At the request of Passerby, I am begining a new thread for inquires about the identity of RAB. I have updated my summaries to reflect the most recent thread. That thread will shortly be archived and this one pinned. If would like me to add anything to the summaries, don't hesitate to PM me and let me know.

In the summaries, I have two categories. First, I have detailed explanations of some of the major suggestions and theories. Following that, I have a masterlist where all the suggestions I could find are listed. Have a read-through and see if any of the suggestions sparks your interest.

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First, I would like to thank El Barto, Albus Dumbledore, El Verte Veritas, 62442al_Man and hp6 for helping me write this.

Ok, many of us are wondering about the identity of the mysterious R.A.B. at the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Well, before we start, perhaps we should look again at what the note said:



When we read this, several questions about RAB come to mind:

Who was/were RAB?
How did he/she/they find out about Voldemort's horcrux? (see this thread)
Did someone help him/her/them get the horcrux, and if so, who?

Let's see if we can answer some of these.

Popular RAB suggestions
The following are some of the more popular suggestions for the identity of RAB. Each has a reason for it and a reason against it.

Regulus Black
For: by savingharry
Regulus Black is the current fan favorite for RAB. As a death eater, it is possible that he might have found out about the horcruxes and the location of one of them. Though some may find this questionable, Regulus as RAB is still the most popular theory because there are numerous facts that support it. First, the name fits, and there are two “A” family names, Arcturus and Alphard, (as well as several other names that are related astronomically) that could be his middle name. Steve Ark from HP Lexicon reportedly posted information in the Lexicon for a time about Regulus’s middle name being “Arcturus” before the Black Family Tree (where the name “Arcturus” was revealed) was released, and still adamantly claims the information was “from Jo” (through a reliable source). A Portuguese translator made a similar claim. Secondly Regulus was a death eater, and RAB called Voldemort by the death eater name of “Dark Lord.” Thirdly, Regulus was killed for backing out of Voldemort’s service, and RAB said that he/she would be dead before the note was found, meaning retubution for the theft of the locket was not the reason RAB expected to be dead. Fourthly, the “B” in RAB is changed in several foreign-language editions of HBP to match the first letter of “Black” in that language (Regulus Zwarts and RAZ in the Dutch and Regulus Svaart and RAS in the Norwegian). Finally, JK Rowling herself has said that Regulus would be “a fine guess” for RAB, stating that “clever readers” should be able to figure out the mystery at the end book 6, as well as one of the horcruxes.

A couple theories related to this: First, some theorize that Kreacher could have been ordered to assist Regulus, answering the question of how he got past the potion. Second, there is a related theory about the locket in #12 Grimmauld Place (see the 7 Horcrux thread for more info).

Against: by hp6 and savingharry
It is very easy to fit Regulus and RAB together when we know so very little about him. All we know is his name, (which may not have an A initial), and that he was a death eater. Also from what Sirius has told us, it doesn’t seem that he was an expert wizard. If Dumbledore needed Harry to get the horcrux, and still had a hard time getting to the horcrux, how could a seventeen-year-old boy? Even if he took Kreacher, as some believe, how could he have sensed the boat as Dumbledore did, or known about the blood sacrifice? Regulus did not have enough experience to be able to steal the horcrux. How did he even know of horcruxes, or the cave, or known to bring a locket? How did he know so much of Voldemort’s past, when it took Dumbledore so many years to unravel the mystery? Regulus is easy to fit to RAB, but that is only because we know so little about him. In fact, it seems that he is too easy. Rowling is known for her complicated plots, and we’ve figured it out already? It could also be that the “B” in RAB is a code containing the word “Black,” which would answer the question of the letter “B.”

For discussion on how Regulus could or could not have known about the horcrux, see this thread.

Aberforth Dumbledore
For: by 62442al_Man and savingharry
First, let us look at the names of the two Dumbledore brothers, as far as canon points to. Albus’s name is Albus Perival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. You will notice that Albus has three middle names (Percival Wulfric Brian or PWB). Aberforth could have three middle names, too (RAB). That would make him ARABD, just as Albus is APWBD. The note indicates a need for identification (“it was I who discovered your secret”). This would be explained by Aberforth constantly being in his brother’s shadow. The note could either be addressed to Albus or to Voldemort. This would explain the issue of the “inappropriate charms on a goat,” as it would mean that Aberforth could have been attempting to retrieve a beazor. The assumption would be that Aberforth would have used the beazor to get past the potion in the cave. All signs and indications point to Aberforth being the barman at the Hog’s Head (whom Albus says he is “friendly with”), and he seems to be the type of little-mentioned character that will have importance in a later book. We know that Aberforth was in the order, and it has been suggested that he is Rowling’s “favorite order member” that we have yet to meet.

Against: by savingharry
There are many complaints against this popular RAB suggestion. The first is that Albus constantly jokes about Aberforth being none-too-bright (comments about him not being able to read, etc.). Of course, Albus could simply have been joking. A second complaint is that the “B” name in Aberforth would, for all rights and purposes, need to be “Black” to fit into the way that RAB is translated into other languages. Thirdly, the issue of Albus being the intended recipient seems unlikely, because the note should have been addressed to him. If Voldemort was truly the intended recipient, then wouldn’t Aberforth used the initials “ARABD” not “RAB”? Suggestions that the letters “A” and “D” were hidden or worn off seem too convenient. Finally, it could be that Aberforth will be important to the plot in some other way. Perhaps Aberforth is the one that has the locket now, having bought it from Mundungus (see the 7 horcruxes thread for more info).

Voldemort
For: by savingharry
The concept behind this theory is that Voldemort himself created the cave as a deception, or at least the locket. The suggestion is that Voldemort used this as a ruse to capture or confuse anyone who attempted to get the locket. The locket could either be somewhere else entirely, or be around the neck of the inferi that jumped when Harry summoned the horcrux (or somewhere else in the cave). Harry would then need to return to the cave to retrieve the locket. This would answer the question of where RAB got the locket from.

Against: by savingharry
The problem with this theory is four-fold. First, what would be the point, from a story-telling perspective? Why have Harry return to the cave? Furthermore, why give Harry another hidden horcrux to find? He already has two horcruxes that are possibly magically hidden (the cup and the object of Gryffindor’s or Ravenclaw’s). No need for a third hidden item. All it would do would complicate what Harry had to do, and would mean that Voldemort would be aware of Harry’s intent (if it was a “trap,” the Voldemort would need to have some way to know that the horcrux was taken). Secondly, if it was truly a trap, then why were Harry and Dumbledore able to leave? Shouldn’t there have been a better magical barrier than inferi for such a plan to be profitable? Thirdly, would Voldemort really conceive of such a plan? Dumbledore tells us that Voldemort was to arrogant to think that anyone could truly discover the horcruxes and get past the barriers. He would not conceive of trapping a would-be thief. He would assume that his barriers would be enough to prevent anyone passing through. Finally, we do not need such a far-out theory to explain where the locket came from. We have seen wizards conjure items before (Hermione’s birds and Dumbledore’s armchairs). A wizard able to get past the other obstacles should also be able to conjure a locket.

Snape
For: by El Barto
Snape as RAB would have to rely on two assumptions. The first assumption is that Dumbledore removed the enchantments from the Astronomy Tower, including the enchantments regarding apparition. Before Harry investigated the locket more closely, Snape could have escaped from Buckbeak when he was running from Harry, then apparated back to the tower. While Harry was helping Hagrid put out the fire to his hut, Snape could have switched the lockets, taking the real one and placing a fake next to him. The motive behind all this stems from another assumption: that he and Dumbledore had some sort of plan from the get go, or, at least, after Snape's vow with Narcissa. Snape, under Dumbledore's orders and with allegiance even after death, initialed the letter with RAB meaning some sort of code (such as Reign, Allegiance, Blood), or possibly something pointing to Dumbledore so as not to harm another person should Voldemort find the note.

