Chapter X Hunting for Horcruxes
July 1, 1996
With things back to normal at Hogwarts I have turned more of the day to day responsibilities over to Minerva and I am spending more of my time finding out every fact I can about Voldemort's life and who he might have killed and what he might have made into a Horcrux. I have gone through every old memory I have obtained and have come up with two things I feel are critical. There was a ring belonging to Voldemort's mother's family, the Gaunts, that disappeared when Voldemort was a teenager at about the same time he killed his father, Tom Riddle Sr. I believe it is one of the first Horcruxes he made because another memory I obtained from a professor that was closer to Tom Riddle than any other professor while he was here at Hogwarts shows Tom asking about Horcruxes and Tom wearing the ring at about the same time.
This memory from Professor Slughorn under close examination shows it has been altered. Slughorn is retired now but he is a skilled wizard and if he told Tom Riddle something he wishes he didn't; he could have altered his own memory to try and forget what he did or to hide that memory from me. A few years ago I asked all the old professors that knew Tom Riddle as a student to allow me to search their memories for clues to defeat Voldemort. All of them were willing but their memories gave no clues. Slughorn's memory is the only one that shows it has been altered. I need to get him to come back so I can access that memory again and try to get the original version, the truth. It is vital that I discover how many Horcruxes there are; not destroying even one will allow Voldemort to live.
I have been searching the Riddle house where Voldemort killed his father for signs of the ring being hidden there but without luck. I believe I know what my mistake was. Voldemort was ashamed of his father being a muggle so he would avoid placing a Horcrux in his father's house. But he was proud of being a descendent of Slytherin and may have hidden the ring in the Gaunt house. I intend to start searching there for signs of magical concealment early tomorrow morning.
Headmaster APWBD
July 2, 1996
Fudge has been sacked as Minister of Magic and Rufus Scrimgeour replaced him. Scrimgeour was the head of the Auror department and a competent administrator but I am afraid it is too little too late. Voldemort is out in the open and he has built up substantial strength in the year Fudge wasted denying he was back. With the escape from Azkaban six
months ago of the ten death eaters and the others he has recruited or placed under the Imperious curse his forces greatly outnumber the ministry and the Order of the Phoenix. Even
though I managed to capture six death eaters at the ministry last month I do not think they will remain in Azkaban long; I expect the Dementors to be in full rebellion at any time and the will certainly release all of Voldemort's supporters.
Things look almost as black as they did sixteen years ago. Our only hope is finding and eliminating all of Voldemort's Horcruxes. If he is killed his followers will melt away like they did before.
Headmaster APWBD
July 3, 1996
I found the ring at the Gaunt house and when I got it back to my study I began to examine it for clues that might help me find other Horcruxes. The only one I had seen before the ring was Tom Riddle's diary and it had been destroyed by Harry so its remains left little in the way of clues.
On the ring I saw the sign of the Deathly Hallows scratched into the black stone. Like a fool I slid it on my finger thinking I had found the second Deathly Hallow; the Resurrection Stone. I already have the first Hallow; my wand is the Elder Wand; and Harry has the third Hallow; the Cloak of Invisibility. Legend tells us that uniting the three hallows will make one invincible. Could this be an opportunity to destroy Voldemort?
Voldemort must have placed a curse on the ring after making it into a Horcrux because
the moment I slide it on my finger I was hit by a spell that is slowly killing me. I managed to get the ring off and struck it with the Sword of Gryffindor which has been hanging behind my desk since it presented itself to Harry in the Chamber of Secrets four years ago. The sword is coated with Basilisk venom which is one of the few substances powerful enough to destroy a Horcrux. Harry used a Basilisk fang when he destroyed Tom Riddle's diary. As the ring cracked I heard a scream and the part of Voldemort's soul stored in the ring rose and disintegrated before my eyes; another Horcrux was gone.
I called Professor Snape for help. He knows more about dark curses than anyone else I know and he was able to confine the curse to my hand for now but admits he cannot stop it from spreading slowly over time. In less than a year I will be dead. I must make arrangements for Harry to carry on with the hunt for Horcruxes after I am dead; but I must slow him down so he has time to mature before finding the final one.
Harry is the final Horcrux and he must be killed by Voldemort himself if all the pieces of Voldemort's soul are to be destroyed. At his age I do not think he will be able to walk to his own death but he must eventually. I will not tell him the entire truth, only enough to keep him searching for Horcruxes. I will leave clues with him, Ron, and Hermione whom I know have promised to help him. I must count on them finding and figuring out these clues over time so he
discovers the final truth when he will be mentally and emotionally able to carry out what is necessary. I must get Severus to continue to protect him as best as possible after I am gone and see that Harry continues on the right path.
Headmaster APWBD
July 6, 1996
I have another problem. Voldemort has inducted Draco Malfoy as a death eater and given him the assignment to kill me as soon as he can after school resumes. Severus brought the information today but doesn't know any details of how Draco plans to go about killing me. He certainly can't just walk up to me and attack so it must be some indirect method that I will have to be wary of. I don't believe the Voldemort thinks Draco will succeed in killing me; rather he is torturing Draco's parents as punishment for Lucius' failure in getting the prophecy last
month. Voldemort is making them live with the thought that their son will also fail and be killed by me, or if I don't kill him that Voldemort himself will
Severus has the rest of the summer to learn more about Draco; but I must act soon to get Horace Slughorn to come out of retirement and back to Hogwarts. I have already asked him to come back for one year as a favor to me citing what happened last year with Delores being appointed by the ministry when I couldn't get a DADA professor. He refused and I think he is afraid that helping me will make him a target for Voldemort and his death eaters.
