Kreacher looked at Gemini in disbelief. Originally he thought this would become hidden history. Even though Gemini once said she'd bring Regulus home—so many years had passed. Kreacher had already decided to bury this in his heart. Until his own death. Only then would he go to that place alone. Never expected Gemini still remembered.
His whole body trembled. Collapsed on the ground. Kept banging his head on the floor. Shrieked sharply: "Kreacher is a bad elf! Kreacher doubted Master! Kreacher is a bad elf!"
Gemini frowned. "Enough, Kreacher. Stand up. Answer my question!"
Kreacher's crying stopped abruptly. Like controlled by something. Shot upright. Stared at Gemini intensely. "Kreacher remembers! Kreacher will remember until death! Kreacher can take Master there! Kreacher can take Master's friends too!"
"Wait! Hold on! You—first tell me what's going on?! My brother—what happened to him?!" Sirius roughly pushed through the crowd. Grabbed Kreacher's arm. Lifted him entirely. "I order you! Kreacher! Speak clearly!"
Kreacher looked at Sirius contemptuously. "Wastrel! Black family has a Master now! You're no longer Kreacher's master! You cannot order Kreacher!"
Sirius's expression turned savage. He drew his wand. Glared at Kreacher through gritted teeth. "Say that again?!"
"Enough!" Gemini stopped Sirius. "We gathered today to bring Regulus home. Not for you to throw your weight around. Everything waits until we return. This will affect you greatly. I don't want to save you on top of Regulus."
Gemini paused. Looked at Sirius seriously. "If you can't control yourself, stay home and wait. Having me is enough. Just wastes some blood."
Sirius immediately released Kreacher. Raised his wand to himself. Cast Langlock.
Tony gasped. Sirius was truly ruthless to himself.
Having physically silenced himself, Sirius stood silently beside Kreacher. Stubbornly looked at Gemini.
Gemini rubbed her forehead with a headache. "Kreacher, be polite to Sirius. He'll be Black family head sooner or later."
Kreacher bowed deeply. "Yes, Master!"
"Then let's go. Hold hands. Don't let go. Kreacher, can you do it? So many people at once." Gemini asked.
Kreacher puffed his chest. "Kreacher can do it!"
Everyone's hands gripped tightly together. Gemini took Sirius's free hand. Her other hand took Kreacher's extended right hand.
Next instant—the feeling of being stuffed into a tube came. When they came to, they'd appeared on a pitch-black cliff.
The sky hung gloomy. Dark clouds gathered. Below the cliff, waves crashed against rocks. Deafening sound.
On the rarely-visited precipice, a pile of swaying figures suddenly appeared. Added a trace of life to this cold, lonely place.
"Merlin, where is this? Long-distance Apparition is truly unbearable!" Tony rubbed his head. Squinted at the surroundings.
By weak light, Tony looked at this gloomy place. "Where is this?"
Dumbledore pushed his glasses. "So it's here."
"You know?" Tony couldn't help asking.
Dumbledore nodded. "This was once an orphanage's outing spot."
Tony grinned. "What orphanage would choose this place for outings?"
"Voldemort's orphanage." Gemini said. "Alright, don't waste time. Where we're going is there. Tony, got a boat? If not, we'll have to swim."
Tony followed Gemini's gesture. "Swim? You're joking! No boat. But I can reshape the armor. Combine with Levitation Charm to reduce weight. Should work."
Gemini nodded. "Then hurry. That place only shows at this time each day. Other times it's hidden. And can only go by water. Flying or Apparating—you'll fall in the sea."
Hearing this, Tony said no more. Just tapped his chest. Armor covered his body. Then began separating. Formed a plate large enough for everyone to stand on. Edges slightly raised. Like a huge serving platter.
"Then I'll handle the Levitation Charm. I'm quite confident in this." Dumbledore said. Drew a gnarled wand. Waved lightly. "Wingardium Leviosa!"
Everyone felt a shake. This odd-shaped plate lifted slightly off the ground. Descended toward the sea.
The plate floated steadily on the water. Tony modified the rear. Created a propeller. The plate shot like an arrow toward a hidden cave entrance.
Soon they reached that entrance. But found they couldn't get close no matter what.
Gemini sighed. "Alright. Looks like we need to swim again. Who can't swim?"
Without waiting for answers, she nimbly jumped from the edge. Struggled against wind and waves toward the entrance.
Sirius followed. Transformed into a large dog. Using skilled doggy paddle, passed Gemini. First to reach the entrance. Helped Gemini up.
The rest also entered the water.
Fortunately this spot wasn't far from the entrance. Even Lupin, who couldn't swim well, used Tony's disc. One hard push launched him far. Remaining distance—his skill was enough.
Everyone reached the entrance. Used magic to dry themselves. Followed Kreacher to the innermost stone wall.
Kreacher bravely extended his hand. "Here needs blood! Kreacher is not afraid!"
"Hey! Hey! Hey!" Tony quickly stepped forward. "Guess why I brought a sheep?!"
That unconscious sheep—everyone had forgotten. Didn't expect Tony still held it.
Tony pulled a syringe from his bag. Skillfully drew a tube of blood from the sheep. "Here?"
Kreacher looked at Tony in awe. Extended his finger to indicate the spot. "Right here!"
Tony removed the needle. Squeezed blood evenly on that wall.
The wall made creaking sounds. Like Diagon Alley's entrance. Formed an archway.
Everyone crossed the stone door. RUMBLE. The wall closed behind them.
