Magical Origins
Year 6: The Potions Secret
Professor Slughorn walks around beaming.
His two prize students had received so much attention. He held them in high esteem.
Harry and Lily were seated together. Lily had to take off her engagement ring to prevent any potion ingredients from ruining her wonderful engagement ring.
Or worse, if her ring falls into her potion, it could be disastrous.
Today they were given free rein to work on any potion they deemed fit. How they did and finished would remark their grades.
Lily began working on her potion, and Slughorn looked on, hoping to see her marvelous potion.
Hermione Granger tries to hold back her frustration.
Hermione tries so hard to best Lily for once in Potions, but Lily is always several steps ahead.
Furthermore, much to Granger's dismay, Lily never followed the 'correct' way of making potions.
Hermione followed the book's instructions to the letter but couldn't compete against Lily in Potion Making.
Hermione felt herself growing more frustrated as for once she hoped to best Lily for once.
"Miss Morris, what are you making?!" Slughorn asks gleefully.
"I'm making a new type of potion," says Lily.
"Really!" Slughorn says, unable to hide his excitement.
"Nephilim's Tears. It will destroy enchantment or spells on objects," says Lily.
The classroom looks on in complete utter shock.
"Remarkable! How did you make such a potion?!" asks Slughorn.
"It's almost impossible to make without a key ingredient," says Lily.
"What's that?" asks Slughorn.
"Werewolf blood," says Lily.
The classroom falls silent, slowly taking in what Lily had said.
"My dear?! Where did you get Werewolf blood?!" says Slughorn.
"From Professor Lupin," says Lily.
"Is that why you were talking to him over the summer?" Harry says in amusement.
Lily shrugs her shoulder as she continues to work.
"This is going to be groundbreaking!" Slughorn says happily.
He returns to his desk, practically humming.
Hermione looks on in shock at such a potion.
Hermione couldn't understand how Lily could be so far ahead. She never followed the instructions, yet she was already making a potion well beyond N.E.W.T. level.
The bell rang as the class got up and left.
Harry and Lily approach Slughorn.
They had practiced and rehearsed this moment since Dumbledore showed them the memory.
"Truly remarkable," Professor Slughorn says as he looks at the vial.
"Yes, we're hoping this will help us destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes," says Lily.
Slughorn pauses as he takes in what Lily had said.
He looks at them carefully.
"Dumbledore told us. He's been telling us about Voldemort's past," says Lily.
Slughorn pauses as he looks at the two.
"He showed you that memory, didn't he," Slughorn states calmly.
"He did," Harry says calmly.
"Then you know I don't want to talk about it. I have no knowledge of Horcruxes," says Slughorn.
Slughorn gets and walks away.
"Then why do you defend him?" says Harry.
Slughorn stops in his tracks.
Harry walks around the desk, eyeing Professor Slughorn carefully.
"Careful," whispers Lily.
"You speak highly of my mother. You said she was one of your favorite students. You have information to defeat Voldemort, yet you defend her killer," says Harry.
Lily reaches out, trying to pull Harry back, who walks calmly up to Professor Slughorn.
"Does my mother mean nothing to you?" Harry asks calmly.
"Don't say that!" Slughorn says softly.
The voice of Slughorn sounds like he is about to cry.
"I have made mistakes. What I told him, I never thought…." Slughorn chokes. It sounded like he was about to break down and cry.
"Then make it right. The more you safeguard this secret, the more you're helping him. Tell us what you told him. Make things right. You'll be remembered as the Professor who helped bring down the Dark Lord of our Century. You understand… that if you help us by giving us the information to defeat Voldemort… we'll remember," says Harry.
Harry could see even though he was playing with Slughorn's weakness and desire, Slughorn was more than aware of what Harry was doing.
Even still, he understood the benefits of helping Harry and Lily than standing against them.
"I'm not proud of it," mutters Slughorn.
Slughorn pulls out his wand and places it on his temple.
He pulls a single strand of hair out and places it inside an empty veil.
Slughorn turns around and is about to hand Harry the vial when he stops. He looks at Harry, defeated and with pleading eyes.
"No one can know," Professor Slughorn says softly.
"Professor, no one has to know what you told the Dark Lord. Only that you assist in his defeat," says Harry.
Slughorn swallows his throat and nods his head, handing Harry the vial.
Harry carefully pockets the vial as Professor Slughorn turns and walks away.
Harry and Lily ate their dinner and quickly disappeared.
Blaise thought the two were going for another makeout session.
In truth, they were heading towards Professor Dumbledore's office.
"That was an incredibly risky move, Harry," says Lily.
"I had to play on his guilt. Trying to trick it out of him wasn't going to work. You couldn't butter him up nor trick him into giving you the memory. Artemis said it. The best way would be to play on his guilt. If he truly is remorseful, he would have wanted to make amends," says Harry.
They enter the staircase towards Professor Dumbledore's office.
