Harry frowned and gestured, "Well, how about the fact that you're here in Azkaban, despite the fact that you worked against Voldemort, had a trial, and had a chance to plead your case."
Regulus scowled, "What was I supposed to do? Spew out the Dark Lord's secret in full court? I wouldn't even have made it out of the courtroom."
"And you didn't try and tell anyone privately?" Harry demanded through narrowed eyes.
"Who was I supposed to tell? Dumbledore? He was half the reason I joined the Dark Lord in the first place." Regulus spat out.
Harry raised an eyebrow at that, that was one thing he hadn't heard before, "What do you mean?"
Regulus scowled, "I didn't agree with everything he did. But at least Voldemort was a force for change. Of course that was before he went completely round the twist…" Regulus trailed off. Regulus seemed to refocus on Harry, "Dumbledore has his fingers in everything in the magical world. He has no respect for bloodlines or family traditions, yet he makes no true overtures to the liberals who want more rights for mudbloods. Because he doesn't want any change in our society. It threatens his view of this perfect world. He dumbs down education to the lowest common denominator. Merlin forbid someone explore something he doesn't approve of, throwing around the label 'dark arts'. If it's not approved by Albus bloody Dumbledore that automatically makes it evil. "
Harry ignored Regulus' casual slur, and instead snorted in a bit of amusement, and shook his head, "Fair point. I'm not exactly a card carrying member of the Dumbledore fanclub either, but surely you had other options." Regulus frowned and challenged, "Like who? Name one person."
Harry tilted his head and frowned, "If memory serves you had a brother who wasn't a follower of the Dark Lord."
This time it was Regulus who snorted. "My brother… I don't think he worships the altar of Dumbledore, he's too contrary to do that. But he is friends with too many people who follow the old man like he was a god. Though he was my last failsafe for Kreacher. Besides, Dumbledore's followers had at least one traitor and probably more, so anything told to that group would instantly get back to Voldemort's followers."
Harry nodded slowly, "And your decision to go to Azkaban?"
Regulus looked around at the blocks of his cell, "You saw my occlumency barriers... or lack thereof. Anyone with even a modicum of skill in legilimency could pick that from my brain. That's why I killed the wizard that I did. He had picked out my thoughts. No one could know I turned traitor, especially not before I found a way to destroy the locket."
Harry frowned, and rolled his eyes. "You decided to hide in the hell that is Azkaban because you couldn't make decent occlumency shields? Wizards and their stupid plans."
Regulus frowned and sounded defensive, "You need someone to enter your mind to help you build those barriers. I couldn't trust anyone entering my mind once I discovered what the Dark Lord was up to and that I was going to stop him. At least not until i destroyed his foul creation."
"Why didn't you hit it with fiendfyre?" Harry asked curiously. Regulus rolled his eyes, "That was one of the first things I tried. Nearly burnt down part of a forest trying. Somehow Voldemort made it resistant to fiendfyre, and that's the most powerful destructive spell I know of.."
Harry frowned and tilted his head, "Okay… that's new. Fiendfyre worked on his other ones…"
Regulus blinked in surprise, "What do you mean 'his other ones'? What other ones?"
Harry shook his head slightly, "What? A wizard as paranoid and arrogant as Voldemort, do you honestly think that he would be content with just one protection on his continued existence?"
Regulus sucked in a sharp breath, "He made more than one? Merlin…" "I know of at least two others that he's made. Though one has already been destroyed." Harry replied honestly.
Regulus looked up sharply, "Destroyed?! How?" The expression on Regulus face was almost desperate. It was clear that this answer, above all, was one that he needed to know.
Harry nodded, "Basilisk venom."
Regulus frowned, "I… never thought of that. Of course basilisks are so rare that getting venom is a nearly impossible task."
Harry chuckled softly, "I am fairly certain I can get my hands on some."
Regulus frowned a little, and seemed to ponder his words before he blurted out, "Are those the only reasons you've broken into Azkaban? To mind-rape me and find out why I allowed myself to be captured?" "Keep it up and I'm not going to get you out of here." Harry replied with a note of annoyance in his voice, though he couldn't blame Regulus for the anger. He didn't like violating a person's mind in such depth, and he had done it so casually.
Regulus scowled, "I'm in here for a reason."
"A bloody stupid reason." Harry shot back. "You've got access to one of the Dark Lord's horcruxes, and I don't feel like going after Sirius and forcing him call Kreacher for it. We'll get it and destroy it."
"Oh and what happens after you take me out of here? They start a giant manhunt. My cousin is the only one to ever escape Azkaban and I have no idea how she did it. The aurors questioned me about it. One day she blew apart the wall between her and the ocean." Regulus replied. Harry nodded, "You go into hiding where no one can find you."
"Where am I going to hide that is warded strongly enough to prevent all forms of tracking? And that I won't be turned in as a fugitive?" Regulus demanded.
Harry grinned, "That I've already thought of. We're going to hide you somewhere they'll never be able to find you."
"Not that I want to stay here, this place is a hell hole after all. But how can you be sure that they won't be able to find me?" Regulus asked cautiously.
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