I will try again later this week, taking Harry with me when I ago. Horace always had a way of making friends with students he felt were bound for success and then getting favors back when the students graduated and got jobs in important positions. No other student was half as likely to become important as Harry is right now. If getting to know Harry doesn't attract Horace back nothing will.
I know Horace likes to dine late and relax with a brandy so will pick Harry up at 11PM and go to the muggle house where Horace is living currently. I need to talk with Harry's aunt and uncle about Harry returning to their home one more time next year and there is also
something I must tell Harry which his family has the right to know. Sirius left a will in which he names Harry as his only heir. The house at Grimmauld place and the money are not as important as the possession of Kreacher. The house elf that betrayed Sirius goes with ownership of the house but I am not sure that Harry can take actual possession of either.
The house has been in the Black family for centuries and has many dark spells on it. It has always been left to the eldest surviving member of the family which in this case would be Sirius' cousin Bellatrix Lestrange. I am not sure if Sirius simply writing in his will that he wants Harry to have the house will hold up against the Black family tradition.
The test will be Kreacher. If he has to obey Harry's orders the house belongs to Harry; if Kreacher refuses to obey the house is owned by Bellatrix and she will have access to all the secrets Kreacher overheard while the Order of the Phoenix used the house as headquarters. That would be a major problem.
I did keep one item of Sirius' that technically belongs to Harry. Sirius told me he gave Harry a two way mirror over the Christmas holiday last year. After almost being caught by Delores while talking with Harry in the Gryffindor fireplace; Sirius thought Harry needed a better way to reach him if an emergency arose. The two mirrors are connected so the person looking in the mirror sees not himself but the person with the other mirror. Conversations through the mirrors can not be intercepted by outsiders.
With Sirius dead I will keep his mirror in my study and if Harry has need he will be able to reach me using his mirror.
Headmaster APWBD
July 7, 1996
Severus reported that Narcissa Malfoy and her sister Bellatrix Lestrange came to his house yesterday. Narcissa knows that Voldemort expects Draco to fail trying to kill me and is rightfully worried about Draco's life. She wants Severus to watch out for Draco and help him with killing me hoping that if I die by anyone's hand Voldemort will be satisfied and spare Draco's life.
I believe she is correct. As long as someone kills me Voldemort will be pleased and this gives me and idea. I will be dead from the curse on the Horcrux ring in less than a year. If Draco
does or doesn't manage to get to me I have asked Severus to be the one to kill me. He will be fast and merciful compared to Voldemort himself or anyone else Voldemort might send. Also it will keep Draco from becoming a murderer and give him a chance at a normal life.
Severus said he was forced into making an unbreakable vow to help Draco because Bellatrix doesn't trust him and is constantly trying to undermine him with Voldemort. Narcissa will support him now that he took the vow keeping his pretense of being on Voldemort's side more believable. He was worried about having to kill me to keep that vow because like everyone else he doesn't think Draco will be able to succeed in carry out Voldemort's orders.
He doesn't like the idea of having to kill me but agreed to do it as it is the lesser of many evil alternatives.
Headmaster APWBD
July 9, 1996
It was a success for both of my problems. Kreacher obeyed Harry's orders and he has been sent to work at Hogwarts where he can be watched and will not be able to tell our secrets. As for Horace; I hardly said a word. I showed up at his door and just let Harry and Horace alone in a room for a few minutes. Horace agreed to return as Potions Master. Severus will finally get what he has wanted for sixteen years, the DADA position, and I get what I want, a chance to get the real memory of what Horace told Voldemort about Horcruxes.
After leaving Horace I took Harry to the Burrow to spend the rest of the summer with
the Weasleys. I had a little talk with him first about not wandering away from the houses protections and about being "The Chosen One". Although people are speculating about him only Harry and I know the truth of the prophecy. I told him he could tell Ron and Hermione since they have shown the can be trusted but it is best if no one else find out what the prophecy said. I also told Harry I will be having private sessions with him this year but did not tell him it is to pass on the knowledge of the Horcruxes I have been gathering for years.
Hermione is also at the Burrow again. Molly has practically adopted her since it would be unsafe for her to stay at her parents without magical protections except what she could provide for herself. Although, with my permission, she has been pouring through every book
she could find on dark curses and defense against them, and she is the best student I have ever
met; she is no match one on one against Voldemort or his death eaters who have years of experience with dark magic.
I think she feels not seeing her parents is more than made up for by being with Ron all summer. If he doesn't realize Hermione is in love with him he is the only person around that doesn't and it means he is not as smart as I think.
While I am making comments about the children, both Molly and Arthur have told me their Ginny is in love with Harry for years now with no response from him. I told them Harry knew about Ginny loving him for a long time but has too many other problems to think about. One day when everything is settled he will be sorry he missed the love and support she could have given him.
Headmaster APWBD
July 20, 1996
I have begun investigating the shore line along the channel where the Headmistress of the orphanage where Tom Riddle was as a boy reported that Tom had terrorized some younger
children during a yearly outing. This was the place where he first used his powers to force others to do his will; perhaps an event important enough for him to hide a Horcrux there. In my interview with her years ago she described how Tom had taken some children into a cave near the sea and how they came back traumatized. For now lacking any other idea of where to look I am searching for that cave without any real hope of finding a Horcrux there. The cliffs here are vast and hard to search but I persist knowing the other Horcruxes must be found and if nothing else I will be able to eliminate this as a possible hiding place.
