Coming prepared . . .

[Sirius Potter Fan]

It just hit me while making another post, that when RAB came to take and destroy the horcrux in the cave, not only did he know that 1. Voldemort had a horcrux, 2. The Horcrux was in that particular cave, and 3. RAB knew that the Horcrux was encased in a locket.

RAB didn't just show up at the cave, take a Horcrux, scribble a note, and leave, but he had another locket ready to replace it! I would also assume that that locket looked quite simmilar to the orriginal as well. Doesn't this just sound too amazing to be possible that LV could have possibly given that much info on something so critical?

[George]

I think you've an outstanding point. I agree 100% - RAB wasn't just fooling around and making a half-spirited long shot at trying to foil Voldemort's horcrux plans... he was obviously well informed!
But my brain's rusty and I've not posted for months ... any clues as to where he may have extracted all this info? Did Voldemort himself tell? Was RAB better than Voldemort at Occlumency? Did he hoodwink closer DE's to telling him? Or maybe Snape was involved? Oh the questions, the questions...

[Fortescue]

Along that same thought, how is it that Dumbledore knew where the Horcrux was and the obstacles he and Harry would have to traverse to reach it? Also, the potion in the basin - Dumbledore had to have some prior knowledge of that and what was required of the person looking for the Horcrux? Could it be that the information about all of Voldemort's Horcurxes is chronicled somewhere? Did Dumbledore know R.A.B?

I get the feeling that Snape knew R.A.B., since, if in fact, Regulus is R.A.B., or part of R.A.B., (I still think that considering that the initials only stand for Regulus is a little naive on our part,) Snape knew what Dumbledore had planned and he knew about the Horcruxes. If Snape knew all this and Dumbledore planned to be done away with in order for Harry to continue, I believe Snape led Dumbledore to the cave and showed him in advance what obstacles he faced in order to get that bit of Voldemort's soul, but they were both unaware that the piece was already gone.

Whomever R.A.B is, they obviously knew in advance about the Horcrux and made the trek to the cave, and not alone. Dumbledore knew he couldn't get that particular Horcrux alone, so I'm sure R.A.B did too!

[Glumbumble]

I think that Dumbledore and R.A.B. came to discover the locket horcrux from different directions. Dumbledore knew about Horcruxes developed a theory about both the nature of the Horcrux vessels and possible locations. He had investigated possible locations from Voldemort’s past. He told Harry that he had been looking for the cave for a long time. Despite his preparation Dumbledore did not know how to get to the Horcrux or how to remove it.
At present we do not know how R.A.B found out about Horcruxes and about the location. We do know that Voldemort did not share information about his Horcruxes with his Death Eaters, not even Lucius Malfoy, who was entrusted with the Diary without knowing its significance.
I think that there are three possibilities for R.A.B. firstly that R.A.B. found out about the Horcrux by accident. Perhaps overhearing Voldemort or carrying out an errand or something similar. Secondly, he could have found out about the location by accident and then worked out what was being hidden, returning thereafter to steal the locket. Thirdly, he could have found out about Horcruxes from whoever taught Voldemort about them, whoever that was.

[Alz]

It just hit me while making another post, that when RAB came to take and destroy the horcrux in the cave, not only did he know that 1. Voldemort had a horcrux, 2. The Horcrux was in that particular cave, and 3. RAB knew that the Horcrux was encased in a locket.

RAB didn't just show up at the cave, take a Horcrux, scribble a note, and leave, but he had another locket ready to replace it! I would also assume that that locket looked quite simmilar to the orriginal as well. Doesn't this just sound too amazing to be possible that LV could have possibly given that much info on something so critical?

I really dont believe Voldemort would have been that free with the information - I mean it seems to go against everything we have learned about horcruxes ... but yet RAB was acting with a sense of knowledge that only the Dark Lord would seem to know ...
I am thinking 'mind tricks' coming into play here - it would seem that someone, maybe RAB or maybe Snape was able to get into Voldemort's mind ... I mean it seems like the most plausible way .... and maybe the reason we were told about Occlumency & Legilmency ... and the fact Snape is so good at them!

I really just dont believe Voldemort would have been so casual about sharing this - I mean he has never told anyone and for good reason - I mean it isnt like he would have it written down either - nope, if someone got that data, they forced themselves in there ... and we only know so far of one really good person ... Snape ...

[secret seeker]

While we all assume R.A.B. to be a good guy, maybe we should delve a little furthur into the possibilities that he may have destroyed the Horcrux for his own reasons?. What if R.A.B. himself had a Horcrux, constructed after he/she destroyed the locket?.
I think that if R.A.B. is/was Regulus black, its more than likely that he took Kreacher with him to the cave, or, someone he was willing to sacrifice to the inferi.
Kreacher would be a perfect choice for Regulus, purely because he could swear him to secrecy.
It is interesting, and I would love to know how and when R.A.B. destroyed the horcrux, and obviously Jo is going to have to elaborate on what happened, so, I suppose its only a matter of time, oh well.......:o