Just as the two were about to descend the stairs, Kreacher popped in and bowed.
"Master, Kreacher is being having a Dark object you is needing to see right away," the old house elf said as he held out a large necklace.
It was a locket, a man's locket. There was a huge diamond S on the black rectangular front. Its silver chain glimmered in the light of the hall. It was a nice-looking locket, however, the whole thing radiated evil. Like a dark wavy cloud was surrounding it. It couldn't be seen, but it could be felt.
"Where did you get this, Kreacher?" Sirius asked, pulling Harry back a bit.
"Master Regulus is being giving it to Kreacher. Master Regulus tasked Kreacher to destroy it, but Kreacher cannot." The elf hung his head; this was his greatest failure.
"Reggie ordered you to destroy this. Why?" Sirius asked, taking the locket but holding it at arm's length. The feeling of Dark magic crawled up his arm, making him want to fling the thing away.
"The Dark Lord used Kreacher to hide the locket. Kreacher almost died. Master Regulus had ordered Kreacher home. When I obeyed, Master nursed Kreacher back to health. Then he ordered Kreacher to take him to the bad cave. Master Regulus was being very angry at what he found. He drank the vile potion and ordered Kreacher to take the locket and destroy it. Kreacher cannot. I has being trying," the old elf explain with tears dripping from his large eyes.
"What is this thing?" the dogman asked, still scrutinizing the necklace from afar.
"It is being a horcrux," the elf answered, still crying.
"Shite," Sirius said, dropping it immediately. His eyes were wide with fear and disgust showed on his face. He backed away until his back hit the wall, his arm still held out in front of him, like he was wishing it was removed, after touching such a vile thing.
Harry, now that he wasn't being held back, knelt down and put his hand on the distraught elf's shoulder. "I'm sure you tried your best, Kreacher. Sirius will help you now. Won't you, Sirius?" he asked, looking up at his godfather.
"Yeah," the older man sighed as he dropped his arm to his side, after shaking the feeling of evil off it. "I know a bit about these evil things. I'm sure I can figure out how to destroy it, but I might need to use it first. There're rituals that will tell if it's the only one. There was a Dark Lady, somewhere in Romania, about a hundred years back or so, who made three. They almost didn't find out in time. So, I'll take a look and make sure we're not getting rid of the only thing that can help stop the Dork Lord."
"How do you know it's Voldemort's?" Harry asked, keeping his eye on the necklace.
"Kreacher said he had been doing something for the Dork Lord when Reggie found it," the older man explained, shrugging his shoulder.
"Oh, yeah, sorry, I was paying more attention to your horrified look. That thing feels nasty," Harry said, then chuckled at the derogatory names, and he turned back to Kreacher. "See, we'll help."
The elf's tears dried up and he slowly nodded his head in thanks. Then he glanced at his master, who waved him off, and then the elf popped away.
"So, this thing is evil, huh? Figures since it's Voldemort's," Harry said, leaning to get a closer look, still knelt down, only to wrinkle his nose at the feel of the thing.
"Yeah, don't get too close," the dogman said, pulling on Harry's shirt. Didn't this boy have an ounce of self-preservation?
"I won't," the boy said, shaking off Sirius' hand, and leaning a bit further forward to get a good look without touching. Weird though, when he got closer his scar hurt, not much just a twinge. "Sirius, my scar kinda hurts near that thing," he informed the man as he quickly scrambled to his feet and backed away.
"Shite," was the only reply as Sirius snatched up the necklace and hurried down the stairs, into a study on the ground floor. If what Harry said was true, then that didn't bode well for what was in the boy's scar. It was something he was going to have to research right away. The last thing he wanted was for his godson to have any connection to that vile man. He surely hoped it was just a connection, and not what he was thinking.
Harry hurried after him, worried about what caused the man to panic. "What? What's wrong?" he asked when he reached the study. He watched Sirius frantically look around, then the man's face was overcome with relief as he spotted a metal looking box.
"I need to get this thing put away. This iron box will help keep the taint from escaping," Sirius said, closing the box tightly and locking it immediately. He didn't have the key but that was okay. He'd just burn the whole damn thing with Fiendfyre. It was one of the only ways he knew to destroy them. Still, he'd hold off until after that ritual. Although, he still had a sneaking suspicion that Harry might be connected. He had no idea if it would, but it might hurt Harry if he just went off and destroyed the thing. He was going to have to do a ton of research and magic to fix this if that were true.
That and, he'd have to tell the Order. He wasn't going to be like Dumbledore and keep everything secret. He was sure the old man knew about these evil things, and no one knew. He would keep some things to himself, it wasn't anyone's business what he did with Harry. However, who knew who could help with this? Maybe Mad Eye, or Remus, or even Bill? They'd had to have come across these things before, or at least knew about them. Hell, he'd even ask Snape, if it would help Harry.