Headmaster APWBD
Aug 15, 1996
Arthur sent a report that Harry, Ron, and Hermione disappeared for nearly and hour during their trip to Diagon Alley to purchase their needed school supplies. The three of them insist they were in a back room at the Weasley twins new magical joke shop and that Molly and Arthur just didn't see them. Arthur assures me they were gone somewhere and he will continue to try and find out where and why.
Headmaster APWBD
Sept 1, 1996
Arthur sent a message that Harry took him aside before boarding the Hogwarts Express and confessed they had followed Draco Malfoy to Borgin and Burkes shop in Knockturn Alley the day they went missing. Harry told Arthur he thinks Malfoy was inducted as a death eater and asked Arthur to investigate the Malfoys to see if they had and dark artifacts. Arthur replied
that they had searched the Malfoy's house recently and found nothing but assured Harry he would continue to investigate. I didn't tell Arthur that Harry is right about Draco.
I asked Horace if he would come to Hogwarts on the train and act as security for the children and he agreed. I know his habits well and I am sure he will use the opportunity to throw one of his little lunches to meet the children of some of the better connected families and Harry of course will be at the top of his list. If anyone can convince Horace to revel his true memory of Voldemort it will be Harry so it is important that Harry gets in good with Horace as soon as possible.
Harry failed to arrive with the rest of the children in the carriages. Severus brought him into the hall after everyone was finished eating. Severus simply told me Harry wanted to make
a spectacular entrance in front of everyone but I know something happened and I thought I would have to find out the truth from Harry.
When I got back to my office I found a message from Tonks relating the story of how she found Harry petrified on the floor of the train. He told her he had been attacked by Draco but he did not tell Tonks the details. She escorted Harry to the gate at the entrance to the grounds where they met Severus and she left after turning Harry over to him. Here it goes again; Harry and Draco attacking each other even before they get off the train.
Minerva tells me she appointed Harry as Gryffindor Quidditch captain. I hope that, and Draco's assignment from Voldemort to kill me, may keep the two of them too busy to constantly be at each other. I have too many things to do besides refereeing a constant battle between them.
Headmaster APWBD
Sept 3, 1996
I have decided I need to start preparing Harry as soon as possible in case something happens to me. I sent him a message to come to my office Saturday night to begin our private lessons.
Hermione approached me with a complaint. I guess after last year when I constantly met with her about Harry's situation she feels she has my ear any time she wants it. I am not sure I want her to think she has free access to me at any time but she has been useful when problems arise and I will allow her to see me any time I am not tied up by something important.
She explained that Harry is using an old Potions book with annotations from the
previous owner who signed his name as "The Half-Blood Prince". It gives tips on how to improve the recipes for the various potions described in the book. She said she considers it a form of cheating and described how Harry outdid everyone in the first potions class. She added how it may be dangerous since we know nothing about this person and he or she could have had dark intentions in changing the recipes. I believe she is simply jealous that Harry did better with the altered instructions than she did following to proper formulas. I may do her good to be second best for once and I have another reason to be happy about this discovery of the old text.
I recognized the name "Half-Blood Prince" as Snape's favorite moniker when he was a student and I assume he left his old text in the cupboard during the many years he taught potions. He was one of the best potions students ever to come through Hogwarts because of
his meticulous attention to detail and I don't think anything he changed in the book might be dangerous or he wouldn't have left the book where students could get it. On the contrary his changes might be just what Harry needs to impress and get close to Horace by becoming the best potions student ever.
I didn't tell Hermione that because I don't want her to give away to Horace why Harry is doing so well, or let Harry know it is Snape's book he is using since Harry hates Severus. I did assure her that I thought there was no danger and I did not consider it cheating rather a type of tutoring from an older student. She did not seem happy with my conclusions but she accepted my decision for now. If I know her I think she will be spending a lot of time in the library researching "The Half-Blood Prince" to find a reason to stop Harry from besting her in potions class.
Headmaster APWBD
Sept 6, 1996
My first private session with Harry went well. I explained that I had given him all the facts I know for sure about Voldemort and would now tell him the theories I have but cannot
prove. We started in the pensive with the memory I obtained from Bob Ogden of his visit to the Gaunt house and Voldemort's grandfather, mother, and uncle. We discussed what most
likely happened with Voldemort's father and mother. Before Harry left for the night I let him see that I have the Gaunts family ring but he is not ready to be told about Horcruxes yet.
Headmaster APWBD
Sept 9, 1996
Harry was made Quidditch captain and is holding tryouts this week. Since he is busy I am using the time to search the coastal cliffs for the cave where Voldemort may have hidden a Horcrux. I will set another session with Harry for a few weeks from now and I hope I will have news.
Horace has one of his student-teacher dinners planed. He will be inviting potentially influential students to size them up and weed out those he doesn't think meet his standards. I hear from Gryffindor Harry, Hermione, Ginny Weasley, and Neville are invited.
Headmaster APWBD
Oct 12, 1996
I have no new information despite being gone from the school for days at a time. The curse from the ring is spreading up my arm and I don't have the energy I did just months ago. If Minerva hadn't taken over the daily tasks of running the school from me I don't know what I would do.
The search of the cliff area is taking longer than I thought since I tire easily and must rest often. If I should run into Voldemort I do not think I will be able to face him in a one on one duel as I did just four months ago at the ministry. I must push myself so I can pass on to Harry enough information for him to eventually find and eliminate all the Horcruxes.
Headmaster APWBD
Oct 17, 1996
The first Hogsmeade weekend of the year has brought trouble. I decided I could not confine the students to the school despite the threat of death eaters possibly causing problems; so with heightened security all over town I allowed the students to visit the town as normal.