Against: by El Barto and savingharry
As the saying goes, Snape already has enough on his plate. Not only would he be RAB, but he'd also be the Half-Blood Prince. This seems a lot for Snape to be doing in the book. Also, stealing the locket (and taking credit) might seriously endanger his position as spy. You would think that, if Snape had stolen the locket, he'd have not left a note. Using Dumbledore for misdirection doesn't entirely make sense, because, as is said with regards to Dumbledore himself taking the locket, wouldn't he be an obvious choice for Voldemort, making the note unnessessary? Another problem is that Dumbledore, though he was headmaster, and had the ability to lift the enchantment in the Great Hall for apparition lessons within that room, might not be able to lift the anti-apparition enchantment throughout the school in such a way to allow apparition overall. Remember, the apparition teacher told the students not to try to apparate outside the room during lessons. If the enchantments weren't lifted, then he'd have a tough time making his way back to the Astronomy tower undetected.

For discussion on how snape could or couldn't have known about the horcruxes, see this thread.

Albus Dumledore
For: by Albus Dumbledore (well, if Dumbledore says so... )
This theory focuses on the possibility of Dumbledore being R.A.B. as a pen-name. I think the main purpose behind this would be to show Harry the real life issues with finding the Horcruxes, not just mere memories. We saw in the fifth book, the emphasis that was placed on practicing things rather than just reading the theory, this was the whole premise for the creation of Dumbledore's Army. I think Dumbledore was planning this for a while, seeing as he invited him subtly well before the actual date. I think he gathered word that Draco's plan was coming into fruition, and he whisked Harry off to the coastal Horcrux hideaway, where he already took the locket, to give Harry a hands-on approach at hunting horcruxes. He could have planned this solely for the fact that he knew he was going to die that night... Dumbledore may have even written letters to Harry to be sent at certain times, with the pen-name R.A.B., to help Harry anonymously, even though he is dead, this could be the "role" JKR speaks of.

Against: by savingharry
The problem with Dumbledore being RAB is the question of the note itself. What would be the motivation of writing a note to Voldemort within the letter, just to retrieve it? Wouldn't it make more sense for Dumbledore to write a note to Harry within it, explaining what he had done just in case he died before explaining it? Also, why would Dumbledore endanger Harry like that just for a lesson? He would have known the effects of the potion if he had gone before. He would know that he would be too weak to help Harry fight the inferi. The two barely escaped them. Also, Dumbledore seemed to be showing genuine surprise at the things protecting the locket. His attempts to find ways past the protections seem sincere. You would think that, if Dumbledore was using the retrieval as an exercise, he would have simply told Harry as much, and explained along the way how to do what he was doing. After all, Dumbledore himself has said that the truth is always preferable to lies.

Amy Benson (the muggle girl the child Riddle took to the cave)
For: by savingharry
The reasons Amy Benson has been proposed are simple. First, she knew where the cave was. Secondly, her name matches the initials RAB (perhaps her name is R. Amy Benson and she goes by her middle name). How do we know that Benson wasn't a witch? Couldn't there be some way that she was actually a witch and took the locket? She might have discovered the locket upon entering the cave, and, recognizing the magic and guessing whose it was, stolen the locket. Conversely, couldn't RAB stand for "Remember Amy Benson?" Wouldn't that make sense? Not a signature at all, but merely a reminder of the evil done in this cave?

Against: by savingharry
The use of Amy Benson as RAB is problematic because first, she is a muggle, or we aren't told otherwise at any rate. For a person to get past the enchantments, they would need to be a wizard. If Benson was a witch, wouldn't Dumbledore have told Harry this? Also, wouldn't Benson being a witch prevent Voldemort from doing evil things to her? Didn't Harry always perform magic when frightened? I doubt very highly that Benson was a witch, and thus there is no way she could be RAB. For a rebuttal to the "Remember Amy Benson," look to the "against" response to the "RAB Code" theory.

Amelia Bones's mother
For: by savingharry and El Verte Veritas
We know that the middle name of Amelia Bones, the witch from the ministry that is the aunt of Susan Bones, is Susan, that is, she is Amelia Susan Bones. Being that Susan's first name is taken from the middle name of the previous generation, couldn't Amelia's name, Amelia, come from the middle name of her mother, Susan's grandmother? Susan's mother could then be named R. Amelia Bones. We know that Susan's grandparents were killed in the 1970s by Voldemort. Seeing as we know that RAB was expecting death unrelated to the locket being stolen, wouldn't this explain the type of death RAB was expecting? Perhaps Amelia Bones was killed because she knew about Voldemort's horcruxes. Also, RAB could be "Remember Amelia Bones," referring to either Susan Bones' grandmother or aunt, both of whom were killed by Voldemort.

Against: by savingharry
The problem with Bones as RAB is a question of discovery. While the other potentials discussed here had reasonable reasons to find out about Voldemort's horcruxes, we have no way that Bones might have found out. Snape and Regulus were death eaters, and might have found out about them that way. It took Dumbledore, the cleverest wizard of his age, a long time to figure out about the horcruxes and the location of the locket. How would Bones have figured out? Also, what plotlines would this open up for the book, once the identity was discovered? Any tracking down of the locket would require the introduction of too many new characters, and Rowling has already said that she would not introduce any new major characters.

RAB Theories

RAB is a code for something else
For: by savingharry
Many people have theorized that RAB might not stand for the person’s actual name. One suggestion is that RAB could be a pen-name of some sort or stand for a secret nickname similar to “Half-Blood Prince.” Others have theorized that RAB stands for two or three people (Rodolphus And Bellatrix was one suggestion. Another popular suggestion was “Rubeus [Hagrid], Albus [Dumbledore], Bill [Weasley]”). Still others theorize that RAB could stand for a code unrelated to their name, such as the suggestion of “Reign, Allegiance, Blood” for Snape. The possibilities are numerous. It has even been suggested that the code might contain the word “Black,” which would answer the question of the translations of the letter B.

Against: hp6 and savingharry
First, in the note, RAB repeatedly uses the word I (singular). RAB would not write the note in singular, claiming sole credit for finding the secret, and then at the last second sign the note for another person(s). JKR wrote the note in singular, meaning that the signature is also singular. Otherwise, the note would not match the signature. Also, remember that he/she is taking credit for their hard work and courage for taking on Voldemort like that. He/she wants Voldemort to know that they were the one who found his secret, which makes me think Voldemort was familiar with the initials. Therefore, not only would group names be counted out (because using one initial is not truly “identification”), but so would most secret phrases or nicknames. Voldemort would have to be familiar enough with the phrase to identify it by its initials, and to know the person by the initials. Simply being a phrase used by death-eaters would not even be enough, because it would not identify who it was that stole the locket. The only reasonable possibility along these lines would be of a nickname that is known by Voldemort, such as using HBP for Half-Blood Prince, and this would limit the possibilities to those closest to Voldemort. The final word being “black” also seems unlikely, because the letters “R” and “A” are not translated, and “B” is not translated in every language. In fact, this lack of translation makes the entire “code” theory unlikely.

Slughorn gave RAB information
For: by savingharry
One of the main questions about RAB is how he/she/they got the information about Voldemort having made a horcrux. So far, the only people we know that had information about the horcruxes (until Dumbledore told Harry, who subsequently told Ron and Hermione) were Dumbledore, Voldemort, and Slughorn. Could it be that Slughorn gave someone information about his conversation with Riddle? Possibly, he could have been given incentive to answer by someone of import, or by being given something in return (finances, influence, etc.). Or, otherwise, he could have been tricked into answering in the same way Harry got him to give him his memory.

Against: by savingharry
The problem with Slughorn giving information about the horcrux to RAB is Slughorn's strong resistance to it, even from Dumbledore. If Dumbledore, the most powerful and influential wizard of his time, could not obtain the information about RAB from Slughorn, then how do we expect RAB to do so? It seems unlikely that Slughorn wanted to give that information to anyone. Only Harry, under the influence of Felix Felicis, was able to abstract the memory from Slughorn.

