Kreacher’s story concluded in a flood of tears. Black’s face was tight, his eyes shining with unshed tears as he fought for control. Even Dumbledore, Scarlet, and Meiko, who had listened quietly beside them, were visibly moved, their eyes reddened.

Scarlet sensed the complex emotions stirring within Black; she knew he now felt a mix of pride and sorrow for Regulus, having long assumed his brother had joined the dark wizard and was no longer worth his trouble. She recalled the summary Alexis had provided – one she hadn’t included in the proposal, as it wasn’t directly relevant to the Horcrux hunt itself.

After a long moment, Black finally compose himself, though his voice was thick with grief. “I need to bring him back. I can’t just leave him there alone, in that cursed lake!”

“Of course,” Scarlet replied gently. “But first, I need your help. I need the locket. Order Kreacher to bring me the locket he couldn’t destroy.”

Black face tightened, eyes narrowing. “Why do you need it?”

“Because I’m going to destroy it,” Scarlet replied earnestly. “It’s a long story, but to keep it brief - my first clue was something odd I noticed in Quirrell’s head...he was our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, but it turns out he had a fragment of the dark wizard’s soul attached to him. I eliminated that fragment, but later discovered there were more – seven, to be exact. So, I began hunting them down.”

Sirius listened, stunned, as the young witch settled in front of him continued, “Seven in total. The one in Quirrell was dealt with. Then there was Rovena Ravenclaw’s Diadem - destroyed. Marvolo Gaunt's Ring - destroyed as well. Now, we’re here for Salazar Slytherin's Locket, the one Kreacher has been hiding all this time.”

“Kreacher,” Black said with a rough sigh, his voice still strained. “Bring the locket. The one you couldn’t destroy.”

The elf soon returned with a delicate yet sinister-looking locket, his face tear-streaked as he looked at Scarlet, a mixture of doubt and hope in his eyes.

The locket lay on the floor, not as menacing as Alexis had described. Perhaps it had grown weaker from being kept distant, hidden, and untouched. In the original story, the locket had drained the protagonist trio over time, drawing on their negative emotions and feeding on their magic as they carried it before they could destroy it with the Sword of Gryffindor.

“Nothing Kreacher did made any mark upon it,” the elf moaned, pained. “Kreacher tried everything, everything he knew, but nothing, nothing would work...So many powerful spells upon the casing, Kreacher was sure the way to destroy it was to get inside it, but it would not open...”

“Well, not anymore,” Scarlet said, stepping forward as everybody made room for her. “No death shall escape the Queen’s realm.”

Reciting the chant she had used not long ago, she thrust her spear into the locket. It pierced straight through, unhindered by any magical resistance. This spear had been a gift from a deity – no mortal or soul could escape it, not even with the powerful magic of the dark wizard.

As the deity claimed the fragment of the dark wizard’s soul, Scarlet wrapped the remains of the locket in another embroidered cloth and murmured, “Four down, three to go.”

“Which three?” Black asked urgently.

“I can’t reveal two of the remaining Horcruxes,” Scarlet said carefully, “but I can tell you that one will be handled over this summer holidays if all goes well, and the other is on my list once I figure out the best approach...” She thought of Harry and the complex task ahead; she couldn’t simply plunge her spear into his forehead. “However, there’s one I can share. Helga Hufflepuff's Cup. It’s kept safe in Bellatrix Lestrange’s Gringotts vault.”

Stolen novel; please report.

“What?!” Black looked shocked. “How...”

“That’s why it’s the last item on my list,” Scarlet admitted, frowning. “I can’t yet see a way into the vault. I’ll need either Professor Dumbledore’s help or yours if you can think of a way in – and, of course, bring me along.”

Black fell silent, his expression clouded, while Kreacher continued to sob, still lost in thoughts of Master Regulus. Finally, Black spoke, his voice strained. “When will you take me to the hidden cave.”

“I need some time to prepare,” Scarlet replied, watched, and deemed it wasn’t the suitable time for the old house-elf and Black to visit the cave in such an emotional state. “I’ll need to perform a ritual there to free the trapped souls and guide them to the Shadowy Land.” She paused, then added, “Would it be alright if we meet at my house tomorrow morning at ten? And bring Kreacher along - he’s the only one who knows where the cave is.”

She bent down to look into Kreacher’s sorrowful eyes. “Tomorrow, I’ll bring back your Master Regulus’s body. He’ll finally be able to rest in peace. Will you, as his loyal house-elf, guide us to the cave?”

Kreacher’s voice trembled with emotion. “If...if it is for Master Regulus...if you can truly bring him back, Kreacher will...Kreacher will take you there...Kreacher will do anything to serve his master, to see him laid to rest properly...Yes...yes, Kreacher will take you... For Master Regulus... Kreacher will do it... Please, please bring Master Regulus back...” he murmured, his voice trailing into mumbled words.

“Good,” Scarlet nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

The three guests soon left the house after a brief discussion. Just before Dumbledore prepared to Apparate them away, Scarlet leaned over to Black and whispered. “Try to be a bit kinder to Kreacher, Mr. Black. It might not come naturally, but Harry’s watching. He needs to learn compassion, and you’re the one he’ll learn it from...And no, don’t take his father as an example. I know he was a bit of a jerk in school,” she offered a small smile, “It’s just a suggestion, I’d rather he take after his mother. Anyway, I’ll leave the parenting to you. Take care.”

With a soft “pop”, Scarlet reappeared in front of her own house, just in time for lunch. She politely invited the headmaster to join her, though he declined.

“While I’d be delighted to stay,” Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye, “your swift progress insists I must begin exploring how we might get entry to Bellatrix’s vault and retrieve Helga Hufflepuff's Cup without delay.” Stroking his long beard, he looked at the young witch thoughtfully. “Three more to go, and our hopes grow brighter,” he said, a glint of relief in his eyes. “You’re proving to be an ally beyond expectation, Scarlet.”

“Yeah, same here.” Scarlet thought to herself, I never imagined I’d end up reincarnated into a Harry Potter Universe, and probably a fanfiction universe, let alone with powers from a deity perfectly suited to handle this chaos. She managed a wry smile. “Anyway, I’ll send word once I’ve destroyed the diary at Malfoy’s. So, I suppose I’ll see you at the start of next term?”

Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Why, I believe we’ll see each other tomorrow. The magic you wield is something I’ve rarely witnessed – if you don’t mind, I’d be honoured to observe.”

Scarlet raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Professor, you’d like to come along to watch the ritual? Well, of course, I’d be honoured! Perhaps you’d like to come a bit earlier and join us for a taste of Hong Kong cuisine for breakfast?”

“I’d be delighted to sample the cuisine,” Dumbledore said warmly, gazing at her kindly. “Until tomorrow, Scarlet.”

“See you tomorrow, Professor!” Scarlet replied with a smile.

With a soft “pop” sound, Professor Dumbledore vanished, leaving Scarlet to turn to Meiko. “So, I’m guessing you’ll be joining me tomorrow?”

“Of course, milady.” Meiko replied, still frowning slight. She didn’t like the thought of her lady facing cursed souls without her. “You’re heading into dangerous territory - I must be there to protect you.”

“...Relax, Meiko,” Scarlet said trying to reassure her. “I promise, I’ll bring you along next time, alright? How about I make you a snack in the meantime? Cheer up, alright?”

At that, Meiko softened, managing a small smile as she nodded.