Hogwarts: I Am Such a Model Wizard

Chapter 447: Bringing Regulus Home

Sirius finally released Kreacher, standing motionless, his face blank as if he were under the Imperius Curse.

Lupin approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Regulus was a true Black, and a worthy Slytherin. His name deserves to be honored.”

Kyle sighed beside them, silently reflecting. In his mind, Regulus had likely known from the start that he wouldn’t make it back. Once he decided to part ways with Voldemort, his fate was sealed. Voldemort’s skill in Legilimency meant Regulus couldn’t risk keeping the knowledge of the Horcrux hidden for long. If Voldemort ever discovered Regulus’s betrayal, the consequences would reach beyond Regulus himself, putting Kreacher and his family in danger. Regulus chose to sacrifice himself to keep the secret, sparing the others in the process.

Meanwhile, Kreacher, being a lowly House-elf, had been beneath Voldemort’s notice. By the time Voldemort left the cave, he had likely forgotten Kreacher even existed.

Sirius covered his face with his hands, and the tears he’d held back for over a decade now slipped through his fingers, falling silently to the floor. He had misunderstood his brother for so long, only now realizing Regulus wasn’t weak but braver than he had ever known. Regulus had been willing to die to thwart Voldemort’s plans, even in a hidden, desolate place, where no one would ever know his sacrifice. And he’d done it anyway.

Sirius couldn’t imagine the strength it took for Regulus to make that decision. His mother had been right, Kreacher had been right, everyone had been right: Regulus was far stronger than he had ever been.

“I’ll bring him back.” Sirius wiped the tears from his face. “No matter what, I’ll get him home. He belongs here, not at the bottom of some cold, forgotten lake!”

“Kreacher!” he shouted suddenly. “I order you to take me to that cave. We’re going to bring Regulus home!”

Kreacher, still on the floor, looked up, his tear-swollen eyes filled with a mix of devotion and disbelief. “Kreacher… Kreacher will obey Master’s orders!”

“Then let’s go—” Sirius moved to grab Kreacher’s arm, but Lupin stepped between them.

“Wait, Sirius,” Lupin said quickly. “We can’t go rushing in like this. We need to inform Dumbledore first.”

Kreacher’s face contorted with resentment as he looked up at Lupin, who raised a calming hand.

“I’m not trying to stop you,” Lupin explained. “But going in without a plan would be reckless. Remember, this is where You-Know-Who hid something precious. And Kreacher mentioned the creatures in the lake… Inferi, if I’m not mistaken. There are likely hundreds of them.”

He paused, watching Sirius’s face soften, but only slightly.

“If you want to recover Regulus, you’ll need to disturb those creatures,” Lupin continued. “Are you prepared to face hundreds of undead monsters—ones that can’t be killed, and are incredibly strong?”

Lupin’s words finally brought Sirius back to his senses, cooling his rage just a little.

“I don’t care, Remus,” Sirius said, his voice steady. “I can’t leave Regulus lying alone at the bottom of that lake. Every second he’s down there is a torment for me—one worse than any the Dementors could inflict. I know you’re right, but I can’t wait. If it means I die down there, so be it… as long as I bring Regulus back.”

Lupin held his gaze for a long moment before sighing, then stepped back. “Very well. I respect your decision.”

“Thank you, Remus,” Sirius said quietly. “As soon as we’re gone, send word to Dumbledore. He’ll find his way there.”

Lupin nodded reluctantly. “Yes, I will.”

Sirius offered him a grateful nod, then reached for Kreacher’s arm.

But just as he did, without warning…

“Stupefy!” Lupin’s voice rang out as he cast the Stunning Spell.

Lupin’s plan was simple: if he couldn’t persuade Sirius, he’d knock him out and restrain him until Dumbledore arrived. But Sirius, as though anticipating his friend’s intent, shifted in an instant, transforming into a large black dog that dodged the spell with practiced ease. Just as quickly, he shifted back, a knowing look in his eyes as he turned to Lupin.

“I know you too well, Remus,” he said with a sad smile. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice you gripping your wand?”

“No matter what you say, Sirius,” Lupin replied, dropping the pretense. “I can’t stand by and watch you throw your life away. As long as I’m still standing, I won’t let you go!”

“I don’t think so,” Sirius said, a faint smile crossing his lips. “Sorry, my friend.”

“Kreacher, what are you waiting for?” Sirius called.

The House-elf instantly moved to his side, reaching out to grab Sirius’s arm.

“Sirius—” Lupin started, but his words were drowned out by a loud crack, and in an instant, he was left standing alone in the empty room.

...

On the other side of the spell’s pull, Sirius felt himself spinning, then landed with a slight stumble. The salty tang of sea air filled his nose, and he found himself in a large, damp cavern with the sound of waves echoing all around.

“House-elves sure don’t make for smooth travel,” a voice next to him muttered.

“Yeah,” Sirius replied absently, still disoriented. “And I haven’t done any Apparating in ages…” He suddenly turned, eyes widening as he registered the figure next to him. “Kyle? What are you doing here?”

“Following you, obviously,” Kyle said with a casual shrug. “I had my hand on Kreacher’s arm the whole time you were arguing with Lupin.”

Sirius stammered, “But… but…” He turned to Kreacher in bewilderment. The House-elf, equally confused, blinked up at him, clearly still processing the scene.

“No, Kyle, you can’t be here,” Sirius said seriously, regaining his composure. “This place is too dangerous. Go back!”

“You’re wrong,” Kyle replied, shaking his head. “If I wanted to stay safe, I wouldn’t have come in the first place. Doesn’t that make sense?”

Sirius opened his mouth to protest again, but Kyle cut him off. “And besides, Lupin was right. You came here recklessly, without a plan. If anything, you’ll just add to the risk. We should contact Dumbledore.”

“I know!” Sirius burst out, exasperation and pain filling his voice. “But even if we send word to Dumbledore now, he won’t get here until dawn, and I can’t wait that long.”

“Who says we have to wait till dawn?” Kyle sighed, then reluctantly pulled out a long, flaming red feather from his pocket. He tapped it with his wand, and the feather burst into a brief, intense flame before vanishing.

Sirius’s impatience turned to curiosity. “What…?”

“This is a Phoenix tail feather,” Kyle explained. “Phoenixes give their feathers to those they care for. And when that person needs help, they just have to burn the feather, and the Phoenix will come to them.” Kyle glanced upward. “Ah, here we go.”

A fiery red light suddenly appeared in the dark sky above them, illuminating the cavern walls. It was Fawkes, soaring gracefully down toward them with a flash of red and gold. And clinging to Fawkes’s tail feathers, dressed in pink strawberry-patterned pajamas and a pointy nightcap, was none other than Dumbledore.