Chapter Twelve- Secret Exposed

Dumbledore and Harry returned to the present and both sat in their respective chairs. "I thank you again for securing this memory, Harry. It confirms a theory I've had for years."

"So you think he succeeded? He made a Horcrux?"

"One, maybe more. After all, you heard him ask if one can split his soul into seven pieces."

"He made seven Horcruxes!" Harry tried and succeeded in sounding horrified, when truthfully he was impressed and fascinated.

"No. I think he made six; the seventh piece resides in his body."

"Okay, six then."

"Again, no. You already destroyed one: Riddle's diary. I destroyed another: Marvolo's ring. There was a curse on it. If it wasn't for my skills and Severus' timely actions, I wouldn't have survived." He showed his right hand.

Shame that, Harry thought, but out loud said, "So that leaves four, but what could they be and where are they? I mean they could be anything and be anywhere."

"I appreciate your understanding of the magnitude of the problem, but let me shed some light on the nature of the objects. I believe Voldemort would choose objects with a certain grandeur for his Horcruxes, thus I have delved into Voldemort's past for such artifacts that have disappeared around him."

Harry's eyes widened. "The locket! Hufflepuff's cup!

"Yes. I would wager that they became Horcruxes three and four. Now, four objects from the four founders would exert a powerful pull on Voldemort. I doubt he has four as the only object of Gryffindor's remains safe." Dumbledore gestured to the sword behind its glass case. "I have an idea what the sixth Horcrux is. What would you say when I confess that I've been curious of the behavior of the snake, Nagini?"

"Animals can become Horcruxes?"

"Oh, yes. But it is risky to confide part of your soul to something that can move and think for itself. However, I do think he turned her into a Horcrux since she underlines the Slytherin connection and adds to Voldemort's mystique. Plus, he has remarkable control over her, even for a Parselmouth."

"Are you…searching out hiding places of these Horcruxes? I've noticed times when you were absent at the Staff Table throughout the year."

"Very observant, Harry and yes, I am. I think I'm close to discovering one."

"And if you do," Harry said quickly. "Can I come with you and help dispose of it?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Really!?" Harry was surprised; he had expected Dumbledore to say no.

"I think you've earned that right. I will send a message to you when it's time to visit the place. Until then, Harry. Good night."

"Good night, sir." Harry closed the door and rode the staircase down, deep in thought over what he saw and heard. Voldemort had made six Horcruxes, but now only four remained. Their hiding places remained known only to Voldemort, but Dumbledore may know one of them; he had found the ring's hiding place after all.

The Horcruxes were Voldemort's links to life; if they were destroyed, he would be vulnerable to death like everyone else. It was a thought that horrified Harry. He can't die, he thought. And I will do what I can to insure that his Horcruxes remain safe and undamaged, starting with the locket. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the locket. He stared at it, a thrill welling up inside him. He was holding a piece of his master's soul in his hand and it excited him. He was sure that any Death Eater would love to be in his position right now, having the Horcrux in their hand. As he admired it again, he wondered. Where was it originally hidden and how did it get to Grimmauld Place? Maybe Kreacher knows. I might ask him about it.

Harry's joy over learning Voldemort's secret spurred him to want to kill Dumbledore soon. He offered his assistance to Draco in fixing the Cabinet. "But-but I'm supposed to fix it," he protested. "I believe I have to fix it alone."

"Then, how about this? I'll offer suggestions only. I won't touch anything and I'll keep lookout with the Map. Perhaps, I'll think of an angle you hadn't."

Draco looked thoughtful before his face cleared. "Yeah, I like that. Okay, Harry. Maybe the two of us can fix it more quickly."

Harry spent more time in the Room of Requirement as the weeks went by. He sat near the Cabinet, looking between it and the Marauder's Map, checking for any unwanted people. Of course, Harry still attended Quidditch practices and matches. He got Draco to take a break when he learned that Slytherin had won the Quidditch Cup. Draco happily agreed and when Harry looked surprised that he agreed so easily, Draco laughed.

"Well, I've just about got the Cabinet fixed. A few more adjustments and it'll be ready."

"Excellent!" Harry crowed.

"Yeah, that last suggestion you gave helped a lot."

"You're welcome," Harry said before they entered the Common Room and the party.

Draco and Harry returned to Malfoy Manor a few days later for the Easter holiday. Harry immediately went to Voldemort when the Dark Lord came by. He knelt before him. "My Lord, my mission will soon come to pass. Draco reports he only needs two more weeks once we return to Hogwarts."

"Very good. Dumbledore will soon be gone."

"Yes, my Lord and it couldn't be at a better time."

"What do you mean?"

"Dumbledore has shared with me that he knows your secret: Your Horcruxes."

"What!?" Voldemort screamed. "He knows!? How many are gone?"

"Two, my Lord. The diary and the ring."

"Only two. I knew of the diary last year from Lucius. I want you to know, Harry that I am not angry with you. You obviously did not recognize it for what it was and you were clearly still under Dumbledore's influence. The ring he must have found last summer."

"My Lord, I don't know how or why, but this was in Grimmauld Place." Harry reached into his robes and pulled out the locket.

Voldemort gasped and took it. His eyes narrowed at it. "I think I know what happened. Regulus Black must have learned my secret from his house-elf for I used his elf to test my defenses. Regulus must have died to retrieve the locket and his elf took it home. Regulus intended to betray me. He deserved to die, in that case. I thank you for bringing this to me and once your mission is complete, you will place the locket in your Gringotts vault where it will be safe. I will teach you enchantments for you to cast on the locket to insure that it remains secure."

"As you wish."