HP: It's a snake, not a badger.

Chapter 105 The Appearance of the Soul Weapon

Emeric prepared two Christmas gifts for Severus this year. One was the contract for Prince Estate, which he had obtained through some underhanded means. The other was a complete set of protective gear, the kind that's armed to the teeth. Of course, there was also a bonus: a beach vacation.

"Severus, can we spend Christmas together this year?"

"Where are you going?"

"Let's go on vacation. I haven't seen the sun in so long, and the flowers in the corners are all withering."

To enhance the credibility of his words, Emeric showed Severus his horns. The vines that entwined the horns were somewhat withered, and the colorful flowers on them looked pitiful, half-open.

"Let's go, let's go! I've built a medicinal herb plantation there, growing only local herbs. I even had a potion-making workshop set up. Don't you want to go take a look?"

The man was captivated by the herb garden, but the thought of spending a Christmas holiday with Emeric was giving him a headache; he couldn't imagine what the little brat might do.

"Why didn't you go with your family?"

"They have their own lives, and they'd love for me not to come home and disturb their sweet life. They're probably going on who-knows-how-many more honeymoons..."

"Alright, let me think about it."

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Whether it's due to a curse or not, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor has to be replaced every year, and Dumbledore has gotten used to it.

This year is relatively good; Lupin and Sirius can simply switch positions. There's no other way but to give Emeric an explanation, otherwise he might really turn the school upside down. It's good that Sirius is watching Lupin take his medicine; he doesn't want a repeat of that incident—it scared the old man to death.

Dumbledore was enjoying some rare time alone. For some reason, Gellert had been avoiding him these past few days. He had pressed him for an answer several times but hadn't gotten one. However, Gellert had assured him that he just wanted to prepare Christmas presents.

He lay dozing in the rocking chair, enjoying the peaceful days.

"Bang bang bang".

"Principal, open the door, I need to talk to you."

Dumbledore was just about to fall asleep when Sirius woke him up. He was a little annoyed and waved his wand to let the man in. This man had better have something to say, or he'd get angry.

"What's wrong, Sirius? What happened?"

"Headmaster, Kreacher keeps apologizing to Regulus for not completing the task he assigned. He won't answer my questions, so I'll have to trouble you to come home with me and ask him for clarification."

"Sorry Regulus? That doesn't sound like a good thing."

Dumbledore suspected it was related to Horcruxes, so he took his wand and the protective gadgets Emeric had given him before leaving with Sirius.

"Grab my hand, let's go through the express lane." Dumbledore looked at Fawkes on the shelf, gesturing for his old friend to lead them. He didn't want to crawl into the fireplace or Apparate; that would be elder abuse.

After a slight feeling of weightlessness, the two appeared at the entrance of Black's old house. Dumbledore released Sirius's hand and looked at the old house.

"I was thinking of bringing Harry over for a few days since it's almost Christmas, so I asked Kreacher to clean the house. But he kept apologizing, and he wouldn't talk to me when I asked him." Sirius sighed as he said this. Even though he was the only one left in Black, Kreacher still refused to accept it.

Just as he was about to push the door open, Sirius remembered that the portrait in his house was a bit strange. He said to Dumbledore with a hint of helplessness, "Uh, Headmaster, my mother's portrait might be a little noisy. Don't mind it, I'll cover it up as soon as we go in."

"It's alright, a blanket will do the trick." Dumbledore waved his hand dismissively, his attention focused on Kreacher's words, hoping it wasn't what he suspected.

Pushing open the heavy door, an old house-elf stood by the stairs in the dark and empty living room, wearing a tattered pillowcase and glaring at the two people in the doorway.

"Young Master Sirius is back, and he's going to tarnish the honor of this house again. Kreacher is damned for failing to protect Young Master Regulus's things. Kreacher has let Young Master Regulus down."

An aged but shrill voice pierced Sirius and Dumbledore, causing them both some ear pain. Then, the portrait on the wall also began to scream.

"How could I have given birth to such a bastard like you? Get out! Get out of here! How dare you defile my ancestors' residence..."

Before she could finish speaking, Sirius covered her face with a blanket, as if afraid that the other portraits would also be insulted, and turned to look at Dumbledore dejectedly.

"Good boy, it's alright. Let's deal with Kreacher's matter quickly." Dumbledore didn't take it to heart at all; there was no need to get angry over such a small matter.

"Is this Kreacher? What did Regulus tell you to do? Can you tell me?"

"Kreacher can't tell, it's a secret! Kreacher promised Master Regulus he wouldn't tell!!!"

Dumbledore rubbed his head in exasperation. Although he was reluctant to do this, it seemed that Legilimency was the only option. Otherwise, even he wouldn't be able to know what the house-elves were thinking.

"Kreacher, if you don't tell me what's going on, I'm going to use Legilimency on you," Dumbledore threatened, raising his wand.

"Wait, Headmaster, perhaps we can try ordering him, but it might require you to give the order. He never listens to me, and Kreacher is already crazy enough; if we use Legilimency on him, I'm afraid he'll really go insane," Sirius quickly stopped Dumbledore.

"Alright, I'll give it a try." Dumbledore was somewhat pessimistic, but still willing to try. "Kreacher, I command you to tell me what Regulus asked you to do."

The hoarse, trembling voice recounted that heartbreaking past.

"Kreacher was summoned by the Dark Lord, who took him to a large cave by the sea. Inside the cave was a black lake, and on the lake was an island with a stone basin filled with poison… He forced Kreacher to drink it. Kreacher drank it, and as he did, he saw something terrifying, and his stomach felt like it was on fire. When the basin was empty, the Dark Lord put a small golden box inside, filled it with poison, and left, abandoning Kreacher there to die… But my master said he had to come back no matter what, so Kreacher returned…"

Kreacher trembled and banged his head against the wall as if the pain was still there, and Dumbledore had to order him to continue.

"Young Master Regulus discovered the Dark Lord's secret! He had Kreacher lead him to that cave, following the same path the Dark Lord took... Young Master instructed Kreacher to wait on the island, and after the stone basin was empty, to replace the golden box with the fake box that Kreacher had brought... Then Young Master ordered Kreacher that no matter what happened, he must return home immediately, without looking back or interfering... Kreacher did as he was told, and he returned, but Young Master never came back..."

In the end, Kreacher broke down in tears, saying that his little master would never come back, forever trapped in that evil cave, never to return.