days at Hogwarts

Chapter 716: A Little Merit

"Horcruxes? No, Harry, these powers are the exact opposite of horcruxes.

"The Horcrux requires the murder of others without any guilt in order to split their souls. Your mother sacrificed herself to perform this ancient magic. At that moment, pure and selfless love showed an unprecedented and magical power beyond magic. The power of protection was imprinted in your blood.

"Originally, this mark would have gradually dissipated, just like the other effects of wizards on the world. Voldemort knew nothing about this. He only foolishly pursued shallow power and accidentally took your blood into his body, allowing this protection to continue."

There was a hint of respect in Dumbledore's tone. He not only admired the mother who sacrificed herself to protect her child, but also, as a legendary wizard, he admired the power that transcended all magic.

The shelter given in the name of love sixteen years ago had a profound impact.

In one fell swoop, Voldemort's body in its prime was destroyed, leaving only a ghost that had nowhere to hide and dared not show its face. The prosperous group of Death Eaters disbanded overnight after losing its backbone, ending decades of turmoil in the British wizarding world.

Harry's eyes were somewhat warm. Although he had heard it countless times, his mother's love could touch his heart every time. He didn't want to show his weak side in front of the headmaster, so he could only change the subject: "If Voldemort can't kill me, and we can't kill Voldemort, then what should we do next?"

"I'm glad to see you facing death calmly, Harry. But at your age, it's too early to think about this." Dumbledore patted his shoulder. "You don't need to embark on the adventure of death yourself. Just destroy the soul fragment residing in your scar."

"How?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore did not answer immediately, but thought quietly, as if hesitating: "I have come up with a plan, but... Harry, I am not fully confident."

"Godric Gryffindor once said that you don't have to fill your potion bottles when you go on a journey, you don't have to plan for all the unexpected, you don't have to prepare food for several months. If there is anything you must bring, it is your wand and sword." Harry said slowly. This is a classic quote from the founder of the college, used to advise people to bravely take risks.

Dumbledore's mouth curled up a little, and his voice was also filled with laughter: "This is the rhetoric that Gryffindor used to mock the other three founders. You are aware of this, right?"

"Yes, and I think Gryffindor is right." Harry spread his hands. "I remember that you, the headmaster, were also a Gryffindor when you were a student. Don't worry about things that haven't happened yet. Just tell me the plan."

"It's just an immature idea." Dumbledore said slowly, "The protection magic is imprinted in the blood of both you and Voldemort. Based on this condition, I think his killing curse cannot kill you, but it can destroy the soul fragment in your forehead, so..."

"As long as Voldemort attacks me, the plan will succeed?"

If it wasn't Dumbledore who said this, he would even suspect that he had secretly joined the Death Eaters.

Harry still had doubts, and after a little thought he expressed his doubts: "Since Voldemort is alive and I won't die, why can't I let you... or someone else, someone more trustworthy, help me remove the soul fragments?"

"The only things that can destroy soul fragments are those deadly magics: Fiendfyre, the Killing Curse, the basilisk's venom and the sword of Gryffindor. It doesn't really matter who does it. Compared to us, Voldemort may be more dedicated and attentive in his execution." Dumbledore explained.

"..."

It sounds weird, but it seems to make sense.

Harry couldn't help but fall silent.

……

"London Bridge is falling down!
“It collapsed, it collapsed!
“Throw away the key and lock it up!

"Lock it up, lock it up!" Although he did not choose the advanced astronomy class in the sixth grade, Loren still went to the tower regularly to study astronomy. He did not come down until the lights were turned off. He walked back to the dormitory while humming a song, and greeted a few decadent roommates who were addicted to mirrors. Learning self-discipline made him happy. It can be predicted that astronomy may be his lifelong hobby.

"The little girl's cry!

"Crying, crying!"

Harry, who was sitting in the chair, finally noticed the lyrics. He slowly turned his head and listened to a few more sentences. Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "Loren, why do the lyrics of this song sound... so weird?"

"Well, it seems a bit strange."

Lauren poured himself a glass of orange juice. He hadn't brushed his teeth yet, so of course he had to drink something sweet. "Hermione said it was a metaphor for Henry VIII's second queen, Anne Boleyn, who was accused of adultery and incest and eventually executed for treason. But I think it's a black magic ritual. When a building is constructed or completed, sealing a child into the foundation of the building will make the building more solid."

"..."

You might be a dark wizard!
Harry frowned, feeling his brain was a little stuck. His original train of thought about the Horcruxes was completely interrupted and he couldn't connect the dots at all.

Loren picked up the teapot and shook it. There was half a pot of orange juice left. If he didn't drink it now, the house-elf would pour it away. So he simply sat down next to it. Refusing to waste food starts with you and me.

"Instead of attending the celebration party or smiling foolishly in front of the mirror with Seamus, what are you doing sitting here alone?"

"Thinking about living Horcruxes, Dumbledore came up with a plan..."

Living Horcrux...plan?
Loren sipped the sweet orange juice, vaguely guessing the relevant plans in his heart, and what Harry said confirmed his guess bit by bit. He was not surprised, but happy. Dumbledore was able to talk to Harry about these plans in person, instead of hiding them after his death and guiding them through relics, all thanks to him.

Although there is an unexpected living Horcrux, which makes it a little tricky.

Loren put down his teacup and looked at the son of prophecy with wonder: "What do you think of this plan? Do you think it's too risky? If something unexpected happens, you might really have to go meet your parents... It sounds like good news."

"..."

Harry sighed helplessly and decided to pour himself a glass of orange juice as a revenge on his roommate: "Of course I believe in Dumbledore, and I am willing to implement this plan. I just wonder where the remaining living Horcrux is. I am worried that Voldemort will come back again in a dozen years."

"Another living Horcrux..."

Loren pondered for a few seconds, thinking and reasoning: "From the analysis of previous Horcruxes, except for the first diary, all the Horcruxes after that are special items with irreplaceable historical significance, and also special meaning to him personally..."

Harry nodded.

"Voldemort has a hobby of collecting and pays attention to rituals. The last soul container must be very special. Considering that it is a living body, he would not just pick an animal or..." Loren showed a thoughtful expression, "Someone?"

Harry's heart skipped a beat when he heard the second half of the sentence.

(End of this chapter)