RAB Masterlist
The following is the complete list of names I came across as suggestions for RAB either by themselves or as part of a group. The list is divided into those whose name could be "RAB" and those whose name could not. This is not meant to imply that those whose initials are not RAB are less likely, but is merely a tool for organizing the information.

People whose names could match RAB:
Regulus Black (Regulus A. Black)
Aberforth Dumbledore (Albus has three middle names- APWBD and Aberforth could too- ARABD)
Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange (Rodolphus A Bellatrix)
Amy Benson (R. Amy Benson or "Remember Amy Benson")
Amelia Susan Bones (as "Remember Amelia Bones")
Amelia Bones's mother (as R. Amelia Bones or "Remember Amelia Bones.")
Borgin (we don't know his first name. Could be R A Borgin)
Madam Rosmerta (we don't have any other names for her. Could be Rosmerta AB)
Augustus Rookwood (suggested surname first as Rookwood Agustus B.)
Rosalind Antigone Bungs
Rupert 'Axebanger' Brookstanton
The "Brutal-Faced Death Eater" (BFDE) in the tower in HBP- (it has been suggested that this may have been Regulus Black)

People whose names do not match RAB:
Snape
Albus Dumbledore
Rubeus Hagrid
Bill Weasley
Arabella Figg
Rabastan Lestrange (Rodolphus Lestrange’s brother who helped torture the Longbottoms)
Barty Crouch Jr.
Horace Slughorn
Caractacus Burke
James Potter
Alastor Moody
Reamus Lupin
Rufus Scrimgeour
The Longbottoms
Igor Karkharoff
Mr. Ollivander
Professor Binns (apparently his first name is “Cuthbert”)
Some other minor Hogwarts professor

It's hard to tell who R.A.B. is.

There's a good chance it could be Regulus, but I still refuse to believe it until Book 7 for key reasons from book 6.

Voldemort is a tyrant, per se. As Dumbledore explains to Harry, like Tyrants everywhere, Voldemort is on the constant lookout for the person/persons that would challenge him. He fears being overthrown, like the tyrant that he is.

That being said, he would most likely be paranoid, and untrusting in his "servants".

Thinking about it, Horcruxes are Voldemort's most valuable things. They contain a fragment of his precious soul. And I doubt he'd be likely to let his Death Eaters know that he made such things. Remember what Snape said to Bellatrix.. "The Dark Lord was weak, and he had no idea if I remained loyal to him, or turned traitor for Albus Dumbledore. He could not risk revealing his weakened self to a former ally, if he thought that ally would turn him over to the aurors."

So that's why I find it rather difficult to think Regulus would know about the Horcruxes...

I mean, it's possible that he found out on his own, but that wouldnt make sense either.. Voldemort went into isolation for 10 years after he left Hogwarts, supposedly.. No one knew where he was, what he did, or how.. Not even Dumbledore.. And Dumbledore wasn't even sure if Voldemort had any Horcruxes, until Harry captured the memory from Slughorn..

I dont know how to explain it properly, but I think what Im trying to say is, I doubt ANY death eater knows as much as they'd like to think they do about Voldemort..

As Dumbledore said.. "You'll hear everyone of Voldemort's Death eaters, claim to be his most favored, his most loyal and closest friend. They are seriously mistaken. Voldemort has never wanted friends."

Anyways, I feel like Im repeating myself now, so Im shutting up..

No, I don't think you're repeating yourself. You present a valid point. However, by that analysis, the only possible theories out there are Voldemort himself, Dumbledore, Slughorn, or possibly Aberforth is Albus told him about the 7 horcruxes. That being said, I really don't care for any of those suggestions. I think that what it comes down to is that someone did know about them, because the locket was taken. That being said, I think that Regulus is the best suggestion. As to how he found out, there are several viable theories, but I am fond of the idea that Regulus followed Voldemort to the cave at one point and guessed from the protection present that it was a horcrux (I'm sure there are death eaters who know about horcruxes that could have told him. It's probable that the death eaters even guessed that Voldemort had one. All you have to do is to know what a horcrux is to make that guess.). He then returned later and broke through to get the locket, conjured another one to replace it, and left with it.

I may be wrong, but aren't a good majority, if not all, of the death eaters from Hogwarts? And as well know, Horcruxes were a banned subject from Hogwarts, and Slughorn even says that even Dumbledore was particularily harsh on that matter. And Riddle waited till he and Slughorn were alone to talk about it, and even then Slughorn was very reluctant to discuss anything about it.

It just seems to me like it's highly improbable any of the death eater's knew about Horcruxes.

I still maintain that it is entirely possible that the DE's knew about the horcruxes or at least some general notion of them. Yes, the DE all came from Hogwarts (or most of them) but like Tom, they have had ample opportunity to apprise themselves of the Dark Arts in other ways. We know that Lucius has a good stockpiled of Dark things. And we know Durmstrang is devoted to the Dark Arts. So there is access beyond Hogwarts for information. Tom went to Slughorn because he had limited access at that point. It made sense for him to land first at Bourgin and Burkes, to gain a sense of the lay of the land of the market in dark objects and the kind of knowledge that can be tracked down about them and how/where. So a clever DE, especially one who, as LV himself says, "knew of his experiments" to defeat death, could easily know about horcruxes and about LV having some. They were not told, probably, where they are, or perhaps each was told on pain of death of the location of one of them (to be its protector) and RAB chose to steal it. Even Draco--boy, inexperienced, etc.--is charged with an important mission (killing DD), so LV is not above entrusting important missions to the seemingly untrustworthy. Tasking Draco to kill DD stood to expose LV's plans if the boy bungled things along the way, and that's exactly what he did with the necklace and the wine--exposed a plot. LV took this risk. So either he is more reckless than we give him credit for, or he puts more stock in his DE than we give him credit for. Could be both.

His not wanting or having friends is a different thing entirely from his having and using servants/DE. The latter may entail their knowledge of horcruses without involving any notion of friendship or comraderie and despite the DE's own delusions about what the trust means.

i think ima have to go with Regulus Black thats the only one that seems likly plus the trio finding the locket they could not open in the house of black......

Let's look at all of this:

1. Jo has stated that no new major characters will be introduced in HPDH. Her quote was this: "There will be some characters who you don't know particularly well, and there may be a couple of new characters, but nobody really major. You know pretty much the cast list by now. "

2. Jo has also stated "There are things you will deduce on further reading"

3. Regulus's middle name does not figure out in the Black Family Tree, but speculations are rife that he might have been called Regulus Alphard Black (after his uncle) or Regulus Arcturus Black (after his grandfather) - the second one is what I believe, anyway.

4.Chapter Six of OotP mentions a heavy, unopenable gold locket in a glass case - And, we ofcourse know what this may signify, right?

5.The locket now may be stolen by Mundungus Fletcher. who is later spotted with a suitcase full of possessions taken from the house, and in the company of the barman from the Hog's Head. Jo confirmed the barman is Dumbledore's brother Aberforth. Aberforth was seen drawing his cloak about his throat, as if concealing something, as he walked away from the scene. It is possible that he now has the locket. (So along with info about locket, we can see that Aberforth's going to be in person in HPDH)

6. In non-english versions, the 'B' in R.A.B. has been changed according to the language. For example, the Dutch edition uses the initials R.A.Z. in the locket note, and the Black family name is Zwarts. In the Norwegian edition, the note has R.A.S. (corresponding to the Svaart family), and the Finnish edition has the letters R.A.M., (corresponding to the Musta family).

7. R.A.B. could also stand for R. Andromeda Black or R. Alphard Black. - but, do they have a real connection with the Dark Lord? How much do we know about Andromeda, she's a quiet witch from what we know of her. And, Alphard Black doesn't sound like an important character...but he could be important, if RAB expands to Regulus Alphard Black

8.The translator of the Portuguese language editions of the Harry Potter books, Isabel Nunes, stated that she asked Rowling the sex of the character, so she could translate all references to "R.A.B." correctly. Nunes claims that Rowling told her the full identity of the character was "Regulus Arcturus Black."
However, as I now realize, Jo's never confirmed all this.


