CRACK!

And Kreacher popped into view.

Like all house elves, Kreacher was considerably smaller than a human. He had a bulbous, snout-like nose, bloodshot eyes, many folds of skin, and white hair growing out of his bat-like ears.

“Oh, Kreacher has been summoned by the traitor brat who broke the mistress’ heart? What would she say if she saw? Kreacher is so-”

“She didn’t have a heart, Kreacher and you better shut up if you know what is good-”

“ENOUGH! Sirius, tell him to shut up and you listen to what I have to say for a moment.”

“Alright then! But I don’t like the little bastard and I’m most certainly not happy to be back in this house. Ok, Kreacher, listen up. From this moment, be silent unless you are spoken to.”

Kreacher’s eyes bulged as he tried to open his mouth to say something but he finally calmed down and just stood there. Darius felt a little sorry for the pathetic little elf but he had some explaining to do.

“Sirius, I know I have already taken up a lot of time but we have just a little bit more to do. First, I must tell you more about your own brother, Regulus Arcturus Black. He may have been the perfect little pureblood and joined the death eaters in his time but he wasn’t so in the end. He didn’t get cold feet in the end. He realised the true degree of atrocities that Voldemort would commit and seeing how it would bring magical Britain down to its knees decided to do something to hamper Voldemort’s efforts.

Your brother tried to steal an extremely important item from him. He literally went after a piece of his soul. I think you can see where I am going with this. He stole one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes and if I’m not mistake, Kreacher here, knows its exact location.”

By this time Sirius, Harry and Kreacher had wide open eyes. Sirius couldn’t believe the bravery of the little brother who he had always hated after his foray into the death eaters. Harry couldn’t believe they were so close to finding another one of that accursed man’s soul containers. He had almost despaired when he first heard about what lengths Voldemort had gone to evade death but things were beginning to look up. And Kreacher was absolutely stunned. He may not know the term Horcrux but he clearly understood what object they were talking about here. It was the one, last order of Master Regulus that he had been unable to fulfil. Dear, respected master Regulus, and he had let him down.

Kreacher couldn’t bear it and broke down.

“Bad Kreacher! Bad Kreacher! Couldn’t complete master Regulus’ last order. Couldn’t destroy object. Oh, he tried! Tried so many times but he couldn’t do it. Couldn’t destroy the locket.”

Sirius was dumbfounded. He really shouldn’t be after all the surprises Darius had heaped on him but it was a lot to take in.

“You mean to tell me, this little toe-rag actually knows the location of one of Voldemort’s soul containers! Well, that’s great! Let’s get to destroying it then.”

“Master is wanting to destroy locket? He is knowing how to? Kreacher can finally complete last order?”

“So, Regulus’ last order was to destroy the horcrux, huh? That sad little fellow. Whay couldn’t he have just come to me. I didn’t want him to be embroiled in all this mess. Trying to act like a hero at the last minute. But fear no, I will complete his last request. Where is the locket, Kreacher? Bring it here.”

Kreacher gave a shaky nod and popped off. Darius knew it was somewhere in the living room but he didn’t fancy having to go through all that clutter and dangerous items. Much easier to just ask Kreacher to get it out.

And the little elf popped back into view holding the locket of Slytherin in his hands. It was just as its description in the books. A large, oval locket of heavy gold with a serpentine 'S' inlaid in green jewels.

All eyes in the room were drawn to the tiny, innocuous looking object which harnessed the very soul fragment of the dark lord. Though Darius would have to be careful that no one put in n by any means.

“Well, now that we have the locket, we can go about storing it safely. I have a location in Hogwarts where I removed the soul fragments from the last two and I will do so for this one as well. Kreacher, you are welcome to come when I destroy the soul fragment within. I know you would wish to see you late master’s last order fulfilled and I’ll see to that.”

Kreacher started sobbing once again and thanked Darius profusely. He extracted a promise to summon the little elf when the time came to destroy the horcrux and then finally relaxed when he had it. He gave a deep bow to Darius and even a sort of shaky, half-bow to Sirius and Harry before disapparating away.

Sirius was stunned. So much had happened today, it was just a bit too much to take in. Kreacher showing the slightest respect to him was the straw that broke the camel’s back. They had come so far in their quest to nail the Dark Wanker responsible for his dearest friends’ deaths and making is godson’s life miserable that he found it hard to believe it was not a dream. But a painful pinch later, he no longer had any such doubts and it became hard to stop himself from whooping in joy. And he owed it all to this remarkable, young Darius.

Darius carefully took the locket, put in in a conjured iron box, sealed it shut and put it away in his spatial bag. He would do the soul extraction when he was back in Hogwarts. He could of course have the goblins take care of the process but he didn’t want to unnecessarily want to waste a precious resource. It would be a great thing to have additional Grimoires. Maybe he could even let Harry keep one.

“Now that we have that over with, who’s up for a trip to Gringotts?”

“Why Gringotts?”

“Come on, its important. But I suppose it’s better if you guys knew about it beforehand instead of having it sprung on you after we get there.

