Half-Blood Prince 26: The Cave
In which Harry and Dumbledore visit the seaside cave where many years ago Tom Riddle had terrorized two other children.
The cave is entered by a payment of blood and contains a large lake filled with Inferi, dead bodies that will become reanimated to protect the Horcrux stored on a small island in the center. The island is accessed by a small, hidden boat that emerges from the water when Dumbledore locates it, following the traces of Voldemort's magic.
On the island, Harry and Dumbledore find a stone basin filled with an emerald green liquid. It is inaccessible at first, but then Dumbledore realizes that the potion must be drunk to reach the Horcrux inside. On Dumbledore's orders, Harry forces him to drink the potion, which causes the headmaster to become frightened, and then pray for death, and then become thirsty. Harry is too horrified by the situation to take much notice of the gold locket at the bottom of the basin.
Unable to Summon any water to their site, Harry is forced to fill the goblet with water from the lake, which rouses the Inferi. They attack him, and Harry is saved only when Dumbledore recovers enough strength to create a wall of flames to protect them.
They take the boat back to the shore, and a worried, desperate Harry escorts the weakened Dumbledore out of the cave. As they depart, Dumbledore comforts him. "I am not frightened," he says to Harry. "I am with you." (576)
Previous chapter: Half-Blood Prince 25: The Seer Overheard
Next chapter: Half-Blood Prince 27: The Lightening-Struck Tower
The cave is entered by a payment of blood and contains a large lake filled with Inferi, dead bodies that will become reanimated to protect the Horcrux stored on a small island in the center. The island is accessed by a small, hidden boat that emerges from the water when Dumbledore locates it, following the traces of Voldemort's magic.
On the island, Harry and Dumbledore find a stone basin filled with an emerald green liquid. It is inaccessible at first, but then Dumbledore realizes that the potion must be drunk to reach the Horcrux inside. On Dumbledore's orders, Harry forces him to drink the potion, which causes the headmaster to become frightened, and then pray for death, and then become thirsty. Harry is too horrified by the situation to take much notice of the gold locket at the bottom of the basin.
Unable to Summon any water to their site, Harry is forced to fill the goblet with water from the lake, which rouses the Inferi. They attack him, and Harry is saved only when Dumbledore recovers enough strength to create a wall of flames to protect them.
They take the boat back to the shore, and a worried, desperate Harry escorts the weakened Dumbledore out of the cave. As they depart, Dumbledore comforts him. "I am not frightened," he says to Harry. "I am with you." (576)
Previous chapter: Half-Blood Prince 25: The Seer Overheard
Next chapter: Half-Blood Prince 27: The Lightening-Struck Tower