Harry Potter and the Secret Horcrux

Chapter Seventeen: The Sleeping Decoy

Mundungus Fletcher was a fool. There were no other words to describe him and as much as Harry wanted to tell him what selling Slytherin's locket back to Borgin might have done, he couldn't.

"You've got to get it back," Cho stated matter-of-factly.

"I can't just get it back," Mundungus replied looking stunned at the mere suggestion.

"It wasn't yours to sell," Cho snapped. "Go to Borgin and tell him you've made a mistake."

"He's already given me the money."

Cho frowned. "Well, you'll just have to give it back to him."

"I don't have it. Err, it's already bin invested," Mundungus revealed.

"How much did he give you for it?" Harry asked although he knew the locket was worth a hefty price to Borgin. He could almost picture the shopkeeper's face when Dung had walked in holding the prize he had lost so many years ago.

Mundungus paused and Harry was sure he battled internally whether he should lie or tell the truth. "He paid a fair price of a thousand Galleons."

"A thousand?" Cho exclaimed with surprise. "Who in their right mind would give a thousand Galleons for a locket, even if it did belong to..."

"I haggled," Mundungus said with a smirk.

The color drained from Harry's face as his mind raced. Was it possible that Voldemort knew Dumbledore had been after his Horcruxes? Was is possible Borgin had bought the locket for Lord Voldemort? Did Borgin even still have the locket? Surely he was planning on selling it and turning a profit if he was willing to pay that price for it.

"Maybe we could have Auror Shacklebolt organize a raid," Cho suggested. "The Ministry has more than enough reason to investigate Borgin."

"No," Harry said quickly. "We don't even know if Borgin still has it; besides it will raise too many questions."

Harry paced for a second as he decided against one idea after another. His first thought was to simply go to Borgin's shop and buy the locket, but he knew he didn't have enough money on hand to purchase it, if Borgin would even sell it to him. Then he thought he could go back to Hogwarts and take the Vanishing Cabinet back to Borgin's shop and... no that idea wouldn't work, either. The Ministry had already seized the Vanishing Cabinet and it was somewhere in the Department of Mysteries. Perhaps he could just go into the shop in Knockturn Alley and start tearing it to pieces with hexes and curses until Borgin gave him the locket.

"Harry," Cho said interrupting his thoughts. "What are your thoughts?"

"I don't know," Harry answered truthfully. "I just have to get that locket back."

Harry finally stood up letting Mundungus rise to his feet. Dung dusted off his robes and gave a long whistle. "Wish I could be of help. Really feel terrible bout this."

Harry stared at Mundungus as if seeing the answer he'd been searching for. He doubted Borgin would ever sell the locket to him and if the Ministry raided the shop he seriously doubted they'd find it. If Harry's suspicions were correct and Voldemort didn't have the locket, Borgin had it put up in a place far from prying eyes.

"You're going to help me," Harry declared as he looked around for Moody's spare Invisibility Cloak. Harry noticed the shimmering material draped across a rock and snatched it up.

"Cho, I think you should go back to the Order and let them know everything is all right," Harry pleaded.

Cho frowned, "If I go back to the Order they are going to demand that I tell them where you are."

"Tell them you don't know," Harry suggested.

Cho shook her head. "Do you honestly put it past Moody not to coax it out of me? No, somebody has to stay here and guard this post because this mission is important too."

"While I'd love to stay around and chat 'bout this," Mundungus said, "I really ought to get back to me duties."

"Your duty is to help me get that locket back," Harry snapped rearing on Mundungus. "You owe it to Sirius."

"I don't owe anybody nuth'in," Mundungus retorted. "Sirius told me I could take anything in Grimmauld Place. He didn't want those trinkets."

"Then you owe it to Dumbledore." Harry held his breath as he decided to change course. He knew it was dangerous bringing up this topic with somebody he didn't trust, but he also could see no other way around the problem. It was common knowledge that Mundungus had respected Dumbledore and was willing to do anything for the late Headmaster.

Mundungus raised his eyebrows. "Dumbledore? I don't see what Dumbledore has to do what that measly locket."

