"With the storage space completely isolated, storing the Horcrux inside means Voldemort can't use it to resurrect himself—it's as good as destroying it!
But this… has its pros and cons!
If I store all the other Horcruxes in the storage space and leave only Harry outside, then if Voldemort's main soul dies out there, he'll definitely resurrect through Harry. That would only harm Harry.
If I put Harry into the storage space as well, kill Voldemort's main soul while he has no Horcruxes left, and then take Harry and the Horcruxes out…
No, that's too risky. Most likely, Voldemort would resurrect the moment the Horcruxes are taken out. It's a temporary fix, not a permanent solution!"
After storing the items, Dudley stood in his bedroom, deep in thought.
After some consideration, he realized that if he didn't put Harry into the personal storage space for safety, every additional Horcrux he stored would increase the chance of Voldemort resurrecting through Harry's scar if he died.
"Damn Voldemort! Once I get my hands on the diary Horcrux, I'll have a friendly chat with your younger self!"
Dudley cursed inwardly, now more eager than ever to complete the first phase of the newly unlocked SS-level regret event and obtain the overwhelmingly powerful Conceptualized Spell Enhancement opportunity.
With his foresight and Dumbledore's early intervention, it wouldn't be long before they collected all three lost relics.
But how could they remove Voldemort's soul fragments without damaging the relics?
In the original story, all the methods involved violent destruction.
Stabbing with a basilisk fang, slashing with the Gryffindor sword enchanted with basilisk venom, using Fiendfyre, or transferring the Killing Curse's damage under the protection of a love-based protective charm.
Which of these methods could be adapted?
Dudley pondered for a while, gradually forming a few vague ideas.
He decided not to dwell on it any longer and left the bedroom, heading downstairs.
Seeing his parents enthusiastically discussing spells with Harry and Hagrid, a smile spread across his face.
Dudley called his cousin over and asked Harry to hand over his holly wand.
Without hesitation, Harry handed it over.
Dudley took the wand with his right hand, reached out with his left, and plucked a thin, translucent white thread from the wand—the Trace placed by the Ministry of Magic.
With a sharp flick, Dudley dispersed the Trace into nothingness.
Then, he channeled his magic to create four new red Traces, which he infused into Harry, his parents, and Hagrid.
"These are Traces I've created. They'll let me sense your locations at any time, in case something unexpected happens and I need to find you," Dudley explained. "Be careful not to destroy them with magic, though you probably won't even notice them."
The Trace was inherently subtle, and only powerful wizards could detect or remove it.
Dudley had made the Traces red and visible to emphasize their importance. If he wanted to be stealthy, he could have made them completely transparent.
After explaining the Traces' purpose, no one objected—not even Hagrid. After a moment of curiosity, everyone returned to their intense spell discussions.
Dudley's earlier words had clearly made an impact. The Dursleys were studying magic with great seriousness.
Hagrid was also learning diligently, as their teacher during this time was none other than Dumbledore, whom he deeply admired.
Notably, Vernon hadn't resigned from Grunnings Drills but had taken a full month's leave to focus on his studies.
With Voldemort weakened and most of his loyal Death Eaters dead, the danger to the Dursleys was relatively low.
Coupled with the four layers of protection—the safe house, protective cloaks, house-elves, and their own magic—the Dursleys could maintain their normal lives without going into complete seclusion.
Time flew by as everyone immersed themselves in their studies.
Before they knew it, the sky began to darken.
It was now the evening of August 13th.
Dumbledore returned, looking weary but triumphant.
Dudley waved his hand, sending a cup of sweet tea over to the old wizard to quench his thirst and catch his breath.
Dumbledore downed the tea in one gulp, letting out a satisfied sigh. Since forming the alliance with Dudley, he had been running at full capacity like a tightly wound antique machine.
It hadn't been easy!
"Alright, now that you've had your tea, report! Did you get the items? Did you keep an eye on the target?"
Dudley urged, his concern for the SS-level regret event and Voldemort evident.
Dumbledore wiped his mouth with his sleeve and shot Dudley a look before pulling two items from his pocket.
One was a silver locket with an octagonal frame, its transparent glass pane depicting a snake.
The other was a worn, yellowed notebook, tightly bound by a glowing magical chain.
"Your prediction was correct, Dudley! The Slytherin locket was indeed in the Black family's ancestral home.
At first, the house-elf Kreacher refused to hand it over or reveal the story behind the Horcrux. It was only after Sirius, as his master, forced him that he finally spoke.
According to Kreacher, Sirius's younger brother, Regulus Black—a Death Eater—had a change of heart. He discovered the cave where Voldemort had hidden the locket Horcrux and, at the cost of his own life, retrieved it from Voldemort's measures.
As a result, Regulus's body remains in that cave to this day!"
Dumbledore recounted the story with a mix of awe and sorrow.
"Dumbledore, now you see? Regulus is the true example of someone who turned away from darkness without expecting anything in return, purely out of conscience. He's a real hero who redeemed himself.
Compared to him, that Snape you value so much is nothing but trash!"
Dudley gave his heartfelt assessment. "Let's find time to visit that cave and retrieve Regulus's remains. A hero shouldn't rest in a dark, damp cave!"
"I agree!"
Dumbledore quickly replied, deciding it was best to steer the conversation away from Snape. "I know the location and background of that cave. When I went to Wool's Orphanage to bring Voldemort to Hogwarts, the staff told me he had lured two orphan children into a seaside cave—the same one where he hid the Horcrux.
Additionally, considering Voldemort's arrogance, pride, and madness, I believe he likely hid some Horcruxes in places of personal significance to him.
Like this seaside cave, or perhaps Hogwarts or the Gaunt family's ancestral home…"