Chapter 9 – The Missing Horcrux
Harry turned sharply and collided with Aberforth, who had come rushing out of his pub. The elderly barman took one look at Ron, and pulled his limp body from Harry onto his own shoulders before he disappeared back inside his pub with an agility that defied his advancing years. Harry was about to protest, but before he could open his mouth, Aberforth had shut the door. As he turned to follow, he heard Hermione apparate across the street with a little pop. Harry beckoned to her and ran in to the Hogs Head, in time to see Aberforth heading out the back into the stable. Harry ran through the pub, flattening an old witch who was stood at the bar, in a desperate bid to try and catch up. As he entered the stable door, he was in time to see a streak of blue light come from Aberforth's wand and hit Molly, the goat, directly in the belly. Harry stopped and stared in shock, firstly at the eccentric barman, who was apparently attacking one of his precious pets, and secondly at Ron, who Aberforth had apparently just dropped in the doorway. As Harry stood open-mouthed, the barman triumphantly pulled a bezoar from the torn stomach of his prized goat and immediately shoved it down Ron's throat. Aberforth then turned away calmly and cast a healing charm on his pet.
Time seemed to slow again, as Harry stood in shock, not knowing what to do. He felt Hermione brush past him and saw her kneel next to Ron. She checked frantically for a heartbeat, and although she didn't say anything, her weak sob and desperate look told Harry all he needed to know. This couldn't be happening, not Ron. Harry tried frantically to think of something which would help, before he noticed that Hermione had pulled Ron's head back and clamped her mouth over his.
The stable-door banged open once again as Hagrid, Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey ran through. Madame Pomfrey quickly rushed over to Ron, pushing Hermione away. The healer quickly cast a diagnostic spell over Ron, paused for a few seconds before she stood, slowly shaking her head. Harry didn't need to see the expression on her face to know that Ron was dead.
Hermione screamed and fell onto Ron, once more covering his lips with hers and holding his nose. She gave him two more quick breaths, before she started to press up and down on his chest. Slowly, Harry recognised Hermione's actions as artificial respiration. He'd seen it performed on television, but the wizards and witches in the room looked on in complete amazement. If it hadn't been for the young witch's look of hysterical determination, they may have tried to have stopped her. That is until Ron gave a weak cough.
Hagrid levitated Ron to the Hogwarts hospital wing, with Hermione insisting on holding his hand all the way. Even Madame Pomfrey didn't dare try and stop her, although she did refuse to allow Harry to follow. This was how Harry found himself drinking a glass of firewhiskey in the Hogshead, with Aberforth and Professor Lupin, who had by now appeared. Harry was very vague in his descriptions of how Ron had come to be poisoned by such a dark object. He quickly changed the subject when Professor Lupin asked; instead praising Aberforth for his quick reactions and saying he hoped Molly would be okay.
Aberforth nodded, "She'll be fine, I did the same to her great-grandmother to save Albus a few years ago and it didn't hurt her. Mind you, some bloody Ministry toad by the name of Umbridge saw it, and prosecuted me for 'casting an in-appropriate charm on a goat.' Made me out to be some kind of pervert in the paper, she did."
An elderly hag had strolled in, and was now propping herself up against the bar, so Aberforth had to leave to serve her. This allowed Lupin to return to issue of Ron's poisoning.
"Harry, just what is going on? I know you and Albus were up to something last year. Those private lessons were just a sham. What were you two doing the night he died? I know you weren't at Hogwarts when the attack started."
When Harry didn't reply he continued, "I'm assuming that you are continuing whatever it is with Hermione and Ron." Harry nodded awkwardly as his former teacher kept fishing for information.
"I'll support anything which will lead to Voldemort's defeat. That's why I've moved out of Grimmauld Place, to allow you some space. I even understand why you can't trust the Order. But I can not stand idly by anymore, now one of you has nearly died. For Merlin's sake, Harry, I promised your father I would look after you. Please tell me and let me help you."
