The town of Little Hangleton was asleep when Blackheart appeared on a lonely country road. He'd purposely stayed far from where Dumbledore appeared, but close enough that he could track the wizard as he blended into the shadows. Only a few lights flickered in windows in the main part of the town, but Blackheart wasn't headed there. On a hillside not far outside of town, Dumbledore was moving toward a rundown, abandoned house that seemed mostly caved in. Blackheart scanned the horizon, seeing a large, black house looming in the trees, and the outlines of a shadowy graveyard.

Blackheart shivered, not from the cold, but from the sinister feeling of the place. Whatever this place was, there was dark magic at work.

Dumbledore disappeared inside the house, which was really more of a shack, Blackheart thought. He crept closer, making sure to hide himself. A low glow shone through the broken window panes and he watched as the aged wizard searched for whatever it was he was looking for. Blackheart fought the urge to simply ask. For now, he was supposed to just be observing, at least that's what he'd promised Sirius when Dobby had reported the upcoming adventure the Headmaster was planning.

"You may as well come in and help me."

Blackheart froze, his pounding heart climbing into his throat. He waited half a minute, measuring the risks, before stepping into the house. Dumbledore seemed to pay him no heed and didn't even turn to look at him.

"Impressive spell work," Dumbledore said. "Not many could place a tracking spell on my movements and have it reach so far."

"You knew?"

Dumbledore's eyes sparkled in the darkness. "Not at first, I admit. It took me until I was entering the house to feel it."

Blackheart thought about that and then shrugged it away. He'd followed wizards before in the same way without them ever detecting the spell, but Dumbledore was no ordinary wizard.

"Are you planning to help?"

"Do you need it?"

"Not really."

"Then why ask?"

"Why follow me?"

"Call it curiosity. You've been rather busy lately, with spies in various places looking into curious things. I thought I would see for myself what you might be up to."

"Is that all?"

"Call it that for now."

"You are an extraordinary wizard, Mr…."

"Call me Blackheart."

Dumbledore thought on that for a moment before nodding and turning back to his task. "We are searching for-"

"A horcrux," Blackheart said, "or so I assumed."

The Headmaster seemed to flinch and peered at Blackheart. "So, it was you."

Blackheart slid his wand out of his pocket and began sweeping for magical signatures. A sharp, but quick pain shot to his fingertips as he passed over one section of floorboards that Dumbledore had already walked over.

"I believe this might be the place."

"How did you-" But rather than continue, Dumbledore just shook his head. "Stand back. There will be dark spells protecting it."

"I can take care of those, also," Blackheart said confidently.

"Do not be so bold. This dark magic-"

"Does not take into account my magic." He vanished the section of floor, revealing a golden glowing bundle. There were several signatures of dark magic and Blackheart shook his head as he worked to remove them. He felt brushes of something pushing at his mind, visions of his dead family coming to his mind, if only briefly.

Dumbledore looked at him once more, watching with intense, piercing eyes. "Indeed."

Sweat ran down the back of Blackhearts neck as he worked. This horcrux was different than the other two.

"How did you discover the others?"

Blackheart's arm shook as he worked to remove the magic protecting the object. "Dumb luck on the locket," he admitted. "The cup...was a discovery while I worked on another issue."

"Then you are the one from the rumors."

He looked up at the Headmaster, wondering. There had always been rumors surrounding his work and who he really was, if he even existed.

"Perhaps."

They fell silent. Just as the dark magic fell away, Blackheart felt a strong brush of something in his mind, a longing that was so deep, so poignant that he knew he had to have the item. He lifted the cloth covering it and saw a ring there on the floor. Before he could reach out for it, however, Dumbledore's fingers closed around it.

"Don't-"

In an instant, a flash of light shone and Dumbledore fell to the ground, arching against the magic. The ring was slipped onto the tip of his finger.

Blackheart cursed and cast a spell, sealing a bubble around the hand and the horcrux. "Stupid fool."

Dumbledore panted as he lay on the floor. "Yes. I suppose that I am." Slowly, he sat up, looking at his hand encased in the spell. Through it, they could both see the tip of his finger turning dark, the skin going grey.

"How did you know?"

"I felt it."

"I could not resist. The idea of seeing them again-"

Blackheart nodded. "A devilish bit of spellwork, that."

Dumbledore only nodded and took a moment to compose himself. "The spell will continue. It will kill me."

"No. My magic has stopped it. Any cursebreaker worth his magic will be able to remove it and stop the spread. You may lose the finger, or possibly the hand, but you will not die."

"Tell me who you are."

"I have already said-"

"Who you really are."

"I am many people."

"You will not tell me."

"Not right now."

The Headmaster seemed to think about that for a moment before shaking his head. "You are not underage."

"No."

"Then how did-"

"You will be alright to get back to the castle?"

"Indeed."

"I can send a cursebreaker to you, if needed."

"I believe that I may-"

"Your potions master will not be enough. Not if you wish to save your life." Blackheart stood and brushed dust away from his robes. He summoned his wand, which had been knocked away from him in the scuffle. "I will send someone. He owes me a favor. It may be an hour or so before he arrives."