They knock on the door and enter. Having grown accustomed to the Headmaster's office walks in and sees Professor Dumbledore standing over his desk.
"Harry, Lily, I trust you had a good winter holiday," says Professor Dumbledore.
"You mean our engagement?" says Harry.
"Or Ginny trying to poison me?" says Lily.
"Or Scrimgeour cornering me and trying to coarse me into being his puppet?" says Harry.
Dumbledore looks at them.
"Yes, I heard about Scrimgeour entering the grounds and trying to corner you. Isabelle and I told him the moment he took office, relations between you and the Ministry have reached an all-time low. The idea originally came during Fudge's last days in office. Fudge had hoped to remain in office by gaining your support.
"Isabelle firmly stood against it, reminding Fudge of his actions and words over the year. The idea apparently didn't die.
"Scrimgeour also seeks your approval and endorsement. Even though many see Scrimgeour as a better fit than Fudge, many doubts and concerns exist. Your voice holds much weight within the wizarding community, and it would make Scrimgeour's hold on the office much easier.
"Despite the warning, he did not listen and finally found a way to corner you," says Dumbledore.
"He won't bother me again. I don't know what he was thinking, sending Weasley here to speak to me," says Harry.
"It's very likely Percy lied to Scrimgeour by telling him he knew you, and he could convince you to speak to him," says Lily.
Harry scuffs at the idea.
Percy Weasley has made his first three years at Hogwarts difficult. Always looking for a reason to punish Harry for the slightest thing.
Percy once jumped on Harry for simply being too 'happy,' believing he was causing trouble.
He barged into the Perfects Bathroom in his final year because he knew Harry and Artemis were there. Artemis quickly hid behind Harry, and they had to call him out to try to get a glimpse of Artemis's body.
The only Weasleys Harry was on good terms with were the twins. Harry endorsed and loved their joke products. In fact, Harry didn't have any trouble with the twins. He introduced Bill and Charlie Weasley through the twins and liked them.
Hard to believe Harry hated half the family.
"Who killed Ginny?" asks Harry.
"Currently unknown," says Professor Dumbledore.
Harry and Lily glared at him. Showing they didn't believe him.
"We suspect her drink may have had poison inside. Whoever is Ginny Weasley's acquaintances, they are doing well to hide their tracks," says Dumbledore.
"We already know…." Harry takes out his wand and flicks it, "who are Ginny's acquaintances."
The image of six students appears in Dumbledore's office.
Draco Malfoy.
Theodore Nott.
Ronald Weasley.
Marietta Edgecombe.
Cormac McLaggen.
Millicent Bulstrode.
"How did you?" asks Dumbledore.
"Did McGonagall tell you what I did to Ginny?" says Harry.
"She did," says Dumbledore.
"It won't work on you if that's what you're wondering. You're too powerful for that. In doing so, I can extract the memories of my victims. They will obey my command, but I also will know their memories and secrets. In other words, I know everything about Ginny Weasley," says Harry.
Dumbledore looks displeased at Harry's words.
"You shouldn't use such methods, Harry," says Dumbledore.
"Don't patronize me, Dumbledore. You're not my parent. You have no say in how I fight this war. This is my life, and I will fight how I see fit," says Harry.
Dumbledore continues to look sadly at Harry.
Harry pulls out the vial.
"I got the memory from Slughorn," says Harry.
Dumbledore accepts the vial.
"May I ask how you manage it so quickly?" asks Dumbledore.
"I played on Slughorn's ambitions and guilt," says Harry.
Dumbledore looks at Harry with some level of concern.
"Are you judging me, Professor?" says Harry.
"I wish you would rethink how you speak to others, Harry," says Dumbledore.
"Are you really going to lecture me, Professor?" says Harry.
Harry glares at Dumbledore harshly.
Dumbledore says nothing, knowing the incident with the Dursleys had left a foul taste on their relationship and his judgment.
"Harry, you have to forgive your aunt and uncle…."
"You have no idea the crap they put me through, do you," snarls Harry.
"I can only imagine. You have to forgive them… or you'll regret it for the rest of your life…."
"Can we focus on the task at hand," says Lily.
Dumbledore says nothing as he places the correct memory inside the pensive.
They could see sixteen-year-old Tom Riddle standing before Professor Slughorn.
It was clear they had a private dinner during one of the Slug Club's festivals.
Tom Riddle, young and handsome, proved to be a charmer.
"Professor, I ran across something, and I was generally confused by it. What's a… Horcrux?" says Tom.
"Where did you come across such a word Tom?" asks Professor Slughorn.
"I was doing research for my Defense Against the Dark Arts and ran across it in one of the books," says Tom.
It was clear that Tom Riddle was lying and he had come well prepared for this meeting. Very similar to how Harry and Lily approached Slughorn moments ago.
"This isn't knowledge that you should know. It's forbidden. For a good reason, Tom. Dumbledore isn't thrilled at such magic being at Hogwarts. The war against Grindelwald rages on, and he doesn't want to fight another one," says Professor Slughorn.
