It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 11

"He was dragged into the lake in that cave and drowned by 'Inferi', after he drank the poison from the basin, wasn't he?"

There were gasps all around the room as the group watched, spellbound.

"WHAT!?!?!"  Sirius exploded.  "Drowned! And you didn't do anything to save him?" he yelled, as he made a grab at Kreacher.   But Dan was too fast for him, pulling Kreacher into his arms and out of Sirius' reach, as Remus and Tom each caught one of Sirius' arms and pulled him back.

"Kreacher was ordered by Regulus to leave, Sirius.  There wasn't anything he could do.  Your brother went into that cave to switch lockets and leave Voldemort a message in place of one of his Horcruxes."

"That locket is a Horcrux?!?!"  Mad-eye asked, stumping forward.  "Where is it?  Where?"  He was questioning Kreacher, but his magical blue eye was checking around the house.  "There it is, in that cupboard, down in the kitchen."

"NO! It is Kreacher's job to destroy it!  Master Regulus ordered Kreacher.  Kreacher has tried, for many years, but he cannot.  Kreacher is ashamed he cannot do what his Master ordered him to do."  The ancient elf collapsed into tears in Dan's lap.

"But that's why we're here, Kreacher, to destroy that locket and avenge your Master." Dan told him softly.  Sirius started to say something, but Dan held up his hand and shook his head.  "And we know you've gone to talk to Bella and Narcissa, Kreacher."

Kreacher jumped up, looking frantic.  "How is you knowing where Kreacher is going.  Missy Bella and Missy Cissa is of the Black family.  I is just . . . but Master  . . . Master told Kreacher to get out . . . I is just doing what Master says . . . the locket, Master's locket . . . it be downstairs . . .  Kreacher is not knowing what to think . . . Muggles knowing about Master Regulus and how him is dying . . . but locket must be destroyed . . . but Kreacher can't." He sat down and buried his face in his hands muttering and rocking back and forth.

"Are you certain about the locket, Dan?" Dumbledore asked.

"Oh yeah! That locket causes a whole lot of trouble before it's finally destroyed by Ron, about this time of year, two years from now!" 

"Then I say we get rid of it as soon as we can," Ron jumped up. "How'd I do it?  I'll destroy it again."

"With Godric Gryffindor's sword, in the Forest of Dean."  Emma replied.  "When you come back to rejoin Harry and Hermione, who are hiding from the Snatchers."

"With the sword of . . . where?  . . . what are Snatchers.?"

"We have got to get started on these movies!" Tom said, as he walked over and picked up 'Order of the Phoenix' DVD box.  "It'll explain it all lot quicker than we can."

"As soon as Draco gets here, Tom.  We need both Narcissa and Draco before we can go any further." Rupert reminded him.

"I hope Dobby isn't having any trouble,"  Emma said softly.  "Draco has a mind of his own."

"Are we talking about the same Draco Malfoy?"  Hermione asked.  "He hasn't had an original thought in his head in all the time I've known him; just spouts what his father tells him."

"Actually, he's really smart, funny and very nice,"  Emma informed her.

"You're joking, right?"  Hermione said, looking surprised.

"Well, it is 2012 when I meet him; he's thirty-two, not fifteen and he's obviously grown up, matured and changed.  I rather liked him."

"And this is 1995 and he's a git!" Ron laughed.  "Just wait until he gets here, you'll see."