Temper Rising

"There has been another attack. Look," Hermione told them over breakfast, pointing to her copy of Daily Prophet.

"I don't see what's the fuss Hermione. Ever since the world has been alerted of you-know-who's return, there has been attacks almost everyday," said Ron, not wanting to put his food down for a second.

Harry mean while went silent for a moment. "My god Hermione. It says here the victims were mostly related to students of Hogwarts. Look, the name of the victims were even listed down."

"I can't believe it. Look, Mrs Finnigan, Mrs Brown, Amos Diggory, Mr Chang, and Mrs Chang, my goodness, Creswell. He's my cousin. But we were never really close. An there's Mr McLaggen and Mr Smith. I can't believe this. What a mass murder there was," said Hermione in disbelief.

"And it says Hogwarts will be their alternate home for those who lost their loved ones. So that means Seamus, Lavender and Cho are coming here. Cormac and Zacharias Smith are already here," said Harry, tugging the newspaper from Hermione's grasps.

"Where do you think those who are coming will be staying?" asked Ron.

Ron's answer came neither from Harry or Hermione but Professor McGonagall as she stood up to make an announcement.

"As you know, there had been an attack yesterday on families and relatives of students and ex-students of Hogwarts. We have decided to open our doors to the victim's families to come and stay at Hogwarts. The ex-students will sleep at the dormitories of their respective houses they had been sorted to during their time in Hogwarts. This is where I want each and everyone of you to co-operate and help to console these people who had been affected by the attacks. We do not want them be crying all day here. It's your job to make sure they feel at home again. With that, I conclude my speech. They will be arriving this evening. I hope you will welcome them with open arms."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

That evening, almost all students gathered around at the entrance to welcome the victim's families. Harry, Ron and Hermione meanwhile decided to stay behind at the great hall.

"Why'd you think Voldermort caused this attacks?" asked Hermione.

"He's a maniac isn't he?" said Ron.

"Yes. But he has never attacked families of Hogwarts students and ex-students this many before. There's something about the way he attacked the victim. He must have had a reason for doing so," said Hermione.

"Yeah. I don't understand why he even killed Cho's parents. They're pure-blood aren't they? And I thought Voldermort's all time ambition was to get rid of all the muggle-borns in the wizarding world.

At that moment, Professor Slughorn approached them and summon them to his office.

"Mind if you close that door behind you," Slughorn said as he sat on his chair.

"Why did you bring us here sir?" asked Harry.

"To give you a worthy advice. I know you are doing everything you can to defeat you-know-who Harry. I admire that bravery. And right now, I have been informed that you have been searching for you-know-who's hocrux."

"How did you know about the hocrux?" asked Harry.

"Dumbledore told me of course. Not forgetting that it was I who provided evidence that you-know-who indeed created a hocrux of himself. Surely you remember that Harry?"

"Yes of course," said Harry.

"Now. You three have a general idea what a hocrux means. But not entirely. When you-know-who created his hocrux, he is in fact splitting his soul. Dumbledore already told me he believe there are six objects out there in the world containing you-know-who's soul. You have destroyed some of course. The last hocrux however remained in his body. It is that hocrux inside him that kept him alive when you rebounded the curse as a baby.

When a hocrux is made, the soul is being splitted and not created. Many people wrongly believe that creating a hocrux is adding a new soul into an object. So, whenever one split his soul, he becomes weaker as the amount of soul inside him decrease. But still he has powers because the soul still exist, just not in himself. I have this theory that you-know-who caused this theory because he is indeed angry at you Harry. He can feel himself growing weaker as you destroyed more and more of his hocrux. He has only been left three piece of soul."

"Sir, why couldn't Voldermort create more hocrux since he knows that his current hocrux is being destroyed?" asked Harry.

"You-know-who already split his soul into six objects. I don't believe he can muster the energy to do anymore cause creating a hocrux is not something easy. It's very advanced magic. He had used enough of his soul to create seven hocrux. I don't think anyone has ever split their souls into that many. So you better get the job done fast Harry because you have an advantage over him now. Use it wisely."

"Yes Professor," replied Harry.

"Now go and welcome your friends," said Professor Slughorn.