As he listened to the heartfelt plea of his parent's best friend, Harry found he could no longer look Remus in the face. He shifted his gaze awkwardly down to the floor, as he prepared to break his former teacher's heart. "I'm afraid I just can't tell you yet. It is vital that no-one knows until we are ready." Even though Harry went on to re-assure his former Professor that he trusted him, Harry could see that Remus was crestfallen. Harry hated himself for doing this to a man that had suffered the heartbreak of seeing his own best friends killed because they put their trust in the wrong person. But Harry knew that if he told Remus, he would insist on the Order being told; or at the very least that Mad-Eye Moody be brought in to destroy the Horcruxes. If this happened it wouldn't be long before Kingsley knew, then the Order and eventually, somehow Voldemort would find out.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the table as they waited for Aberforth to return. The frosty atmosphere didn't improve and several awkward drinks later, Harry made his way back to the school where he was finally allowed in to see Ron, who was sleeping peacefully. Madame Pomfrey said the Bezoar had stopped the spread of the poison and was slowly dissipating it. She reassured him that Ron should make a full recovery, before shooing him and Hermione out of the infirmary.
A very subdued Harry cooked Hermione breakfast the following morning at number twelve. "You'll be glad to know that there is nothing about Ron in the Prophet, so at least we managed to keep that secret," she commented folding the Daily Prophet away. "Are you ready to go?"
"Now? Madame Pomfrey said we couldn't see him until the afternoon."
"Not to see Ron; to finish what we started yesterday and get the Horcrux." Harry stared, opened mouthed as she continued. "All we need to do is cast the killing curse at it, we don't actually need to pick it up."
Three hours later they were once again stood, wands drawn, in Tom Riddle's former bedroom, staring down at the Horcrux. "On the count of three; Ready," asked Hermione.
Harry nodded weakly and gripped hold of his wand tightly as she started to count, "One … Two … Three … Avada Kedavra."
Two green streaks flew towards the ancient cup, hitting its shiny surface and disappearing. Nothing else happened, no scream, no dust, no Horcrux. Harry turned and swore in frustration. How could it not be a part of Voldemort's soul? It was a priceless relic, hidden in a significant place to him. It was well protected; even the irony of the words chosen for the fidelius charm pointed to a Horcrux being hidden in the Orphanage. The cup was exactly what they were looking for, except it didn't contain any soul.
He looked back and saw Hermione was frowning in concentration as she kneeled over the hiding place. As he watched, a look of comprehension spread over her face, and she stretched out her hand.
"No don't touch it," Harry yelled out.
She turned and gave him her, 'Do you think I'm daft' look before beckoning him closer. As Harry leaned in, she raised her wand pointing it at the Horcrux. "Finite Incantum!"
The Horcrux shimmered and slowly changed shape, settling into the form of another multi-coloured snake. The only difference being that this one was dead, having been killed by their earlier curses. Harry looked at the other snake to compare it, and found it had instead changed into Hufflepuff's cup.
"A simple switching transfiguration, how clever," Hermione said in an admiring tone that was reminiscent of Dumbledore. "Now again, on three …" This time the cup split open with a blood-curdling scream as another Horcrux was destroyed. Hermione clinically banished the broken relic back to Grimmauld Place and in a business-like manner announced that it was time to visit Ron.
Harry had mixed emotions following the destruction of the fourth Horcrux. He was elated that they were now one step closer to their goal, but at what cost? He knew he was being stupid and that in this war it was inevitable that he would have to kill people. But knowing it and doing it were two totally different things. There was no getting away from the fact that he was now capable of casting the most evil spell of all.
He looked across the kitchen table at Grimmauld Place towards Hermione who was also deep in thought. She looked quite haggered and Harry suspected she was probably worrying about Ron. He tried to reassure her, "Don't worry Hermione, he'll be fine. Madame Pomfrey says he will make a full recovery." They had just been to visit Ron who, while still out cold from a dreamless sleep potion, had looked much better.
"It's not Ron. I was thinking about Neville's parents. It's a long shot, and I mean, if they don't know Neville they are hardly likely to recognise it. It would be cruel but ..."
"Hermione!" interrupted Harry exasperatedly, "Stop babbling and explain."
"Oh sorry, I was thinking that as Neville's parents were obviously looking for the Horcruxes, we could go and show them the one's we've got. If there is anything alive in their minds, it might get a reaction."
