Black Rose [Regulus Black]

32 - unplanned attacks & concealed moles

"Obviously, the next best step would be to visit Morfin Gaunt," Regulus murmured, his finger tracing said man's name on the dusty family tree of the Slytherin family.

Alessandra frowned. "Wouldn't it be better to visit Hestia Snyde? She looks... more likely to have the locket."

"If you mean she looks less mad, then yes. But, the Snydes are only barely related to the Slytherins - they don't hold any of Salazar's abilities, Parseltongues included." Reg hesitated before saying next, "Also... because Morfin is his uncle, he'd be more likely to know more, you know..."

She knew. She still didn't like it.

She supposed it was because of what she would have to hear about her... father. God, it was still so difficult to believe that her father was that reptilian-looking creature that went around killing people simply because he felt like it.

She wanted to know what he was like as a child and what drove him to do such horrific things. But, she was also scared of knowing. What if it was a genetic thing?

Reg sighed and wrapped an arm around her. "I know you don't want to, and I don't want this for you either. But, it's our only option. We don't have much information to go off of yet, and I'd rather this war be over soon."

She nodded, biting her lip. "What if it's a genetic thing though?"

"I told you, it's the Dark rituals he performed continuously that made him like that, not the genetics. I think you're fine."

"It's not that. What if the madness is inherent? Morfin doesn't look very... sane," she gestured at the picture of the man in the book, where he was leering at a snake pinned to the wall in the background. "And we know how... his nephew turned out."

And, that's how I may turn out. Lovely.

"It's worth a try."

"What if he goes berserk and tries to kill us?"

"He can't," Reg reassured her. "He's in Azkaban."

"He's in what?" Sandra asked.

"Azkaban. Wizarding prison."

While it did reassure her about her safety, it made her even more concerned as to what the man could've done to end up in prison. It was probably genetic.

"Stop," Reg said. "I know what you're doing. Don't overthink it. It won't help you at all."

"I'm not."

"Yes, you are. Your mind's jumping to the worst possible conclusions."

She opened her mouth to deny it, and shut it, knowing he was right. It didn't ease her nerves though. "All of the possibilities are bad, Regulus. What if-"

"Stop. There will be no what-ifs. I can't guarantee you everything will be alright and our plans will be as smooth as a goblin's tongue, but constantly worrying about it won't do much except hurt you. Think about something else.

"Goblin's tongue?" she echoed.

His cheeks pinked a little. "It's a saying. Goblins are known for their smooth tongues - their ability to deceive, to spin the situation in their favour. There's a reason they're in charge of Gringotts."

"The bank?"

His lips curved up slightly, and the tiny movement made her forget her worries temporarily. "Yes, the bank. Anyways, Morfin's in Azkaban because of some incident with a Muggle apparently, one of my friends in the Auror Department told me."

"So, how will we get in contact with him?"

Reg smiled grimly. "We break in."

She blinked. "We break into prison? Isn't there another option? Can't you convince your friend to let you go there and keep the visit under wraps?"