Immediately pitch black. Could see water at their feet. A glowing object far away at the lake's center.
Gradually adapting to darkness, relying only on light from the central stone, they saw where they were.
A natural large cavern. About a football field's size. Except for edges—barely room for one person to walk. All greenish, cold lake water.
"Something's in the lake." Tony squinted. Couldn't help stepping forward.
Gemini reacted quickly. Grabbed Tony's collar. "Don't look!"
Tony got pushed against the wall. Almost dropped the sheep.
"Then let's begin." Gemini said gravely. "You all keep watch. The commotion won't be small."
Steve awkwardly switched places with Tony. Extended his arm. Shielded Gemini behind his shield. Others drew their wands.
Gemini's hand reached toward the water. Like grabbing something. Pulled back hard. Soon, a small boat—only room for two—got dragged from the lake. She turned it sideways. Everyone finally had standing room.
Next, Gemini pulled out piles of materials. Used a special rune pen to draw runes in midair.
Those runes—like drawn on paper—floated motionless. Until Gemini completed the last stroke. Runes connected. Formed an ancient magic circle. Slowly rotated horizontal. Parallel to the lake surface.
Gemini beckoned to Sirius. "Now we need you."
Sirius stepped over without a word. Pressed his lips tight.
Gemini pulled Sirius's hand. Used a silver knife to slash hard across his palm. Then placed the wounded hand directly above the magic circle.
Bright red blood dripped from Sirius's palm. Passed through the circle. Turned dark red. Then dripped into the lake. Created ripples.
"What's this for? I brought a sheep." Tony asked. Even lifted the sheep and shook it.
Gemini rolled her eyes. "We came to find Sirius's brother. Not the sheep's brother!"
Tony had a sudden realization. Made a zipping gesture across his mouth. Shut up.
Sirius stood straight. Blood dripped slowly but continuously. Lake ripples grew larger.
Gradually, Sirius's face began paling. He'd been bleeding for five minutes. Started swaying. Though the wound wasn't large—should gradually clot. But now blood still flowed like the beginning. Speed hadn't slowed.
Gemini checked her watch by the central stone's light. "Almost. Switch!"
Just as Gemini was about to cut herself, Sirius grabbed her arm. Slowly shook his head.
Gemini scoffed. "I said we're not here to treat you. Better have some self-awareness. Save your heroism for later!"
She broke free from Sirius's hand. Slashed her own palm. Pushed Sirius against the wall. Tossed him a Blood-Replenishing Potion.
"Drink fast. Recover quicker—might need to switch again. After all, my blood relation to him isn't as close as yours." Gemini said coldly. Took Sirius's position. Placed her hand up.
Blood stopped briefly. Then continued dripping. Ripples gradually spread across the entire lake.
Sirius looked at his pale wound. Squeezed hard. Only squeezed out a trace of blood. Grabbed the potion. Gulped it down. Quietly leaned against the wall. Waited for it to take effect.
An unknown shriek suddenly echoed through the cavern.
The lake surface began boiling. Like someone lit a fire underneath. Bubbled and gurgled.
This change immediately put everyone on alert. All watched the lake.
SPLASH!
Loud water sounds. Something in the water broke the surface. Shot straight at them!
Dumbledore immediately cast a Shield Charm. Those things BANG—hit the transparent wall. Stopped midair.
Tony gasped. "Inferi?!"
Dumbledore twisted his wand. Those Inferi spontaneously burst into flames. Soon burned to smoke.
Like opening some terrible switch. After those first burned Inferi, more kept shooting from the lake. Lunged at the people by the shore.
Dumbledore, Tony, and Lupin took turns burning them. Snape originally wanted to help. But Gemini stopped him. He had an important task later. Couldn't waste magic.
Soon, Gemini's face also paled. She glanced at Sirius. His color had gradually returned. Immediately stopped insisting. Called "Switch!"
Sirius rushed forward. Placed his hand up. Gemini returned to the back. Dripped Dittany on her palm wound. Drank Blood-Replenishing Potion. Only then exhaled turbid air. Quietly leaned against the wall.
After two minutes, Sirius suddenly swayed.
Gemini frowned at him. This shouldn't be. Sirius should be able to last five more minutes.
Gemini straightened. Looked at Sirius. Saw him staring at the lake. Lips almost bleeding from biting.
Following his gaze, Gemini shot up. "Hold on! Snape! Your turn!"
Snape immediately stepped forward. Started pulling out his potion kit. Bottle after bottle. Some mixed together. Some separated. Gemini stood by the lake. Stared at the figure drifting toward them.
Looked seven parts like Sirius. Black hair. Wearing black wizard robes. Eyes tightly closed. Face pale. Like sleeping.
Gemini held Sirius down. Told him not to get excited.
Regulus approached the shore. His whole body left the water. Suddenly lunged. Straight at Gemini.
Gemini didn't panic. Steve extended his arm. Regulus slammed hard into the shield.
Gemini took the opportunity to bind Regulus with a spell. Floated him to Snape.
Snape roughly examined him. Adjusted the potions in his hand. Used magic to pry open Regulus's mouth. Poured potion in.
Soon, Regulus began convulsing. Black liquid started seeping from his body. That liquid dripped on the ground. Made hissing sounds.
Snape watched intently. The liquid seepage just stopped. He immediately pulled out more potions. Mixed them through special techniques. Poured again.
Next, he produced a pill. His mouth twitched. Still stuffed it in Regulus's mouth.
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