Regulus and Kreacher

"That was a terrible potion!" Kreacher took a deep breath, as though gathering his courage. "The Dark Lord made Kreacher drink all that potion... not a single drop could be left!"

Though he had worked up his courage, he still instinctively curled in on himself. Clearly, that experience had been far too terrifying.

"Kreacher drank the potion... The Dark Lord did not stop... cup after cup... so many terrible visions appeared..."

"Kreacher saw Mistress crying... saw Master Regulus grieving... saw Master trying with all his might to destroy everything..."

"But Kreacher could not stop it... could not stop heartless Master Sirius... could only watch Master Regulus and the others suffer..."

After all, Kreacher was a House-elf. The things that frightened him would surely differ from what frightened others.

"What else could I have done..." Sirius said helplessly. "You have met my mother too... What do you think I could have done besides leave?"

Remus Lupin patted Sirius on the shoulder and pressed his lips together in understanding. Harry also murmured a few words, offering Sirius his support.

Kreacher continued, "Kreacher could only cry for help then... begging Mistress to save poor Kreacher... begging Master Regulus to save poor Kreacher..."

"The Dark Lord was still laughing. Kreacher felt as though his body was on fire... as though he was melting... until every drop of potion had been drunk..."

He swallowed. "The Dark Lord threw that locket into the stone basin... Somehow... the Dark Lord filled the basin with potion again..."

"Kreacher was abandoned. The Dark Lord left alone by boat... leaving Kreacher in that place... Kreacher was thirsty... so thirsty he was about to die! Kreacher only wanted water!"

"There were many hands in that lake! They all wanted to drag Kreacher into the water! But Kreacher remembered! Remembered what Master