A Key in the Kitchens

[blaqlives]

Discussion of the editorial A Key in the Kitchens by LadyTory.

Very good editorial... I totally agree with you

[Dragonite]

A well writen editorial, and one that I support and agree with! It does make sense, doesn't it? I had never considered that Kreacher helped before, I just thought that Regulus died soon after retreiving the Horcrux, but your theory is very good!
One other possibility, though, is that you could put your hand in the potion and get the Horcrux if you had the Dark Mark. That would make sense because if Voldemort decided he needed to move his soul, he wouldn't have to drink the potion to do so.

[Tonkscat724]

Wow, I would have never thought of that. Brilliant! Totally makes sense! Awesome editorial!!

[SerafinaSnape]

Great idea! I think Kreacher is a very possible accomplice in all this, he would not have been able to refuse orders from Regulus so he could have either drank the potion himself or been ordered to make Regulus drink it. I'm sure the locket is probably somewhere in his den, waiting for Harry to find it.

[ddl]

Brilliant! It must be Kreacher! It all fits together. And no doubt Kreacher (and Dobby) will continue to be a big help with destroying the remaining Horcruxes. What with Harry refusing to tell even McGonagall about the Horcruxes, he's going to need all the help he can get...

Just two minor nits to pick:

1) I doubt that Regulus found out about the Horcrux's location through Voldemort's egotistical ramblings (unless Regulus was eavesdropping on a conversation not intended for his ears), because RAB's note says that he "discovered" Voldemort's "secret".

2) Snape must have defected (or appeared to defect) from the Death Eaters before, and not after, Lily and James died. In GOF, Dumbledore-in-the-Pensieve says, "I have given evidence already on this matter. Severus Snape was indeed a Death Eater. However, he rejoined our side before Lord Voldemort's downfall..." (ch. 30, "The Pensieve", pp. 590-1 in the U.S. edition). Since Lily's and James' deaths were basically simultaneous with Voldemort's downfall, he must have defected before then, i.e., between the time of delivering the prophecy to Voldemort and the time of Voldemort's actual attack on the Potters.

Nits aside, this is a great editorial. Thank you. It hadn't even occurred to me that Kreacher must have gone with RAB, but surely you are right!

[Vilis Dommara]

...or an unfortunate Muggle at hand? Force-feed him the potion then drop him in the lake for a one more Inferius...
We're talking about Voldemort's and Death Eaters' doings! And yes, Kreacher fits to requirements, he was treated like vermin all his life. Dunno though whether R.A.B. had to replenish that evil potion. Maybe the basin refills itself?

[krish]

A very good editorial, and seems very possible, but there is one little thing that hasn't been considered, in my opinion: What if the person/being that helped Regulas didn't make it out alive?? There are a lot of "inferi's" in the lake, one of them could have helped Reguals.

But apart from that, it's a great editoral.

[griffonfaerie]

This is certainly a good theory. Afterall, Kreacher was only just inherited by Harry. He must play a bigger role after that than just tailing Draco. He could lead Harry right to the locket. Can't wait for book 7!!

[kood]

Another JKR foreshadow. He may seem annoying/evil, but look what he goes through.
And all this time, he was under Harry's nose. He is indeed the key to many doors.
Maybe to the locked door in the Ministry of Magic.

I know the house-elf has to obey its master regardless, but what if Harry demands answers to promises Kreacher made with his previous master(s)? Will he be able to reveal it --because that's an order from his current master-- or not --because that was a vow he swore to his previous master.

When Harry told him to follow Malfoy, he paused for a second to find a loophole. He's so sly...
And from that I knew there was something fishy about Kreacher.

[cenzonico]

Good reason to off Kreacher too!

[kaydle50]

That was excellent and it all makes sense. I believe in Book 5 there was a locket Sirius found that no one could open at that time. Who better than Kreacher to guard su ch an important item.

[sorrows]

I, too, think that Regulus had Kreacher help him retrieve the horcrux and replace it with the empty locket. Here's how I think it went down (which is in most respects, identical to the author's version):

Regulus overhears clues to Voldy's secret and figures out where the horcrux is and how to retrieve it.

He inlists Kreacher to go with him. Once they make it to the island, he orders Kreacher to make him (Regulus) drink the potion and then replace the horcrux with the fake horcrux, the note, and more of the same potion. Once he has the horcrux, Kreacher is to take it back to 12 Grimmald Place and never breathe a word about it to anyone but Sirius or his heir. (Or something like that with enough loop holes to where Kreacher can't reveal the locket to anyone with pureblood supremecy leanings but he will be able to tell the tale to Harry when The One asks.)

Kreacher and Regulus (or maybe just Kreacher) make it out of the cave. Regulus dies soon after from the potion, sacrificing himself for the good of wizardkind.

[yorkshirelass]

Nice one, I had just come to the same conclusion last night in bed! Although I thought that most likely Kreacher actually drank the potion - it might be part of what made him so completely batty, or what's poisonous for a human might not be poisonous for a house-elf and as you said Regulus might have been able to brew up an antidote in any case. (Although, when DD said that the potion could not be made to change its form in any way, possibly that included the Specialis Revelio spell?)

Great editorial!

This is a well thought out theory. It could indeed be correct, assuming, of course, that R.A.B. is indeed Regulas Black and since noone has produced another likely candidate we can take this as being so.

I had also thought of the possibility the "Dung" may have stolen the locket but I think it unlikely. Who would buy a locket that couldn't be opened?

Mundungus' nickname does now seem very appropriate though, doesn't it?

[nymphadorafan]

Great editorial. I agree that it was Kreacher. He would do anything for his real master.

Originally Posted by kood

I know the house-elf has to obey its master regardless, but what if Harry demands answers to promises Kreacher made with his previous master(s)? Will he be able to reveal it --because that's an order from his current master-- or not --because that was a vow he swore to his previous master.

This could be a problem.I think that when your master dies you are not bind whit his orders but I don't know if that goes for a vow. Either way if Kreacher was the one with Regulus he won't be happy to share that with Harry.

[rotes_haar]

I do believe you have very plausible theories as to how Regulus may have accomplished the main stuff, and all I have to say is...

YES!

I had the thought that Kreacher would have been his potion drinker as well. He wouldn't register as an adult wizard, thereby leaving the Inferi dormant, and it would explain the permanent damage done to his hairy little brain.


Thank you for the well-written editorial.

[mel_hp_fan]

excellent editorial i was thinking that there is moer to RAB than meets the eye but i couldn't quite pinpoint it well done i totally agree with your theory
one other thing though when you said that there were 2 people - which i agree with 100% - what if RAB means R AND B??just a thought

[stebu]

Originally Posted by mel_hp_fan

one other thing though when you said that there were 2 people - which i agree with 100% - what if RAB means R AND B??just a thought

I don't think so. The note says "I" over and over again..."I know I will...I want you to know...it was I who" etc.

But I think you've just got to the heart of it. If another wizard had gone to the cave with R.A.B., why not say "we"? So, yeah, Kreacher seems a logical choice.

That was really good i think you are completly rightbut since harry is now kreachers master if he asked kreacher would he be aloud to say?