I suspect that Voldemort formed an unintentional Horcrux when he attempted to kill Harry. That is the reason Harry learnt to speak Parseltongue. Thankfully Voldemort is in spirit form and cannot use this connection now. If he ever managed to recreate a body for himself, he could use this connection against Harry and we can’t have that.”

Harry had a surprised and then contemplative look on his face. He must be remembering each time the scar reacted or hurt, especially when he was in close proximity to Quirrell. But Sirius seemed frantic with worry.

“B-but can living people even be made into Horcruxes? And if they can. Is there any way to remove the soul fragment without damaging the host?”

“Unfortunately, it is possible. I wouldn’t have mentioned it if it wasn’t a very likely possibility. And as for its safe removal, it is impossible by wizarding capabilities. But the true masters in curse-breaking and dark artefacts are goblins and they have the capability to remove the Horcrux, though at a price. Nothing we can’t handle, of course. That’s why we need to head to Gringotts. Plus, I have a couple of things I need to pick up from there.”

“I don’t care about the price. They can have my entire vault for all I care. I want that thing out of my godson’s head.”

“Make sure you don’t mention that to the goblins or that is exactly the price they will demand. But enough chit-chatting, let’s head to Gringotts.”

After they had their chuckles at that bit of humour, they headed to the fireplace and took the floo to Gringotts. Darius never knew it was even possible. But if he thought about it, everywhere in wizarding Britain is connected, so why wouldn’t be the sole bank in the country. They popped out in a tastefully decorated room with plenty of area and an entire wall of fireplace with a single door leading out. They made their way out and found themselves in the far corner of the atrium.

After asking Harry and Sirius to wait awhile, Darius made his way to the goblin tellers.

“Goblin teller, I am warrior Icarus and I seek audience with Warlord Ragnarok. I have an appointment with him from earlier and I wish to meet him. I also have two companions he will wish to meet urgently. Please convey my request and let me know his response at your earliest convenience.”

The goblin looked pleasantly surprised at Darius’ correct greeting before schooling his features into an impassive mask again.

“It shall be done. I will send a goblin runner as soon as possible. Please take seats at the back of the hall and you will be called.”

Darius went back to Sirius and Harry.

“I have spoken to them. We shall soon meet the head of Gringotts. Sirius, you better meet your Black account manager after that. I suppose your finances must be in a shabby state of affairs after so many years of neglect.”

“Yeah, I’ll do that. But what were the things you wanted to pick up?”

“Yeah, I’ll get going just after I introduce you guys to Ragnarok. I will need to meet my account manager for that.”

We only had to wait for ten minutes before a young-looking goblin made his appearance and begin to guide us to the Ragnarok’s office. Darius knew the way of course, but it was polite to wait until you were called for.

“Ah, warrior Icarus! It is good to see you again. And I see you made good on your promise to bring the living Horcrux so soon. Though I guess I should have guessed it may have been Harry Potter. Knowing the creator of the other ones should have made that obvious. By the way, we have also managed to remove the soul fragment from the cup and it is in your account manager’s custody now. I believe he has also completed your other order by now.”

Darius grinned at that. He was hoping it would be done by now.

“Ah, I’m glad to see both my requests have been accomplished already. In fact, I think I will leave to see my account manager now. Harry can Sirius can take care of the rest on their own. But I am curious, how did you know Harry was the living Horcrux just by looking at him?”

“It would be a simple task for experienced goblin curse-breakers. I smelled the stench of soul magic the moment he entered the room. Soul magic is dangerous for a reason and even goblins can fall for it, particularly in the older tombs. The more experienced of us have a sense for it and are wary the second we know it is around us. Thankfully this process will not be dangerous to any of us and we should be able to safely conduct it in ur ritual room. But only young Potter may be allowed in the room. I suppose the two others can take the time to meet their account managers.”

Harry was led away soon after that. Sirius was not really happy about it but he understood it had to be done. He headed off for his on manager and Darius left for his manager Goreclaw.

“Ah, welcome warrior Icarus! I have been looking forward to your arrival. The tasks set by you have been completed and all proceeds for the sale has already been deposited into your account vault.”

“Thank you, manager Goreclaw. As usual, goblin efficiency is astonishing. Fine, so first things first, may I have the cup?”

He handed the cup to Darius and he instantly realised it had been cleansed. It didn’t have that sickly, cloying feel again and was all the better for it. He carefully sealed it and put it away in his spatial bag again. He now actually had four of the Founder’s items in his bag right now. Though of course, one of them was still a horcrux. It was a heady feeling.

“Thank you for your fine work. And my other request, manager Goreclaw?”

“Ah, that! It is one of our finer works in recent years. Both due to the quality of the materials and the fact that we were making it for an actual warrior who had earned it for himself. I’ll bring it in now.”

The short goblin hopped down and made his way to the side-room before coming back, pulling a wheeled mannequin behind him. But Darius’ eyes weren’t on the goblin anymore. He was busy admiring the armour behind him.

It was MAGNIFICENT!