Just then the residents of the house piled into the room, breaking Sirius from his thoughts. He was just glad the necklace was put up. The kids didn't need to know about it. He'd have to make sure Harry didn't tell his friends. He cut his godson a quick look, all but pleading with his eyes. Harry saw how worried the man was, so he nodded in understanding. He'd get Sirius to tell him what was up later.
"Sirius," Arthur said as calmly as he could, though the balling of his fist and redness of his face gave his anger away, "why is Molly gone?" he asked, taking deep breathes through his nose, to maintain his calmness.
"Arthur," Sirius said distractedly, his mind focused on the horcrux situation. He went to the bar and pour himself and Arthur a firewhiskey. He handed the glass to the redhead with a nod, who took it and nodded back.
"Sorry, I have something on my mind," Sirius said, taking a seat, then turning his attention to Arthur.
The other man waved his glass for Sirius to continue, taking a sip and putting it on the table. A bit of steam escaped his nose, but he stayed his attention on Sirius.
"Arthur," Sirius started, taking a calming breath and gave the other man a small smile, "I have warned both of you that the house would retaliate if she didn't curb her attitude. She demanded that I make Harry sleep with Ron. I told her a week ago that he would have his own room. So, since she can't seem to control herself from make demands, even after repeated warnings, the house evicted her." He shrugged the Molly problem off, he put down his glass nonchalantly, and just as causally picked up the box and put it in a wall safe. He waved his wand and locked it down. It would only open for him.
"Oh, Harry, I didn't see you there. What are you doing here?" the redhead asked, looking at the teen that wasn't supposed to be there.
"I had a run in with something. Sirius came and got me," the teen said, shrugging his shoulder.
"Oh, well…" Mr. Weasley started, then felt it wasn't his business and turned back to Sirius. "Surely you could have had Harry share with Ron. They are best friends," the redheaded man stated diplomatically, putting the whiskey on the table. He was never much of a drinking man.
"That's not the point," was the polite rebuttal as Sirius picked up his glass and took a sip. After retaking his seat, he continued, "Molly is not in charge of where Harry sleeps, yet she demanded that he be put where he does not want to be."
"You're being petty, Sirius," Hermione chimed in. "Mrs. Weasley is a mother, she would know what children want and need. Harry needs his friends right now," she added.
Sirius opened his mouth to snap at her, only to stop when Harry's voice overshadowed his. His godson sounded upset.
"Oh, now I need my friends. What about when I was waking every night with nightmares of seeing someone, I knew, killed in front of me? By the man who betrayed my parents. Seeing his dead face repeatedly, as he died, and I could do nothing to prevent it. What about the visions that haunt me of the man who was reborn? The man who killed my parents! And now wants to try and kill me, again. What about all the times I was looking over my shoulder, fearing that same man would find me? What about the days when I begged you two to give me some hope with just a bit of information that would help me cope with the fact that I was alone?! Where were my friends then?!" Harry said, starting out slowly and calmly and ending shouting at her.
Ron and Hermione listened to their friend in horror. From the looks on their faces, Sirius could tell that they had no idea Harry was going through all that.
"Oh my god, Harry, I had no idea," Hermione gasped, and threw herself at her friend and clung to him desperately. "We didn't know. Dumbledore told us you were fine. That you were handling it well. He insisted we didn't write to you about anything. He said you were being told what you needed to know, and that we weren't to tell you more. Oh, Harry, I am so, so sorry. If I had known I would have done anything to help. You have to believe me," she all but begged, hugging him for all she was worth.
"Yeah, mate, we had no clue. I mean, Mum and Dumbledore told us that everything was okay. That you just needed time," Ron added, standing up and going to his friends, putting his hand on Harry's shoulder. "That we should be here for you when you got here."
Harry stood stiffly in his friend's embrace. He was angry, and he didn't want to give up on that emotion. It was the only thing that helped in the last few weeks. It kept him from sinking into depression. Still, if what they were saying was true… "Hermione, you are the smartest witch I know. But sometimes you're so stupid. I know you haven't had many friends, but you must have realized that seeing someone killed would've affected me," he said, taking her by the shoulders and gently moving her away.
"Dumbledore…" she started, only to flinch back at his glare.
"Dumbledore lied. I am not cooping! I am not okay, alright! I am not handling it well! How the hell would he know anyway? I've not seen him since I left Hogwarts," Harry yelled, and stomped away from his friends.
"Wait, you haven't seen the Headmaster since we left?" Ron asked angerly. "He told us that he looked in on you. That someone was always there for you," he snarled in betrayal.
