Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 92: Diadem Destroyed
---Dudley POV---
"Kreacher," said Dudley, holding up the Ravenclaw Diadem carefully in both hands. The silver circlet glimmered faintly in the dim light, a trace of sinister magic clinging to it. "This is the second Horcrux that we need to destroy."
Kreacher eyes widened, his wrinkled hands twitching slightly as if he wanted to back away from the object. "Master has… more?" he croaked, his voice laced with both fear and awe.
"Yes," Dudley replied firmly. "You've done your part, Kreacher. You destroyed the Slytherin Locket, Horcrux, and you did it bravely. Now, it's my turn. Let me do my part."
The house-elf puffed his chest a little, though his voice still trembled. "Yes, Master must also destroy the… the wankey lord Horcrux."
"Wankey?" Dudley blinked, confused for a moment.
Kreacher gave a quick bow, his ears flapping. "Kreacher meant the Dark Lord, Master. Wasn't it you who always used nicknames for him? So Kreacher thought… Kreacher should also follow the same tradition."
Dudley burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! You've learned well, Kreacher. Moldyshorts won't like it, but I certainly do." His grin faded as he lowered the diadem to the floor. "Now, you didn't see clearly how the first Horcrux was destroyed, but this time… watch closely. I want you to understand it."
"Yes, Master," said Kreacher, his eyes widen zooming at the Diadem.
Dudley closed his eyes and muttered to himself, Game Mode: on. His breathing slowed. The world around him seemed sharper, quieter, as though his emotions had been muted. The chaotic whispers of fear and hesitation were silenced, leaving only focus.
He could sense and see the foul magic emanating from the diadem, probing at his mind, trying to crawl into him. But in this state, it was useless because his Gamer's Mind blocked it all.
He crouched down, tightening his grip on the basilisk fang. Its sharp tip gleamed on seeking for a prey.
Kreacher held his breath. Though he had faced horrors before, now seeing the master looking serious at Diadem make him realise the danger that he had faced before.
And then it happened. The dark magic stirred violently, like a storm breaking loose. It lashed out, not at Dudley, but at Kreacher, sensing weakness in the house-elf's heart.
But Dudley was faster.
Zraaap!
The fang pierced through the metal, and the diadem let out a terrible shriek. A sound like human agony echoed through the room, high-pitched and it looks like someone being tortured, the dark Magic inside is being torn apart.
A shadowy figure materialized, a man writhing in pain, his face distorted and screaming. His body seemed to disintegrate before their eyes, shreds of darkness burning away until finally it vanished completely.
Both of them fell silent, Dudley exhaled slowly and turned off his Gamer Mind. His eyes met Kreacher wide, fearful gaze. Then, softly, he said, "We did it. Two Horcruxes destroyed in a single day. That leaves four."
Kreacher lips stretched into a trembling smile. "Master… Master Regulus sacrifice was not in vain. At last, it was worthwhile." Tears welled in his eyes, though this time they were tears of relief rather than sorrow.
"Yes," Dudley said, returning the smile. "We did it."
Kreacher straightened, his small frame trembling with pride. "Master, do you… do you know where the other Horcruxes are hidden?"
"Yes," Dudley replied with confidence. "I know all of them. But I can't do it alone. I'll need your help to gather them."
Kreacher pounded his tiny fist against his chest. "Master, I will do my best. As long as Kreacher breathes, Kreacher will help destroy every last Horcrux of the wankey lord."
Dudley's expression grew serious. "Then listen carefully. Do you remember Bellatrix Lestrange?"
Kreacher's face twisted in distaste. "Kreacher remembers. She is mad. She is cruel. Last Kreacher knew, she was in Azkaban prison."
"No." Dudley shook his head grimly. "She's no longer in prison. The 'wankey lord' broke her out from Azkaban and she is free now."
Kreacher gasped, clutching at his chest. "Really? Then… then it is dangerous indeed."
"You really need to read the newspapers more often, Kreacher," Dudley said with a sigh, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone. "If I didn't tell you, you'd have no idea the Death Eaters had escaped."
"Y-yes, Master," Kreacher muttered, ashamed.
"One of the Horcruxes is in Gringotts, hidden deep inside the Lestrange Vault," Dudley continued. "It's Hufflepuff's Cup."
Kreacher tilted his head, considering. "Master wishes Kreacher to retrieve it?"
"Can you do it?" Dudley asked.
The elf hesitated, his face scrunching into deep thought. At last, he said, "It is… nearly impossible. But Kreacher has a way. Only a true member of the House of Black can claim what lies within lestrange vault, Madam Lestrange'… she was born of the black house, By blood, the vault could still be accessed by Master Black."
Dudley's eyes lit up. "I see… So Sirius could claim it."
Kreacher nodded his head. "If Master Sirius agrees, then yes. We can request to the goblin about the matter of inheritance, furthermore it has proven that the owner of the vault would no longer have access to the vault."
"Perfect," said Dudley. "Then I'll need to speak with Sirius. This may be our only chance to retrieve the Cup before Wankey Lord show himself to the public."
"Yes, Master," said Kreacher with a smile.
Before Dudley could say anything more, he suddenly remembered what he had read in the books, when Harry hunted the cup, it had alerted Voldemort.
"Wait a moment, Kreacher. I think we should leave the cup where it is. What we need to do is hunt the most dangerous Horcrux," said Dudley.
"The most dangerous?" asked Kreacher.
"Yes. The Dark Lord kept a ring in his old home. It is so dangerous that it could kill anyone who tries to break through the protections," said Dudley.
He recalled that Dumbledore had died because of the ring.
"Very well, Master. Kreacher is willing to sacrifice his life for it," said the elf.
"And another one is the snake, always slithering behind that wretched lord," added Sirius.
Author Notes - To read advanced chapter you can go to my patreon.
Chapter 120: Friend Reaction
Chapter 121: Hero Returned
Chapter 122: New Ministry Of Magic
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