A slightly dim room. Heavy curtains blocked sunlight from outside. Only a few bird calls filtered through. Dark carpet covered the floor. Long fibers absorbed footsteps well. Silver-green decorations lined the walls. Several Quidditch posters hung there. Players on the posters passed the Quaffle at high speed.
In the room's center sat a tub large enough for a whole person. Inside, pale gold potion swirled like someone constantly stirred it. Starlight sparkled on the tub walls and ceiling.
A black-haired young man sat in the tub. Face pale. If not for the slightly rising chest showing he lived—might be mistaken for a corpse.
Beside the tub stood a high stool. And a matching small table. Several potion bottles sat on top.
CREAK. Kreacher pushed the door open. Walked in cheerfully greeting: "Young Master! Dawn has come! Today's weather is wonderful! Such sunshine! Perfect for Quidditch!"
Getting no response didn't discourage Kreacher. He pointed a finger. WHOOSH—curtains flew open. Golden sunlight poured through the window into the room. Shone on Regulus. Added a trace of vitality.
"Young Master, Mistress's birthday is coming soon. This year she decided not to hold a party. Said just having family eat together is enough. Master Sirius came home too. They didn't even fight. Mistress looks very happy! Also, the new brooms are Nimbus series. Already up to Nimbus 2100! Young Master Malfoy has one. And he inherited your position—Slytherin Seeker! But still can't beat that Potter boy. Oh right, the Potter boy is Master Sirius's godson! Very polite child. Young Master would definitely like him. Nothing like his loud father!"
Kreacher's hands moved skillfully cleaning the room personally. Mouth kept chattering. Said whatever came to mind. No focus at all.
The small room was quickly cleaned. Actually not dirty at all. But Kreacher still personally tidied every day. Even if nothing moved.
Kreacher sat on the high stool. Extended his hand above the potion. Felt slightly. Temperature perfect. Gemini's runes were trustworthy.
"Young Master, big things happened in the magical world recently! That person whose name cannot be spoken—his background was exposed! Turns out he's a half-blood! And no one can believe it—he killed his own father! Framed his uncle! So terrible! That person whose name cannot be spoken is now infamous in the magical world. Everyone who mentions him shows disgust. That locket you asked me to destroy—Master Gemini already gave it to Dumbledore. Destroyed months ago! Oh right! Master Gemini is Master Sirius's child! But their ages aren't that different! Kreacher is certain—that's Black family blood. So strange." Kreacher kept talking. Talked until his voice grew hoarse.
The person in the tub remained the same. Not a sound.
Kreacher didn't mind. Started checking potions on the small table. These were left by Snape. Said if Regulus woke, must make him drink immediately. These potions had short shelf lives. And weren't fixed. No one knew when Regulus would wake. Only Kreacher could constantly check the potions. Once crystallization from expiration appeared—immediately notify Snape. Brew fresh ones.
While Kreacher carefully examined potion bottles, the water surface rippled. Created waves.
Regulus's eyelids trembled. But didn't open.
When Kreacher confirmed the potions were fine and turned back—the ripples had just settled.
"Young Master, you've slept so long. Everyone at home is waiting. Mistress is very sad not seeing you. That person whose name cannot be spoken was completely eliminated! The magical world is peaceful now. Even house-elves like us can openly shop in Diagon Alley."
Kreacher continued speaking. Rested his head on the tub's edge. Voice very soft.
"Kreacher, I'm thirsty." A hoarse, stiff voice sounded.
Kreacher habitually jumped off the chair. "No problem, Young Master! I'll get you water right away!"
Walked two steps. Kreacher suddenly froze. He looked back in disbelief. The black-haired, black-eyed young man sat in the tub. Smiling at him.
Kreacher suddenly let out an ear-splitting shriek. Flew over. Grabbed potions from the small table. Bottle after bottle poured into Regulus. Afraid if he slowed one step—his young master would sleep again like before. Ignore everyone.
"What?! What's happening?!" On the second floor, Gemini fell out of bed with a THUMP. Jumped up quickly. Drew her wand. Looked around bewildered. This was her room. No disturbance. She grabbed a morning robe. Put it over her pajamas. Held her wand. Walked out.
"Gemini! Why are you shouting?" Harry yawned and opened his door. Rubbed his eyes looking at the alert Gemini.
Gemini frowned. "Get back inside. That wasn't me. Such a piercing scream—I need to check."
Much time had passed since Regulus returned. Harry's second-year summer vacation had arrived. Because of Regulus, they didn't go to China this year. Just stayed at Privet Drive.
"Master! Master Gemini! Young Master! Awake!"
Before Gemini went downstairs, Kreacher Apparated before her. Said excitedly.
Gemini immediately turned. "Harry! Get people! Snape! Dumbledore! And your dog godfather!"
She followed Kreacher quickly toward that hidden room downstairs.
Harry froze. Then reacted. Turned and ran into the house. "Right! Get people!"
Just entering, he realized—how does he get people?!
"Dobby!" Harry's brain turned. Thought of it. Quickly summoned the elf.
"Harry Potter! I'm here! Dobby is here! What does Dobby need to do!" Almost as the words fell, an elf in an apron appeared before Harry. Holding a spatula.
Harry touched his stomach growling from smelling the oil fragrance on the spatula. Said solemnly to Dobby: "I need you to find Professor Snape and Professor Dumbledore as fast as possible. Tell them Regulus woke up."
Dobby immediately shuddered. He'd been in this house quite a while. Regulus's matter wasn't hidden from him. Naturally knew this was important. "Dobby will go now!"