Dumbledore shook his head slowly, but stood, careful not to disturb the bubble. "This will hold that long."

"Indefinitely."

"You are an impressive, wizard, Mr. Blackheart. I hope we will meet again."

Blackheart snapped his fingers and produced a thin card. "If you need help, use this spell. Don't do something so foolish on your own again."

Dumbledore let out a low laugh. "You're the third to call me a fool tonight, you know."

"Twice wasn't enough?" He shook his head, exhaustion creeping in. He felt like he could sleep for three days.

"Apparently not."

Blackheart nodded and turned to go. Just before he left the house, he paused. "How many more?"

Dumbledore sighed. "Two more now." There was a hesitation in his voice and Blackheart knew there was more than he wasn't saying, but tonight wasn't the time for another confrontation. Instead, he nodded and apparated to London.

Just before collapsing into his bed, he sent Arell to find Bill Weasley with a summons to Hogwarts Castle.

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"You wouldn't want to tell me what happened, would you?"

Dumbledore looked up at Bill Weasley, caught by those clear blue eyes, and blinked. "I would not."

Bill had successfully removed the bubble charm-something they'd both been marveling over for some time while he worked-and had just finished removing the dark curse, leaving only a faint grey tinge to the top part of the Headmaster's left ring finger. They were both sweating, hearts racing.

"It's not often I work with magic like this," Bill mused, his fang earring dangling. Severus stood in the corner, a goblet of something that steamed and hissed in his hand. Professor McGonagall had been coming and going, tsking and shaking her head each time she entered with supplies that either Severus or Bill needed. She'd even called for a plate of sandwiches to appear. They sat on the corner of the desk, untouched, even though Bill eyed them occasionally.

Dumbledore was not in the mood for their judgements or speculation about what he'd been through and escaped. His mind hadn't stopped reeling since returning from the Gaunt house.

What was the curse used?

Was the ring destroyed forever?

Ariana…

Who was this 'Blackheart'?

Why was he always turning up when Albus least expected him?

What had he done for Bill Weasley that the cursebreaker would drop everything he was doing and depart immediately for Hogwarts?

The ring…

Ariana…

So many thoughts clouded his mind that he longed for peace and quiet to remove his Pensieve and sort through them.

"You're lucky I was in England," Bill said as he leaned on the desk and finally snatched a sandwich, taking a large bite. "If I'd been on the continent…"

"Yes, lucky indeed," Severus said as he stepped forward, eyed the Headmaster's hand, and the offered the potion.

"It was lucky that Mr. Blackheart knew where to find you."

Bill's eyebrows compressed and his forehead creased. "Oh, you mean Phoenix. Yes, he and I...well, we've been through a few scrapes. I owed him one. Several, if I'm honest."

Dumbledore nodded and sipped at the potion, trying not to make a face. Severus seemed to always leave out anything that would take the aftertaste of the worst potions away. He said additives for taste always compromised the integrity of his potions, but Albus wouldn't mind a Pepper Imp now and again.

"What does this person look like?"

Bill scowled as he thought about it. "He's...well...I'd say he's rather…"

"Hard to describe," Dumbledore supplied. He had not gotten a good look at the man, but there were mannerisms that stuck out in his mind, even if the features were rather vague. He had the impression that some sort of memory charm was usually performed by Blackheart, as anyone who spoke of him did so in very small detail.

"Another coincidence," Severus said, although his tone was full of sarcasm. "We still know nothing of this individual. He could be working for the Dark Lord."

Bill snorted and shook his head. "Not the Phoenix. He's solid, through and through."

"He has served us in very valuable ways lately, Severus," said Dumbledore. He warned Snape mentally not to say too much more. The Potions Professor took a deep breath and crossed his arms over his chest.

"You can trust him," said Bill as he took another sandwich and began gathering up this things. "If you've no further need for me, Headmaster."

"You are free to go, Bill. And thank you. I do not need to ask you to keep this quiet-"

"Not at all," said Bill with a smile. "I know my place, sir. And I'd never say anything to betray the Phoenix, either. He's...well, let's just say that some of the scrapes we've gotten out of together have built a healthy respect in my mind for his skill with magic. He's not the type of wizard you want to cross." Bill gave a sort of half-salute to Dumbledore, and a nod in Snape's direction before leaving the office.

Dumbledore stared down at his grey hand. It looked better now that the potions Severus had forced him to drink were taking effect. The coldness of the night seeped into his skin, making him shiver. He'd come so close tonight to losing everything.

"Again!" Severus hissed as he paced back and forth across the office. "Again, this wizard thwarts us."

"Try not to take it so personally, Severus," Dumbledore said, his lips lifting in a faint smile. "I highly doubt he's doing this just to spite you."

Snape glared at the old man and finally sank down into his favorite chair, in a dark corner of the room. "And you still have no idea-"

"I have a new suspicion," Dumbledore admitted. The idea had been churning in his head all night and had only settled as the light of the sun rose, bringing a golden hew to his office. "I need to send you on a mission, Severus."