"He gave his life for it," Harry snapped. "Where do you think we were gone off to the night he was murdered? Do you want to know? We were off trying to find that locket."

Cho gasped as Dung's mouth dropped open. "Wha? Why that locket? What's so special 'bout it?"

"That I can't tell you, but if Dumbledore was willing to give his life for it does it really matter?" Harry argued.

Mundungus seemed to consider Harry's plea for a minute before finally taking a deep breath and nodding his head. Harry felt a small wave of relief wash over him as he explained his plan.

"Cho, you're right. Somebody has to stay here and take Dung's place. If anybody shows up looking for me tell them Dung sent an urgent message to the Order saying he had important business he couldn't avoid and needed somebody to cover his shift," Harry began. "Mundungus, we're going to Borgin's shop. I have a decoy locket in my pocket. I need you to distract Borgin and get him to show you where the locket is stashed. When he's not paying attention I'll make the switch."

"I don't know," Mundungus said nervously. "Ya see, me and Borgin ain't exactly on the best of terms at the moment."

"I'll be right there with you if anything happens, like a Death Eater attack," Harry said firmly.

"If you two aren't back within an hour I'm sending for backup," Cho warned.

Harry nodded, "We'll be fine. If anybody shows up here looking for me just stick to the cover story. I can't afford to have the Order bursting in on Borgin when I'm trying to get the locket back."

"Are you ready, Dung?" Harry asked, as if he needed confirmation that Mundungus was with him on the plan.

Mundungus took a deep breath before giving a slimy smile. "Always enjoyed a good adventure."

Cho let out a nervous sound as Harry tossed Moody's Invisibility Cloak over his head. Mundungus popped the collar off his jacket and passed Cho a wink as Harry grasped on to his wrist.

"Don't trust me, aye?"

Harry didn't reply. He took a deep breath as he prepared for the unwelcome sensation of Apparation. He was positive that no matter how many times he Apparated he'd never become accustomed to it. Mundungus and Harry arrived directly into Knockturn Alley, mainly because there was not much left of Diagon Alley to Apparate into.

Harry chanced a glance at Dung. "You remember the plan."

"Shhh, you'll get us caught," Mundungus said in a tone that Harry had never heard him use before.

Harry felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end as Mundungus pushed open the door to the shop and step in, holding the door open discreetly so Harry could sneak in behind him.

"What are you doing here?" the old shopkeeper, Borgin, asked instantly.

"Oy, is that any way to greet a business associate?" Mundungus said in a slick voice.

"Puh, business associate? Those poisonous candles you sold me last week were duds. My customers have high expectations."

Harry thought he saw Mundungus flinch slightly but in the next second he had reclaimed his smooth demeanor.

"You'll forgive me soon, mate."

Borgin gave Mundungus a shifty look. "Get out of my shop and take your worthless junk with you."

"You're break'in me heart," Mundungus said dramatically. "I'm serious now, I have a potential buyer."

"Buyer for what?" Borgin spat.

Mundungus leaned in a little closer. "A buyer for that locket I sold ya."

"That locket isn't for sale."

Mundungus gave a nonchalant shrug. "Oh mate, if you knew what they're will'in to offer for it, it might change your mind."

"I told you to get out of my shop. I don't want your kind here," Borgin said a little more forcefully.

Mundungus laughed. "My kind? And what kind might I be being?"

"Everybody knows you supported Dumbledore. The Dark Lord's followers wouldn't take too kindly to you if they find you here," Borgin said in a threatening voice.

Mundungus smirked. "Ten thousand Galleons."

"Bollocks," Borgin accused.

Mundungus glanced at his pocket watch. "Still want me to leave, mate?"

"Who in their right mind would pay that kind of price for that locket?" Borgin demanded.

Mundungus grinned. "That I can't be tell'in ya. Since I'm help'in orchestrate this deal I want ten percent."

"Why would you think I'd give you ten percent?" Borgin pushed.

"Because, old friend, I'm the only one who knows the buyer and the buyer don't be knowing where the locket is," Mundungus explained. "Of course, I'll need to be see'in it, to make sure you still have it."

