The four people present were both angry and helpless about being repeatedly tricked by Voldemort.
Who would have thought that the Dark Lord, who lived a life that was neither human nor ghost, could be so cunning?
As soon as Dumbledore's eyes met Vincent's, he looked up at the cave ceiling.
The steam is all accumulating on top of it; I wonder if it will naturally form clouds.
"Professor, you never imagined you'd be completely outmaneuvered by Voldemort, did you?"
The cave is so cold and damp inside that, according to Muggle science, clouds should form inside.
"Professor, I think it's time for you to overturn your preconceived notions about Voldemort."
If clouds form, it's uncertain whether it will rain.
"Professor, can you hear me?"
If it rains, remember to bring an umbrella next time you come.
Vincent took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and looked at the yellowed note on the ground.
He gently beckoned the note with his finger, glancing at Dumbledore, who was still pretending not to hear anything, before opening it.
It's no big deal. So what if you're embarrassed?
It'll only be a month at most; they won't keep making fun of us.
Vincent opened the note, and his expression turned very strange after just one glance.
"What?" Sirius Black leaned closer. "Were the words on it really that unpleasant?"
Vincent shook his head. "This little note wasn't left for us, it was left for Voldemort."
"Huh!?" Dumbledore had stopped staring at the cave ceiling, quickly came over.
Harry also came over with a curious look on his face.
The note contained only a few words, but its content completely overturned the expectations of the four of them.
To the Dark Lord:
I will be long dead by the time you read this, but I want you to know that I have discovered your secret.
I stole the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as possible.
I am willing to die, I only hope that you will be completely killed when you encounter an opponent.
——RAB
Upon seeing the last signature, Little Sirius suddenly clenched his fists, his whole body trembling violently.
"This fool..." His voice was particularly gentle.
The remaining three looked at him curiously and found that his eyes were actually wet.
"Who?" Vincent reacted quickly. "You know this RAB?"
Sirius Black nodded, his voice choked with emotion several times. "He... he is my brother, Regulus Arcturus Black."
After saying that, he turned and looked at the dark lake water, and tears of sorrow began to well up in his eyes.
Vincent was puzzled to see that Dumbledore and Harry also looked sad.
Harry whispered a few words in his ear, and he realized that the corpse Dumbledore had been holding was Regulus.
Furthermore, Sirius Black even said a few words to the corpse, so it's no wonder he reacted that way.
I thought my brother had gone down the wrong path and had only himself to blame, but I never imagined the truth would be so cruel.
Regulus died heroically, yet he was misunderstood by everyone.
Vincent bent down to pick up the broken locket, repaired it with magic, and stood apologetically beside Sirius Black.
He handed over the locket and the note together, saying, "I'm sorry."
Sirius Black quickly wiped his eyes. "It's okay, we didn't know the truth behind this beforehand."
He carefully caught the locket and the small note, looking at them with incredibly tender eyes.
No one knows about Regulus's deeds, but these two items are not only relics, but also irrefutable evidence to clear his name.
However, if we were to exonerate them, the Horcrux would be exposed.
Whether the British Ministry of Magic believes it or not is irrelevant; what matters is that Voldemort must not know that someone has discovered the secret to his immortality.
Once this survivalist king learns that several of his Horcrux have been destroyed, he will definitely go on a rampage and create a large number of new Horcrux.
Sirius Black looked at the note for a long time before reluctantly folding it neatly and putting it back into the pendant box.
"Let's go back, let's take him back."
Vincent glanced back at the stone basin.
Although it's unknown how Regulus switched the locket, the liquid inside was unlikely to be ordinary poison.
He took a small bottle from the Flamel Ring, filled the Magical Automaton with it, and then brought it out.
The four then returned to shore via Fawkes.
Sirius Black gently placed the locket around Regulus's neck, then lifted him up tightly.
After the red flames subsided, the four reappeared on the deserted island they had come from.
"I haven't been home for a long time."
Sirius Black looked at Dumbledore with a forlorn expression, and the latter, understanding the implication, instructed Fawkes to lead them to a certain street.
A simple house next to Vincent Pass identified it as Grimmauld Place in northwest London, not far from King's Cross Station.
However, something is strange: the house on the left is number 11, while the house on the right is number 13.
Harry, just like him, watched with a puzzled expression as Sirius Black carried Regulus toward a small clearing between the two houses.
A few steps later, the two houses, No. 11 and No. 13, mysteriously shifted to the left and right.
A large, black, scratch-covered door suddenly appeared out of nowhere from the middle.
There was no keyhole on the door, only a coiled snake-shaped doorknob and a golden doorbell.
Sirius Black approached with Regulus in his arms, and the door opened automatically in front of him with a "ring".
Vincent and Harry followed behind up the dilapidated stone steps, and after passing through the gate, they saw a townhouse that had also appeared out of nowhere.
It looks somewhat abandoned, but even without the surrounding simple houses, this villa still appears exceptionally luxurious and grand.
Upon entering the villa, the old-fashioned gas lamps on the wall automatically turned on, revealing a long Entrance Hall.
Large patches of wallpaper have peeled off, and the carpet has been worn thin.
"You unfilial son!" A deafening scream from a woman suddenly rang out.
"A filthy bastard, and he's even Mudblood!"
Sirius Black stopped, turned around, and gave Harry Vincent an apologetic smile.
"It's my mother's voice. It seems she hung her portrait here."
"You unfilial son! Get out of here right now with your beastly friends!"
Vincent and Harry, who had been inexplicably scolded, looked in the direction of the sound and found that it was coming from not far ahead.
There was a huge, bulky umbrella stand with Troll legs, on which hung a portrait of an old woman.
Sirius Black's face looked terrible.
He gently set Regulus down, then drew his wand and strode over.
"You old witch! You'd better shut up right now!"
A Stunning Spell struck the portrait directly, and the old woman inside screamed in agony.
Then, an even louder scream came from her mouth, "Kreacher! Come here and get this bastard and his beastly friends out of here!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than an old House-elf suddenly appeared in front of Sirius Black.
It was only covered by a dirty rag, its head was bald, its bat-like ears were covered with a tuft of white fur, its bloodshot eyes were gray, and its fleshy nose was like a pig's snout.
"Yes, my mistress." Its voice was low and hoarse, like the croaking of a bullfrog.
Sirius Black quickly pointed his wand at Kreacher, "Useless piece of trash! You think you can kick us out?!"
Kreacher bowed slightly, but his attitude was not very respectful. "Sirius Black, the mistress requests that you take your friends and leave this place."
"What if I don't leave?"
Kreacher lowered his large head. "You are the sole heir of the Black Family. Kreacher can't force you to leave."
Sirius Black paused, then looked at the dizzy old woman in the portrait. "Did you hear that? You old witch! You can't get rid of us!"
"Damn it..." The old lady was so angry that her eyes rolled upwards and she fainted.