too concerned by that when you went after the locket in the first place.” Dumbledore said, holding out the fang a little more.
Regulus scowled at him, but Dumbledore remained unchanged, still holding out the fang.
“Fine.” Regulus said sharply, grabbing the fang from his grasp. “What do I do? Just stab it?”
“Just stab it.”
Regulus moved in front of the locket, grasping the fang tightly as he stared down at the dark green emerald. Dumbledore took a few steps back to give him some room, he had his wand readied, but for what, Regulus was not sure.
Regulus took in a sharp breath and lifted the fang into the air, trying to get as much momentum he could and just as he began to swing his arm down, the locket suddenly popped open and a screen of black smoke billowed out of it, knocking Regulus and Dumbledore back and onto the ground. Regulus stared at the black smoke in horror as the worst sounds imaginable screeched out at him.
As he stared at the smoke, it began to take shape, forming itself into what looked like a soulless, grotesque version of Sirius. The smoke wrapped around his ankles like fog as he moved towards Regulus with a vicious smile not too different from Bellatrix’s.
“Did you really think you could win me over?” The fake Sirius mocked. “What? You think breaking some silly little necklace will save you now? You can run as far as you want, hide as much as you want, but you’ll always be one of them. You’ll never be my brother, you never were my brother.”
Regulus felt a sharp pain in his chest, one that hurt more than anything he’d ever felt. He wanted desperately to run out of there, but all he could do was back himself up as Sirius and the smoke continued to move towards him.
“No! No! You’re not real!” Regulus screamed at it.
The fake Sirius mockingly laughed at him.
“Look at you!” He laughed. “So pathetic and weak. You’ll never be good enough for me. You were never able to do what I could do.”
“You’re not real!” Regulus screamed louder.
He needed this to end. He needed this to be over now, but where was the fang? It had just been in his hand. Where did it go? All he could see was the fake Sirius shrouded in the black smoke.
It must be behind him. It must be behind the smoke.
The fake Sirius continued to laugh at him, but it wasn't Sirius’ laugh. The fake Sirius’ laugh was so much colder, so much more evil. It was not his laugh.
Regulus pulled himself to his feet so he was now at eye level with the fake Sirius.
“You will always be a scared, miserable, lonely boy. You have nothing.” The fake Sirius said in an attempt to make Regulus back down, but he wouldn't.
Regulus let out a scream as he sprinted straight towards the fake Sirius, but he didn't collide with him. Instead, he ran straight through its form and spotted the fang on the ground by the table. He scooped it up without a second thought and swung himself around to the locket, slamming the point of the fang straight into the centre of the jewel. The locket let out a blood curdling scream as the fake Sirius burst into nothing and the black smoke dissipated.
Regulus dropped the fang on the table next to the broken locket and fell to his knees, panting as his eyes began to burn. Just ahead of him was Dumbledore who looked as if he’d been knocked unconscious and was just beginning to stir. When Dumbledore opened his eyes, he slowly pulled himself up with a few grunts and leaned back against the wardrobe that was behind him. Regulus looked up at him and Dumbledore met his eyes.
“So, it worked? I take it?” Dumbledore asked, with a small grin.
Regulus didn't reply, he just let himself fall back against the table leg behind him and shut his eyes.
How many times was he gonna have to go through this?
“Now that we know it works,” Dumbledore started, “you can go after the two horcruxes you may have found.”
Regulus opened his eyes and stared at Dumbledore.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Regulus blurted out. “If this is the shit I’m going to have to do alone, Merlin knows how many times, then fuck this!”
Dumbledore stared back at him. He then pulled himself to his feet and walked over to Regulus, holding out a hand to him. Regulus begrudgingly took it and stood up.
“Regulus, no one said this would be easy.” Dumbledore said. “You have chosen to put yourself up against one of the most powerful dark wizards of all time. When you came to me, I could see the passion in you. I could see that same fire I see in Sirius.”
Regulus dropped his head again, turning away from Dumbledore.
“If you want to be finished, I will not make you go any further, but think of what good you will do if you succeed. Think of the freedom you’ll have.” He continued.
