By the time you read this, I will have been dead for a long time, but I want you to know that I discovered your secret.
I stole the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as possible.
I willingly face death in the hope that, when you meet your match, you can be killed.
R.A.B."
Sirius silently read the last words his younger brother had written in life on the parchment, over and over, his fingers tightening around it. Only after a long while did he murmur, "Well done... Regulus, well done."
After a moment's thought, he handed the parchment to Kreacher, who was watching eagerly. "Here, read it. Don't get it dirty or damage it!"
Kreacher hurriedly wiped his hands on the filthy rags he wore, only to make them even dirtier.
Audrey summoned a stream of water that landed precisely on his hands. Kreacher glanced at her and muttered, "...Thank you."
Then he took the parchment and read it, tears streaming down his face again.
Sirius patiently waited a few minutes before taking the parchment back, carefully folding it again, slipping it back into the locket, and clutching it tightly.
"Thank you, Edward. Otherwise, I might have spent the rest of my life misunderstanding Regulus and holding those prejudices against him."
Edward said earnestly, "A hero like your brother shouldn't be misunderstood or remain unknown. Once things at the Ministry of Magic settle down, Professor Dumbledore will probably apply for an Order of Merlin for him."
Sirius nodded calmly. To him, with the man already dead, such honors meant little-but Regulus would certainly have been happy if he knew.
He turned his gaze back to the pitch-black lake. What concerned him most now was whether they could recover his brother's remains.
Just then, splashing sounds