Dobby put the spatula directly on the table. Didn't even remove his apron. Disappeared.
Harry picked up the spatula. Wiped oil off the table. Quickly went to the kitchen. Sure enough—bacon on the stove nearly turned to charcoal.
Turned off the heat. Harry found two slices of bread from the fridge. Hastily ate with the crispy bacon. Walked toward the front door.
When he reached the door—the doorbell rang.
Harry pulled open the door. Outside stood Professor Snape in pajamas.
"He's awake? Did he drink the potions?" Snape walked straight past Harry. Asked while walking quickly.
Harry shouted at his back: "I don't know! Kreacher said he woke! I haven't seen him! Gemini already went!"
Snape waved casually. Showed he heard. Turned. Walked toward that room.
Before Harry closed the door, Dumbledore hurried from the street corner. "Ah, perfect timing!"
His clothes were neat. But Harry immediately saw—Dumbledore wore indoor slippers. The fluffy kind.
"Professor Snape already went." Harry said briefly.
Dumbledore nodded quickly. "One more person coming. Professor Grindelwald. Don't close the door."
Sure enough, Dumbledore's back just disappeared down the hall when Grindelwald hurried over carrying shoes.
Harry held the door open. Respectfully let Professor Grindelwald in. Confirmed no one else coming. Finally closed the door.
Carefully followed behind Grindelwald. Walked toward that hidden room.
Entered. Saw Snape constantly using detection spells on Regulus. Empty potion bottles scattered on the floor.
"How is he?" Dumbledore asked.
Snape worked for a while before answering: "About as good as it gets. He barely survived. But toxin removal isn't complete. Toxins still remain in his body. Mixed in his blood. His health won't be great from now on. Can only guarantee daily life. Strenuous exercise—off limits."
"Surviving is already good." Gemini sighed with relief.
Snape looked at Gemini with surprise. "Why are you still here?"
Gemini choked. This was her house. Where else would she be?!
"Out. I need to get him out. You don't want to watch your uncle get dressed." Snape said with a straight face.
Gemini smiled awkwardly at Regulus. Quickly left the room. Pulled Harry out too.
"Where's your godfather? Why isn't he here yet?" Gemini asked Harry in the hallway. Given Sirius's personality—should've arrived by now.
Harry paused. Scratched his head. "I forgot to have Dobby tell him."
Gemini rolled her eyes. "Coby, go get Sirius."
A soft sound. Obviously Coby already left on the order.
Soon, Coby brought Sirius—hair messy, wearing only shorts—to the hallway.
"What's happening?!" Sirius looked at people in the hallway. Hastily covered his chest. Looked around bewildered.
Gemini covered her forehead. Took off her morning robe. Tapped it with her wand. Tossed it to Sirius. "Regulus woke up. You—"
Before Gemini finished, Sirius turned and ran.
The robe Gemini transformed into a pullover fell to the ground.
Harry and Gemini looked at each other. Immediately turned and left. Coby quickly picked up the robe and followed. Tacitly pretended to know nothing.
Sure enough, when they stepped on the stairs—heard a huge BANG. Sirius's scream. And wood splintering.
Harry grimaced at Gemini. "Sounds painful."
Gemini's face remained expressionless. "Serves him right. Teach him a lesson. How old is he—still so impulsive. Runs before hearing everything. That's his brother. Who's stopping him from seeing him?"
Harry nodded in agreement. "Exactly. So rushed. Not steady at all."
They continued upstairs. "By the way, remember to send the wall repair bill to Sirius. Notify Kreacher—the Black family can't pay for him. The Black family is mine now!" Gemini said.
Coby followed respectfully behind. Held the robe restored to a morning robe. "Yes, Miss!"
Harry looked down with pity. May Merlin bless him!
Taking advantage of this time, Gemini and Harry quickly washed and changed. Also prepared clothes for Snape in pajamas. The commotion here wasn't small. Tony and the others next door heard. All came over.
When everyone sat in the drawing room, looked at the pale Regulus—Dumbledore looked at Snape questioningly. Got a confirming nod. Then asked: "Mr. Black, I assume you don't mind me calling you Regulus?"
Regulus nodded gently. "Yes, Headmaster Dumbledore."
Dumbledore smiled. "Then Regulus, can you tell us what exactly happened? We only know bits and pieces. Gemini wouldn't tell us. She hoped you could say it yourself."
Gemini saw Regulus look over. Smiled at him. "A hero's deeds shouldn't be buried."
Regulus touched his nose embarrassedly. "I'm not really a hero. If you really want to know—I'll tell you. This isn't glorious. I hope after knowing—you won't implicate the Black family."
Dumbledore nodded solemnly. "Rest assured. Voldemort is past tense. He can't affect anyone anymore."
Regulus nodded. Began slowly recounting.
But his account had major omissions. Hid things that embarrassed him.
Gemini pressed her lips as Regulus finished. "Are you done?"
Regulus nodded. "Yes. That's all there is."
Gemini pursed her lips. "Kreacher!"
Kreacher appeared in the drawing room—teary-eyed, forehead red and swollen. He'd heard Regulus's account. Magnified his role. Made him both moved and uneasy. Had to punish himself in the next room.
"Now you explain what happened back then. No hiding. That's an order." Gemini said seriously.
Kreacher looked at Gemini tearfully. "Yes! Master!"
Regulus touched his nose embarrassedly. "Not necessary. I explained clearly."
Kreacher looked at Regulus crying. "Young Master! This is Master's order! Kreacher cannot disobey!"
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