Conclusion: No new character, but yes, we now have Regulus Alphard Black or Regulus Arcturus Black.
What do you think?

Ginevra, I think that's the meta-textual case to make for Regulus. It seems to me we should assume it's him and see where that leads us. It does lead us to Aberforth and Dung (we might want to know where Dung found it--had Kreacher rescued it or did Aberforth do the initial rescuing?).
We know we are supposed to come to know an order member whom we "have not properly met" yet--and in the list Moody gives us, Aberforth seems the only likely candidate.
We know we are going to find out a bit about DD's background, and that also leads through Aberforth. Hopefully among the important things he'll tell us, he'll also indicate how DD got his underground scar, and what use a wizard would have for the London underground map (tho this may be a fun trivial detail).
Aberforth is the one who grabs up Snape during the prophecy way back when.
Aberforth runs the bar where DD gets himself seen when he wants to throw people off his scent, and was the direction they were heading in when they went off to the cave that night.
Aberforth's bar (well, he's the barman....maybe he doesnt own it) is also where LV's DE's (Nott, Rosier, Mulciber, Dolohov--three of whom, interestingly, participated in the fight at the DoM) are stashed while LV applies for a job from DD, and DD knows this, he says, because he is "friendly with the local barmen". That means Aberforth communicates in detail, and quickly, on the movements of the dark folks DD is watching. How does he do so? By patronus? by some other device, like the fireplace?

So going through Aberforth on the trail of RAB will be informative, though we have no reason to suspect that Aberforth will know anything of Regulus himself, tho you never know. Sirius says it's important to have people like Mundungus on your side, because they hear things that ordinary folks dont. Aberforth is also in that camp I suppose.

One question about the locket--if we can assume that the locket would have some magical traces on it, why didnt Moody sense it at Grimauld? Would he have to know LV's "style" as DD did? Did Moody not do a sweep of the premises looking for Dark traces, or were there just too many to really discriminate among?

Well, I don't know about that. I do think that they might guess that Voldemort may have a horcrux. But no one would guess that he has seven. You see, that's unheard of, and, to be honest, unnessesary. From the indications we get from HBP, you only need one horcrux to be immortal. No one has ever made more than one before, and if the horcruxes worked like extra lives where they were "one time use only," then surely someone would have thought to make more than one before. Voldemort isn't the only power-hungry wizard hoping for immortality that ever lived. *cough*Nicholas Flamel*cough* Only one highly protected horcrux would be nessesary. However, Voldemort's uniqueness comes in his utter paranoia about death. And yes, I think paranoia is a good word for it. Voldemort's immortality is ensured with one horcrux. But he decides to create six, so that his soul could be split into seven parts. The magical power of seven will be extra protection, he thinks. Anyway, because no one would have ever thought to do this, then no one would think that Voldemort had six horcruxes, or any more than one. That's why RAB's statements (about his/her hope that Voldemort will be moral once more after the locket is destroyed) make sense. RAB would assume that the only existing horcrux was destroyed, and that Voldemort was now mortal.



Well, I think that perhaps the magic of a horcrux might not be able to be sensed in the same way other magic is sensed. It is a different type of magical object. Perhaps it is not, itself, magical other than its role as retainer of a soul. This would be advantageous to anyone wanting to create a horcrux.

-Fish

that is true in the sense of the actual horcrux. i doubt that moody could "sense" a horcrux. it is just a soul retainer as savingharry said.

BUT, lets look at the ring that DD found and destroyed. It pretty much left DD maimed... that seems to me like some pretty dark magic. If the locket was/is protected by something (which i assume it is. voldemort wouldnt just leave a locket out to be destroyed would he?) it probably is dark magic. and i believe that moody would be able to sense the horcruxes protection.

this does make me wonder if the locket in grimauld place was indeed the slytherin locket/horcrux... im pretty sure that mood wouldve been able to sense it... but maybe like you said, there was just too much dark stuff that it was "camoflauged" and wasnt paid much attention. i hope this is true because it fits so nicely with RAB = regulus haha

Yeah, I'm with you. It obviously has some dark charm on it preventing it from being opened, in the very least. But that small charm wouldn't be picked up in the wash of dark magic in the place. I mean, everything there is dark magic. It would easily be lost in the wash.

It does seem almost that JKR is throwing the fact that Moody did not sense the horcrux in our faces--he is asked to check on the Boggart in the upstairs drawing room. He uses his magical eye to look through walls and ceiling and desk to find that yes, it was a boggart. So Moody's detection skills are being called to our attention. They are not called to the attention of the Locket for some reason. I need to go back and reread his presence in the headquarters, but it does seem odd.

And yes, it was the horcrux qua magical protections inside an object that I was saying should be detectable. I doubt DD's arm was destroyed by something he did not feel the magic in, and I doubt (tho we dont know, of course) that he was unaware of the ring's magical properties qua protection and perhaps qua horcrux even, before he destroyed it.

Seems what we need (aside from DD-ish magical detection skills) is something that can sense life (assuming a horcrux soul bit counts as life, dormant or not--at the very least it is "notdead"). Is there anything in the books that has functioned this way?

Speaking of DDish detection skills, Snape being the one who saved him, and Snape working with LV, might Snape "know LV's style" as DD did, but for different reasons?

But maybe Harry himself knows something of LV's style.

We have one example of an ACTUAL horocrux from which to gleen any information: the diary. Read that again (please).

DD has a dead, right hand, and there is only an assumption that the destruction of the horocrux, that was the Gaunt Ring, was the cause. I know, we know this. However, think about the implication: ring, wear it on your finger, DD's right hand is now as though dead.

Did that cause it? DD never tells us the "THRILLING TALE" that caused his injury. Four times I counted he postponed the telling of his thrilling tale, because there was not enough time to do it justice. I made my assumption. Anyone else do the same?

Slughorn notes the ring on DD's left hand at the muggle house, then his dead, right hand and comments, "reflexes not what they used to be?" Hmmmm. Example one. Oh, that's right, we only have ONE example: the diary. The diary had a three dimensional Tom Riddle come the heck out of it and fullly interact like a person. Then call the Basilisk, which is alive, the Tom Riddle was a horocrux/memory/incantation/???, yet it called a live monster and controlled it!

Is it possible that each Horocrux has a Voldemort which will need to be fought/battled/conquered in the manner of Tom Riddle from the diary?

R.A.B. took the locket from the cave; although dead, another piece of Voldemort lurks in the shadows ... with Aberforth? We can follow the trail of the Slytherin Locket, the question for me becomes simply: is there another live Voldemort which might battle to save himself within it?

Now we are coming to point, I guess. Everything seems to be revolving around Aberforth Dumbledore. It's very possible that he holds the key position in solving out the DH, and the identity of RAB.

Assuming RAB is Regulus.

Regulus and Remus share the fact that their names are rooted in Roman history. They are also connected in that it is Lupin that informs us that Regulus only lived a few days after deserting the Death Eaters.

Ok, how does Lupin know this? First, how does Lupin know that Regulus deserted the DE? And how does he know anything precise about the timeline?

This is sounding more and more like a fake death around which a clear-ish story has been built by DD to draw attention away. And Lupin could be in-the-know on Regulus's actual story (tho not the horcruxes, probably), about Regulus having been a spy all along or at least on the way he was hidden once he left the DE. DD tells Sirius at one point to "lay low at Lupins". Because others have laid low at Lupins?

OH, my..........Did DD have the cloak to give to Lupin for the purposes of hiding Regulus for the Order? THAT would be an order-related use of the cloak that would make sense of the "crucial" aspect of the cloak mystery......

pumpkinjuice, maybe! DD had spies - plural - and we know of Snape. Lupin could certainly have been a spy for DD all those years, he couldn't hold a job because of what he was. Would DD protect Lupin and the entire student/teacher body to allow him to go to seven years of school, only to have him graduate to ... what future? I conclude that DD has always sheltered Lupin as well he could. Put Lupin in the Order and give him a job to keep him busy, happy, productive in life.