Regulus rolled his eyes and sighed. He was right.
“I have learned a lot of new information recently. Some that I think will be rather vital, however, it is not good news at all.” Dumbledore said.
Regulus turned back to him and furrowed his brow.
“What information?” Regulus asked curiously.
“A prophecy.” He answered calmly. “One that could mean life or death for more than one Order member.”
Regulus felt his heart sink into his stomach again.
“I am not exactly sure of who it is yet, but it has become dire that you continue this journey.” Dumbledore said.
“So, you know multiple people could die, but you don't know who and I’m your only hope?” Regulus shot back. “Well thanks for the not so helpful information, I appreciate it…”
Regulus rubbed his forehead, looking back at the broken locket and the fang on the table.
“I’ll keep going, but I need to know as soon as you know who’s in danger.” Regulus begrudgingly said.
“Thank you, Regulus.” Dumbledore nodded.
Regulus turned around and grabbed the fang off of the table, dropping it back into the canvas bag it was in and stuffing it into his pocket. He stared at the shattered locket on the table once more.
“What will you do with this?” He asked as he stared at it.
“I am not sure as of yet.” Dumbledore replied.
Figures.
“If that’s all, then I think I’ll be leaving.” Regulus said.
“Good night to you then.”
“Good night, Professor.”
Regulus left the office, sneaking his way back out of the school, to the Whomping Willow, and out to Hogsmeade where he could apparate away again. Before he left, he thought about it for a moment. He could return home for the night, sleep on everything he had learned, process the hell he had just seen… or he could go straight to Gringotts. Surely, they’d have to let him into the vault. It was the Black family vault and he was the heir. No, if he went this late, it would seem too suspicious. He needed to wait until morning. Just wait until the morning, then he could go first thing.
So, he apparated back to Grimmauld Place once again, where everything was quiet and dark and he waited. He waited all night until the sun had risen and he could hear the bustle of early morning risers beginning their days.
Changing into his most business-like attire and making sure he once again looked presentable, he left for Diagon Alley and just hoped that getting that goblet would be easier than retrieving the locket.
When he landed in Diagon Alley, he was still a ways away from Gringotts, but the streets weren't as crowded as they used to be. There were still a few people here and there, moving in small groups through shops and making sure not to be out in the open for very long. He was sure that was thanks to the Death Eaters and their constant outbursts. Either way, it meant he was less likely to be spotted.
He started his walk down the alley towards the familiar, tall, white building that was slightly leaning, tapping his pockets to make sure his small bag of galleons and the vault key were in one and the wrapped up fang was in the other.
His plan was to pretend he needed to just make a deposit to the family vault for a quick in and out and grab the goblet, wherever it might be. As long as he remained behind his icy demeanour he learned from his mother, hopefully no one would question him.
As he reached the front of the bank, he quickly walked up the steps to the door and went to reach for the handle when the door swung open in front of him and he was met with those familiar, dark curls and brown eyes behind a pair of round glasses.
“Woah, sorry! I didn't- Regulus.” James said in surprise.
Regulus froze in place, unable to form a sentence in his head so he just stared at James, his mouth slightly agape.
“Regulus… I- um… It’s been a while.” James said.
Regulus’ eyes fell down to James’ hand for a second, seeing him tightly clutching his wand. He was clearly ready for a duel at any moment. Regulus could have been ready for a duel at any moment too, but he felt no reason. He knew they were on the same side, though James had no way of knowing that.
“Uh… yeah… yeah it has been a while…” He stuttered out.
“What are you doing here?” James asked a little awkwardly.
What was he doing here? Oh right, Gringotts visit.
“Oh um just need to make a deposit.” Regulus replied, tapping the pocket with the galleons and making it jingle a little. “Why are you here?”
James looked him up and down for a moment as if trying to decide what reason Regulus could have for being so odd in that moment.
“Lily and I needed to get a crib ready, but I needed to withdraw some money…” He said hesitantly.
