Dumbledore felt this was hardly an equal exchange. Even if Vaughn said nothing, he would soon learn where Voldemort intended to meet Harry.
He glanced at Newt, then said to Vaughn, "My dear boy, that isn't enough of a show of sincerity."
Vaughn had naturally expected Dumbledore to refuse. The condition he had offered was merely an opening bid.
He said nothing, waiting for Dumbledore to continue.
Dumbledore pondered for a moment before saying, "A Horcrux! Information on one Horcrux!"
Vaughn promptly turned his gaze toward Fawkes and stopped paying Dumbledore any attention.
Having Newt agree unconditionally to help him with one task was certainly tempting, but it still wasn't worth information on a Horcrux.
"All right, all right-" Dumbledore looked resigned, as though conceding defeat. "I know Dungray and Donald have been helping you with some secret research. Does it have anything to do with Voldemort?"
"What exactly are you researching? Or rather-what have you discovered?"
Dumbledore had actually sounded him out about this long ago, suspecting that it involved Horcruxes. Since Vaughn refused to trade information on a Horcrux, he could only settle for the next best thing and probe indirectly.
Vaughn looked back at him and said calmly, "It's a cave hidden on the western coast of Ireland. It's also where I found Regulus."
"Voldemort left a great deal of dark magic and ancient magic there. My research is focused on unraveling those spells."
"I know what you want to ask. There was indeed a Horcrux hidden in that cave once, but it was a counterfeit."
Dumbledore kept his eyes fixed on Vaughn's. He couldn't shake the feeling that the boy was concealing something, yet his explanation sounded perfectly coherent.
Without another word, Vaughn took out the fake Slytherin's Locket and placed it on the desk.
He