First a minor problem; Harry ran into Mundungus selling things he had stolen from Grimmauld place after Sirius' death. These objects are Harry's property now and Harry was
rightfully upset and attacked Mundungus. Tonks was there to stop Harry because although Mundungus is a coward and a sneak he will defend himself if cornered and knows some nasty spells the Harry may not be prepared for. He escaped without hurting Harry and I will have to get to him and stop this thievery before something serious happens.
The major problem was an attempt to kill me that ended with a Gryffindor girl, Katie Bell, being seriously injured. Someone in town placed her under the Imperious curse and gave her a cursed necklace to bring to me in the hope I would touch it and be killed. Unfortunately she accidently brushed the necklace through a hole in her glove not enough to kill her but enough to be hurt badly. She has been sent to St. Mungo's hospital and is expected to recover fully but it will be weeks before she can return to school.
This must have originated with Draco but since he was in detention at the time he must have an accomplice in town that actually handed the necklace to Katie. The chances were very small that I would touch a strange and valuable item like the necklace and not be suspicious or examine it first. The odds that someone else would touch it first and be killed were great. This means Draco is desperate and willing to hurt many other people to get to me. I must find a way to stop him without Voldemort finding out and killing him. I must also find out who Draco's accomplice is.
Headmaster APWBD
Oct 20, 1996
I need rest and I used these days to meet with Harry and give him more information on Voldemort. This time I showed Harry the memories I obtained about Voldemort's birth in London and of my first meeting with Tom Riddle as an eleven year old when I went to the orphanage to tell him he was a wizard and invite him to attend Hogwarts. I wanted Harry to note how young Riddle was already using his powers and how he kept trophies from his victims.
Headmaster APWBD
Oct 28, 1996
Two incidents have arisen that may prove reason to worry. Professor Sprout reported a sever argument between Ron and Hermione during Herbology class. I worry that any problems between my little trio will affect Harry's ability to concentrate on Voldemort and if Ron and Hermione aren't talking they will be of little help to Harry.
The second incident reported by the ghost of Sir Nicholas occurred after Quidditch practice. Katie Bell was a chaser on the Gryffindor team and will be in the hospital at least for the first match of the season. Harry picked for a replacement Dean Thomas who happens to be dating Ginny Weasley who is also a chaser. It seems Harry and Ron came across them snogging in the hall after the practice and Ron exploded.
I have had the professors, ghosts and portraits watching him and Hermione for sign of trouble that might affect Harry. The two of them have been cool toward each other but otherwise civil. However Ron's mood since the incident in Herbology has made him touchy and finding his sister kissing a boy set him off. Harry got between them and kept them from hitting or hexing each other but Sir Nicholas who has known Harry for nearly six years tells me Harry seemed more upset than could be expected from just an argument between Ron and Ginny.
Sir Nicholas said Harry was red in the face and was giving Dean and Ginny strange looks. I once commented that Harry would benefit from having Ginny as a girlfriend to support him and he had been ignoring her. I hope he hasn't decided now that she has another boyfriend that he finally wants her. Perhaps I have been worrying about the wrong love triangle disrupting things for all these years. I wonder if there is a spell to eliminate or at least temporally turn off hormones.
Headmaster APWBD
Nov 10, 1996
Gryffindor won their first Quidditch match despite Ron's bad mood but it seems from reports by the ghost of Sir Nicholas and the portrait of the Fat Lady this led to even more trouble for my little trio. Ron made several spectacular saves at goal and a Gryffindor girl, Lavender Brown, took the opportunity to kiss him at the celebration party. Ron apparently still upset with Hermione kissed back which sent Hermione into the hallway crying. Whatever happened; Ron and Hermione are not speaking for several days now because of it and Harry is caught between his best friends. I hope it doesn't last long because I am running short of time and must know when I die that Harry will get the help he needs from both Ron and Hermione.
Headmaster APWBD
Dec 2, 1996
I got a message from Charlie Weasley in Romania. He's been recruiting witches and wizards on the continent during his free time. Family members of the people killed by
Grindelwald remember what it was like when a dark wizard took power and many say they are ready to fight to keep Voldemort from bringing back those times. I am not sure if these people
will stand firm should Voldemort become a direct threat to them however. It is easy to say "I will help fight him." when the threat is hundreds of miles away and a different matter when he is at your doorstep as he is for the magical families here in England.
Some of the people Charlie talked to in Albania related stories about Voldemort being in hiding there for the years between when he disappeared after trying to kill Harry and when Wormtail helped him return here. Rumors have been rampant for years but Charlie has learned some specifics about Voldemort's location during those years. I have decided to take the weeks of Christmas break to visit Charlie and check into his new information. Every clue I verify could be the one that leads to Voldemort's defeat and I cannot pass up this opportunity.
I have continued hunting for Horcruxes as often a possible and though I continue to grow weaker I believe I have narrowed down a location for the cave Tom Riddle the orphans into. Some older people living in a coastal town remember the incident and the search for the children. I am returning to the area when I am up to it physically and attempting to find a way of accessing the bottom of the cliff area. With the weather along the coast so bad at this time of year I feel this search will have to wait because my time will be better spent on the clues in Albania.
Headmaster APWBD
Dec 15, 1996
Arrangements to meet Charlie are made and I will leave next week. In the mean time Ron and Hermione are still at war with Harry caught in neutral ground. Ron continues to see Lavender Brown and even the other students are starting to complain. As long as I remember, students snogging in a back hallway has been common and basically ignored as long as things are kept under control. Mr. Weasley and Miss Brown however are thrashing about in public like a couple on minks, embarrassing everyone that happens to come upon them. I will have to step in after my return and have a talk with them unless they break up over Christmas vacation. My sources tell me that Ron is not as happy with the situation as Lavender is and has voiced complains to Harry about her never leaving him alone for a minute.