You are right, we don't know much at all about Lupin's history, we've only met him as a reference to Harry on James/Lily, Sirius, Peter and their past. He teaches DADA and all the students adore him; they learn more from him than any other DADA teacher. There is much more we need to know about him. Tonks and Lupin were holding hands at the funeral, I'd bet Tonks is his first relationship with a woman. He is fearful of harming anyone and keeps himself on the fringes of relationships. Just like with James. Sirius and James are tied at the hip and Lupin knew he couldn't be that close, so he watched them and let them be tight. What a guy!

Lupin did seem give-up a bit more information about Regulus than Sirius. How does he know?

I was actually focusing on Regulus as the spy, being protected by Lupin, but I like your addition, which makes Lupin and Regulus co-conspirators for DD. That does make sense of his life/occupation--maybe he has been training in DADA all these years as per DD's suggestion/orders, with Regulus giving him all kinds of assistance given his family history. Lupin lives somewhere that Sirius can hide, but eventually comes to live at Grimauld.

Let's say Regulus had been hiding at Lupins.
Lupin moves to Grimauld later.
We know there are/were two locations Lupins/Grimauld.

Why does Lupin leave his first place?
Did Regulus die much later than Lupin has revealed, and now Lupin has occasion to move to Grimauld to guard Harry and Co?
Is Regulus still under wraps, perhaps being guarded by some other Order member? Is this why Podmore had not returned Moody's good cloak? Podmore had Regulus guard duty, just as he had guard duty at DoM the night of the fight? Did we ever find out about Moody's cloak, its whereabouts? if not, it is a parallel mystery to the whereabouts of James's cloak.

A more remote possibility is that Remus is (sometimes) Regulus, under pollyjuice for DD. That might account for his withered look--is he a wizard laboring under two potions during Harry's school year? If Lupin is sometimes Regulus on Pollyjuice, he may still have to take wolfsbane, since the pollyjuice seems to really make you physically identical to the original--hence Barty Jr being able to USE Moody's mad eye, not just wear it. Is Moody not the only fake-professor they have? And is this why Crouch-using-Moody's eye has never been explained to us? It seems possible that Lupin on the train, for instance, was a different Lupin from other scenes in the book. Hmmm...

Polyjuice Potions? (laughing) JKR only has one book to tie this all together. I don't think I can buy into the PP notion, but I did fail to count Regulus as a spy, giving us a known count of three.

Lupin LIVES with the werewolves to gleen information about Greyback and co. We know the werewolves are on LV's side. His duty for the Order is to infiltrate the werewolves; Snape's duty is to infiltrate the DEs inner circle and be close to LV himself. Regulus? What part did he play? Was he working on DD's orders or did he turn spy after he "got in so far and tried to back out?" as Sirius said.

Draco is a DE, even though he is being used as punishment for Lucius failing LV, he is still a DE. DD tells him he can hide him as though he were dead, someone mentioned that in an older thread. It has obviously been done before. Must be Regulus. He's just gotta be alive in a safe house somewhere, because Harry is going to need help with Horocruxes and DD is dead.

Good point, too. Where is Lupin's house?

Maybe like Draco, Regulus (as has been hinted) was asked to do something as a DE that he simply could not countenance (kill Sirius?). And DD offered him refuge. Or perhaps Regulus was ordered to kill DD, so the parallel is almost literal. At any rate, I was definitely someone on the other threads talking about DD offering to stash Draco in part because he had done so before.

The fact that JKR said she had to remove Sirius because Harry cannot have too much help in book 7, combined with her needing to wrap up the huge loose end of the Black family and Grimauld, makes me think indeed that Regulus is huge in DH. Either because alive and able to provide assistance, or able to be communicated with from beyond death somehow.

I forgot to mention another thing I thought of in regard to Regulus having been stashed by the Order: When DD drinks the potion in the cave, he later says, "that was no health drink". Maybe he knows, from what happened to someone else who tried to retrieve the horcrux (RAB), that the potion is eventually deadly (hence maybe RAB WAS alive earlier in the story but is now dead). Knowing how Regulus got past the potion is how he 'infers' how to do it himself (experience, rather than miraculous insight). This would support the notion that the cave trip is a lesson for Harry, not an actual hunt for a horcrux that RAB already grabbed.

OH--maybe Dung was selling the locket to Aberforth because Aberforth is working for DD. That would support the idea that DD had the locket on him that night and Snape destroyed it with the AK, knocking DD through the air as is not supposed to happen in AK. DD may have Aberforth acting as magnet for such actions, and once the locket disappears from headquarters DD gets it back without making a fuss by having Aberforth get it from Dung. Maybe DD was hiding the locket in plain sight at Grimauld?

Lupin's house is unknown, I think. Thats part of what strikes me as odd.

The polyjuice idea is complicated, but it would be such a pristine parallel, and might make some sense of how DD inferred the likely imposter status of Moody (just for removing Harry from his presence after the maze), and how he jumped right to the polyjuice issue and found the real Moody stashed nearby. DD is a genius in part because he has a lot of direct experience of things in the past that make his present light up in interesting ways. So having seen polyjuice at work (possibly ordering it) with Lupin/Regulus before, he was ready to see it that time. While it is complex, it also ties up a few of the very loose ends that need tying, so it's a wash on complicatedness maybe. I'm not a big fan of the whole polyjuice thing, but it would tie some things together.

I just had another thought that is almost TOO simple.

JKR said if you're dead, you're dead. If you are properly dead.

I jumped to the direct conclusion she was referencing Sirius, because I liked him as a character.

She didn't mean Sirius, he is dead.

She meant Regulus....

Well, there is the pesky issue of Rowling saying that Regulus is dead.



I guess it could be that Rowling changed her mind on this, but it's from a 2004 interview, and I would assume that she would be far enough in her thinking that she would have already decided on the regulus is RAB thing (given that's true). It definetely rules out the issue of regulus being under the cloak (unless regulus was killed after this point, which really wouldn't add anything to the plotline).

-Fish

Fish, that's true, but that quote from the interview is a bit coy. He's dead so he's quiet these days. He's dead in the story as we know it, but is someone about whom it can be said that he is "quiet these days", like other days he might not be. That comment has been discussed on another thread, and seems to leave open the possibility it was well crafted--how on earth could she answer it directly without giving away a huge piece of the plot? So I suspect she had this all-important answer ready. But even if we grant he is dead, I think it might add to the plotline that he has died along the way, if some kind of post-death communication with him has been arranged (especially since post-death communication seems to be a potential theme for DH if the veil is what we think it is). Maybe this becomes the unknown significance of Sirius's mirror. Maybe it works with more than one black, and in more than one way. Just a possibility. At least it emphasizes the coming signicance of communication through odd means.

Marry her coyness on Regulus with Sirren's good idea that "if properly dead" applies not to Sirius, whom we all want it to apply to, but Regulus, and I think a door--or at least a window--is open to this possibility.

"Well, he's dead. So he's pretty quiet these days."

That is an incredibly ODD reply, don't you think? Quiet these days? Of course, he is quiet if he is being hidden and passed off as dead.

So, I am off on an tangent, not unusual for me. Supposing he is alive and DD is now dead, other than Lupin who would know?

i just wanted to say something about the regulus being a spy for DD theory. That is a good one. It would also give some hope in Regulus being alive. and it is definately wierd that lupin seems to know more about regulus than his own brother sirius...

but to my point, i do not think that regulus would have been a spy for DD. for one, didnt regulus stand for what voldemort stands for: all purebloods. only purebloods are worthy of anything. mudbloods are worthless. It just doesnt seem like the type to 1. Take orders from DD and 2. for DD to take someone so narrow minded like that under his wing.