Harry looked sceptical, but Hermione continued, "It's a million-to-one shot, and if they do recognise them, then their reaction is likely to make them very agitated. I don't know whether we can ask Neville to let us do something like this."
"I can't say I like it, but it's got to be worth a try" said Neville stepping into the room.
"Neville! sorry, we errr ..."
"Its ok, I heard from Mrs Weasley that Ron had suffered a really serious mysterious bite. She's beside herself with worry; grilled poor Ginny about what you lot were up to for hours. So I had to come back, in case I let something slip by accident. I'm not very good at keeping secrets from someone that formidable. Anyway, with Ron in the hospital wing for a while, I figured you could use an extra pair of hands." Neville finished off taking a big breath.
Harry showed Neville Hufflepuff's cup and explained how they had found it, how Ron had been bitten and how Aberforth and Hermione had saved his life.
"So you think if you show my parents the cup and locket, it may break the effects of that evil curse?" Neville surmised quietly, as Hermione nodded.
"I don't think there is any real hope, the healers have tried everything. Their tests indicate the brain-damage is permanent and quite irreversible. But I like to believe there is a chance, it helps me get through it all. So I'm willing to try anything," said Neville gathering his cloak.
The Janus Thickey ward at the top of St Mungo's was much fuller than the last-time they had visited. Beds were crammed in here, there and everywhere, no doubt a legacy of the ever-increasing Death Eater attacks. Neville quickly guided them around Gilderoy Lockheart, who showing a healer a fan letter from Gladys Gudgeon, and down towards the end of the ward where his parents beds were. Alice Longbottom was standing beside her bed, aimlessly staring at a mirror, while combing her hair. Neville walked up and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Mum, these are my friends Harry Potter and Hermione Granger."
Mrs Longbottom turned and looked through Neville without a flicker of recognition. This caused Hermione to gasp and grab hold of Neville's hand.
"Mum, I've brought you something." Hermione squeezed tighter as Neville reached under his cloak and passed the locket to his mother. Mrs Longbottom gazed absentmindedly at the broken locket, before putting it down on her bedside table and picking up her hairbrush again. Slowly she turned to look into the mirror once more.
Undeterred, Neville turned to his father's bed, Frank Longbottom was sitting up gazing at a wizarding wireless on his table.
"Dad," tried Neville shaking his father gently, his voice cracking as he tried to introduce Harry and Hermione again. "I've brought you a ..." Neville thrust the cup into his father's hands.
Frank let the cup slide through his hands and it clattered on the floor. He pulled himself out of his bed, putting his hands up to cover his ears and began shouting in pain. Alice turned to look at her husband at this point, and picked up the locket, which she held out to him. Frank knocked it from her grasp with an almighty swipe of his hand causing the cup to fly into the whitewashed corridor wall opposite. Harry quickly picked the locket up and summoned the cup, as Hermione kept a devastated looking Neville in a tight hold.
Alerted by the continual screaming healers came running down the corridor and managed to stun Frank Longbottom before lifting him back into his bed, "What happened?" asked one breathlessly "We've never got a reaction from Frank before. W did you do?"
"I don't know, Neville brought me and Harry to visit. Maybe he recognised Harry or something," replied Hermione quickly just as Neville was about to try and speak.
"But, you must have done something, what did you say to him?"
Again Hermione cut Neville off before he could get any words out, "Nothing, except Hello. Look Neville is really distressed by this. I need to get him home. It was such a shock. We'll come back tomorrow." With that Hermione determinedly shepherded Neville and Harry back to Grimmauld Place.
"Hermione, we need to tell them about the Horcruxes, they may be able to do something. We don't need to let them know they are Horcruxes, just show them the cup."
"Neville, please forgive me for dragging you out of the hospital. I can't begin to imagine what it must feel like to know something that might help your parents, but we must not tell anyone. This has to remain a secret until we have destroyed them all. Imagine what would happen if Voldemort saw a headline like, "Historic relic restores new life to spell-damaged man." in the Daily Prophet, along with a photo of one of his Horcruxes.
"But it ..."