Headmaster APWBD
Dec 19, 1996
Horace is having his annual Christmas party for all the well connected students and I am
getting reports that a number of girls have been overheard plotting to slip Harry a love potion so he will ask one of them to this party. Love potions are banned and I hope Harry will be smart enough to just ask someone he likes. Once again I am ruing the thought that I may have to step in and become involved with student's love lives.
Headmaster APWBD
Dec 21, 1996
I am leaving to meet Charlie Weasley in about an hour and wanted to put an end to the saga about Harry's problem. It seems he asked Luna Lovegood to the party. Despite Hermione telling me she is smarter, nicer, and more loyal to her friends than almost anyone else; her reputation among both teachers and students is that she is in her own little world and has no control over what she says, often blurting out embarrassing statements.
I know she was at the fight in the department of Mysteries and all the other children said she acted with courage and helped save their lives so I will have to reevaluate her for the official school records before I die. I must trust the judgment of Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville. They have shown themselves to be courageous individuals and there must be something more to Luna that has them thinking so highly of her.
Headmaster APWBD
Jan 3, 1997
My trip to Albania was worth wile I got a number of interesting bits of information I did not know about Voldemort's time there and I must now review what I learned and integrate it into the other facts I have gathered over the years.
Arthur and Remus Lupin both sent reports about talking with Harry over the break. Harry overheard Severus and Draco talking while Severus tried to get information about Draco's plans to kill me. Harry took it as Severus promising to help Draco and he tried to convince Arthur and Remus to talk to me about not trusting Severus. Once again I wish the animosity between Severus and Harry's father had not spilled over to Harry. Nobody knows the truth about Severus but me and for his safety I can tell nobody why I trust him.
The Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, has been trying to talk me into getting Harry to visit the ministry from time to time so people will think Harry supports the ministry's actions. Since Voldemort's return people have been worried about the ministry's lack of effort in trying to stop him. Also Harry is very popular again since being vindicated after the ministry tried to smear him last year. I have refused to cooperate and make Harry a publicity tool. It seems the minister has finally tired of my refusal and decided to circumvent me by showing up at the Burrow unannounced and talking with Harry one on one. I am gratified that Harry stood up to the minister and refused to help in a false campaign of propaganda. I am sure the minister is not happy with either of us but can do nothing since the public sides with Harry.
Harry and Draco continue to fight and I wish Harry would back off. I do not want him injured by accident like Katie Bell was from an attempt by Draco to kill me. I still am not sure of
Draco's progress in his plan to kill me and Severus had no luck in getting him to talk. I may have months left or perhaps only days. I must meet with Harry soon to continue to give him the information he needs.
Headmaster APWBD
Jan 5, 1997
The ability of witches and wizards to instantly disapparate from one location and apparate in another is one of the most useful of magical powers. Apparition lessons for students turning seventeen years old before August 31st will start next month. That includes Harry, Ron, and Hermione. It will certainly be safer for them if they learn how to disapparate if they find themselves in danger. Also traveling to and from school will be that much easier. Not all witches and wizards have the mental concentration to do it but I am sure the three of them will be able to learn. Although on the grounds of Hogwarts protective spells make it impossible I will lift that spell temporarily so the students can practice here and not have to go into Hogsmeade for lessons.
Headmaster APWBD
Jan 6, 1997
I met with Harry to discuss the events that took place over the break and more importantly to continue to tell him what I have learned about Voldemort. I finally got to the memory from Horace that had been altered, the one in which Tom Riddle asked about Horcruxes. I tried to impress on Harry the need to get the true memory and told him he must be the one to convince Professor Slughorn to give up the true version of what happened.
To my surprise Harry didn't ask what a Horcrux is and I did not offer to tell him; he will find out soon enough about them.
Headmaster APWBD
Jan 8, 1997
Hermione came to me again to complain about Harry using the "Half-Blood Prince" book to get a better grade in Potions class. This time I explained that Harry needed to get in the good graces of Professor Slughorn to get some information I need and if the book helps so be it. She said Harry had talked with her and Ron about his last session with me and about Professor Slughorn's memory. She said she knows it is important but, "If Harry doesn't learn his lessons properly what will happen if some day there is an emergency and he doesn't have the book to cheat from."
I explained that obtaining the memory and defeating Voldemort comes first and I understand what she is saying but I see no other path for Harry to follow. She then told me
Harry asked Professor Slughorn about the Horcrux memory right after a class in which the professor praised Harry for being such a great potions student and Professor Slughorn's attitude changed immediately. He became angry and ordered Harry out. Being the best potions student ever didn't help Harry get the memory. I had only one response; it didn't hurt and Harry must keep trying. For now at least I told her she must concentrate on helping Harry in any way possible.
Headmaster APWBD
Feb 1, 1997
With the weather beginning to warm I have begun to leave the school at every opportunity to search the coastal cliffs for the cave and a means of accessing it. Locals have told me of the location of several caves but nobody seems to remember exactly which one the children had taken to by Tom Riddle. I have searched several of them so far, but found no sign of magical concealment. Of course there may not be a Horcrux here at all; but I must continue to eliminate the possibility since I have no other ideas of where to look.
The first apparition lesions for the seventeen year olds is this Saturday and I must stay here to remove the spell prohibiting apparition then replace it after the lesson. I could use a day's rest anyway.