If regulus had any connections with DD it was probably after he left the DE. He couldve pulled a snape (go to DD and say sorry and DD would be ok with you...) And maybe then DD sent lupin to help out regulus. That would solve how lupin knew when Regulus was killed (or hidden if regulus is still alive).

Oh, and if DD gave the invisibility cloak to lupin/regulus to use to hid Regulus, i doubt that regulus gave it back... i mean it would be so handy for him if he was hiding from voldemort/DE. so, how did harry end up with it his first year?

Mexell, that is good. Regulus would not have been groomed in the manner of Snape and Lupin. He might have come to DD seeking safe haven after honestly being a DE. He did go to Hogwarts when DD was Headmaster, too, so he is just as knowledgeable as the others in knowing about DD's quest to battle evil.

Lupin would be in a good position to hide Regulus, since he operates on the fringes anyway.

Voldy used the shroud of pureblood to gain followers, Voldy stands for himself and nothing else. He sees the world in the light of you have power or you don't. He is not a pureblood himself and if you buy into the Snape is and always has been his loyal servent then his second is in not pure either.

The whole Regulus working for and being protected by DD all these years has me wondering why would DD have still taken Harry to the cave. I understand it would have been to show Harry how difficult the task ahead would be, but by showing and telling Harry about how his hand was damaged would have done the same.

I also doubt that Regulus would have worked for DD, because of there differences. DD would not have been allowed to step foot into the Black house and Regulus mother would have disowned him at the hint of being associatied with the likes of DD. and in the same breath, if the truth of LV were to be found out. What would his mother have done then.

No, my guess is still Regulus is RAB and that he found out that Voldy was half-blood. Becasue he did not have the ability or power to stand toe to toe LV he did the only thing he could. He removed what he thought to be the only life line LV had to this world, the horocrux. We have the warpped view of Sirius about his brother, and the sprinkling of Slughorn. My guess is that they were much alike in the character, and Regulus would have also been a prankster. I can see that leaving the fake locket and letter would have been something Sirius might have done in a similair situation.

I have to admit that in the excitement of figuring out that the cloak may have been used to hide Regulus via a Lupin connection, I may be too quick to look away from certain other story elements. But let's play with this and see whether it can hold water.



We have it postulated that Regulus was a true Black, pureblood all the way in ideology. I admit that the interpretation, that I endorse, of the note in the locket that says that the "secret" RAB discovered was the half-bloodedness makes seeing Regulus as anything but a true Black somewhat hard. And so it seems more logical to think that if he ever came over to DD, it was, as Snape may have, because of a CHANGE of heart and not an original role in DD's long-term plot. But we know that Riddle was already, as a teenager, an actor. We have Snape lecturing Draco on the importance of being an effective actor for many years in making inroads into some institution. If Tom thinks of acting during the school years, and Snape does, doesnt it stand to reason that DD would too? That he would encourage/groom people into the part of looking like rabid blood ideologues, who would then be well positioned to work against that very ideology? DD knows that warriors are made by their long-term training (Harry). I doubt he waits to see what fate will just send him. So, just as Snape may have been playing at hating mudbloods (doesnt his HBP name suggest so?), Regulus may have been too.
Regulus could STILL be "the one" who discovered the secret of LV's half-blood status; or maybe the meaning of the note is, "I am the DE who discovered your secret", since I think the interesting part of the line is "the one"--one what? to whom? "I am the DE who discovered, from working with DD, your secret, which I am now using against you, you'll see".

If we assume, on the contrary, that RAB really was a DE of LV ideology, and was furious at finding out LV was a half-blood, he may have had a moment of conversion of the sort: "If LV is not even pureblood, what does this whole ideology really mean? Do I really want to be the hand-servant of pure power?" Recognizing this in his own heart, he may in fact have been made a Draco-like offer. That would work too in making him someone who had to be hidden for his own good, and who might help Harry out of a sense of remorse.



I don't think so--I think DD sees that Harry learns not by being told, but by doing--hands on, concrete DOING. He certainly sees that Harry is bound more by his heart than by any pronouncements, and so he has to get Harry not only to verbally agree to obey him but to feel the need for obedience in his heart, and give him the opportunity to ACT that commitment. So the cave journey may have been the practicum without which Harry would not learn, not quickly anyway--just as the HBP book is the crash-course in potions skill that Harry needs in the wake of being unable to learn from Snape (hence Snape being moved over to DADA and Harry winding up with the book of the most intuitive potions-master Hogwarts has probably ever seen).

Going on the premise Regulus is/was RAB, a little tossed out fact from Sirius is rather important.

Sirius was the first from the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black to turn his back on the pureblood = royalty notion. Regardless, Sirius is a pureblood. James is a pureblood.
That is important, because Sirius and Lupin were the ones Harry asked about when he sought the identiy of the half-blood prince.

1. Sirius said James was pureblood (we already knew this);
2. Sirius said to Harry, "... and James, whatever else he may have appeared to you, Harry -- always hated the Dark Arts." OOTP pg. 670;
3. Lupin said, "James was a pureblood, Harry, and I promise you, he never asked us to call him 'Prince'". HBP pg 336.

Snape and James hated each other from the moment they met. I don't see in the books when that hatred developed in Sirius, perhaps once he learned James hated Snape? Guility by association? Anyway, Snape was not a pureblood and that only seemed to matter to him. Sirius had turned his back on it, James didn't seem to be pompous about it, only about his looks/skills/popularity (what a prat!) and such.

Snape had used text-books, greying underpants and old robes. Greasy hair, et al. James and Sirius were rich, good-looking, smart, purebloods. Kids from different sides of the track.

Regulus comes along and is the same as Sirius except he loves who he is, that he is from an ancient,noble wizarding family. He loves the Dark Arts, too.

I've mentioned before the old adage that blood is thicker than water: if Regulus was tasked with killing Sirius, he would not. Finding that LV was a half-blood who wasn't even wanted by his mother would be reprehensible to Regulus. If Regulus was tasked with helping LV set up the cave horocrux, the message would fit Regulus's reformed opinion of LV.

It stands to reason that only one DE knows of each horocrux. Bellatrix has hinted she knows one..."The Dark Lord has, in the past, entrusted me with his most precious -- if Lucius hadn't ..." HBP pg 29. Lucius was entrusted with the Diary. What would Bellatrix have knowledge of?

The fact the initials for Regulus change in each language accordingly to the last name published, isn't that proof enough it must be Regulus?

Yes, I'm finally seeing Bella's comment for what it is--she had a horcrux entrusted to her, but Lucius's screwup (which one?) got that revoked. I've advocated for the idea that the DE's had something to do with horcruxes, but never properly seized on that line....perfect!

Now, which screwup? I suppose his mishandling of the diary, his attempt to dispose of an incriminating object in order to fulfill his small-minded goal of discrediting the Weasleys--LV would find this really unacceptable. Then there was the screwup in the ministry of magic. I imagine his mishandling of the actual horcrux (tho he did not know it was one, apparently, maybe indicating the compromised level of his confidence in Lucius) was LV's reason for withdrawing some trust from Bella, but Lucius getting himself arrested and sent to Azkaban is pretty bad too; plus it means that LV loses ministry influence.

I wonder if the scene with Snape suggests which horcrux she had contact with? Snape gives them wine to drink. Is that a little hint that Bella had the goblet? Also, she is the one to kill the fox, the little furry animal, on the way to Snapes--maybe that is symbolic of killing a badger (Hufflepuff)? A stretch, I know...but it's a marked indifference to a regular critter, something Hufflepuff would not countenance.

Aha, what if Bella was intrusted with a horocrux, could it have been the locket. She is realted to the Blacks. A hearty get together at Grimauld, one too many meeds or glasses of wine and Regulus finds out about the cave and the locket, the locket of Slytherin. He later finds out about the half-bloodedness of Voldy. And retrieves the locket to be kept in the Pure and Noble house of Black. A stretch but seeing that pure bloods need to marry pure bloods. Is it possible the tracing the Black family history that at one point, not a the direct line to Slytherin, but a cousin would be of relation, possible a Malvoe. or smoething.

