Half-Blood Prince 23: Horcruxes
In which Harry and Dumbledore finally view Slughorn's memory, watching a reluctant Slughorn tell Riddle about the way Horcruxes work and Riddle contemplate splitting a soul into seven pieces.
Dumbledore speculates about the six possible Horcruxes containing parts of Riddle's soul: Riddle's diary, Marvolo's ring, and perhaps four items representing the four Hogwarts houses, including Slytherin's locket and Hufflepuff's cup. Harry struggles with the implications of this new knowledge: Voldemort will be vulnerable when the Horcruxes have been destroyed, but Dumbledore insists that Harry will kill Voldemort because of the history between then and not because of the prophesy. "It was, [Harry] thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle to the death and walking into the area with your head held high," a crucial difference. (512)
Previous chapter: Half-Blood Prince 22: After the Funeral
Next chapter: Half-Blood Prince 24: Sectumsempra
Dumbledore speculates about the six possible Horcruxes containing parts of Riddle's soul: Riddle's diary, Marvolo's ring, and perhaps four items representing the four Hogwarts houses, including Slytherin's locket and Hufflepuff's cup. Harry struggles with the implications of this new knowledge: Voldemort will be vulnerable when the Horcruxes have been destroyed, but Dumbledore insists that Harry will kill Voldemort because of the history between then and not because of the prophesy. "It was, [Harry] thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle to the death and walking into the area with your head held high," a crucial difference. (512)
Previous chapter: Half-Blood Prince 22: After the Funeral
Next chapter: Half-Blood Prince 24: Sectumsempra