A crib? Was Lily pregnant? When did that happen? He and Lily were so young, how could they possibly have a baby on the way?
“Oh. Lily’s pregnant?” Regulus asked.
James nodded.
“Well… um… congratulations…” Regulus said more awkwardly than he had intended.
“Thanks Regulus…” James nodded again with just half a smile. “Right… well… I better be off then…”
“Right, yeah, me too.”
Regulus stepped out of James' way as he passed by him and down the stairs. As he walked away, Regulus stared for a moment. He couldn't tell if it was from shock of seeing James face to face like that or finding out that James had a baby on the way which Sirius and Remus had failed to mention, but either way he couldn't seem to stop staring. James looked back once as he walked away as if to check if Regulus had followed him, then disappeared from the alley as he turned on the spot.
Regulus shook his head, trying to shake off what had just happened and finally turned back to the front door of Gringotts.
The goblet. That’s the focus right now. The goblet is our focus.
Regulus entered the bank, strolling up to the front desk where a goblin was glaring down at a book nearly half its size and writing furiously with a quill. Regulus waited a moment and when the goblin did not acknowledge him, he cleared his throat.
“What is your business?” The goblin asked without looking up.
“I need to make a deposit to my family vault.” Regulus demanded, trying his best to emulate the usual Black family coldness. “Now.”
Upon hearing his voice, the goblin looked up and his frown changed into a toothy grin.
“Ah Mr. Black. I apologize for the inconvenience.” The goblin said, “Please, if you’ll just follow me and have your vault key ready.”
Regulus tapped his pockets one more time as he followed the goblin to the entrance of all of the vaults. The goblin guided him to the cart along the tracks and they got on, continuing rapidly down the tracks until they reached the vault.
Its door was large and stood out amongst the other vault doors. It was better taken care of and had green and silver metals throughout its swirling design.
“Key please.” The goblin requested as they got off of the cart and walked up to the vault door.
Regulus dug into his pocket and pulled out the old, silver key that matched the door, handing it to the goblin. The goblin walked up to the door and pushed aside a latch, revealing the keyhole and opened the heavy vault door. Regulus strode forward towards the vault and entered and the goblin followed him inside. He stopped and looked back at the goblin.
“I’d like to enter my vault on my own.” He said sternly, but the goblin just scowled at him.
“It is against our policy to allow anyone to enter a vault unattended.” The goblin said.
“I don't think it will be necessary.” Regulus tried again.
“Sorry, Mr. Black,” The goblin shook his head, “But I must insist that I stay.”
This clearly wasn't going to work. He needed a new plan and he needed one now. He needed to be the only one to enter the vault.
Regulus turned away from the goblin, facing back into the vault.
“Fine. If you must insist…” Regulus said as he quickly pulled out his wand and turned back to the goblin. “Imperio.”
A small burst of a bluish mist flew out of his wand and into the face of the goblin who appeared surprised at first then settled into a calm and gleeful look. His face softened (as much as a goblin’s face could) as he dopily smiled at Regulus.
“You are to wait by the cart and alert me if anyone is coming.” Regulus commanded him.
“Of course, Mr. Black.” The goblin nodded as he walked back to the cart and began to watchout for anyone else coming.
Regulus felt that twinge of guilt trying to yell at him from the back of his mind. He hated using any of the unforgivable curses, but his situation called for it. He had no other choice, but that didn't make him feel any better about it. It was something he would be sure to never tell Sirius.
He turned back to the vault again and entered the large opening to the immense wealth standing before him. Stacks of galleons laid everywhere, covering the shelves in shining gold, priceless family heirlooms were secured into lock boxes that were organized and labeled almost everywhere, and the box that had once held the family wand, which was now in Regulus’ possession, was neatly placed at the top of it all. None of this was his concern though - he needed to find where Bellatrix had hidden the goblet.
He searched through every shelf and box and drawer he could find, looking high and low for a golden cup, he was starting to wonder if it was really in the vault or not, then as he thought he might have to give up, he spotted it. Amongst the piles of galleons and gold coins, placed perfectly near the back of the pile, he saw the goblet glinting as if it were taunting him.