Number twelve Grimmauld Place did have the big heavy locket that no-one could open. Yet, it didn't have the Slytherin "S" on it. Why?

The locket that Merope wore in the house of Gaunt was described only as "a heavy gold locket" but when she sold it to Caractacus Burke he described it thus, "..but when I looked at it, it had his mark all right, and a few simple spells were enough to tell me the truth."

Wasn't his mark an ornate "S" for Slytherin?

They must be one and the same or JKR would not have referenced them with the same exact wording.

I think Regulus was entrusted with the locket. Bellatrix would be entrusted with something else. Pumpkinjuice may be right in thinking it would be the goblet simply for symbolic purposes. Helga is a woman, Bellatrix is a woman (sort of) and it was the Hufflepuff goblet or cup.

Olivander is missing and so is the wand that lay on the purple pillow from the front window. I presumed the wand to belong to Ravenclaw...so that is most likely a horocrux now, too.
And LV will have a new wand, unlikely to perform improperly against Harry's wand in a future battle.

We still come back to Aberforth Dumbledore now has said locket. Does he know it is a horocrux? Did he have Mundungus steal it from the Black house on DD's orders? Did DD know about RAB taking the original and use the excursion to the cave as simply a learning lesson?

this is the best place i could find to post this idea.

i think dd on purposely wanted to die. fawkes his loyal phoenix he could have called at any second to give him "tears" to heal the poison potion in him. but he didnt
]

my question is this. how by dying did it help harry at all? if he wanted harry to trust snape so snape could keep teachin him ...theres no way harry will now. what did anyone have to gain by DD dying?

I think that was just to keep its introduction inconspicuous, hidden among the rest of the things. By now if the reader had been told there was a Slytherin S on something they'd go ballistic. I think it was just glossed over as a way of saying they didnt really put much stock in the Black belongings (which is kind of weird, but it makes me think they really did think all this stuff was somehow "dark"; that would speak to the idea that the house full of dark objects hid the signature, so to speak, of the horcrux locket.)

The locket being at Grimauld indicates that Regulus returned there at least briefly before he was killed. Or I guess he might have been living there even as a death eater....But it means that Regulus was operating out of Grimauld to some extent, in an unplottable location (Sirius's father had made it unplottable, so it's been that way for some time). So how did the DE's get him?

They didn't, probably. He was safe at Grimauld and later safe with Lupin.

It is possible RAB was indeed a simple DE without any undercover work going on for DD, but died in the attempt to destroy the locket (did this attempt obliterate the Slytherin mark?). Then the question would be whether DD and the Order came to know this. It is entirely possible, tho uninteresting in terms of plot, if Regulus died trying to destroy it and no one was any the wiser. Or he died from the residual effects of the poison in the cave, and never got a chance to try and destroy it. But how would he have gotten home? Maybe being younger than DD he was more resilient? This again goes back to recommending Kreacher as his companion to some extent in the trip, possibly even drinking the potion for him as has been conjectured. But again, all this seems uninteresting and unintegrated into the rest of the story. I suppose it would be slightly more interesting if DD and co somehow DID come to know of the horcruxes precisely because Regulus died in dealing with one; but what difference would this make to the plot?

The Lupin angle, tho more open-ended and uncertain, seems more interesting and likely to yield plot intersections.

One thing I left off my list of things I said about Aberforth earlier: Moody refers to him as a strange fellow--he only met him the time the picture was taken of the Order back in the first war. Moody doesnt express any indication that he investigated this odd Order member, having found him odd....but that strikes me as odd, given Moody. Don't know what to make of this.

So anyhow will Harry just stroll into the Hogs Head and ask about the locket? A decent chunk of time has passed since it was handed off to Aberforth. What might that mean?

another person you might want to look in to is rodolphus lestrange's death eater brother, rabastan. he probably has nothing to do with this, and was only mentioned once, but it's worth a try

also, some people say aberforth is the barman at the hog's head. aberforth having the locket makes sense because "RAB" backwards is "bar".

I like the connection between "RAB" and "BAR." Very cute. I doubt, highly, highly doubt, that Regalus is alive, mostly because of the fact that it is mentioned quite clearly that the Black belongings get passed down to Harry via Sirius' will BECAUSE there is no other direct Black descendent. The idea that it may have gone to Bellatrix was based on the lack of information about whether Sirius' will would be the ultimate guide to how the property was distributed, or if the next person with some Black blood would be heir.

This is not to say that he won't play a part somehow, as a portrait or something, but I disagree that he is alive. I'd write more, but I have lab...

Yeah, I'm leaning away from the Regulus may be alive theory, though I do think he may indeed have been alive under Order protection at some point, with Lupin.

Lets lay out what Harry has to do on this question:

1. Reflect on the note in the fake locket he keeps clutching in his pocket. It is remarkable, and perhaps demonstrates the depths of his grief over DD, that the contents of the note have sparked so little of his curiosity despite his utter convincedness that he must hunt the horcruxes. You'd expect the quest for that identity to be something they do pantingly.
2. Remember the locket they saw Dung hand to Aberforth.
3. Remembet that the locket was at the house.
4. Recognize that the B is Black and deduce that it is Regulus.
5. Rehearse how he and DD got the fake one and realize that someone must have been with RAB who did not count as a wizard by LV standards.
6. Overcome his aversion to Kreacher and go talk to him in the kitchens.
7. Go talk to Aberforth, or perhaps summon him and Kreacher to the Order headquarters to confirm with Kreacher the origins of the locket, since Kreacher must tell the truth to Harry now that he belongs to him. This meeting could take place at Hogwarts or at Grimauld.

What might he learn?
1. That Regulus took Kreacher to the cave and made him drink the potion.
2. How Regulus got past the parselmouth protection to get into the cave. How would Regulus be a parselmouth? What would it mean?
3. How Regulus replaced the potion and what the potion means (DD's ramblings).
4. What Regulus was thinking in writing the note, particularly how he may have used the information about LV's "secret" (his half-blood status, I believe).
5. What Regulus did after leaving LV (did he experience a change of view? was he hidden by the order?)
6. Did Snape have anything to do with Regulus, being in the same house a year or two ahead of Regulus? Did Snape teach Regulus something about potion-brewing? Is there something in the HBP textbook that could help Harry, or is that potion at this point just back-story?
7. The significance of other objects in the Black household, which would now be in the attention of the trio--the jar of blood, the music box, the portrait of Walburga. It's interesting, on that last point, that Kreacher doesnt spend any time really conversing with the portrait, given how much he misses his mistress. What to make of this.....If I remember correctly, the house was last occupied by Regulus and Walburga, so the overall contents would reflect mainly their influences/lifestyle.
8. What the DE's in general might have known about horcruxes in general or specific ones.
9. Was there any connection between Regulus and the other figures in the story besides, perhaps, Lupin? JKR has said that Lily was "popular". Could he have had a young crush on Lily? Is REGULUS's love for Lily (perhaps unknown to Sirius) the reason that LV gave her a chance to live? OHHH, I like that--Regulus was a real DE who apparently might have been entrusted with a horcrux. He might be on LV's mind at GH that night when he went to do the killing to make his last horcrux, whereas Snape may not have been on his mind......(if Snape knew much about the horcruxes, he would have helped DD more, tho perhaps he did and DD just never told Harry...hmm, more to think about on that....). If Regulus had a crush on Lily, could he possibly be "that awful boy" she brought home? If so, that links Regulus to the Petunia mysteries, and perhaps to how Petunia knows about dementors as well as other matters.
10. If there is a connection between Regulus and Lily, could Harry having Lily's eyes be connected to whatever is significant about Regulus in the story? Like why he is a parselmouth? Something else? I feel like there is something to see here that I cannot see, some connection....Lily...eyes....Harry...parselmouth...Regulus...crush....Lily

This could all be managed in the scope of less than a chapter, which speaks well to the possibility of having room in DH for lots of other mysteries to be solved and surprises to be launched.