Headmaster APWBD
Mar 1, 1997
Another attempt on my life by Draco almost killed Ron today. This is what I got from
Harry. Today is Ron's birthday and he was opening his presents. A box of chocolates that had been in Harry's trunk had fallen on the floor as Harry was getting something out. The chocolates had been given to Harry at Christmas by one of the girls that were trying to get him
to take her to Horace's party and were filled with a love potion. Ron thought they were one of his presents and ate some. He began to declare his love for this girl and Harry took him to Professor Slughorn's room to get an antidote for the love potion.
After mixing it up and curing Ron, Horace offered the boys a toast for Ron's birthday and opened a bottle of mead that was given to him as a gift. As soon as Ron drank some he collapsed. Harry recognized the symptoms as poisoning and remembered the bezoar he had from the class on poisons and he forced it into Ron's mouth in time to neutralize most of the poison. Ron is in the hospital wing recovering. I sent a message to his family and they arrived an hour ago. I explained what I learned from Harry and they are with Ron now.
When I questioned Horace about the mead he told me he didn't know who gave it to him and he had intended to give it to me at Christmas but forgot about it. I am sure he would never have passed it on to me because his love of fine drinks is well known. It had to be Draco again trying to get to me. Nobody has a reason to poison Horace and this seems too like the necklace incident to be a coincidence.
Headmaster APWBD
Mar 9, 1997
Harry is in the hospital with Ron. It seems with Ron out of commission as Gryffindor goal keeper Harry appointed Cormac McLaggen to fill in for Ron for the Quidditch match on Saturday. McLaggen I understand tried to show one of the beaters the proper way to hit a Bludger and hit it right into Harry's head. He has a concussion but will be fine in a day or so. Ron is also recovered from the poison and should be released soon.
Dobby has come to me to report that Harry has him and Kreacher following Draco twenty-four a day. I was tempted to tell Dobby to stop but realized perhaps the two elves could discover what Severus could not; what is Draco doing in his plan to kill me. I told Dobby I wanted to hear what he discovered before he tells Harry so I can decide if it is safe for Harry to know. I don't want him going after Draco himself and getting hurt.
Headmaster APWBD
Mar 11, 1997
I sent for Harry to meet so I could find out about his progress with Horace's memory and to show him the last of my knowledge about Voldemort. First I showed him how Voldemort obtained Hufflepuff's cup and Slytherin's locket that had once been his mothers. We discussed Voldemort's desire to take trophies connected to the founders of Hogwarts. Then I showed him my memory of Voldemort coming to my office to ask for a teaching position and my rejection of him.
Finally I told him we were at a dead end. Without Horace's true memory we could go no farther and I tried to impress on Harry how important it was for him to get that memory.
Headmaster APWBD
Mar 13, 1997
Dobby reported that Draco was spending a lot of time in the Room of Requirement. At least I know where he is but still not what he is doing. The Room of Requirement changes to fit the user's needs so he could be doing almost anything in there.
I told Dobby it was safe to tell Harry what Draco was doing but not to let Harry know he had already reported to me.
Headmaster APWBD
Mar 16, 1997
Severus complained to me that he thinks Harry is cheating in potions class. Horace is constantly telling Severus how good Harry is and Severus should be proud of what he taught Harry for the last five years. Severus insists Harry is not that good in potions so he must be cheating somehow but Horace won't listen to anything bad about Harry. Severus wants me to call Harry in to question him. If Severus ever finds out that Harry is using his old potions text to get better grades in that class he will become apoplectic.
The only good thing is Hermione who knows what is happening dislikes Severus as much as Harry so she is unlikely to approach him and ask about "The Half-Blood Prince".
Headmaster APWBD
April 5, 1997
Hagrid's pet Acromantula Aragog died last night which is little comfort since uncounted thousands of it descendants still live in the dark forest. Hagrid asked me to attend the funeral but I will be out of the castle until late in the evening. I have another lead on the cave in the sea cliff.
The seventeen year olds are taking their apparition test today but it is in Hogsmead and I am not needed. Ron and Hermione are testing but Harry doesn't turn seventeen until July 31 so he will be safe here in the castle while I am gone.
Headmaster APWBD
Apr 6, 1997
I had just returned to the castle when Harry came to my office late in the evening with news he got Horace to give him the true memory. He said he took some Felix Felicis, "Liquid Luck", and it worked. Fortunately, he met Horace on the grounds where they went to Hagrid's to bury Aragog. Fortunately, Horace wanted to collect Acromantula venom which is quite valuable to potion makers. Fortunately, over some wine Harry reminded Horace about his mother being one of Horace's favorite students and if Horace didn't help Harry kill Voldemort she would have died in vain. Between the Felix Felicis, the story, and the wine Horace gave up the true memory.
We placed the memory in the pensive and viewed it together. In this true version of the memory, when Tom Riddle asked Horace about Horcruxes Horace explained what they do and how to make one. Since Riddle was wearing the Gaunt family's ring I believe Tom already knew how, and had made at least this one Horcrux. Then Riddle asked about making more than one Horcrux. He suggested that seven is the most powerful magical number and asked if splitting the soul into seven pieces would not protect the maker's life more surely.
I believe that is when Horace realized that these were not just academic questions. He knew Tom Riddle intended to make six Horcruxes and later when Voldemort's reputation spread Horace felt responsible and altered his memory. I wish I could ease Horace's mind and tell him it was not his fault because Riddle had already made his first Horcrux by the time he approached Horace and was planning to make his second, the diary. Of course I cannot because what Harry and I know about the Horcruxes must remain secret.
This is what I wanted to know. Voldemort made six Horcruxes and then his damaged
soul accidently made Harry into a seventh when Harry's mother's protection reflected the killing curse back at Voldemort. I explained to Harry how I realized that Tom Riddle's diary was a Horcrux when he first gave it to me four years ago and how I knew there had to be others since Voldemort still survived.
