Kreacher did not finish, but everyone in the room knew what would have become of Regulus.
No one spoke. Only Kreacher's sobs echoed beneath the ceiling.
Sirius wore an extremely complicated expression.
Everyone quietly watched Kreacher vent his grief. Kindhearted Hermione could not help stepping forward to gently stroke his back, lest he grow so distressed that he cried himself unconscious.
He sobbed loudly for a long time, only gradually stopping once he had let out most of his grief.
"So, Kreacher," Sirius spoke up, "is the locket in Su Er's hand the one Regulus swapped out?"
"Yes." Kreacher gazed fixedly at the locket in Su Er's hand.
"So this locket had a story like that behind it," Su Er said softly. "I'm very sorry, Kreacher."
"I may not be able to give it back to you for now. Since this involves the Dark Lord, I think we must inform Professor Dumbledore."
Kreacher rose shakily. His prolonged crying had drained most of his strength, leaving his whole body swaying as he climbed up from the floor.
"Kreacher knows Dumbledore." Kreacher tottered a few steps closer to Su Er, shifting his gaze from the locket to Su Er's face.
Then he looked back at the locket, drew a deep breath, and bowed deeply to Su Er.
"All these years, Kreacher has tried every way to destroy it, to complete the last task Master Regulus gave Kreacher. But Kreacher has disappointed Master Regulus. If possible, Master Bones, Kreacher begs you to help Kreacher destroy it."
"I promise you." Su Er nodded gently.
Early the next morning, after only a few hours apart, Su Er saw Old Bumblebee again. As he came down the stairs, Old Bumblebee gave him a slight smile.
As for the locket, Su Er had handed it to