Chapter 218: The Origin of the Locket

"Then why did that locket appear here, Kreacher?"

As the truth surfaced bit by bit, Dumbledore spoke again.

"Because... it was Young Master Regulus who asked me to bring it back..."

This sentence seemed to make Kreacher recall bad memories again.

"After Kreacher came back, he told Young Master Regulus everything that happened."

"Young Master Regulus, however, appeared very restless... He asked Kreacher to hide at home and not go out, and not let others know that Kreacher was still alive..."

"Then, the young master left alone, until after a while, one night, Young Master Regulus finally came back again..."

"At that time, Young Master Regulus's appearance was very strange, unlike before... He ordered Kreacher to take him to the rock cave the Dark Lord had been to..."

"Kreacher did as told."

Kreacher's voice suddenly became so low it was almost inaudible, his ear tips trembling slightly, and he continued to say.

"Afterward, Young Master Regulus took Kreacher to that stone basin, and took out a fake that was exactly the same as the locket..."

"The young master handed the locket to Kreacher, and ordered Kreacher..."

"Kreacher... after I drink all the poison in the stone basin, exchange this locket with the locket in the stone basin—and then don't worry about me, return home immediately..."

"And, try every possible means to destroy this locket......"

By the time he said this, the ending of the story was already clear.

The reason the locket appeared here, as well as Regulus's ending and choice.

That's why Kreacher would scold him as a thief who stole the young master's relic.

But strictly speaking, this thing was his last wish, the real relic is still lying in that poison basin.

Dumbledore slowly took off his half-moon glasses and patted Kreacher lightly with his hand.

Like comfort, and like a silent tribute.

Subsequently, he stood up again and looked at Sirius.

"Sirius, understand the specific ins and outs with Remus; I am going to take John back to school first."

Sirius was still digesting his younger brother's true ending; hearing Dumbledore's words, he just nodded.

Subsequently, John was pressed on the shoulder by Dumbledore.

Still not waiting for John to react, with a pop, he disappeared from the Order of the Phoenix.

"Ouch!"

John fell down again after Apparition.

"Headmaster! Next time you pull me for Apparition, can you tell me in advance!"

John, who felt his butt burning, complained to Dumbledore with dissatisfaction.

"Didn't Filius say you were going to learn Apparition recently? I'm helping you adapt in advance."

Regarding John's complaint, Dumbledore just blinked and smiled.

I believe you, you old rascal, you are very bad.

John rubbed his tailbone, just about to roll his eyes, but saw Dumbledore had already turned and walked toward the Pensieve, seemingly intending to get down to business.

"Alright, leave the locket with me first, you can go back, and don't tell Harry and the others about the Horcrux matter for now."

"Oh right, I know about Umbridge's matter, well done."

"But you have to be careful of her retaliation."

Dumbledore was picking and choosing on a small tower next to the Pensieve, seemingly looking for something, while saying to John.

"Oh~ got it."

Regarding this, John responded perfunctorily; now he only cared about his butt.

Subsequently, he left the Headmaster's office directly.

I wonder if Harry is still practicing Occlumency at Professor Snape's place.

He seemed to have forgotten something else....

Forget it, it shouldn't be important.

Go find Hermione.

Returning to the Great Hall, it was already afternoon.

There weren't many people in the Great Hall, only sporadic tables of students either studying or chatting.

Titus and the others weren't there either, maybe they went to watch the Quidditch training in the afternoon.

And Hermione was sitting alone in the middle of the Gryffindor long table reading a book.

The beam of light slanting in from the stained glass window happened to shine on her brown hair tips, setting off a layer of soft golden edges.

Sensing someone approaching, Hermione looked up, the golden light spilling on her pretty face, making her amber pupils shine brilliantly.

"You finally came back John, why did you guys ask a question for so long?"

After seeing who it was, Hermione closed the book and asked him.

"Ouch—" John exaggeratedly covered his butt and sat down opposite Hermione, "Don't mention it, the Headmaster directly kidnapped me to the Order of the Phoenix, and both Apparitions shattered my tailbone."

"Ah? You guys even went to the Order of the Phoenix?"

Hearing John's words, Hermione was also stunned for a moment.

She naturally knew about Apparition, so she didn't ask much about this.

"Ah... the Headmaster didn't let me tell you guys..."

"Forget it, whatever, just don't tell others."

John, who realized he let it slip, after a simple weighing, decided to ignore Dumbledore's instructions.

The reason for not telling Harry, he guessed, should be worry that when Voldemort connects to his thinking, he would discover that the Horcrux matter had been exposed, and then urgently adjust the Horcrux position.

And also worry that the pressure of searching for Horcruxes is too great, which might cause psychological burden to Harry and the others, affecting their OWLs exams.

As for Hermione, she doesn't have to worry about this problem; anyway, she is always reliable and won't go around shouting about this matter.

"Actually it's just..."

"Forget it, Professor Dumbledore didn't let you say it, so don't say it."

But as a result, he hadn't even said it yet, and Hermione heard the Headmaster didn't let him say it, so she directly suppressed her curiosity and let John not say it.

This made John stunned.

"No, you make me look very disobedient like this."

John complained directly.

"You've never been obedient anyway..."

Hermione laughed in a low voice.

Hey, why are your words so unpleasant!

"No! If I don't say it, I'll feel uncomfortable holding it in."

"You have to share it with me!"

John directly acted shamelessly; seeing this, Hermione also felt funny.

"And Dumbledore mainly told me not to tell Harry, you just don't tell Harry."

"Fine, fine, then you tell me."

Hermione said with a smile.

"Then I'm saying it."

"Say it."

"I'm really saying it!"

"Say it, say it."

"I'm really going to say it!"

"No, are you going to say it or not!"

Hermione directly slapped John on the back of the head.

"Ouch! Say, say, say!"

After taking a slap from Hermione, John then honestly shared what he saw and heard today with Hermione.

Of course, except for the matter of his two souls.

With such a large amount of information, even Hermione frowned her pretty brows and slowly digested it.

"So if you want to truly defeat Voldemort, you still need to check how many Horcruxes he has, as well as the whereabouts of those Horcruxes..."

This kind of harsh condition, which is no different from finding a needle in a haystack, also made Hermione feel a deep sense of powerlessness.

"Hmm, but you don't have to worry too much."

"Dumbledore said, he has already found clues."

Actually, he didn't say.

John just didn't want Hermione to worry too much.

"Anyway, we still go to school as usual; if there is a place where we are needed, Dumbledore will naturally find us."

"So don't think too much."

Hermione then nodded, which was considered accepting all of this. ===== CHAPTER 219 =====