Harry Potter-A New Future

I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.

https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon

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Chapter 10: Shadows and Revelations

Dorea Potter sat by Regulus's bedside, her fingers absently smoothing the edge of the blanket. The flickering light from a nearby lamp illuminated the pale face of her nephew. He was so young, barely more than a boy, yet his features bore the lines of someone who had seen too much.

Charlus, still recovering, sat in a chair nearby, his expression grim but watchful. Arcturus stood by the window, his imposing figure silhouetted against the moonlight. They had been waiting for hours, their patience fraying, when Regulus finally stirred.

Dorea leaned forward as his eyelids fluttered open. "Regulus," she whispered, relief flooding her voice.

He blinked, his gray eyes struggling to focus before recognition dawned. "Aunt Dorea?" His voice was hoarse, barely audible.

"Yes, my dear. You're safe now," she said gently, brushing a strand of dark hair from his face.

Regulus's gaze shifted, taking in the room, the concerned faces, and finally settling on Arcturus. He tensed, a flicker of shame crossing his features.

"Uncle Arcturus," he said stiffly.

Arcturus stepped forward, his voice stern but not unkind. "Regulus, what in Merlin's name were you doing? You nearly got yourself killed."

Regulus swallowed hard, his throat dry. "I was... trying to destroy something. Something dark. A Horcrux."

The room fell into stunned silence.

"A Horcrux?" Dorea repeated, her heart sinking at the word.

"Yes," Regulus said, his voice trembling. "It's an object containing a piece of Voldemort's soul. He created them to ensure his immortality."

Charlus leaned forward, his voice grave. "And you thought you could destroy it alone?"

"I didn't have a choice," Regulus said, guilt lacing his tone. "I discovered what it was while serving him. I couldn't turn a blind eye. I couldn't..." His voice broke, and he closed his eyes briefly before continuing. "It was in a cave. He used Inferi to guard it. I barely made it out alive."

Dorea reached for his hand, her own trembling. "You're lucky to be alive, Regulus. If not for that young wizard—"

"The one with the green eyes," Regulus interrupted, his voice gaining strength. "He saved me, didn't he?"

"Yes," Dorea confirmed. "He brought you here."

Regulus's gaze turned inward, his expression conflicted. "He knew things... things about the cave and the traps. I don't understand how, but he's no ordinary wizard."

Arcturus's eyes narrowed. "That much is clear. But you have much to answer for, Regulus. This obsession of yours has endangered not only yourself but the family."

"I wasn't trying to endanger anyone," Regulus said, his voice filled with quiet defiance. "I was trying to make amends."

Dorea squeezed his hand. "Rest now, Regulus. We'll figure this out together."

Regulus nodded weakly, exhaustion pulling him back into unconsciousness.

As silence fell over the room, Dorea exchanged a glance with Arcturus and Charlus. They all knew that Regulus's revelations were only the beginning of a larger battle.

Elsewhere: Unmasking Betrayal

At the Potter family home, Sirius paced the living room, his frustration evident in every sharp movement. James, Lily, and Remus sat around the table, pouring over maps and notes, trying to make sense of Peter's sudden disappearance.

"This doesn't make any bloody sense," Sirius growled. "Peter wouldn't just vanish without a word. Something's wrong."

"Maybe he was taken," Lily suggested, her voice calm but tinged with worry. "The Death Eaters—"

"No," Sirius interrupted. "If they'd taken him, they'd have made a spectacle of it. This is something else."

Remus frowned, his brow furrowed. "You don't think he's hurt, do you? Or—"

Sirius held up a hand. "I'm going to find out."

He stormed out of the room, heading for Peter's small flat in London.

Peter's flat was dark and eerily quiet when Sirius arrived. The faint smell of damp and stale air greeted him as he stepped inside. He lit his wand, his sharp gray eyes scanning the room.

It didn't take long to notice the scattered papers on Peter's desk. They were written in Peter's untidy scrawl, and some bore the unmistakable mark of secrecy charms hastily removed.

Sirius's blood ran cold as he read the notes. Names of Order members. Meeting times and locations. Strategies.

"He's been spying," Sirius whispered, his voice shaking with rage. "For him."

His wand hand trembled as he continued searching the flat, finding more evidence of Peter's betrayal: correspondence in code, maps marked with key locations, and a hidden stash of galleons likely paid by the Death Eaters.

Sirius's mind raced, his fury building with each discovery. "That rat. That bloody cowardly rat."

He Apparated back to the Potter home, his face grim as he slammed the door behind him.

"What is it?" James asked, rising from his chair.

"Peter's a traitor," Sirius spat, throwing the incriminating papers onto the table.

The room fell silent as the others absorbed the gravity of his words.

"He's been feeding information to the Death Eaters," Sirius continued, his voice tight with controlled rage. "He's the spy. He's the reason we've been losing ground."

Lily's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. Remus looked pale, his expression a mixture of disbelief and betrayal.

James clenched his fists, his jaw tight. "If this is true..."

"It is," Sirius said firmly. "And we need to stop him before he does any more damage."

The group sat in heavy silence, the weight of betrayal pressing down on them. As they began to discuss their next steps, the shadows outside seemed to grow darker, and the storm of war loomed ever closer.