During their conversation, Dumbledore once asked Regulus Black whether he wanted to know the arrangements of several checkpoints.
In response, he received a faintly mocking smile, and then Regulus Black slowly began to share his speculations about the setup of the checkpoints.
"Since the first checkpoint is Hagrid's three-headed hellhound, Fluffy, then the ones that follow must belong to the four heads of house. I believe the Headmaster wouldn't easily reveal what exactly they're protecting—but I'm sure the heads of house aren't fools."
Regulus Black chuckled and glanced at Snape, earning a cold snort in return.
"If you're not going to say anything, then naturally they won't ask. And considering that certain exceptionally gifted students might enter, the checkpoints must be designed to delay intruders. That way, once a student enters a checkpoint, the corresponding professor will be notified and still have enough time to retrieve them."
Regulus Black first analyzed the nature of the checkpoints and, under Dumbledore's gaze, had no choice but to continue.
"The first checkpoint is Hagrid's three-headed dog, Fluffy. Then the second to the fifth should be: magical plants from the Head of Hufflepuff, enchanted puzzles from the Head of Ravenclaw, Transfiguration from the Head of Gryffindor, and Potions from the Head of Slytherin. I believe any upper-year student with passing grades should be able to make it through."
What Regulus described matched the original sequence of checkpoints in the story. However, since he had said "from the second to the fifth checkpoints," Dumbledore couldn't be entirely sure whether Regulus truly knew the details. Still, the fact that he could deduce the involvement of the four heads of house and their probable areas was already enough to prove his sharp insight.
"You think any upper-year student could get through them?"
Dumbledore gave a wry smile. After all, these checkpoints were designed with Harry Potter in mind. Naturally, they wouldn't pose much of a challenge to older students. In fact, repeatedly reminding students at dinner not to go near the third-floor corridor on the left had only sparked the curiosity of countless mischievous children. Quite a few had been caught during the semester, and only through memory modification had their interest in the chamber been quelled.
Dumbledore had worried quite a bit for the sake of Harry Potter's growth.
"If it were me, I could force my way through. It's too easy—I wouldn't even bother trying hard."
Regulus Black's attitude clearly showed that these checkpoints were child's play to him.
"But what really interests me is the final checkpoint you arranged, Headmaster. What kind of challenge would that be?"
Regulus waved his hand, indicating Dumbledore didn't need to tell him. His interest was only superficial; he'd leave the actual experience to Harry Potter and Quirrell.
Only those who desire the Philosopher's Stone but do not intend to use it can obtain it.
Heh. Seems that's something I definitely can't do—Regulus Black was fully aware of his own desires.
That restriction on obtaining the Stone was effective not only on Voldemort but on him as well. So if he wanted the Philosopher's Stone, he would have to wait for Harry Potter to acquire it first.
"But Headmaster, I ask that you give me the Philosopher's Stone afterward—as a gift, if nothing else."
When Regulus Black first arrived at the school, he had already expressed his desire to obtain the Stone. Given his condition, solving the attributes of the undead and returning to a normal human state was a very real and urgent problem.
To others, the Philosopher's Stone was a rare treasure that could produce the Elixir of Life and turn any metal into gold. But in the hands of Regulus Black or Voldemort, it was a life-saving artifact.
"You want the Philosopher's Stone!"
Only then did Snape realize that his assistant had approached Dumbledore about the Stone. The Philosopher's Stone—what kind of treasure was that? Even within the entire wizarding world, it was a rarity. Dumbledore would never hand it over lightly.
"Alright! I agree. I will give you the Philosopher's Stone afterward. However—Regulus—you must also promise me something in return."
Dumbledore's words left Snape utterly shocked—what exactly had Regulus Black done to earn Dumbledore's trust?
"I can only promise you this: as long as Harry Potter remains at Hogwarts, I will do everything I can to help him."
Regulus Black carefully chose his words, because with Dumbledore, any promise made had to be fulfilled. A magical contract could be sealed with nothing more than a single sentence.
Once Dumbledore asked, and Regulus Black gave his answer, the contract was established.
Regulus couldn't be unaware of this, and Dumbledore hadn't intended to conceal the existence of the contract either.
For Regulus Black to give such an answer even after careful consideration—Dumbledore was satisfied.
At last, he had gotten Regulus Black to make a promise that would benefit Harry Potter. That alone put Dumbledore's mind at ease.
"Since I've made my promise, I hope that when the time comes—after I've saved Quirrell—you, Headmaster, will vouch for me regarding the high fee I intend to collect."
Since Regulus Black had been used by Dumbledore once, he naturally intended to return the favor—by using Dumbledore as Quirrell's witness. It would be best if Dumbledore himself could explain why Quirrell, having survived, would owe such a massive debt.
Hearing Regulus bring this up again, Dumbledore was a bit helpless, while Snape let out a subtle cold chuckle. It was rare for someone to actually get the old bee to do something—and something as unpleasant as this, no less. It was quite entertaining.
Snape ignored Dumbledore's glance, making it perfectly clear that this was something Dumbledore would have to deal with himself.
"Alright, Regulus. I'll speak to Quirinus about it when the time comes."
Dumbledore could only agree for now, albeit reluctantly.
"Then let's also discuss the matter of damages. I've already said I'd break through the checkpoints by force—so when the time comes, don't expect me to pay for anything."
Regulus Black made this demand rather shamelessly. After all, if even Harry Potter could get through the checkpoints, there was no reason Regulus should need to resort to brute force—unless, of course, "breaking through" was a cover for actually taking the entire checkpoint setups. And since the materials used belonged to the school, that would basically be theft—but here he was, proposing it so confidently.
Even Snape, who usually enjoyed watching Dumbledore squirm, thought this demand was a bit much. And let's not forget Regulus had already requested the Philosopher's Stone afterward as a gift. Yes—a gift. Maybe thinking of it that way would make it easier for the old bee to accept.
Dumbledore, of course, fully understood what Regulus was getting at. Perhaps once he had passed through all the checkpoints, everything along the way would vanish—becoming Regulus's possessions.
Hagrid's three-headed hellhound, Professor Sprout's Devil's Snare… it looked like they were going to need some serious explanations.
As for the later checkpoints, Professor Flitwick had enchanted a swarm of flying keys—if those were lost, it wouldn't be a big deal. Professor McGonagall had created a life-sized wizard's chess set using Transfiguration—a work of effort and artistry that, hopefully, would be treated with respect. And then there was Snape's potions challenge—no one wanted to risk poisoning, so that one might be left intact.
As for the Mirror of Erised hidden in the final chamber… well, Dumbledore consoled himself: Let's just say it's a gift for Regulus.
"Very well. I think I can agree to your conditions."
After weighing his options, Dumbledore finally agreed to Regulus's plundering plan.
By the time Regulus Black left the Headmaster's office, the three of them had finalized all the details.
Snape felt cold sweat running down his back—he had never imagined someone could be so shameless. Yet everything Regulus had proposed was the safest, most foolproof plan possible. Even as Head of Slytherin, Snape found himself questioning his own qualifications.
Regulus Black, born into a dark wizarding family, had shown him the true meaning of shamelessness—and of noble greed.
But as long as everything proceeded according to Regulus Black's plan, Harry Potter would be safe. And Dumbledore's hopes would be fulfilled: the young savior would face the Dark Lord and conquer his fears.
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