Wait just a minute....

The locket was in the house of Black. So was a jar of blood, which, you need blood to get the arch to show and open in the cave. Could Kreacher have been the one to speak parseltongue?

Regulus is at least three years younger than Sirius, so that would be Lily in her fourth year when Regulus entered Hogwarts. I don't think the attraction would be there for her. Remember how small and young the first years appear to Ron and Hermione when they are Prefects the next year? She may have helped Regulus though in the manner of a tutor.

Well, I doubt Regulus would have hesitated to shed his own smear of blood in the cave; I think the jar of blood is about something else, is probably dragon's blood like Slughorn carries around.

Can elves speak parseltongue? That is a good question! We know so little of their magic, their overall place in the magical world, etc. That would be one of those undeducible facts about the books that JKR can throw in.
That leaves us with another task for Harry:
Speak parseltongue in the Black house, looking at all those snake emblems. See if anything happens with any of them, like it did for CoS and elsewhere. See if Kreacher pipes up and recognizes what Harry is doing. Like I've said before, I doubt the Blacks had objects with snakes all over them just because of Slytherin pride.

Ooh, I like that....

Sirren, based on that timeline. Regulus would have also been at the school that sametime as Sirius, James, and Snape. I cannot recall a physical description being given of Regulus, is it possible that he was the boy that showed up at Liliy's parents house. Liliy was part of the SlugClub as was Regulus if I recall from Slughorns ramblings so there could be atleast one connection.

Regulus would not have to have used his own blood to enter the cave if he had Kreacher with him. Unless an elfs blood was not worthy of the sacrafice.

As far as the jar of blood, I would suspect that it was Black's blood, the mother had a thing for pure blood and it would not suprise me that she kept a jar.

Elves speaking parseltongue, I do not see it being relivant to the storyline. Harry can do it so if the locket is protected in the same way as the Chamber then he will not need anyone's help to open it.

f.lammana: the bit about elves and if they can speak parseltongue was in direct reference to entering the cave: you had to speak parseltongue to find the arch, then offer the sacrifice of blood for it to open. We do not know if Regulus could speak parseltongue. Sirius cannot, that is all we know for certain.

Regulus was described as being handsome like Sirius, only younger. I do not imagine anyone would have referred to Sirius as "that awful boy," thus I have to conclude that if Regulus made a holiday trip with Lily to her home, Regulus would be quite handsome, albeit young.

James was described as wickedly handsome, I doubt it was him to which Petunia referred either. I suspect it was Snape.

Sorry, it has been awhile since I opened my HBP, but I do not recall Harry ever having to speak parseltongue to get into the cave. There was the swim in the sea and the blood sacrafice, find the boat, drink the potion, but at what point did he have to speak?

I is I who am sorry. You are correct: parseltongue was not required to get the locket from the cave, I don't know why I believed it was.

Please disregard the gibberish I posted concerning Kreacher maybe knowing parseltongue.
I just reread that chapter because of your post.

Another afterthought, since I reread HBP's chapter "The Cave" to clarify if or if not parseltongue was used to enter...and I found a single one liner that summed up the close of the book.

Getting ready to drink the first goblet of potion, Dumbledore raised it to his lips and said,

"Your good health, Harry."

He drank that potion knowing he was going to die. He had to have. He did not say to our good health, our success..no he did not say our anything.

How foreboding!

Someone had insisted that there was a parsel-tongue element in the cave entry some weeks back and I took their word for it since I am not up to that book/chapter yet in the reread. But if there is no such obstacle, that's great. Kreacher was just there to drink the potion then and can fill in the obvious RAB details.

I still think speaking to the Black family objects with snakes on them could prove valuable. I dont see any other reason in the plot to make a point of the snake objects all over the house. This fact has nothing to do with Kreacher.

As to the toast....isn't it usual to drink to the other person's health? So, I dont know if it indicates that he KNEW he was going to die, though I'm sure he knew it would be dangerous to drink the potion. I think his knowledge of this was as a result of having information about what happened to Kreacher, and was the reason DD demanded Harry's utter obedience before allowing him to come. But, knowing what Kreacher was like long-term, if a result of the potion, DD would have good reason to suspect that his long-term prospects were dim, unless Snape could intervene. Regulus probably didnt care to get any kind of medical attention for Kreacher, tho we can't know this. I think, tho, that he has Harry's health on his mind. He says he does not want Harry's blood for the sacrifice because his blood is too important, on the way into the cave. The toast puts into new light the "that was no health drink" line later.....hmmm...

Actually, it's important that parseltounge wasn't required. How would RAB have gotten in, no matter who RAB ends up being? It would have instantly eliminated basically all suspects, seeing as, as far as we know, only Harry and Voldemort can speak it. It's an inhereted trait, it appears. An inherent magical ability. If Dumbledore cannot speak it, I'm pretty sure that it can't be learned. anyway, the confusion probobly started because someone got Harry needing to speak Parseltounge to understand the gaunt memory with the cave scene. It's not the first time that's happened.

DD knew many languages and he also did not seen to need someone to translate the Guant memory. I do not know if it is inherent with him or something he learned. Crouch Sr. was also to have been able to speak many languages however parsletongue may not be one of them. The ability to speak parsletongue is looked on as something only a Dark wizard can do so we may have a number of wizards that can do it but have not come forth.

As for the toast, DD is always more concerned for the well being of others, does he know he is going to die, no. I liken the toast to early when entering the cave, he would not allow Harry to provide the blood sacrafice. The line was something about how Harry's blood was more valuable then his.

Well, the counter of this is what we were (erroneously) finding interesting--if Parseltongue was needed, that would mean that RAB or Kreacher would have to have it; that raises intriguing questions about how. Either something mysterious about Regulus, or something we don't know about elves.

But, it's moot. But is it? If I am correct in my guess that some of the snake objects in the Black house might respond to parseltongue, that would raise some interesting questions about why they would be there. It need not imply that Blacks had parseltongue in the family, but it would indicate some crossing of paths with those who do speak it, in the least. Or maybe the Blacks shopped for expensive Slytherin items at Bourgin and Burkes.

^That's really interesting, actually. What known Slytherin objects are in the Black house, if any? It's really interesting.

Obviously, RAB is a death eater, whether voldemort wanted him to know or not about the horcruxes. He addressed voldemort "the dark lord" in the message. R.A.B. fits perfectly, and we know he was killed, but was he smart enough? Maybe i am thinking of Dumbledore stating Aberforth was not smart, but didn't Sirius state somewhere that Regulus was not smart too? It makes me wonder. JKR did say Regulus was a "fine choice."

i agree, i do think that R.A.B. is regulas because sirius did say that he left the family and his mom burned him of the tapestry because he went against his families beliefs --which was supporting voldemort---and going after one of voldemort's horcruxes and destroying it is definitly not supporting voldemort

After the cleansing by Sirius, how must stuff do you reckon is still in the House of Black? I am thinking Mundungus and Aberforth might be highly effective in determining what, if anything, was important. Do you think it possible that Mundungus isn't fencing the stuff he took, but rather taking it for Aberforth to examine?

Albus, not to confuse the two Dumbledores, told Harry that Mundungus would no longer be nicking stuff from number 12, that the stuff belongs to Harry. Did Albus tell Mundungus to go through it looking for something? Seems far-fetched, even for me. ha ha

Krissy15 are you thinking of the instance when Sirius told Harry that Regulus was an idiot? If so, I think he was referring to his beliefs and lifestyle rather than mental agility, or lack thereof. I would surmise Regulus was equally as smart at Sirius.

That must be what i am thinking of. Thank you!

I think Regulus is a very qualified candidate for R.A.B.

Now, i am going to re-read the Grimmauld Place chapter in OotP and see if there are any other connections that can be made to Regulus. I think it is pretty probable.

I forget, did Kreacher like Regulus? I forget any mention of it.