"The healers had given up before today. This will make them at least try again, Neville. Once it is all over, you can tell them everything."
It took a while, but Neville eventually calmed down enough to see reason and agree. "So what do we know about this last Horcrux?" he asked with a renewed determination.
"Nothing yet, but I need another favour from you, which I think will help." Neville looked worried, as Hermione explained how they had used the pensieve to review the details of the orphanage to help them find Voldemort's room quickly.
"I want to see your memory again, that night you were crawling all over your Dad's work. I think he may have been working on the Horcruxes then." Neville started to quiver, but Hermione pressed on. "I've looked at my recollection of the memory, but it's not detailed enough. I think you sat down on a map of some kind. You also appear to have looked directly at some of the sheets of parchment, which could just help us. You don't need to look at the memory, just put it in the pensieve for us"
Neville gulped audibly, looked at Harry, before his resolve hardened, "You've been through far worse, Harry. I wish I could be as brave as you, but it is so difficult." As he finished speaking he moved over to the pensieve and withdrew a silvery strand of memory from his head.
Hermione and Harry delved once again inside Neville's memory. The large piece of parchment was indeed a map, but was so indistinct they could not make anything useful out from it. Baby Neville had not been interested in the markings on the map, and as such they had not been reflected in the memory. The two kept on persevering though, and finally, as the baby sat on the sofa, he grabbed a couple of sheets of parchment and stared straight at them.
Harry heard Hermione gasp, and he glanced at one sheet, it was headed up
Tom Riddle's known Horcruxes.
1) Slytherin's necklace; Regulus thought it was hidden in a cave somewhere on the South Coast. It is rumoured to be guarded by an army of Inferi. Regulus was tracking reported Inferi attacks to try and pinpoint the cave when he died.
So that's how Dumbledore knew where the cave was, thought Harry. The Inferi attacks only started again about a year ago, so that's why he didn't try and find the necklace earlier.
2) Gaunt's Ring; Albus has discovered it hidden in the walls of the Gaunt house. Unfortunately it's well protected. He is working on a way to get around the traps without being injured.
Harry winced at the memory of Dumbledore's withered hand. If the greatest wizard of all time could not safely obtain a Horcrux, after at least fifteen years of planning, then what hope did he have with the others? Harry quickly glanced back at the parchment before he became too depressed.
3) Hufflepuff's Cup; Almost Certainly in Riddle's old orphanage, protected by the fidelius charm so no-one else can get in. Before she died, Lily was working on breaking the charm.
Harry stopped reading in shock at the revelation that his mother had been involved directly in the hunt for Voldemort's Horcruxes. It suddenly started to make sense; the prophecy had said that the Potter's and Longbottom's had thrice defied Voldemort. Harry had always assumed that they were targeted because they were Order members, but what if Voldemort had found out that they were after his Horcruxes?
Harry felt some of his guilt about keeping the Horcrux hunt secret from Professor Lupin lift. He also felt his determination to finish the quest strengthen; now he was armed with the knowledge that he was continuing his parents work. After all hadn't he already got further than Dumbledore had? Perhaps …
Harry's train of thought was interrupted by a gasp from Hermione. As he looked up, he saw her impatiently pointing at the last paragraph on the parchment.
4) Merlin's Staff; Entrusted to Bellatrix LeStrange, who passed it to Mrs Black when Albus instigated a Ministry search of her possessions. Regulus inherited it following the death of Mrs Black and secured it in the family vault. He was reluctant to destroy it in case it alerted Riddle to our quest. The Staff remains in Black family vault at Gringott's, as its current owner, Sirius Black, is in Azkaban.
"Merlin's Staff," breathed Hermione awestruck. "The most fabled relic known to the wizarding world, believed lost in 1743 during the height of the third goblin rebellion. But how did HE get it?" finished Hermione shaking in outrage. Smiling to himself, Harry turned to the second sheet of parchment.
5) Something entrusted to Narcissa Malfoy; believed to still be at Malfoy Manor. Despite instigating repeated Ministry searches, Albus has not located the Horcrux. It's probably a relic of Ravenclaw's, as Riddle seems obsessed with collecting artifacts from famous Witches and Wizards.
