53. A favor owed.

Ryan made his way through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, his steps silent against the stone floor. It was late, and most students had already retired to their dormitories, but he had an important meeting to attend. He reached the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's office and knocked lightly.

"Come in," came a familiar voice, tinged with curiosity.

Ryan pushed open the door and found Sirius Black lounging behind his desk, his feet propped up, a mischievous grin playing on his face. A bottle of firewhisky sat unopened on the desk beside a stack of old parchment, and the faint smell of parchment and leather filled the room.

Sirius raised an eyebrow as Ryan stepped inside. "What can I help you with, Ryan?"

Ryan closed the door behind him, activating a small silencing charm with a flick of his fingers before taking the offered chair. He leaned back, studying Sirius for a moment before speaking. "I'm the one who sent the letter to Dumbledore."

Sirius, who had been reaching for the firewhisky, paused mid-motion, his sharp gray eyes snapping toward Ryan. His usual laid-back demeanor faltered for just a second before he gave a short chuckle. "Well… that certainly explains a few things. And here I was, thinking Dumbledore had suddenly developed a talent for investigative work." He leaned forward, his grin widening. "How did you know?"

Instead of answering immediately, Ryan reached into his robes and pulled out a very familiar piece of enchanted parchment. "The Marauder's Map."

Sirius blinked in surprise before his expression melted into one of pure delight. "Well, I'll be damned. You've got our old map!" He whistled in appreciation. "Where'd you get it?"

Ryan smirked slightly. "A gift from a girlfriend."

Sirius chuckled, shaking his head. "Lucky bastard." Then his grin faded slightly. "So, you used it to find out about my… situation?"

Ryan nodded. "I used it to confirm the presence of a certain unregistered Animagus hanging around Gryffindor Tower."

Sirius snorted. "Smart kid. I owe you one, then. Name your favor."

Ryan nodded, as if expecting that response. "I need you to summon Kreacher."

The casual ease in Sirius's expression stiffened. His jaw clenched slightly, but he covered it well with a dry laugh. "Now that… is a name I didn't expect to hear. How do you know about Kreacher?"

Ryan met his gaze evenly. "I know a lot of things. Are you going to call him or not?"

Sirius studied Ryan for a long moment, searching for some hidden motive. In the end, he let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair. "Fine. But if this is some kind of elaborate prank, I'm making you scrub cauldrons for the rest of the year."

With a lazy flick of his hand, Sirius called out in a sharp voice, "Kreacher!"

A loud crack echoed through the room as the ancient, hunched-over house-elf appeared, his bat-like ears twitching in irritation. His bloodshot eyes landed on Sirius with the usual loathing. "Master summons Kreacher… what does filthy blood-traitor—"

"Shut it," Sirius snapped, rolling his eyes. "Just do what you're told for once." He turned to Ryan. "Well? What now?"

Ryan's gaze darkened slightly as he issued his command. "Tell him to bring you the locket."

Sirius frowned but did as requested. "Kreacher, bring me the locket. Now."

Kreacher froze in place, his small body trembling violently as he tried to resist the direct order. His thin fingers twitched, and for a moment, Ryan thought the elf might try to fight it. But in the end, the ancient magic binding him forced him to obey.

With a hateful glare at both of them, Kreacher let out a guttural noise before vanishing with a crack.

Sirius turned to Ryan, his eyes sharp. "Alright, kid. You've got some explaining to do. What's so special about this locket?"

Ryan didn't answer immediately, simply waiting as another crack signaled Kreacher's return. In the elf's gnarled fingers was a heavy silver locket, its ornate surface gleaming under the candlelight.

Ryan reached out and plucked it from Kreacher's grasp, turning it over to examine the familiar serpentine engraving. His lips curled slightly.

"Let's just say… it's a family heirloom," he murmured.

Sirius narrowed his eyes at Ryan's response but didn't press. Instead, he exhaled loudly and waved Kreacher away. "Go rot somewhere else."

The house-elf shot one last hateful look at his master before disappearing.

Sirius drummed his fingers on the desk. "Alright, you've got your favor. But I get the feeling this locket's more than it seems. Just promise me you're not getting involved in something too dangerous."

Ryan smirked, slipping the locket into his pocket. "I'll be fine."

Sirius groaned, running a hand through his messy hair. "Merlin help me, you remind me too much of James." Then, shaking his head, he gave Ryan a lopsided grin. "Well, since you're here, fancy a drink? Kidding! Kidding! Don't hex me."

Ryan chuckled as he stood. "Thanks, Sirius. I'll see you in class."

With that, he turned and left the office, leaving Sirius staring at the door, his curiosity far from satisfied.

---

As Ryan left Sirius's office, he took a moment to glance at the locket in his hand, its surface gleaming under the dim torchlight. Without hesitation, he flicked his wrist, opening a portal beside him. The locket sailed effortlessly inside, joining the diary and the diadem. He smirked slightly.

"Three down," he muttered before continuing down the corridor.

Back in Sirius's office, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor leaned back in his chair, his brows furrowed in deep thought. Ryan had come to him with an unusual request, and though he had played along, there were too many unanswered questions.

He tapped his fingers against the desk before making a decision. "Kreacher," he called.

A loud crack echoed through the room, and the miserable old house-elf appeared, his bat-like ears twitching in irritation. "Master summons Kreacher… what does the blood-traitor want now?"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Cut the attitude and answer my question. Where did you get that locket?"

Kreacher stiffened, his wrinkled hands shaking slightly. "Master should not ask Kreacher such things…"

Sirius's expression darkened. "Answer me, Kreacher. That's an order."

The elf let out a pitiful whimper, his body shuddering as the magic of the order forced him to obey. "Master Regulus…" he croaked. "Master Regulus took Kreacher to a cave… a terrible place, filled with the dead… made Kreacher drink a cruel potion…" His voice cracked, but he pushed on. "Master Regulus took the Dark Lord's locket… and ordered Kreacher to leave. To take the locket away and never speak of it…"

Sirius's breath caught. His younger brother. The one he had dismissed as a lost cause. The one he had assumed had died following Voldemort like the rest of their twisted family.

But Regulus had turned against the Dark Lord.

And it had cost him his life.

Kreacher let out a heartbroken sniffle. "Master Regulus did not leave… he stayed behind… and Kreacher could not save him…"

For once, Sirius had nothing sarcastic to say. His throat tightened, his usual smirk long gone.

Regulus had died trying to destroy something of Voldemort's. He had died trying to do the right thing.

Sirius let out a slow breath before speaking, his voice quieter than before. "You kept the locket safe all these years?"

Kreacher gave a miserable nod. "Kreacher tried to destroy it, but it would not break…"

Sirius closed his eyes briefly before looking back at the elf. "You did good, Kreacher," he said, surprising even himself with the words.

Kreacher flinched as if struck, staring up at him with wide, disbelieving eyes. But Sirius didn't take it back.

"Go back to Grimmauld Place," Sirius ordered, though his tone lacked its usual harshness. "I'll call you when I need you."

Kreacher hesitated for the briefest moment before vanishing with a crack.

Sirius leaned back in his chair, exhaling heavily. He had always thought Regulus had been weak. But now, he wasn't so sure.

And as he stared at the empty space where the locket had been, he found himself wondering just how much Ryan already knew and what the hell was that locket?

He took a large gulp of the fire whiskey and thought about what to do next.