"He lied," Harry said bluntly.
"Not exactly," Mr. Weasley said cautiously. "There was always someone at #4 Privet Dr. Albus made sure that they were there. He didn't want Harry to be kidnapped, so he was protecting him."
"That would've been bloody nice to know," Harry snapped, and twirled around to stare at the wall, trying to get his temper under control. "It would've helped immensely to know that there was someone there and that I wasn't abandoned," he whispered softly. His head a mass of emotions, churning in all sorts of different directions.
"They didn't tell you?" Ron asked, looking at his father with a hint of anger. "You left him all alone? After he had to deal with the shite that was the tournament. You told me and Hermione that you were handling it. This is what you call handling it?" he demanded of his father, waving his hand at his overly emotional friend. He had never seen Harry so worked up, not even at school, when all their adventures happen. Harry was always in control of his emotions. Well, not so much last year, but not like this.
"Do not speak to me like that, Ronald," Arthur said firmly, his eyes firm at his son's disrespect. He glanced at his other children and they seemed to feel just as betrayed. He sighed and looked back to Ron. "Dumbledore assured all of us that all was well."
Ron just huffed, and sat down, folding his arms in anger. He looked to Harry and could see his shoulders were still tight with anger. He glanced at Sirius, who was walking towards Harry.
"Harry," Sirius said, putting a hand on his shoulder to gently turn him around, "they didn't know. Judging from what's being said, you three need to talk. So, take Hermione and Ron to your room and do that. I'll handle things down here," he added, guiding the distraught boy to the door, the other two following along.
"Alright," Harry said, leaving with his two friends, still stinging over what Mr. Weasley had said. He really didn't like the fact that people were there the whole time he was grieving. That they had seen that, and just let him suffer. He didn't know how he was going to deal with that, but for now he would just have it out with Hermione and Ron.
"Fred, George, Ginny," Sirius said after the other three had left, waving to the three who had remained quiet, "why don't you guys let them work it out. Would you go find something to do? I have to talk to your dad." He jerked his head towards the door.
"Sure, Sirius," Fred said, taking his sister's elbow and pulling her from the room when it looked like she'd protest.
"We'll keep Gin-Gin company," George added as he followed his brother.
"Don't call me Gin-Gin!" they heard her yell as the door closed.
"Arthur, you need to talk to your wife. This has got to stop. She needs to understand that she cannot go on acting as she does. I don't even know if the wards will let her back in without an oath that she'll behave," Sirius said as he took a seat behind the desk, picking up his almost empty glass and finishing off the whiskey, blowing a bit of flame from his mouth. He set the glass down and left it. He was done drinking for now. Though the thought of the horcruxes made him want to get pissed and not come up for a while. But he had Harry to worry about, so that was out.
Arthur sighed and slouched down in the chair in front of the desk. He picked up his discarded glass and sipped, then set it back down again. "I honestly don't know if she could keep that vow," he said, pushing his hand through his balding hair.
"What if I restrict her to her room? You can add a privy, and the use the elves for meals, or you can bring her food. I'll relax the wards around the room, and she can stay there until she learns to behave," the weary man said, rubbing his goatee thoughtfully. He knew he had threatened it, but to do it just didn't sit right with him. Too much like Azkaban for his comfort. However, that woman was stressing everyone out and he wasn't going to bow down to her just to relieve that stress.
"It won't work," Arthur said, shaking his head. "I know my wife, she'll never back down," he added regretfully.
"Then you're just going to have to keep her home. You have a curse breaker for a son, have him put the Burrow under a Fidelius," Sirius said firmly.
The redhead nodded, thinking about that solution. It might work, he could keep the kids here and take the time to talk to his wife. "I can see that that might work," he conceded with a bit of a nod.
"Arthur, I like you, you're a good man, but your wife has made this whole house uncomfortable for everyone. The Order is walking on eggshells, just waiting for her to explode. The kids are hiding in their rooms, for fear of her. It is not fair to anyone to live like this just because she can't behave," Sirius said, feeling the need to explain his actions.
"I know, I know. I've tried talking to her, but she just won't budge. I'll keep her home, but the Burrow is too well known to hide," the other man said sadly, and worriedly. Now that he thought about it, it was true. The Burrow was known by everyone he knew and some he didn't know, or even had ever met.
It was an object of ridicule; many people had teased him for its eccentricity. It wasn't his fault that he could not get promoted to earn enough to build properly. He was hampered by pureblood prejudice. As long as he was a 'blood traitor', he would be kept in his lowly position.
