𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐎𝐍 | Regulus Black x Reader

XII. The Crystal Cave

The rocky ventricle of the cliff side was far less exciting than the seaside, but there was something beguiling about the dim green shine and wet black rocks of the cave. Harry was careful to maintain steady footing as you all hiked through the damp cave, soon finding a rounded dead end.

Before you can question Dumbledore, he whips out a small knife from his robes, spinning on his heel to face you both. A small pang of panic shoots through your body before you realize that your headmaster was cutting his hand and not attempting to maul you both with the ornamental paring knife.

Tilting your head, you search the man's calm expression for an answer, "Sir?" Your voice trails off as he swipes his bloodied hand against the rocks beside him.

The man turns to you both with an undisturbed smile, "To gain passage, a payment must be made. Payment intended to weaken the intruder."

You mask your bewilderment and simply shoot a fleeting glance at Harry, who did not even attempt to suppress his bafflement.

As the blood seeps into the crevices of the rocks, the stone wall begins to flake and crumble. Stepping back as the rocks fall towards your feet, you feel your mouth drop open at the newly revealed sight of opaque crystals. The new cave pocket was alight with a dull gleam, displaying a likeness to a troll-size geode.

"Voldemort never did skimp with such extravagances." You muse, ignoring the unimpressed eyebrow raise Harry shoots towards you.

As you all clamber over the seemingly endless hills of jagged crystals, you decide to reach out to Regulus, no longer able to ignore the persistent blaring of the hundreds of magical signatures around you.

'Reg, there are countless different magical signatures in here.'

'I think I might know what this place is.' Regulus' words are hushed, clearly deep in thought as he tries to untangle the foggy web of memories that Sirius unlocked.

Darting your eyes around the darkness, you nearly slip as your concentration splinters into a dozen different directions.

'You do? How?'

'The ocean. My human-self was immersed in research on some place called the Crystal Cave. Something about the beach and a hidden horcrux. Since you're all searching for his horcrux, I can only assume my research was right.'

Before you can coax Regulus for more answers, you stop behind Harry as Dumbledore peers across the vast darkness of the water. It seemed as though there was nothing left to explore, the eerily calm body of water expanding far into the void.

Closing your eyes, you zone out of the conversation between Dumbledore and Harry, focusing on the overwhelming amount of magical signatures around you that seemed to be screaming for your attention.

There was something familiar about the magic, it was almost like the magic around Regulus' portrait except more potent with a tinge of something you couldn't quite comprehend. Before you have time to contemplate these findings, you open your eyes as you feel a tug on your sleeve.

Meeting Harry's concerned eyes, you realize that Dumbledore had somehow managed to summon a small canoe from the waters and now both men were patiently waiting for you to collect yourself.

"Sorry." You whisper, gesturing for Harry to get inside before you. Dumbledore simply assesses you with a thoughtful look before turning to face the dark waters as you shakily step into the canoe.

The journey across the waters is surprisingly serene, and you had half the mind to be cautious of enemies hidden in the darkness around you. It was troubling that you all hadn't stumbled across any serpentine puzzles or tremendous creatures.