"Of course, sir. I'm sorry, I'm only… curious. I have no desire to become like Grindelwald," says Tom.
"Very well, I can give you the basics of this Dark Spell. But Tom, this is Dark Magic. Very dark. Even Grindelwald wouldn't mess with this magic. Even he decreed it was too dangerous, too vile.
"A Horcrux is essential of diving your soul. You place your soul in an object. This creates a safeguard for your soul as it remains earthbound," says Slughorn.
"I'm not sure I understand what you mean, sir. What do you mean… Earthbound?" says Tom.
Tom Riddle keeps a calm and collective voice. Yet excitement begins to slip from his tone.
"Well, you split your soul. You divide your soul into an object to safeguard your spirit. It's very dangerous, and it comes with side effects and a terrible price to pay. Few would want it, Tom. Very few. Death would be preferable," says Slughorn.
Tom Riddle could barely contain his greed and hunger. The thirst for this knowledge was written on his face, and he could no longer hide his excitement for this information.
"How do you split your soul?"
"Well," Slughorn began uncomfortably.
"You must understand that the soul is supposed to remain intact and whole. Splitting it is an act of violation. It is against the natural order. There are punishments involved for such acts, Tom," says Slughorn.
"But how is it done?" Tom says again. Almost in a demanding tone of voice. A tone Harry remembers all too well.
"By an act of evil. The supreme act of evil. To disregard life itself. Murder without thought or mercy to those closest to you is the quickest way. Murdering for greed, for power, and with the intent of creating a Horcrux would help in its creations. The witch or wizard would encase the torn portion…."
"Encase? But how…"
"There is a spell! Do not ask me! I don't know!" bellows Slughorn.
"Do I look like I'm a killer! That I have been deprived of my humanity?!"
"No, sir. I'm sorry… I didn't mean to offend…." Riddle says quickly, fearing he may have lost his advantage.
"Don't worry. I'm not offended," Slughorn says as he recovers.
"It's natural to feel curiosity, but this is a dangerous subject."
"Yes, sir," says Riddle.
"What I don't understand… I mean… would one Horcrux be of much use? Can you split your soul only once? Wouldn't it be better to make you stronger to have your soul in more pieces? For instance, isn't seven the most powerfully magical number? Wouldn't seven…"
"Merlin's Beard, Tom!" yelped Slughorn.
"Seven! Grindelwald did terrible things! Yet he never made one despite all the people he killed! Making one is dangerous enough! If you make seven… rip your soul into seven pieces…!" shouts Slughorn.
Slughorn looked deeply troubled now.
Harry and Lily could tell he regretted giving Tom this information. He regretted having been lured into this conversation in the first place.
"I'm sorry, sir," Tom says quickly.
"I got overly curious. I didn't mean… it was only hypothetical. I didn't mean to…" began Tom.
Tom Riddle clearly was trying to regain some level of control over himself.
"Yes, of course," says Slughorn.
Slughorn looked like he wouldn't speak another word regarding the subject, and Tom Riddle knew it. The conversation was over.
Slughorn made Tom swear not to tell anyone about what they discussed and sent him to bed.
"Thank you, it's time to go," says Dumbledore.
Harry and Lily found themselves back in Dumbledore's office.
"He already made one at that point," says Harry.
Dumbledore looks at Harry carefully.
"In his fifth year, he killed Moaning Mrytle and made a Horcrux with his diary. This was taken in his sixth year," says Harry.
"Indeed. I'm glad you caught on. What Tom Riddle was after clearly was the uses of creating multiple Horcruxes," says Dumbledore.
"You defeated Grindelwald the following year," says Lily.
"Yes. I defeated Grindelwald the following year, shortly before Tom graduated from Hogwarts. This is the theory I've been working on for years, and now I have confirmed it: Tom Riddle has made more than Horcrux after he left Hogwarts," says Dumbledore.
"He said seven," Lily says softly.
"His diary, used after the murder of Myrtle Warren," says Dumbledore.
Dumbledore pushes forward the diary. The same one Harry and Lily had given him years ago.
"But he recalled his Horcruxes," says Harry.
"Yes, he did. His newfound powers are troubling. Even still, what did you learn of Voldemort?" asks Dumbledore.
"He is calm, collecting, calculating," says Lily.
"He only thinks for himself. He believes himself smarter, better, wiser… like Granger," says Harry.
"Hermione isn't evil," snaps Lily.
"She thinks of herself better, smarter, and wiser than everyone else around her," says Harry.
Lily didn't say anything, knowing how Hermione's attitude got on everyone's nerves.
"Voldemort's power may have increased, but the way he thinks will not. He will operate the same as he did when he was in school. The way he thinks is very much the same," says Dumbledore.
"So we just got to outsmart Granger, shouldn't be a problem," Harry says, grinning.
"I wish you wouldn't be so hard on Miss Granger, Harry," Dumbledore says sadly.
