"I've said all along that wizards would pay for how they treat house-elves."
-- Hermione Granger
Harry explores more of Grimmauld Place, finding a letter from his mother in Sirius Black’s bedroom, then discovering that Sirius’ brother Regulus was the mysterious R.A.B. of the false locket. Hermione remembers seeing the real locket two summers before. Harry calls Kreacher the house-elf, and Kreacher reveals that while he took the locket, it was then stolen from him by Mundungus Fletcher. He explains how it came into Regulus’ possession. 
Harry then asks Kreacher to find Mundungus and bring him to Grimmauld Place, and wins Kreacher’s loyalty by giving him the false locket for his own.
Calendar and Dates
The day after the previous chapter, so it is 2 August.
Interesting facts and notes
Kreacher nicked loads of things back from us
Yes, Kreacher certainly did (OP6). They discovered a lot of these when Hermione went to put a Christmas present inside Kreacher's cupboard in Grimmauld Place (OP23).
The locket that Kreacher rescued had belonged to
Salazar Slytherin, used by Lord Voldemort and saved by Sirius Black's brother Regulus.
Voldemort needed an elf?
I wouldn't have given Lord Voldemort credit for thinking outside the box like this. And as it turns out, he didn't - he just wanted a house-elf as a disposable test subject inside the sea cave.
"Of course, Voldemort would have considered the ways of house-elves far beneath his notice, just like all the purebloods who treat them like animals...It would never have occurred to him that they might have magic he didn't."
That sounds like Lord Voldemort, all right.
And he drank - all the potion -
I respect Regulus Black for that. He could have made Kreacher drink it instead of doing it himself, but he didn't.
Exceptional character moments
Hermione's analysis of Kreacher.
Regulus's change of allegiance because of the way Voldemort treated Kreacher.
Kreacher's devotion to Regulus.
Memorable lines
"What's up? If it's a massive spider, I want breakfast before I -"
It was a pompous little sign, the sort of thing that Percy Weasley might have stuck on his bedroom door
"Ron! I've found him!" Ron's annoyed voice echoed distantly from several floors below. "Good! Tell him from me he's a git!"
Words and phrases
Commentary
From the Web
Writing by J K Rowling on WizardingWorld (Pottermore): Inferi
MuggleNet:
- Magic and Elves - Part 2: The Hidden Potential
- MuggleCast Episode 128: Questionable Questions (Chapter 10 of Deathly Hallows)
- The Living Dead: Why Regulus Black Faked his Death
- Sirius vs. Regulus: Who was Really the Better Black?
Harry Potter Wiki:
DwellingOnDreams blog: Severus and Regulus and Their Paths to Redemption
WizardingWorld (Pottermore) features:
Pensieve (Comments)
Tags: arrogance bitter black blood dark emerald family gold gratitude green letters locket news prejudice protection scarlet security silver sports stolen team textbooks traitor wills
When I first read Order of the Phoenix, I was so shocked that Kreacher would betray Sirius and send him to his death. It seemed like he represented hatred and prejudice. Then I read Deathly Hallows and I saw him revealed to be a kind of tragic figure. He is almost killed by Voldemort and then watches his favourite master die. He has lived for years not being able to tell anyone about Regulus's last act. It turns out that Hermione was right as usual; Kreacher should have been treated with kindness. His ill treatment by Sirius was the reason he went to Bellatrix. After Kreacher returns with Mundungus, he proves that he can be a kind, obliging house-elf. He can even learn to accept a Muggle-born witch. Kreacher's storyline is a lesson in the need for kindness and the need for equality. One should never underestimate the abilities of others or the power of kindness. -- C.M.
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