Borgin looked as if he might be considering Dung's offer then he narrowed his eyes. "I'm not stupid."

"I ain't gonna steal it," Mundungus said dramatically as he raised his hand like he was making a pledge.

Harry reached into his pocket and felt the decoy locket heavy in the palm of his hand. If Borgin wouldn't show Mundungus the locket Harry's plan would backfire.

"Fine, fine," Mundungus said suddenly interrupting Harry's thoughts. "He's right here. Say 'ello, Mr. Smith."

Harry blinked in surprise as Borgin stared at the spot Dung was pointing to. Harry felt the sudden urge to panic as he picked up a nearby Hand of Glory and waved it. Borgin didn't seem the least bit surprised but instead snatched the Dark item from Harry's invisible grip.

"You'll understand he wants to keep his anonymity and all," Mundungus explained. "It's only ask'in for trouble with the Ministry to be wandering into your shop these days.

"I have it in the back," Borgin said suspiciously as he made a motion to be followed.

Harry stayed close behind Mundungus as they proceeded down a narrow hallway. The room they finally arrived in was no larger than a typical household bathroom and it was covered in an inch of dust.

"First I want to see the money," Borgin demanded.

Mundungus scratched the back of his head before reaching into his pocket and flashing a bag full of a gold colored coin. Borgin stood motionless, as he seemed to make his mind up if this was indeed a legit business proposition.

"You might as well toss any notion you have about stealing this locket. The security charms in place are impossible to break. In fact, I would advise against even touching it."

Harry felt a lump forming in his throat as he tried to concentrate next on what he had to do. He saw Borgin reach up and removed a large glass box from a top shelf. Carefully, Borgin tapped his wand in a peculiar rhythm until the box's lid slid open. The locket looked exactly as Harry remembered it looking in the Pensieve. He could almost visualize Tom Riddle's desperate eyes as he gazed upon it.

Harry felt his heart racing as Borgin started to close the lid. His plan was not going to work. He was not going to able to get close enough to the locket to make the switch. For a split second Harry thought about throwing caution to the wind and flinging off the Invisibility Cloak. The surprise would almost certainly give him the upper hand. Before he could act he heard a large crash behind him and Mundungus held up his hands innocently.

"Sorry 'bout that. I thought they were stacked a bit better."

Borgin froze again as he watched Mundungus start to pick up a few shattered items.

"Get away from those," Borgin snapped as he clicked the glass box shut.

"Away from what?" Mundungus asked as he picked up a cracked vial of potion. "This?"

"That's a sleeping gas you moron!" Borgin ranted.

Mundungus glanced at Harry then tossed the vial down in mock shock. As the bottle hit the tiles Harry saw him wrap his cloak tightly around his mouth and nose and Harry mimicked his actions with the Invisibility Cloak. The vial smashed and a thick red smoke filled the room. Harry dropped to his knees and tried desperately not to breath in the gas. His lungs burned as he forced his eyes to stay shut. When Harry was sure he could hold his breath no longer he felt somebody brush by him and he opened his eyes.

Mundungus was smirking as he drew his wand and began to repeat the peculiar tapping that Borgin had just done moments ago to open the box.

"The old fool," Mundungus said with a cheeky grin. "Still got that locket with ya?"

"Yeah," Harry nodded feeling a bit confused as to what had just happened. "What about the security charms?"

"Bollocks," Mundungus grinned. "Borgin ain't got enough sense to cast anything more than a measly stinging hex."

Mundungus held out his hand. "Well don't just stand there, hand it over."

Harry reached into his pocket and retrieved the locket. He quickly clicked it open and removed the letter from R.A.B before passing it over to Dung.

"It ain't the right weight or shape," Mundungus frowned. "Have to fix that, won't we."

Harry would have never suspected Mundungus Fletcher would have been much good at Transfiguration, but to his surprise he Transfigured the decoy locket to look nearly identical to Slytherin's locket. Mundungus gave the locket a once over and then made a satisfied jerk of the head. He then held the decoy locket directly over Slytherin's locket and tried to get them absolutely balanced. He took two quick breaths and as fast as any seeker, he switched the two lockets. Harry half expected the room to blow up, but the box gave a little shake then settled.