"Headmaster," the man said calmly, "you know that I would go to the ends of the earth if you asked."

"And that is just what may be required, Severus," Dumbledore said with a sigh. "I need you to find Remus Lupin."

Distaste shown quickly on Severus' face before he schooled his features. "I do not relish the title of Dog Catcher, Albus."

"Remus has never done anything to knowingly harm you."

"Still-"

"A prank gone wrong, decades ago. When, Severus, do you plan to grow up?"

Snape opened his mouth to respond, but Dumbledore overrode him. "We are fighting the same war. If what I suspect is true, then you will owe Remus Lupin your life, Severus."

"You cannot be serious."

"Oh, but I am, my dear Professor. At any rate, I believe that the sooner you have found Remus Lupin and brought him here to Hogwarts, the sooner we will have answers."

"Why not find Sirius Black while I'm at it?" Snape sneered.

"Fine idea. Add that to your list to accomplish."

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His mouth felt full of cotton and his eyes like sandpaper when he finally awoke. He blinked away the shadows and peered at the golden light in the room, judging it to be mid-afternoon. He'd been so exhausted when he'd returned from Little Hangleton that he'd collapsed on his bed, not bothering to undress at all. His travel cloak still smelled like smoke and charred flesh. He sniffed at it, and then tugged it off, tossing it to the floor.

Every muscle and joint ached and he stretched, hating that there were so many pops and creaks. Twenty years old, and sometimes he felt decades older.

He toed off his boots and swung his legs over the side of the bed, yawning and scratching as he tried to remember all that had happened. After emptying his pockets, he shuffled in stocking-clad feet down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Wondered if you were going to sleep forever."

Sirius sat on a chair that was magically balanced on two legs, his bare feet resting on the kitchen table. If Dobby were here… Blackheart smirked at the thought.

"How long was I asleep?"

Sirius lowered the old Daily Prophet he'd been reading and glanced at him. "Almost two days."

"Two…?!" Blackheart groaned and flopped onto the long bench that sat opposite his godfather. Two days. No doubt he'd lost his job by now, and…. Ginny! Oh, Ginny. What would she think?

"You've had an owl."

"I'm not taking a case right now."

"No. An owl." Sirius tilted his head to the side. Blackheart glanced over to Arell's perch and saw his owl there, watching another owl, edging slightly away from the rust-colored ball of feathers that rocked side to side on the far end of the perch. He didn't recognize it at all.

"Who would…"

"Well, I can say that a few of my questions now have answers."

Sirius snapped his fingers and then scowled when nothing happened. He did it again, staring at his fingertips. Nothing happened.

"Damned elf magic." He reached into his robes and produced a folded piece of parchment. "Don't know how you make it look so easy."

Blackheart snatched the letter and growled at Sirius. "You read my mail?"

"You've been lying to me."

He wanted to snap back, but there wasn't much he could say. He had been lying, of sorts. Instead, he opened the letter, his eyes scanning the small handwriting.

Harry,

I'm not sure what's happened to you. Morgan was furious when you didn't show up for work. I told him you were deathly ill. You'd better be deathly ill! He was mollified for the time being.

I wish you'd contact me.

If you've changed your mind about the date...well, I won't say anything more. Just...please let me know you're alive.

Ginny

"Ginny Weasley, I'm assuming?"

"Don't."

"What?"

"Just...don't."

"I think it's good that you're dating. I just question-"

"Fairly sure this falls under the 'don't' category."

Sirius just laughed and pushed back from the table. He pulled a couple of owl treats from a container on the counter and tossed them in the direction of the perch. Both owls snatched them from mid-air.

"Timing, Blackheart, timing."

"Again, don't."

Sirius held up his hands in surrender. "I take it the mission-not the find-a-girlfriend-mission-but the other one, turned out well?"

Blackheart growled and folded Ginny's letter after reading it once more. "Well enough. He was after another horcrux. And one of the Hallows. Riddle used the stone. It was in a ring."

"Destroyed?"

"Yes." Blackheart rubbed his eyes. "But not without cost. Dumbledore nearly lost his hand, and might've lost his life."

"The old fool."

"I called him that."

"Good."

"I had to call in a favor to save him."

"What sort of favor?"

"Cursebreaker."

"Weasley?"

"He is the best."

Sirius hummed and then shook his head when Blackheart peered at him. A smile played on his lips and Blackheart knew that a smart remark about Ginny was likely just about to explode out of his mouth.

"I need to respond back. I think she just saved my job."

"Don't you already have enough jobs?"

"You'd think."

Blackheart shuffled out after motioning to Ginny's owl. The tiny owl gave an excited hoot and took off from the perch, landing on Blackheart's shoulder, chattering away at him.

"Grovel, my young Blackheart. Grovel."

"How would you know?"

SIrius' eyebrow raised slowly. "Your mother was a formidable witch. James spent many days and nights grovelling to get back into her good graces. I learned from watching him."

"Grovel?"

"Like your life depends upon it."