Harry laughed out loud as he felt the sweet pulse of the Dark Magic flow through his veins, almost like a tender, loving stroke from head to toe. If he'd known using the Killing curse would've felt this good, he would've done it years ago! No wonder Voldemort did it so often.

He kept his eyes on Lavender's face, wanting to see the light in her eyes go out, leaving only a cold, hollow shell of a body.

He shook his head and concentrated on his task. Taking a deep breath, he began the chant that would transfer a part of his soul in to the locket in his hand. He flinched as he felt a rip somewhere inside him, but it only lasted a few seconds.

When it was over, he opened his eyes, not knowing when he had closed them and slowly breathed out.

His hands were shaking.

...

He was sweating.

…

...

He had never felt so alive.

-00-

"What are you reading, Harry?" Hermione asked as she sat down by his table in the dimly lit library one afternoon.

Harry had to grit his teeth as to not snap back at her. How he'd lasted six years in her presence, and NOT killed her, he'd never know. He applauded himself on his self-control.

"Harry? Are you listening?"

"Hm? Sorry, Hermione, I was lost in thoughts", he said and smiled apologetically, "what did you say?"

"I asked what you're reading", she said and leaned forward, trying to read upside down. He quickly covered the page he was reading with his hands and glared at her.

"It's something private, and I'd appreciate it if you'd leave it alone."

Hermione stared at him, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. "Wha- Harry?"

"You heard me, Hermione. What I'm reading is none of your business. Now, please be quiet. We're in a library, you know, and you know how upset Madam Pince gets when someone's talking."

That said, he gathered his books and got up, leaving his 'friend' at the table, staring after him with something akin to hurt in her eyes.

Harry couldn't care less.

-00-

After having called Dobby and having him dispose of Lavender's body and any other remaining evidence, he cast a cleaning charm on himself and headed back to the castle.

His eyes were wide with new light and wonder. It was as if a cloth had been removed from his eyes, he could see everything so much clearer!

It wasn't only his senses that had improved by making a horcrux; his magic felt so much stronger. Before it had been quite a force not to be reckoned with, but now... now he felt as if he was invincible. If one horcrux made him feel this powerful, what would two do?

He paused in his walk and forced his mind to calm down. He had to take things slow, this was a matter he couldn't rush, no matter how much he wanted to.

He wondered if he looked any different. He hadn't thougth of that back in the Shack. Did Voldemort look the way he did because of his horcruxes? Surely his current looks wasn't by his own choice? But then again, the man was a little crazy. Or brilliant. Harry couldn't decide on which.

-00-

"Where have you been, mate?" Ron asked as soon as Harry stepped through the door to the Gryffindor Common room. "You never showed up, did something happen? Did you run into Malfoy?"

"Huh? No, no, I wasn't feeling very well, my scar began to hurt again. And I didn't want to ruin your fun, so I went back. I've just been to see Madam Pomfrey for a headache reliever," Harry said as he sat down on the sofa.

"It must've been a bad one, if you went to her straight away. I mean, normally you stay as far away from the hospital wing as possible", Ron said and grimaced.

Harry nodded, all the while thanking the Gods that Ron was so gullible. He believed anything, didn't he?

He noticed that Ron was looking at him funny, and raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong, mate?"

"No, I don't know, it's just... you look... different", Ron said slowly, tilting his head from side to side.

"Different, how?" Harry asked, tensing in his seat. Had he really changed that much that even Ron noticed?

"I'm not sure, really. Your eyes seem... clearer than they did before. Are you wearing contacts or something?"

"What? No, I'm not. It's probably the light that's tricking you, Ron", Harry said and looked away, feeling a little unsettled. He needed a mirror.

"Yeah, you're probably right", Ron said and shrugged, letting the whole thing go. "Hey, do you know what's up with Hermione? She's been acting kind of weird the last couple of days. I mean, I think she's weird all the time, but she's been more weird than usual."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, feigning confusion. She must still be upset over his refusal to let her see his reading material in the library the other day. Honestly, that mudblood had to go before she drove Harry up the wall!

"She keeps scowling at everyone, especially you, did you two fight or something?"

"Not really, she was kind of intrusive in the library the other day, demanding to know what I was reading. I simply told her no. I had no idea she was still feeling upset over that", Harry said, while planning on how many ways he could kill her without using his hands. "She's likely in one of her moods. I'd let it go, Ron, she'll be back to herself in no time."

"I guess so", Ron said and yawned, "I'm off to bed, you coming?"

"Yeah, in a minute, just gotta go to the bathroom", Harry said and got up, not bothering to wait and see if Ron followed. After locking the door he took his clothes of and stared in wonder at his reflection.

Ron had been right- his eyes were clearer. Did he even need glasses anymore? He took his old, battered glasses off and laughed in delight. If anything, he could see better without them!

His skin was paler than it had been, though not so much that people would notice, making his eyes and hair stand out more than before.

He smiled to his reflection. Making a horcrux had definitely not been a mistake.