This was wrong, thought Harry. Riddle's diary was entrusted to the Malfoy's, and that's obviously been destroyed. But if the Longbottom's, Dumbledore and Hermione all couldn't find a relic of Ravenclaw's, then, presumably, nor could Voldemort. Satisfied, Harry continued reading.
6) Gryffindor's sword; Riddle intended to use James and Lily Potters child to make this Horcrux. He expected James to summon sword to fight against him. Albus alerted James to this possibility, so the sword remained in the Headmaster's Office. The killing curse rebounded off little Harry onto Riddle, so this Horcrux was never made.
Don't know how many Horcruxes Riddle made in total? There are five known before he was expelled from his body while trying to make the last one. Albus suspects his aim was to make six (seven divisions) in total.
Harry and Hermione exchanged a jubilant look as the memory faded and they returned to Grimmuald Place. Eagerly they told Neville all they seen. "It can't be that easy can it?" he asked.
"I don't know, but first thing tomorrow, we'll all go and check the vault out," replied Harry.
The goblin on duty was reluctant to allow anyone, let alone the three of them to travel down to see the Black family vault. "Mr Potter, the contents of the Black family vault have not been catalogued and checked for curses and traps. I must recommend that you do not go down there yet. Allow me, instead to fill your money bags with gold from the Potter vault."
"No, I insist," argued Harry. "The vault's contents belong to me and I should be allowed to see or remove any or all of it!"
The goblin gulped at the thinly hidden threat and hurried off to fetch someone. Griphook arrived several seconds later and beckoned that they follow him to one of the carts which led down to the ancient family vaults. Once they got to the vault, Harry was amazed to see it was a hive of activity.
"Cataloguing is in progress," explained Griphook.
"Harry!" On hearing his name, Harry looked into the vault to see Bill Weasley appearing, "Thank you for arranging for me to get this job. It's been one of the most challenging one's I've had in years."
"No problem, Bill. But I thought you were on honeymoon."
"No, we came back early, I'd had long enough off work with the injury. Then everywhere we went was so bloody depressing, at least down here there is hope! The final straw came when mum owled in a panic, saying that Ron was badly injured, so we rushed back."
"Sorry," stumbled Harry.
"Yes, you should be. We'll have a word about that in a minute, but first come and have a look at what I've discovered in your vault."
The three got out of the cart and headed towards the door. "No!" yelled Bill, "Only Harry, you have to be a pure-blood Black, Gringott's employee or the legal owner of the vault in order to get inside."
Hrrmione and Neville froze, as Harry took a deep breath and stepped over the snake engraved doorway. Bill led the way into a massive vault, which stretched back as far as Harry could see. Nearly all the vault was filled with mountains of sparkling, golden galleon coins. Bill squeezed past the pile, and Harry followed. As they inched deeper in, they passed numerous boxes of jewellery and silverware.
"Those have all be examined, catalogued and declared safe," explained Bill. "It was fairly straightforward until we got right to the back." Bill then proceeded to explain about a number of jinxes, curses and hexes that had been encountered at the rear of the vault. Harry had never heard of many of them, but some of the names left little to the imagination, in terms of their gruesome effects.
"I've not seen anything like this, since we explored the passages under Pharaoh Thutmose III tomb in Egypt. Someone went to a lot of trouble to make this impenetrable." Bills eyes glinted, "and when that happens, it usually means we're going to find something really worthwhile. Let me tell you this, Harry, we were not disappointed. We've made the most important discovery since … well forever. You'll never guess what we found?"
"Merlin's staff?" asked Harry hopefully.
Bill's face was a picture, "How on earth, did you know? We need to have a long chat, Harry."
"Ok, but can I see it first?"
"See yes, touch No. We haven't finished checking it yet, it's giving off some odd magic. We think it may be cursed."
Bill showed him to a cleared space in the back corner of the vault, where there lay an innocuous looking wooden staff, with a phoenix design carved into the handle.
"It looks so ordinary, are you sure Bill?"
"Yes, Gringott's most learned experts have examined it, we are certain of its authenticity."