“Accio!” He said, pointing his wand at the cup, but it didn't budge. “Accio goblet!” It did not move. “Accio horcrux!” Nothing.
Regulus stared at the unmoving cup as he thought of what he could possibly do to grab it.
Fuck it.
Regulus moved towards the piles of money and began shoving it out of his way, making a rather large ruckus, but he didn't care. He continued shoving more and more of them out of his way, trying to move towards the goblet. He could have sworn there were not this many galleons piled in here…
Pop. Pop. Pop pop. POP POP. POP POP POP!
“Are they multiplying!?” He shouted out loud to himself. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!”
He began moving faster and faster, trying to reach the goblet as fast as he could as the galleons continued to rapidly multiply around him, covering the entire floor in the gold. He was going to kill Bellatrix for this.
Pushing and shoving his way towards it, he reached out as far as he could, trying to desperately grab the cup. Just a little further… Come on…
Then, his fingers just barely managed to tap it enough to knock it over and he caught it as it fell.
“Yes!” He shouted as he grasped the goblet.
He took one look around him, realizing just how much the multiplying coins had already filled the room and realized just how deep in he was.
Desperately trying to dig his way out, he shoved more and more of the coins out of his way, tripping over them and stumbling through the popping coins, only making things worse. They continued to rapidly pop all around him as he fought himself back to his feet. He continued to scramble back towards the vault door where the galleons were now starting to spill out off. Fighting through the room that was nearly filled, he managed to tumble out the door and with all of his strength, shoved the vault door closed.
The goblin was still standing by cart, happily whistling to himself as he watched everything unfold in front of him.
“Thanks for the help…” Regulus said sarcastically.
“You told me not to enter the vault.” The goblin replied.
Regulus rolled his eyes. That one was on him.
Now that the vault was finished, he only had one thing left he needed to do. Destroy the stupid thing.
Regulus reached into his other pocket and pulled out the fang wrapped in the canvas bag. He placed the goblet on its side on the ground, holding it steady with one hand as the other one grasped the fang. He was already so over this. He wouldn't have cared if the goblet itself tried to kill him, he was not going to wait around for this.
He raised his hand with the fang, squinting a little and hoping no fucked up version of his brother showed itself and when nothing happened, he struck the goblet with the fang as hard as he could. The fang pierced through the side of the goblet and another blood curdling screech flew out of it just as it had with the locket. And then, it was done. The goblet was broken and another horcrux was destroyed.
Regulus pulled himself up and stored the fang directly back in his pocket, this time using the canvas bag for the broken cup.
“You may take me back to the lobby now.” Regulus said, trying to act as calmly as possible.
The goblin, who had been clutching his ears, nodded and clambered back onto the cart, Regulus following just behind him. They rode the cart down the track again, taking a different route than they had before, driving directly through a waterfall, leaving them soaking wet. Regulus was not impressed.
When they reached the entrance, they both climbed back out and Regulus began to walk towards the door, but the goblin stepped in front of him.
“I cannot let you leave, Mr. Black.” He snarled.
“What?” Regulus asked, confused.
“You used an unforgivable curse on me. An illegal spell. I’ll have to inform security.” The goblin’s snarl turned into a menacing grin.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
What the hell was he supposed to do now? How had the goblin known?
“That waterfall is a security measure,” the goblin smirked, “washes away all magic.”
Fuck.
“It’s unfortunate, having to turn in a member of the Bla-”
“Obliviate!” Regulus suddenly said, pointing his wand at the goblin.
The goblin looked stunned at first then just plainly confused.
“What was I saying?” He asked, looking up at Regulus.
“You were leading me back to the lobby.” Regulus said firmly.
The goblin nodded and turned around, starting his walk back out to the lobby. When they reached the lobby, he let Regulus pass him as he climbed back up to his desk.
“Have a good day, Mr. Black.” The goblin said.
Regulus just nodded once, then left the bank with the destroyed goblet in the canvas bag and guilt that was screaming at him in every corner of his mind.