Disclaimer: This fic is an analysis of the canon Harry Potter series. I own nothing that is mentioned here except my own opinions. This fic is not making any money. nor do I want it to.

Horcruxes

This will be on the idea of the Horcruxes, my thoughts on the idea and the items and their hiding places. This will contain SPOILERS for Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows. If you haven't read them by now then don't read on. Also WHY?

Idea

I think the idea for the Horcruxes was the right one. Going back and reading through the series gives a clear view that J.K. Rowling was headed towards the Horcruxes in the end. Hell, even in the first book there were allusions that Harry was a Horcrux. Just look at his scar hurting. Of course, at that point we were lead to believe that it was because the failed Killing Curse created a link between Harry and Voldemort. Well, I guess it did, but it was deeper than anyone first would have guessed.

The general idea of the Horcruxes is a sound one (or as sound as it can be in a fictional magical world). Killing does rip you apart, but in canon it was used as a literal ripping of the soul. I am not speaking from experience here, just using what I can gather. In a strange way, it does make sense that you could take part of that ripped soul and place it somewhere else. I think that we need more information on how they're created before we can say why Horcruxes are so uncommon. I understand that this is something Rowling is going to address in either Pottermore or in an Encyclopaedia.

I think Voldemort having them does make sense. From the beginning of the series we know that Voldemort is obsessed with immortality. Just look at how hard he tried to get the Philosopher's Stone. And the fact that Voldemort in French is, as I understand it, 'flight from death' is another indication that Rowling was leading up to it.

The Items and their hiding places

Tom Riddle's Diary – Given to Ginny Weasley by Lucius Malfoy. Prior location unknown. Destroyed by Harry Potter by use of a Basilisk fang.

This first one is the most confusing, I think. Why did Lucius Malfoy have the diary. Bellatrix Lestrange I understand, but surely Voldemort would know that his downfall would make Lucius less loyal. Why give it to him? That leads me to believe that Lucius found it somewhere, though I can't think for the life of me where.

Perhaps Borgin and Burkes? Voldemort did work there and Harry knew that Lucius was there occasionally. I am under the impression that Lucius did not know that Voldemort's real name was Tom Riddle, which means that he might not have actually known that the Diary was Voldemort's. Actually, I think this idea could have a bit of credibility. I don't believe that Voldemort would have trusted Lucius enough with a Horcrux, but he may have trusted Borgin or Burke (assuming they do own the shop) to keep it there. Lucius goes in, buys the diary with the knowledge that it is a dark object and gives it to an unsuspecting Ginny Weasley. I think that could be plausible. Thoughts?

It is interesting to note that the diary was Tom Riddle's but had no writing in it at all. Why he made it into a Horcrux eludes me. I can't imagine that he had any form of attachment to an unused diary.

The Gaunt Ring – Found by Albus Dumbledore in the ruins of the Gaunt Shack. Destroyed using Gryffindor's Sword, impregnated with Basilisk venom.

It makes sense for Voldemort to use his family's ring as a Horcrux. As the Gaunt's were decedents of Salazar Slytherin, Voldemort would have jumped at the chance to have his soul within an object of Slytherin's. As he used the murders of his Muggle relatives to create this Horcrux, this is all from my bad memory so correct me if I'm wrong, it is even more symbolic. The same time he eliminates his Muggle heritage, he embraces his Magical heritage more.

The hiding place was a good choice. It was in that house that he framed his uncle and carried out the murder of his other family. It shows his power in that sense.

Hufflepuff's Cup – Originally owned by Hepzibah Smith. Found by Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault in Gringott's. Destroyed by either Hermione Granger through the use of a Basilisk fang.

It cannot be stated for certain whether he made this into a Horcrux before or after Slytherin's Locket, but it still is significant. It is one of the Founders' objects which is why it was chosen. It makes sense as Voldemort felt a strong connection to Hogwarts.

