Hogwarts: A little lion in the skin of the Eagle School

"Then why is that locket here, Kreacher?"

As the truth gradually came to light, Dumbledore spoke again.

"Because... it was Young Master Regulus who asked me to bring it back..."

This statement seemed to bring back unpleasant memories for Kreacher.

"After Kreacher returned, he told Master Regulus everything that had happened."

"Young Master Regulus seemed very uneasy... He told Kreacher to stay at home and not to go out, and not to let anyone else know that Kreacher was still alive..."

"Then, the young master left alone, and it wasn't until some time later, one night, that he returned..."

"Young Master Regulus was behaving strangely, unlike before... He ordered Kreacher to take him to the cave where the mysterious man had been..."

"Kreacher did as instructed."

Kreacher's voice suddenly became so low it was almost inaudible, his ears trembling slightly, as he continued.

"Afterwards, young master Regulus led Kreacher to the stone basin and took out a fake that was exactly the same as the locket..."

"The young master handed the locket to Kreacher and gave him orders..."

"Kreacher... After I drink all the poison in the stone basin, swap this locket with the one in the stone basin—then leave me alone and go home immediately..."

"And, do everything in our power to destroy this locket..."

At this point, the ending of the story is clear.

The reason the locket is here, and Regulus's fate and choices.

That's why Kreacher called him a thief who stole the young master's belongings.

Strictly speaking, this thing is his last wish; the real relics are still lying in that pot of poison.

Dumbledore slowly removed his half-moon spectacles and gently patted Kreacher on the shoulder.

It was like a comfort, and also like a silent tribute.

He then stood up again and looked at Sirius.

"Cirias, you can find out the details from Remus. I need to take John back to school now."

Sirius was still processing his brother's true fate when he heard Dumbledore's words and simply nodded.

John was then pinned down by Dumbledore's shoulder.

Before John could react, it vanished from the Order of the Phoenix with a snap.

......

"Aww!"

John fell to the ground again.

"Headmaster! Next time you're going to use Apparition on me, could you please tell me beforehand?!"

John, feeling a burning sensation in his backside, complained to Dumbledore with dissatisfaction.

"Didn't Felius say you're going to learn Apparition soon? I'm helping you get used to it in advance."

Dumbledore simply winked and smiled at John's complaint.

I don't believe you for a second; you're a wicked old man.

John rubbed his tailbone, about to roll his eyes, when he saw Dumbledore turn and walk toward the Pensieve, seemingly about to get down to business.

"Alright, leave the locket with me for now. You can go back now. Also, don't tell Harry and the others about the Horcruxes for the time being."

"Oh, by the way, I know about Umbridge. Well done."

"But you should be careful of her retaliation."

Dumbledore was picking through something on a small tower beside the meditation pool, seemingly searching for something, and said to John as he searched.

"Okay, I understand."

John gave a perfunctory reply; all he cared about now was his backside.

He then left the principal's office.

I wonder if Harry is still practicing Occlumency with Professor Snape.

I think I've forgotten something...

Never mind, it's probably not important.

Go find Hermione.

......

It was already afternoon when we returned to the Great Hall of the People.

There weren't many people in the auditorium; only a few tables were occupied by students either studying or chatting.

Titus and the others weren't there either; they probably went to watch the afternoon Quidditch practice.

Hermione, meanwhile, sat alone in the middle of the Gryffindor table, reading a book.

The beam of light shining obliquely through the stained-glass window shone perfectly on the ends of her brown hair, giving it a soft golden edge.

Noticing someone approaching, Hermione looked up, and the golden light shone on her pretty face, making her amber eyes sparkle.

"You're finally back, John. Why did it take you so long to ask me something?"

Upon seeing the person who had arrived, Hermione closed her book and asked him a question.

"Ouch—" John exaggeratedly rubbed his butt and plopped down opposite Hermione. "Don't even mention it. The headmaster spurred me straight to the Order of the Phoenix, and I broke my tailbone both times I Apparated."

"Oh? You guys went to the Order of the Phoenix?"

Hermione was slightly taken aback when she heard John's words.

She naturally knew about Apparition, so she didn't ask any further questions about it.

"Ah...the principal told me not to tell you..."

"Never mind, just don't tell anyone else."

Realizing he had let something slip, John, after a brief moment of consideration, decided to ignore Dumbledore's instructions.

He guessed that the reason he didn't tell Harry was because he was worried that Voldemort, when connecting to his mind, would discover that the Horcruxes had been exposed and then hastily adjust their positions.

Another concern is that the pressure of searching for Horcruxes might be too great, potentially causing Harry and his friends psychological stress and affecting their OWLS exams.

As for Hermione, there's no need to worry about this. She's always been reliable and wouldn't go around making a fuss about it.

"Actually, it's just..."

"Fine, if Professor Dumbledore told you not to say it, then don't say it."

But before he could say anything, Hermione, hearing the headmaster forbid him from speaking, suppressed her curiosity and told John to stop.

This startled John.

"No, you're making me seem very disobedient."

John immediately complained.

"You've never listened to me, have you..."

Hermione chuckled softly.

Hey, why are you saying such harsh things!

"No! I can't stand keeping it to myself."

"You need to share the burden with me!"

John resorted to shamelessness, which Hermione found amusing.

"And Dumbledore mainly told me not to tell Harry. You just need to not tell Harry."

"Alright, alright, then tell me."

Hermione said with a smile.

"Then I'll tell you."

"Speak."

"You really said it!"

"Go ahead and say it."

"I really have to say it!"

"Are you going to talk or not?!"

Hermione slapped John on the back of the head.

"Oh! Tell me, tell me!"

After being slapped by Hermione, John finally began to honestly share with her what he had seen and heard that day.

Of course, aside from the matter of his two souls.

With such a large amount of information, even Hermione frowned and slowly digested it.

"So, to truly defeat Voldemort, we need to find out exactly how many Horcruxes he has, and their whereabouts..."

These stringent conditions, akin to finding a needle in a haystack, left Hermione feeling a profound sense of powerlessness.

"Well, but you don't need to worry too much."

"Dumbledore said he has found a clue."

In reality, that wasn't said.

John just didn't want Hermione to worry too much.

"Anyway, we can just continue going to school as usual. If Dumbledore needs us, he will naturally come to us."

So don't overthink it.

Hermione nodded, accepting it all.