I continued to relate how other evidence surfaced over the years supporting my theory. All I was not sure of was the exact number of Horcruxes he made; and I had to know that because all of them had to be destroyed to kill Voldemort. Finally with a feeling of horror, Harry realized the task ahead of us and how difficult it would be; the Horcruxes could be anything anywhere.
I reminded him that he had already destroyed one, the diary, and I had destroyed one, the ring. Also it was unlikely Voldemort would use any old object and leave it anywhere. I reminded him of Voldemort's desire to obtain relics of the founders and his desire to commemorate events and places that had special meaning to him. He thought immediately of Slytherin's locket and Hufflepuff's cup. That left two others one of which I suggested was the snake Nagini. Voldemort's control over it was unusual even for a Parselmouth. The last one was most likely something that belonged to Gryffindor or Ravenclaw but I didn't know what.
He then realized why I have been gone from the castle so often; I was searching for the others. I confessed that I had an idea of where one might be and he asked if he could accompany me to destroy it. I never saw such a happy face as when I told him yes; he could come and help me once I found it.
We then discussed the fact that after the Horcruxes were destroyed Voldemort could be killed and Harry brought up the prophecy that said he would have to be the one to do it. He was worried because the prophecy said he had a power that Voldemort did not; but he didn't feel that was true. I assured him he did, it was love for others and love was an extraordinary power that Voldemort not only didn't have but he could not even understand it. I told him in no uncertain words it would be enough to defeat Voldemort even if he did not understand why right now.
Headmaster APWBD
Apr 7, 1997
Katie Bell has finally recovered and returned to school today. With Ron also recovered Draco's two attempts to kill me ended in failure.
Headmaster APWBD
Apr 23, 1997
It seems the love lives of my little trio have settled out for the most part according to my spies keeping watch on them. Since Ron's poisoning he has broken up with Lavender Brown and is friends with Hermione again. Ginny Weasley has broken up with her boyfriend and is spending more time with Harry because of Quidditch practices. My spies do not report any budding romances but that may be best since Harry will soon be busy helping me with a Horcrux.
I have found what I think is the location of the cave. Once I am able to figure out how to enter it safely I will tell Harry and we will go and search it for a Horcrux.
My spies also tell me Draco is still spending all his free time in the Room of Requirement so his plan to kill me must not be working out well. He is looking ill and I thing Voldemort must be pressing him to act or be killed. Neither Severus nor I have been able to find out any details but it must come to a head soon. I continue to grow weaker and do not have much time left. Also Harry is spending time trying to access the Room of Requirement and discover what Draco is doing but he can not enter it. I know this is not possible and that is why I haven't tried it.
Headmaster APWBD
April 28, 1997
A serious incident between Harry and Draco has caused problems. Harry has been following Draco; and in the sixth floor boy's bathroom they confronted each other. Moaning Myrtle for some reason was in the boy's loo instead of her normal spot in the third floor girls' loo and she gave me he story. Draco was upset and she was trying to get him to tell her why when Harry entered. When Draco saw Harry he pulled his wand and fired a hex. They both shot hexes back and forth when Harry slipped on some water from faucets that had been blasted by one of the hexes. Draco tried to hit Harry with the Cruciatus curse but Harry cast a spell I am not familiar with which slashed Draco like a sword; making cuts all over his body. The noise and Myrtle's yells brought Professor Snape running and he cast a counter spell over Draco stopping the bleeding. Draco should recover fully.
Severus was furious. Since he knew the counter spell I assume this spell Harry used was familiar to Severus and from his anger and the punishment he gave Harry I thinking it may have been in his "Half-Blood Prince" text because he made Harry go and bring all his books back.
Harry must have hidden the "Half-Blood Prince" book because Severus could not find it among Harry's school things so he cannot prove that Harry has been cheating in potions. He has again asked me to question Harry but since I know he has been using it and I approve I just told Severus I will talk to Harry about it.
He gave Harry detention with him every Saturday for the rest of the year which means Harry will not be able to play in the big Quidditch match coming up. Without Harry Gryffindor has little chance to win the match or the cup this year so almost all the Gryffindors are upset and taking it out on Harry.
The ghost of Sir Nicholas tells me while Harry is upset about the Quidditch match he is more upset about what he did to Draco. It seems Harry never used that spell before and didn't know what it would do. I look on this as another proof of what a good person Harry is. He dislikes Draco intensely but is sorry for hurting him.
Headmaster APWBD
May 2, 1997
My skills at handicapping sporting matches needs improvement. With Ginny Weasley taking Harry's place as seeker, Gryffindor not only won the match but won by a large enough margin to take the Quidditch cup for this season. With a victory the Gryffindors have forgiven Harry and my spies report during the ensuing celebration Harry finally realized he loves Ginny.
Like with Ron and Lavender a few months ago the professors and even some of the portraits in the halls have complained about Harry and Ginny snogging between classes and evenings after dinner. I am happy for the both of them but if this gets out of hand I will have to speak with Harry. First he must keep his mind on Voldemort and the Horcruxes; but also if word gets back to Voldemort that Harry has a serious girlfriend it will make Ginny a target for death eaters to use her to get at Harry.
I will be dead soon one way or the other and unable to protect her while Harry carries on the hunt for Horcruxes. The Weasley family is already the most threatened family England because of their association with Harry but this could force Arthur and Molly to make Ginny almost a prisoner in her own home.
Headmaster APWBD
May 8, 1997
The Fat Lady tells me Harry and Ginny have been sneaking out together late in the evening and I have learned from other sources they are going into the Room of Requirement.