Harry looked at the staff again, and then looked back at the doorway. Hermione couldn't come in here, he would have to do it all on his own. Slowly he raised his wand and pointed it at the staff.
"Harry, what are you doing?" asked Bill in shock.
"Avada Kadavra."
"No, Harry that's a priceless irreplaceable relic," screamed Bill as the staff split in half. He rounded on Harry, wand drawn but was distracted by a doleful scream that came from the staff, and turned back in time to see a black mist rising from it. For a second Bill stood in shock, then he pointed at the other Gringott's workers, "You lot, out of here, now. Harry, come with me, you've got some explaining to do."
Harry nodded to Neville and Hermione, as Bill bundled them all into the waiting cart. Griphook guided them back to the surface and ushered them into a private meeting room before turning expectantly to Harry, "Did you just destroy Voldemort's Horcrux?"
The three looked shocked and didn't reply for a second, so Bill continued. "Several years ago I was searching for the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose III. He was one of the most powerful rulers of ancient Egypt and was renowned for his battle skills and immense riches, most of which were spoils of victory from his many battles.
Gringott's expected that the Pharaoh would have been buried with his most sacred treasures and hoped I would recover them. Sadly this was not to be, as the tomb had been plundered of all valuable items many years earlier."
"Well of course it was, Victor Loret's discovered Thutmose's tomb in 1898, but earlier robbers had stolen anything of value years before then," replied Hermione in a condescending tone, as if she was correcting Ron's homework.
Bill smiled indulgently. "Muggle records will also tell you Thutmose's tomb was one of the most sophisticated tombs in the Valley of Pharaohs. Why do you think that is? It is because Thutmose was a wizard. Muggles explorations only uncovered a very small area of his tomb."
Hermione gasped as Bill continued his explanation. "Your muggle records will also tell you that they found his body in another tomb. Do you honestly believe that?"
Hermione's face went pale as a horrible thought passed through her mind. "Wasn't Thutmose the immortal pharaoh?" she asked with trepidation.
"Indeed, I assumed that was some silly Muggle legend, so imagine my shock when after weeks of exploring, I uncovered his real burial chamber and found he was still very much alive."
Neville gasped as Bill paused for effect. "Thutmose had made a Horcrux in order to make himself immortal. However what he did not realise was that his body would still degenerate over the years. When he became old and frail, he was overthrown, and unable to be completely killed, they just mummified him and buried him alive."
This time Hermione gasped. "Despite having lain there for several thousand years, Thutmose was just able to talk to me, and with the help of my basic Occlumency and Legilimency skills I was able to extract the story of how his tomb was plundered. He told me, a very young wizard by the name of Lord Voldemort, fresh out of school, and working for a dealer in antiquities had discovered him nearly fifty years ago. Thutmose had told Voldemort about his Horcrux, an ornate staff similar to Merlin's, and had pleaded with Voldemort to destroy it. Voldemort had agreed, but only in return for details of how to make a Horcrux. Well I'm sure you can guess the rest, Voldemort got the information he needed, took the treasures and left Thutmose alive and alone with his staff; which is exactly how I found him."
"Did you kill him?"
"Of course I did. No matter how evil he had been in his time, I couldn't leave him like that. Now I'm done talking, I've explained to you how Voldemort learned how to make a Horcrux, and why he decided to seek out Merlin's Staff. So now it's your turn to explain what is going on, how that Horcrux came to be in your vault and why my little brother is in the hospital wing fighting for his life."
Harry nodded, "You're right, Bill. That was one of Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes."
"One of ..." Bills voice faltered, as his face went from angry to astonished.
"Yes, he split his soul seven times. Before I can kill him, we need to destroy each and every one of them."
Bill recovered from his shock quickly, "I'm the best curse breaker in Gringott's why in Godric's name didn't you come and ask me for help. I suppose Ron was injured by one? How many have you got?"
Harry launched into the tale of the Horcrux hunt, and ended by explaining that there was only one left, Nagini the snake.
"We need to tell the Order, they can help you. It's not right that you have to do this alone," reasoned Bill.
"Yes," agreed Hermione apparently deep in thought, "I think it's time to ask for the Order's help. Harry, I've got an idea."