"Have Bill put your basement under. No one will realize that it's gone. A bolt hole if you will," Sirius suggested thinking furiously. He didn't want the Weasleys to be in danger, but he wasn't going to deal with her anymore. If it weren't for the fact that this house stood alone for years, it would have been impossible to hide it as well.
"I'll ask him. Can the kids stay here for now? I would feel much better if they could," Mr. Weasley asked in an almost pleading tone. While he loved his wife, the kids' safety came first. They would be protected here, and they would have a better time of it. Sirius was right, Molly was making life uncomfortable for everyone. He, on the other hand, would man up and stay at the Burrow.
"Yes, of course they can. I would never endanger children, even if I don't agree with their parents," Sirius agree. "Besides, it might help Harry to have them around." He had a feeling that the poor man didn't want his wife to take her anger out on her children. Sometimes, Sirius felt that woman was too hard on them. She never really had anything nice to say to the youngest of her boys. She was always weighing them against the oldest three and always found them wanting. It was kind of sad.
"What about Order meetings?" the redhead asked.
"Does she really need to be there? I mean, you can tell her anything that's happening, and she can convey messages through you. That's what Snape has to do. Stupid bastard won't let go of the past," Sirius mumbled the last part to himself.
"I might offer the Burrow for the meetings. We can hold meetings in the basement. That and the kids can't eavesdrop if they are held there," Arthur stated thoughtfully.
"That might be best. I can Floo over when they occur. Still, Molly needs to behave, or I won't come. Someone can keep me informed if it comes to that," the other man stated. It would be different if meetings were held at the Burrow, he'd have to be the polite one. He could do it though. Manners had been pounded into his head since he could talk.
"I will talk this over with Molly," Arthur said, getting out of the chair. "We'll discuss it with Dumbledore. He might nix the whole plan." He nodded to Sirius and walked out the door.
"Yeah," was all Sirius would say as he watched the Weasley patriarch leave. "Controlling old coot," he grumbled. He got up and went to the nearest bookshelf and grabbed a book he thought mentioned horcruxes. He then settled in an armchair and started reading. The Molly problem would just have to wait.
Hphphp
Meanwhile, in Harry's room, the three teens sat around the room on chairs and the bed. Harry glared at his friends, though not as fiercely as before. He was starting to understand that they too had been kept in the dark.
"You truly didn't know what I was going through?" he asked them.
"We really didn't," Ron answered.
"He lied to us," Hermione said on the verge of tears. "He told us you were dealing with it, and that you were never alone."
"We have to do something about this. It's bullshit, the way we've been treated. Not to mention the way Sirius had been," Harry spat angrily, mostly at people not in the room. The man they all looked up to until a few minutes ago. The woman he thought of as a kind motherly woman, until today. Even when Sirius had told him about her treatment towards the other man, he still held out hope that he was just misreading it all. That was blown out of the water upon his arrival here.
"Perhaps…" the bushy-haired girl started, only to taper off when Harry spoke.
"No, Hermione," Harry said, with a slash of his hand. "there is no excuse. You have got to get that through your head. What he did borders on abuse. Abuse of me, abuse of power. The last few weeks have been hell on me. To top it off, I almost died a few hours ago," he added pensively, looking at the floor.
"What?!" both Hermione and Ron exclaimed.
"Yeah, Dementors tried to suck mine and Dudley's soul out. If Dobby hadn't been there, we'd be dead," Harry said, still glaring at the floor. His thoughts dark as he remembered feeling the cold of those demons. His mum's scream still echoed in his head.
"That was the something that you told Dad about? Dementors?" Ron asked incredulously. He eyes wide with horror. 'Why Harry?' he wondered, thinking hard as to what that could possibly mean.
"Dementors? In Little Whining? How is that possible?" Hermione inquired to no one really, getting a faraway look in her eyes.
"I think the Ministry is trying to shut Harry up," Ron answered anyway. That was the conclusion he came too.
"Don't be ridiculous, Ron," she snapped, coming out of her thoughts.
"No, think about it. They've been putting Harry down all summer. Now, they're trying to do him in, so he can't tell anyone what happened," the redhead insisted.
"What do you mean, putting me down all summer?" Harry asked perplexed.
"The papers are calling you an unstable, attention seeking, psychopath," Ron answered, folding his arms across his chest with a disapproving face.
"What? Why?" the boy exclaimed.
"Fudge reckons you lied. Says that you're trying to get attention. Don't understand that myself. I mean, you won the tourney, why make up stories?" his friend stated confused.
"I'm going to talk to Sirius about this. There has to be something we can do to stop it," Harry said, getting up from the bed and stomping out of the room.
"At least he's not mad at us anymore," Ron said with a shrug and followed his friend.
"No, just everyone else," Hermione whispered to herself.