Surprising Visitor

November 1994

Unknown Location

After stepping inside the cave, Harry walked towards the blackish lake. The lake, as Harry knew from Voldemort's memories was filled with a breed of creatures called inferi. These were dark creatures, created by Voldemort from the dead bodies of the people he had murdered.

The horcrux was at a small rocky island in the centre of the lake. Harry walked near the shore and gazed towards the centre of the lake. The lake seemed endless and other than the reflection of the white sphere of light nothing was visible in the lake.

Harry pointed the death stick and muttered, "Accio boat." A loud clanging metallic sound was produced and moments later a boat tied to an iron chain appeared at the shore.

Harry stepped on the boat and the boat magically stirred towards the centre of the lake. During the journey, Harry could see the floating bodies of the inferi which would get into action as soon as they would sense his presence or remove the horcrux from its position. The use of such a foul magic on dead corpses disgusted Harry to his core. He sighed as a means to control his disgust and frustration.

Minutes later, a small rocky island came in his view. The boat reached the shore of the island and Harry stepped down. At the centre of the island was a small white pillar made of marble. At the top of the pillar, it was carved into a bowl shaped which was filled with some strange liquid.

This was a true piece of Voldemort's masterclass in magic. The liquid did not allow any thing to pass through it or even touch its surface. A liquid which could neither be vanished, transformed or any charm applied on it. The only way to remove the liquid and reach the horcrux was to drink it. It was almost certain that the person drinking would be sure to die but not before they would have to live through their worst memories.

The only other way to bypass this was to overwhelm the protection setup by pure magical force. And wizards and witches who could overwhelm, Voldemort's protection through sheer power could be counted on one finger. Himself and Albus Dumbledore. And Harry was certain that if it came to the point that Dumbledore had to retrieve the horcrux then he would choose to drink the liquid. Although the old coot had a good chance to survive this thing, it would definitely make his life miserable even for a short period of time.

Shaking his head to get out of his inner musing, Harry stepped near the white pillar and pointed his wand towards the liquid.

A jet of light left his wand and soon the air above the surface started to get compressed. Soon the air took a shape of small cyclone of the size of a fist, in a shape of drill and it moved towards the liquid.

The liquid forced the drill away from its surface but Harry continued pouring tremendous amount of magic into his spell. Soon the drill pressed forward, splitting the liquid from its centre all the way to the other end.

Harry put his other spare hand in the gap and moments retrieved a locket out of the liquid. He stooped his spell and the liquid returned to his normal state.

Harry observed the liquid and a frown appeared on his face as the locket was not his original locket. He did not take long enough to guess who was the person responsible for removing the locket as only other person other than him knew its location. Regulas Black.

The point being where was the locket now? Though he was not sure, he could guess a few locations.

Whether in annoyance or in intrigue, Haryy applied pressure on the locket and two of its vertical layer split apart revealing a piece of white paper.

Harry unfolded the paper and a smile formed on his face on reading the content of the letter.

The content read:

To the Dark Lord, I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your math, you will be mortal once more.

 -R.A.B

It seemed that a member of the Black family was redeemed before his death. Harry also wondered if Regulus was successful in destroying the horcrux.

Even if he was successful, unless Harry himself sees the destroyed locket, he would continue searching for the locket.

He turned back towards the boat and sighed in annoyance at the wasted time.

He stepped on the boat when there was a movement inside the lake.

Few hands of inferi, tried to catch Harry's feet with the intention of drowning him in the lake.

With the intention of permanently destroying these foul creatures, Harry raised his wand and pointed towards the lake.

Harry was about to fire of a 'fienfyre' when a hooting sound over his shoulder drew his attention.

Harry looked up only to find Hedwig looking towards him.

"Hedwig," muttered Harry in surprise to which the owl turned her head as if she was angry at Harry.

Harry sighed, "I will bring you next time," to which the owl further turned her head away.

Harry softened his voice, "Sorry… please… I did not forget about you… I have just been busy…"

Hedwig took few moments to respond but ultimately hooted happily and next moment she flew towards the lake. Her entire body got covered in lighting and in no time the entire lake was bombarded by dozens of lightning bolts blowing the inferi to smithereens.

Hedwig flew back and perched herself on Harry's shoulder.

"How did you know I was surrounded by these?" Asked harry though he himself was aware.

Hedwig hooted with a proud look in her eyes and Harry said, "You sensed foul magic near me with the connection."

"You sure are an intelligent bird," added Harry further.

Hedwig again hooted to which Harry sighed, "I know you can carry me anywhere even if it is laced with wards… I told you, I did not forget about you."

Hedwig gave a loud hoot and the pair of the bird and the wizard disappeared in flash of lightning to complete the remaining two objectives of the night.

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