"There you go," Mundungus said lightly as he tossed Slytherin's locket into Harry's grip.

The moment was surreal as he glanced down at the shiny golden locket with an ornate "S" carved into its front side.

"Get a move on it," Mundungus snapped. "That sleeping gas ain't gonna last forever."

Harry felt a bit confused as he watched Mundungus take off his coat and fluff it up into a pillow before giving a wide yawn.

"Gotta make it look real when Borgin here wakes up," Mundungus explained.

Harry tucked Slytherin's locket into his pocket and Apparated with a soft crack. He arrived in the library of Grimmauld Place, half expecting to be bombarded with lectures and questions. To his surprise everything looked quiet. Hermione and Ron where both pacing nervously and Ginny looked like she was trying to read the silver colored book by R.A. Black. He yanked back the Invisibility Cloak causing Ron to nearly fall over and Hermione to give a small yelp.

"Harry," Hermione said breathlessly, looking like she was near the point of tears. "What did you do? We were worried sick."

Harry glanced around the room before pulling out the locket he had tucked in his pocket.

"Bilmey, is that what I think it is?" Ron asked as he peered into Harry's open palm.

Harry nodded, "Who noticed I was missing?"

"The better question is who didn't notice," Ginny stated as she slipped off the floor to take a look at the mysterious locket. "Isn't that the locket we found here while cleaning a couple years ago?"

Harry ignored her question. "Are they out looking for me?"

Hermione shook her head. "We're suppose to act like we don't know anything. Lupin came in looking for Cho Chang when Auror Bagley arrived. I think he suspected you had gone off on your own."

"He picked this book off the floor, turned white and told us not to act like you were missing. If anybody asked we were suppose to play dumb," Ginny finished as she held up the book she had been reading.

Hermione gave Harry a look that clearly indicated that she knew exactly what he had been up to.

"Where was it?" Hermione asked with a curious look.

Harry sighed, remembering the past events of the day. "At Borgin and Burkes."

"In Knockturn Alley?" Ginny asked.

Hermione pursed her lips as she tried to piece things together and Ron smacked his head in disbelief.

"If must have cost a fortune to buy it back," Ron exclaimed.

"Yeah, something like that," Harry grinned. "The important part is we have it now."

"But you don't know how..." Ron began.

"Ron," Harry said warily under his breath before cutting his eyes towards Ginny.

Ginny took a loud breath and spat, "I forgot, I'm not allowed to know what's going on."

"Ginny," Harry called after her as she stormed out of the library.

Hermione took the locket out of Harry's grip and touched the tip of her wand to the precious metal. Her wand grew scarlet in her hand causing her to drop it.

"I would say that's a good sign that it's a Horcrux," Ron said, stating the obvious.

Harry seemed to not hear Ron's response as he debated what his next move should be. He finally conceded and raced out of the room after Ginny.

"Ginny, will you wait," Harry called as he raced down the hallway after her.

Ginny didn't even pause.

"I didn't mean it like that," Harry continued. "Will you let me explain."

"Explain what?" Ginny asked bitterly. "What exactly do you want to explain, Harry? Would you like to explain how you don't want me involved? I know, all right? I get it. I know that you don't want me to be part of this! I know that you have this bullheaded desire to protect me and you think avoiding me is the only way to do it. You don't have to say anything. You don't love me and that's fine. I won't bother you. There is nothing to explain."

Harry felt as if she had slapped him across the face. He stood motionless as he watched the tears trickle down her flared red face. Harry wanted to say something, anything, but he was afraid anything he said would just make things worse.

"I don't want things to be this way between us, Gin," Harry finally said in a low tone. "I don't want this."

Ginny took a deep breath. "Sorry, but this is the way it is. I'll keep pretending that I don't care. I'll keep pretending that it's over for me."

Harry didn't know how to respond and before he had a chance, Ginny had run off and left him stranded in his own thoughts.