Sirius had always detested his family's so-called Pure-blood ideology, his parents' overbearing control and their various insane ideas, and the Black Family's supposed ancient treasures—all manner of evil, vicious, and inhumane Dark Magic.
His parents had always tried to instill the contents of these books from the basement into his mind. Regulus wasn't even allowed to touch them normally, but when Sirius was a child, his mother Walburga treated those books as his children's literature. When he misbehaved as an adult, he was often locked down there for "reflection."
The Blacks probably hoped that, through long years of exposure, he would transform into the proper Black they envisioned.
But Sirius's defiance and rebelliousness were innate. The more his family forced him to accept their old customs and bad habits, the more unbearable he found it. The more they compelled him to study something, the less he even wanted to glance at it.
Ultimately, Sirius resolutely ran away from home at sixteen, completely abandoning the Black Family.
Years later, when he finally brought himself to open Secrets of Advanced Dark Arts, he realized what he had missed.
Horcruxes.
The method of making such things, their function, and the various signs once they were made—it had all been recorded in the Black Family's library.
Regulus was different from Sirius; he was a good child. After Sirius ran away, he must have diligently studied the contents of the basement at his parents' request, right?
He learned about Horcruxes from there… Later, when he explored that cave because of Kreacher's experience, he discovered that the Locket Voldemort had hidden was a Horcrux… He resolutely chose to sacrifice himself, ultimately dragged into the dark lake by Inferi.
Sirius felt a little dizzy. He steadied himself against a bookshelf, looking at his godson.
Harry looked very much like James, with only his eyes being almost identical to Lily's, even their gaze—clear and bright, brave and sincere, like a pool of emerald-green water.
Sirius recalled the words in the book—
A Horcrux can make its creator immortal. Even if the body is destroyed, the soul will continue to exist due to the Horcrux, because a part of the soul remains in the world, undamaged. The creator can achieve resurrection through corresponding magical rituals.
The magic for creating a Horcrux is extremely evil and dangerous… The Wizard needs to actively tear their soul through murder and embed a part of it into an object, its Spell being…
Splitting the soul makes it extremely unstable, so the number of Horcruxes should not be too many… But it should be noted that if a Horcrux is destroyed, the soul fragment sealed within it will also be destroyed…
In the margins of the book, someone had handwritten a small supplementary note—
If a living creature is used as a Horcrux, a special connection will exist between the Horcrux and its creator… The creator can transfer their consciousness into the Horcrux, controlling its actions and perceiving its thoughts and emotions.
It's quite marvelous, as if it's an extension of myself. Compared to my aging body, this one is younger, healthier, more vibrant… Aside from it just being a snake, everything else is perfect.
Perhaps, back then, I should have chosen a child as the vessel for my soul, so that I might have been reborn through him…
My only concern is, if the creature serving as the Horcrux dies due to old age or attack, will my soul fragment be destroyed along with it?
If the answer is "yes," then choosing a creature as a Horcrux would be too unwise. Compared to magical items that are easy to hide and protect, most creatures are too fragile…
Sirius's eyes were faintly bloodshot, the familiar letters seeming to transform into grinning little figures, dancing wildly around him, occasionally forming a string of crimson words:
Special connection… perceive its thoughts… achieve rebirth…
Although Sirius had known about Horcruxes after his trip to the cave, his understanding of them had only been superficial, limited to what Dumbledore was willing to tell them.
If only he had seen this book earlier… if only he had remembered earlier…
Sirius's fingers trembled uncontrollably, thinking of what he had told Dumbledore earlier. He wished he could travel back two days and throw his muddled past self right off the stairs!
"Sirius?"
Feeling the gaze from above his head growing sharper, Harry couldn't help but tilt his head back, reaching up to touch the scar on his forehead. "What is it? Do I have something on my head?"
Everyone in the room looked at Harry, then at Sirius.
"Nothing." Sirius took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "I'm just worried you'll touch things you shouldn't… the basement has some dangerous Dark Magic items. Wade, did you find the books you needed?"
"Yes, I found a few useful ones and copied them all," Wade said with a smile. "I think I might need to head back soon. I have to get a gift ready before visiting Mr. Flamel."
"Alright, then let's go." Sirius said, feigning lightness. "Honestly, I hate this place… I was often locked up here as a child."
The group ascended the stairs. As Lupin passed Sirius, he leaned in and quietly asked, "Worried about Harry's safety?"
For a moment, Sirius thought Lupin had read his mind.
Then he realized Lupin was referring to Voldemort targeting Harry again. He mumbled, "Yeah… We didn't protect James and Lily well enough before, and I'm really afraid this time too…"
"You're putting too much pressure on yourself, Sirius." Lupin patted his friend's shoulder, comforting him. "Last time, we trusted the wrong person. This time, we won't make the same mistake, no matter what."
Sirius lowered his eyes and whispered, "I hope so."
Lupin didn't think much of it and followed the two children out of the basement.
Behind him, Sirius raised his eyes, his dark gaze fixed on the backs of the others in front.
He wasn't sure if his conjecture was correct… Harry might not be Voldemort's Horcrux. He could see through Voldemort's eyes; perhaps the failed killing Spell created some unique connection between them…
No!
Sirius couldn't fool himself.
If he had to choose between protecting Harry and killing Voldemort… if, for the safety of the Wizarding World, all Horcruxes had to be destroyed…
There must be another way… there must be another solution… Harry couldn't have been a deliberately created Horcrux. Perhaps there was a way to transfer the soul fragment…
Think about it… hadn't Voldemort existed as a disembodied spirit for over a decade before? Harry was living well, and Voldemort couldn't harm anyone, even living a life worse than death…
Sirius's eyes flickered, cold and dangerous, like a venomous snake hidden in the shadows, or a fierce beast baring its fangs.
Kreacher took one look, then fearfully lowered its head, yet its heart swelled with a faint excitement.
It squeezed its tiny fist tightly, muttering silently, "Master, Mistress, look! Young Master is finally becoming somewhat presentable!"
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