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English
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Published:
2023-04-06
Completed:
2023-04-09
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6,360
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7/7
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by the time you read this (i will be dead)

Summary:

Dumbledore,
By the time you read this missive, I will likely be dead already.
I ask only one thing of you now: end this, once and for all.
-R.A.B
...
Or, Regulus is a spy for the Order who sacrifices himself to destroy a Horcrux. The night before he leaves, he sends six letters.
These are those letters.

Notes:

Hi!! Before you read, you should know I've changed so many things about canon for this story. I didn't really have a good opportunity for world-building so, if you don't mind, I'm just going to fill you all in here.
In no particular order, here's everything you should know about this world.
-Regulus went with Sirius when he ran away to the Potter house
-Because of this, Regulus became a spy for the Order of the Phoenix instead of being a Death Eater
-Barty Crouch Jr and Evan Rosier became spies along with him. Pandora, James, Sirius, Remus, and a few others are aware of this fact
-Regulus' parents believed Regulus had "come back to the herd" when he joined the Death Eaters. Obviously, they weren't aware that he was a spy
-Regulus is 19 when this story takes place, two years out of Hogwarts. He lives in a flat with James. Remus and Sirius live across the hall, and Barty and Evan live on the floor below them. Pandora lives somewhere else, it's not really important
-As of the beginning of the story, all but one of Voldemort's Horcruxes have been destroyed. The last Horcrux, the one Regulus is hunting, is Slytherin's Locket
-Don't ask where Lily is, I don't know
-Pandora is Evan's cousin, and she's a Ravenclaw. By the beginning of the story, she has married Xenophilius Lovegood
-Barty and Evan are engaged to be married (ik gay marriage wasn't legal at that point, but I like to imagine that wizards have different rules)
Is that it? I think that's it.
Enjoy!

Chapter 1: For Albus Dumbledore

Chapter Text

Dumbledore,

I write to inform you that I have discovered the location of the artifact we have been searching for. It is incredibly well protected, so much so that I fear bringing anyone to recover it would cause excessive loss of life. 

I travel with my house elf, Kreacher, to find and destroy the artifact. Regardless of the success of my mission, expect Kreacher to arrive at headquarters sometime before midday. He will give you a more detailed explanation of what has occurred and, if we succeeded in finding the artifact, he will bring it to you. 

Do not anticipate my return. As previously stated, the artifact is well protected. I do not expect to survive my mission. I’m being taken off of the playing board, so to speak. By the time you read this missive, I will likely be dead already.

I ask only one thing of you now: end this, once and for all.

-R.A.B