Despite the protests of the Black family, spearheaded by Phineas Nigellus Black, Sirius Black allowed Bellatrix Lestrange to enter Number 12 Grimmauld Place. It was a symbolic victory for the pureblood fanatics, a chance to sneer at the "blood traitor." In truth, Sirius hadn't even considered stopping Bellatrix once he knew it was Tom Riddle's wish.
The two entered the living room. Bellatrix, clutching a golden cup, seemed lost in some inner world, her face flushed and eyes unfocused. Sirius found it unsettling. Bellatrix was not unattractive, but her volatile personality created a jarring contrast. In Sirius's eyes, her current behavior was a harbinger of utter madness. He couldn't imagine her ever acting this way with her own husband.
Sirius felt the palpable awkwardness, not from Bellatrix's embarrassment, but because it seemed Tom Riddle had mentally… "dominated" her. Lost in her fantasies, Bellatrix remained oblivious to the situation, leaving Sirius stranded in an uncomfortable silence broken only by Phineas Nigellus Black's incessant nagging.
"You rebellious son of the Black family! Stand guard at the door and await Tom Riddle's arrival!"
"Shut up, old man!" Sirius snapped.
"I… Bellatrix! As your great-great-grandfather, I command you to discipline this traitor!"
"…"
Hearing her name, Bellatrix glared at Phineas Nigellus Black. Fiercely protective of her "family," she restrained herself, replying curtly, "There is no need. He said he would wait here."
"Then how will Tom Riddle enter? Apparition? But the Black family mansion is under an Anti-Apparition Jinx…"
Before Phineas Nigellus Black could finish, a loud "crack" echoed through the room, and Tom Riddle materialized on the living room sofa.
"…"
Phineas Nigellus Black was momentarily speechless. Then:
"Tom Riddle!!!"
With a snap of his fingers, Tom Riddle silenced the portrait. Judging by Phineas Nigellus Black's furious expression, he had much to say, but Tom Riddle had no desire to listen.
"Where is what I asked you to retrieve?" Tom Riddle asked Bellatrix Lestrange, his gaze settling on the golden cup in her arms.
Bellatrix eagerly presented the cup, but the Hufflepuff's Cup slipped from her grasp and floated obediently to Tom Riddle's side. After carefully pocketing the Horcrux alongside the Silver Serpent Ring, Tom Riddle glanced at Phineas Nigellus Black's portrait. The old wizard appeared to have "calmed down," or rather, he had been silenced. Tom Riddle lifted the silencing spell.
Upon realizing he could be heard again, Phineas Nigellus Black was initially overjoyed, then rounded on Sirius Black, "What are you still doing here?! Go brew Tom Riddle some tea!"
"…"
Though accustomed to the old man's antics, Sirius was still annoyed. However, despite the portrait's abrasive manner, he did make a valid point. Harry Potter was still in Tom Riddle's clutches, and Sirius couldn't afford to provoke his "Savior."
He rose silently to prepare the tea, but Bellatrix Lestrange snatched the task from him.
Tom Riddle sipped his tea, his gaze flicking towards Kreacher, who sat huddled in the corner of the living room, head bowed.
Feeling Tom Riddle's attention, Kreacher grew increasingly agitated. His body was slick with cold sweat, trembling slightly, for he feared he would betray himself. Regulus Black had instructed him to conceal Slytherin's locket from Tom Riddle, and then find a way to destroy it. But he hadn't yet discovered a method. If Tom Riddle discovered the locket now, Kreacher would be too ashamed to face Regulus Black, even in death! He couldn't reveal a thing! He couldn't attract Tom Riddle's notice! He couldn't let Tom Riddle know he knew the locket's location! And above all, he couldn't let Tom Riddle discover where the locket was hidden!
"Where is my property?"
"…"
"Slytherin's locket."
"…"
Has he found out?
Upon hearing "Slytherin's locket," Kreacher instinctively imagined himself hiding the locket. It was an involuntary reaction; intelligent beings couldn't help but conjure images when keywords were mentioned. Kreacher immediately realized his mistake, looking up in horror to see Tom Riddle wearing a mocking smile.
He knew, with chilling certainty, that Tom Riddle knew everything. There was no escape from Tom Riddle's Legilimency.
Master Regulus, Kreacher has failed to fulfill your wish… Kreacher is so sorry! Kreacher is too ashamed to live, but even more ashamed to face you!
"…"
Tom Riddle, unfazed by Kreacher's internal turmoil, looked away and walked towards the hiding place.
"A Slytherin locket?" Phineas Nigellus Black in the portrait looked puzzled. "Has my Black family ever owned such a thing?"
Then, as if a revelation had struck him, he roared at Sirius Black, "You must have stolen it, you ungrateful brat! Thieving from other families, only a scoundrel like you, devoid of any family pride, would stoop so low!"
"You're blaming me for this?! You son of a bitch…" Sirius, momentarily forgetting his decorum, abandoned all pretense of respect for his "great-great-grandfather."
Meanwhile, Bellatrix Lestrange, equally concerned with family honor, questioned Walburga Black about why Tom Riddle's possessions were being hidden within the Black family's house. For Bellatrix, Tom Riddle's interests clearly superseded those of her own kin.
Faced with Bellatrix's inquiry, Walburga Black was equally perplexed, but she was certain Kreacher knew something, based on Tom Riddle's earlier scrutiny.
"Kreacher, did you conceal Slytherin's locket within the Black's house?" Walburga Black's tone was tinged with displeasure. "Why would you do such a thing?"
"…"
Kreacher remained silent; after all, the current "Madam" was merely a portrait. While he maintained a facade of respect, he secretly prioritized following Regulus Black's instructions over obeying the portrait's commands.
"I'll ask you again," Bellatrix Lestrange's tone became dangerous. "Did you steal his belongings? No, you couldn't… Who was it then?!"
"Miss Bellatrix…" Faced with the real Bellatrix Lestrange, not a mere portrait, Kreacher, bound by his house-elf duty, dared not disobey.
Sirius Black and Phineas Nigellus Black ceased their bickering and turned their attention to Kreacher, awaiting his explanation.
"…"
Weighed down by the immense pressure, Kreacher, as a house-elf, hesitated. Considering that Regulus Black hadn't explicitly instructed him to keep the secret from the entire Black family, he had no choice but to speak, "It was… Master Regulus Black…"
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