The hiding place is somewhat dubious but I believe that it shows his power over his servants. I highly doubt that Bellatrix knew what it was or even its importance. I think that Voldemort simply ordered her to put it in her vault. It is ironic that this was to keep it safe, yet Voldemort broke into Gringott's, through Quirrell, in 1991. I have to wonder if he gave the Cup to Bellatrix before the end of the First War or after his resurrection. If I had to guess, it was before the First War ended as I can't believe that, before late 1997 or early 1998, Bellatrix would have had access to her vault.

Salazar Slytherin's Locket – Originally owned by Hepzibah Smith. Kept in the cave where Voldemort tortured two kids while still at the orphanage. Stolen by Regulus Black and Kreacher before Regulus Black's death. Stolen by Mundungus Fletcher and given to Dolores Umbridge. Stolen back by Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger at the Ministry of Magic. Destroyed by Ron Weasley using Gryffindor's Sword impregnated by Basilisk Venom.

Perhaps the most guarded Horcrux was also the one to be passed around a lot. The reasons for this one being a Horcrux is simple as it is an item of the Founders. Despite it being in the possession of Hapzibah Smith, it was technically Voldemort's as he was the last remaining heir of Slytherin.

The cave is significant to Voldemort as it was the first place that he ever truly felt strong, I'm assuming. Also, it was able to be protected better than all of the rest due to the larger space. It also helped that it was in a rather secluded area. The potion protection was the best protection on it. It killed Regulus and nearly killed Albus Dumbledore. It is strange that, despite the protections, it was so easily gained.

Rowena Ravenclaw's Lost Diadem – Originally owned by Helena Ravenclaw and hidden by her. Helena tells Tom of its location. Voldemort placed the Diadem in the Room of Requirement when asking Albus Dumbledore for the Defence Against the Dark Arts job. Destroyed by Vincent Crabbe, accidently, through the use of Fiendfye.

Again, another of the items of the Founders. I can see the allure of this particular item for Voldemort. It's been lost for centuries what better thing to hide your soul in then something people aren't looking for? Ingenious really. What was not ingenious was hiding it in the most likely place, that being Hogwarts.

I understand the reasoning for choosing Hogwarts. It was his first true home. But he could have hidden his Diary in the Room of Requirement. No one would have suspected his diary at all and it being hidden at Hogwarts would probably not be looked at either. He should have used a glamour charm on the Diadem and placed it somewhere else. Borgin and Burkes or even Albania. Maybe even Little Hangleton Graveyard. He could have buried it underground and no one would know. Oh well.

Nagini – Voldemort's pet snake. Killed by Neville Longbottom using the Sword of Gryffindor impregnated by Basilisk Venom.

A living Horcrux. Interesting, really. I do have a question about Nagini being a Horcrux. Would the Horcrux have been destroyed if she was killed by a normal sword, or did it have to be Gryffindor's Sword? I've always wondered about that.

As for it actually being a Horcrux, it makes sense. Voldmeort can keep it safe and most people don't even know if living Horcruxes are able to be done. Also, the snake represents Salazar Slytherin, making that three Horcruxes to do with Slytherin, showing Voldemort's feeling that the house is superior.

Harry Potter – Inadvertently created by Voldemort 31st October, 1981. Destroyed by Voldemort using the Killing Curse.

I think this is the most obvious Horcrux of the lot. Just look at every other book in the series and you'll see the signs. There isn't much to be said about Harry being a Horcrux. It just seems right when you see all of the signs. Admittedly, I do think that Rowling put it in there as something to create a fenzy among readers when they read of Harry's death, but it does fit.

It is ironic that Voldemort went to some lengths to protect all of his Horcruxes that he knew about but went about trying to destroy one.

Conclusion

I have seen people complain about the Horcruxes, and that's their opinion, but I truly think that they fit. That does not mean that every story I read has to have them in there, in fact there is one series that was written prior to HBP which is in my favourites list written by Semprini that ends the series very well.

Author's Notes

Hope you liked this one. Let me know if you disagree at all and I will gladly reply with a PM where I can and here where I can't. Also, if I made any mistakes in terms of grammar, spelling or even facts, let me know.

Luiz4200 - Snape will be the next chapter. I have a lot to say. Good and bad.

Beletrium