HP: The Duelist of Hogwarts - 396

Chapter 396: Purification and Conversation

The morning sun had just begun to rise. Dumbledore finally arrived at Order headquarters at 12 Grimmauld Place.

"Albus, you've come," Molly said warmly. "Thank you for coming so quickly."

"Of course, Molly. Please take me to Regulus."

Molly pressed her lips together as if to speak, then thought better of it. She simply nodded and led Dumbledore directly to the basement of the house, where Regulus's body had been placed.

Arriving in the basement, Dumbledore looked at the corpse on the table, with Sirius and Kreacher keeping vigil nearby, then turned to look at Sean, who was arranging an alchemical array on the floor surrounding the table where Regulus's body rested. Dumbledore gave a light cough and said, "So this is Regulus?"

Sean waved his hand in greeting to Dumbledore without standing up, continuing to prepare the purification array for Regulus's corpse—now transformed into an Inferi. Kreacher, meanwhile, was affectionate and attentive only toward Sean, treating others with indifference. Only Sirius stood to greet Dumbledore.

"Albus, you came. This is my brother, Regulus."

Hearing Sirius call Regulus his brother, Kreacher glanced up at him, his lips curling. He clearly disapproved of Sirius's claim. But bound by Sirius's current status as the Black family heir, Kreacher found he couldn't actually voice his complaints.

"I heard Moody's account through the fireplace. Regulus was a true unsung hero—a hero we misunderstood for many years. He silently protected many people and indirectly thwarted one of Voldemort's conspiracies. You have a truly upright and selfless brother, Sirius."

Sirius's eyes reddened again.

Previously, Sirius had harbored many criticisms of Regulus. In his view, his brother had served Voldemort and died under unclear circumstances. His heart was filled with both longing and sorrow, yet his mouth wore disappointment, as if blaming Regulus for not being better. Even in his heart's deepest place, Sirius had harbored a secret hope that perhaps Regulus was still alive somewhere, like other Death Eaters, secretly awaiting Voldemort's return.

Now, seeing Regulus's body and learning that at seventeen he had calmly walked to his death to thwart Voldemort's conspiracy, Sirius's psychological defenses finally crumbled.

The final line completed, Sean stood up and looked at Kreacher and Sirius. "Kreacher, Sirius, both of you step back. I'm beginning the purification now."

Though reluctant, both Kreacher and Sirius understood that to let Regulus rest in peace, his body must be purified. Otherwise, as an Inferi, Regulus could never find peace.

Kreacher and Sirius stepped outside the alchemical array. Sean stood outside and waved his wand once; the array immediately activated, emitting a soft, white light. Under this light, Regulus's corpse suddenly convulsed, the instinctive reaction of an Inferi trying to escape the purification.

Seeing Regulus's body convulse, Kreacher instinctively started to move forward, but Sean grabbed him.

"Kreacher, Regulus cannot return now. This purification is a mercy for him."

"Kreacher understands. Kreacher just... Kreacher understands."

As Regulus's body stopped convulsing, he was completely purified, becoming an ordinary corpse. To prevent decomposition, Sean waved his wand again, encasing Regulus's body in ice. Then Sean turned to look at Sirius and Kreacher and said, "You can arrange a time to bury Regulus."

Grasping Sean's hand, Kreacher spoke through sobs. "Kreacher is very grateful to Young Master Sean. Kreacher will repay you."

"It was nothing, Kreacher. Besides, we already made an agreement—you gave me the locket, and I brought Regulus back. So you don't owe me extra thanks."

"Kreacher will thank Young Master Sean regardless. Definitely."

Seeing stubborn Kreacher, Sean said nothing more. He nodded to Kreacher and said, "Fine then. I'll look forward to your thanks."

Hearing this, Kreacher finally released Sean's hand and returned to Regulus's side.

At this moment, Sirius came to Sean's side and said seriously, "Sean, without you, Regulus might still be an Inferi in that cave. I... I'm truly very grateful to you. I don't know how to repay you, but as long as you have need, I'll do my utmost to help."

"If I have need, I won't let this opportunity pass. But first, let me say goodbye to Regulus. Professor Dumbledore has things to discuss with me."

"Alright."

Watching Sirius turn back to Regulus's side, Sean and Dumbledore left the basement together and came to a dusty study. Sean waved his wand, thoroughly clearing the dust from the room, and then sat with Dumbledore.

"Sean, first, I'm very glad you could clear Regulus's name. He was a true unsung hero."

"Perhaps. But I find it regrettable that Regulus gave his life so young. He wasn't even eighteen when he died. His teachers and parents should feel ashamed, because this responsibility should have fallen to them, yet it was borne by an underage child instead."

"For this, I express my regret and shame."

"I'm not speaking of you, Professor Dumbledore. I'm simply saying that as Regulus's family, the Blacks—including Sirius—have all been inadequate."

Dumbledore nodded lightly and remained silent for a moment, then said, "Sean, is Slytherin's Locket in your possession?"

Sean knew that Slytherin's Locket was an unavoidable question. From when he and Kreacher brought Regulus's body back only to be discovered, Sean had known this matter would eventually have to be faced.

"That's correct. Slytherin's Locket is indeed with me. But it's not just the locket. Ravenclaw's Diadem and Marvolo Gaunt's ring are also with me. Combined with Tom Riddle's diary from before, I've already found four of Voldemort's Horcruxes."