Chapter 23: Horcruxes

Harry returns to Hogwarts as Felix Felicis fades, narrowly avoiding Peeves and learning from Nearly Headless Nick that Dumbledore is back. He rushes to Dumbledore’s office and presents Slughorn’s true memory. Together they enter the Pensieve to witness Tom Riddle pressing Slughorn about Horcruxes and the possibility of making multiple.

In the memory, Slughorn reluctantly explains that a Horcrux is created by murder to split and hide part of the soul, and Riddle pointedly asks about seven pieces. Back in the office, Dumbledore confirms his long-held theory: Voldemort sought practical immortality by creating multiple Horcruxes.

Dumbledore explains that the diary Harry destroyed and Marvolo Gaunt’s ring (which Dumbledore destroyed at great cost) were Horcruxes. He reasons Voldemort favors significant, historic objects and likely used Slytherin’s locket and Hufflepuff’s cup, with remaining candidates tied to Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. He suspects Nagini became a Horcrux after Voldemort’s return.

Dumbledore answers Harry’s questions about Voldemort’s awareness of destroyed Horcruxes (he likely does not sense it) and Lucius Malfoy’s misuse of the diary. He states that once all Horcruxes are gone, Voldemort can be killed, though he remains immensely dangerous.

Dumbledore reframes the prophecy: Voldemort’s choices, not fate, created his nemesis and armed Harry with protections rooted in love. He emphasizes Harry’s unique resilience and freedom to choose. Harry acknowledges he would hunt Voldemort regardless, and Dumbledore agrees to take him along when pursuing the next Horcrux.