Chapter 289: The Making of a Horcrux

After that, Dumbledore didn't say much more to John about the Horcrux.

After all, there wasn't much left to say.

Such legends ultimately have little to do with their current goal.

Now the fourth Horcrux is in hand.

It's time to consider the next Horcrux.

Although we don't know how many Horcruxes Voldemort actually made, we learned it from earlier discussions with Dumbledore.

And a Hufflepuff Gold Cup has gone missing.

It's highly likely that Voldemort also stole it.

"Headmaster, continuing to look this way isn't a solution."

"We don't even know how many Horcruxes Voldemort prepared; we don't even have a target."

"If he prepared a hundred or eighty, we'd have to wait until the Year of the Monkey and the Month of the Horse."

John complained to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore didn't react much; instead, he began to explain to John.

"I don't think I've told you the method of making a Horcrux yet."

"To create a Horcrux, the crucial part is to tear a piece of one's own soul and hide it inside an object."

"And there's only one way to tear the soul: to harbor pure murderous intent and kill someone."

"Each murder rips a portion of the soul."

Dumbledore slowly raised his hand, sketching the scene with magical energy in the air.

It was a solid human figure, then a piece was torn off and placed into a square shape.

"See, the Horcrux is completed this way; a portion of the creator's soul will reside within the Horcrux."

"But correspondingly, his own soul will permanently lack that part."

Dumbledore pointed to a hollowed-out section in the solid human figure and said.

"As you continuously tear your soul..."

Dumbledore kept waving his wand, and the human figure had piece after piece removed, until only an empty skeletal outline remained.

"The soul will keep losing pieces until, in the end, the Horcrux maker himself falls into a state that is neither alive nor dead."

After watching, John understood.

In simple terms, it's like treating the soul as LEGO bricks—click‑click, taking them apart.

You can take apart several pieces, but you must never take them all.

Otherwise you can't even maintain your own existence.

"By my estimate, ten Horcruxes should be enough."

"If there are more, Voldemort's own mind will become scattered."

"He couldn't possibly not understand this principle."

John nodded thoughtfully.

"Of course, we still need to investigate the exact number of Voldemort's Horcruxes, so we can avoid mistakes that would let Voldemort keep limping along."

Dumbledore waved lightly, and the magical diagram vanished.

"I'll find a way to handle this, don't worry."

"Need any help?" John asked immediately.

"Hmm... you know what, this time we really need your help."

This time Dumbledore didn't wear his usual scholarly stern face; instead, he blinked and gave John a sly, mischievous smile.

John felt a chill instantly; Lao Deng wouldn't be plotting anything bad, would he...

"Roo, if you act recklessly, Hermione won't let you off."

Dumbledore smiled without words, simply raising his wrist to signal John to hold on.

John said nothing more, and followed Dumbledore as they Apparitioned away from the spot.

After settling the Horcrux matter with Dumbledore, nothing else happened during this period.

Although Dumbledore told John before leaving that he'd come back in two weeks.

But he didn't say what for.

So John just let it be.

A week later, Harry and Sirius suddenly visited.

"Hey? Why did you two show up?"

John looked at the two people at the door and asked oddly.

Harry smiled and said.

"Hermione told me you moved your house nearby, and I happened to be at the Order of the Phoenix today, so I came to see you."

Sirius, meanwhile, sauntered into the living room and casually flopped onto the sofa.

Then he said, "You kid, your abacus beads bounced right into my face; you want the Order of the Phoenix to be your free bodyguards, huh?"

Hearing that, John didn't argue, but smiled and asked.

"The Order of the Phoenix has always been dedicated to eradicating the Dark Evil Force, hasn't it?"

"If your neighbors were in trouble, would the Order of the Phoenix just stand by?"

Sirius was about to retort when Harry suddenly raised his hand and pressed Sirius's shoulder.

"Of course not, I actually think..."

"Whether there's something or not, you can still drop by; how convenient."

Sirius's words were cut off in an instant.

Right, right.

John put his arm around Harry's shoulder and laughed warmly.

That's what a good senior for the people is.

After Harry sat down, he then began to talk business with John.

John, I actually came today also having something to ask you—do you also know about the Horcrux matter?

Hearing Harry's words, John raised his eyebrows.

It seems Dumbledore really told Harry about the Horcrux.

Earlier, John had urged Dumbledore to speak early, not to hide it from Harry.

Now Harry finally knows about the Horcrux, so he no longer needs to pretend he knows nothing.

Headmaster finally told you?

Yeah, I only found out at the end of the term." Harry nodded, saying somewhat resentfully.

Such an important matter—Sirius knows, Professor Lupin knows, and even Hermione and John know.

Yet he was the last to find out.

Hey, the Headmaster just cares too much about you, worried that knowing this would put too much pressure on you and affect your OWLS exam.

Also, your Occlumency is still not smooth.

Afraid Voldemort might peek through the gaps in your mind and steal our information.

So he's been hiding it all along, although I think it's unnecessary.

John patted Harry's shoulder to comfort him.

Harry naturally understands these things; he's annoyed that, clearly the one who should be most trusted, because of Voldemort, the order of information flow has instead made him the last to know.

Did the Headmaster say that the pendant box you found in the Order of the Phoenix last time is one of the Horcruxes?

And then you found another Horcrux in the Wish-Granting House?

Harry no longer dwelled on the order of information, but instead bombarded John with questions.

Luck, luck, hahaha.

John modestly with his words, but his face showed a full-blown 'Versailles-style' smug smile.

Although it really is just luck.

But luck is also part of strength.

Hey, senior, do you still have nightmares now?

John suddenly thought of something and immediately excitedly asked Harry.

Harry was taken aback by the question, but still nodded.

Yeah, occasionally I still dream of some images, or Voldemort's emotional shifts.

Hearing Harry's affirmation, John immediately made a guess.

Then you say, is it possible for you to, through Voldemort's thoughts, peek at where he hides the Horcruxes?

Harry blinked, also stunned by that idea for a moment.

Sirius beside him also fell into thought.

But my connection to Voldemort's mind is passive; I can't control what he thinks...

After Harry's slight stunned moment, he didn't think this idea was smart; instead, he voiced the real problem.

You're silly; since we can't control it, let's create an opportunity so Voldemort has no choice but to think!