Couples are always seeking private corners to be alone but I am worried that Harry and Ginny are doing more than snogging. With Ginny being quite precocious and having been in love
with Harry for years I am afraid they may be having sex in the Room of Requirement which after all will change to provide whatever the user wants. I hesitate to ask Harry such a personal question but I feel I will be forced to unless I get some other explanation as to what they may be doing. The only thing that would be worse than word of Ginny being Harry's girlfriend getting to Voldemort would be word that she is pregnant by Harry. She and any baby would both then be targets.
Headmaster APWBD
May 12, 1997
The Fat Lady came and told me the door to Gryffindor common room opened late on Saturday night but she saw no one come out. I once warned her to watch for Harry using his invisibility cloak so she moved along from picture to picture until she saw Harry and Ginny go into the prefect's bathroom on the fifth floor. There is a large pool there that the prefects refer to as their bath tub. Since neither Harry nor Ginny are prefects they are not allowed there and now I am forced to ask both of them why they went there and how they got the password for the door.
I will call Harry in to talk when I get back from my trip to the cave cliffs this weekend.
Headmaster APWBD
May 20, 1997
I have done nothing I planned for a week. A spell of weakness overcame me while I was exploring the cave mouth in which I found signs of magical action. I barely made it back to the school. Severus and Madam Pomfrey have been treating me with spells and tonics respectively and my energy is returning slowly. I do not have long and I must take Harry to search the cave as soon as I have the strength.
I have added bequests to my will for Harry, Ron, and Hermione leaving the clues about the Deathly Hallows I hope they will eventually solve. As they search for Horcruxes working on these clues will give Harry time to think and develop the skills and mental abilities he will need
to finish Voldemort. I need Hermione to slow Harry down so he doesn't rush into things he is not ready to do, and I need Ron to stick with Harry giving the emotional support to continue the quest.
I have also given Sirius' two way mirror to my brother Aberforth. Soon I will be dead and unable to watch over Harry any longer. I have asked Aberforth to check on Harry occasionally using the mirror and help in any way he can.
I have not talked with Harry or Ginny. Like I am exhausted physically, I also do not have the mental strength to face them and ask the personal questions that I should.
Headmaster APWBD
June 7, 1997
What I feared happened. Madam Pomfrey asked me to come to the hospital wing as soon as I could. When I arrived I found Ginny and Hermione waiting and I knew what had happened. Madam Pomfrey took me aside and said Hermione had brought Ginny in and asked her to do a pregnancy test on Ginny. It was positive and she called me as required by school regulations although Ginny asked her not to. When we finished I turned and although I already knew the answer I asked if the baby was Harry's. Ginny answered with some indignation that it certainly was and that she was happy about it.
I started to explain why this was a problem but she stopped me and said Hermione had already gone over this. She knew the problems and the only thing to do was keep it a secret, even from Harry, so she would not return to school next year and nobody would find out. Children certainly do not foresee problems very well. If the top student in her year fails to return the next year rumors will be rampant and the secret will not stay one very long.
Hermione then asked for a word with me and I could see in her face it was important. She told me she had come across a passage in a book about pregnancy in witches while looking up an anti pregnancy spell. I stopped her to ask why she was looking up such a spell and if she knew Ginny and Harry were having sex. The look in her eyes told me she was thinking of lying to me; but then she straightened up and said, "Yes, I knew and I tried to warn Ginny about the dangers." Then she continued by telling me she had looked the anti pregnancy spell two years ago when she was seeing Victor Krum but she never had reason to use it until recently when she taught it to Ginny; and then she added also since she herself has been dating Ron.
I withheld comment and she went on about the passage she found that said there is a spell from the days before The International Statues of Secrecy, rarely used today, it could put a baby in suspended animation similar to when students were petrified by the basilisk four years ago. Witches being chased and persecuted by muggles used it to put their pregnancy on hold until they could move to a new town and resume a normal life. She didn't know what it involved but thought I might know it and place Ginny's baby in this condition. Ginny could then continue in school next year and nobody need know except those of us here in the hospital wing.
I told Hermione I had never heard of it but would check into it and get back to her; but not to tell Ginny until we knew if it were possible. I then warned Ginny to return to her dorm and tell nobody else what had happened until I check into something and get back to her.
I went to Severus' office where he was working on end of the year exams and explained the situation. Again he was livid that Harry would get away with something that should get him and Ginny expelled but then I asked what he thought would happen if they were expelled and word of this reached Voldemort. He answered immediately that Voldemort would go after Ginny and the baby to get Harry. When I asked if he wanted what happened to Harry's mother Lilly to be repeated he cast his eyes downward and said he had read of this spell in one of the old books in his vast collection of old spells and was sure he could find it. I left him to look.
I have begun hiding this log. Not knowing who may get access to it after my death and considering the sensitive information in it that may affect the survival of Harry Potter and the destruction of the Horcruxes and Voldemort I do not want the wrong persons to see it. I have left a note for Minerva who should succeed me as Headmistress to begin a new log volume. My portrait will eventually hang here in the office and I will be able to pass on the needed information to keep the attack on Voldemort moving forward.
Headmaster APWBD
June 9, 1997
Severus gave me the book with the spell to suspend a pregnancy and I read through it. It is not too involved; however, it presents some risk to the mother. The potion to reverse the spell and continue growth of the baby sometimes has adverse effects on the mother. Also the spell is different for boy and girl babies so it is necessary to wait until the pregnancy is at least two months along so the baby's sex can be determined.
I sent for Hermione since I knew I would be dead by July when Ginny was two months
along and she would be back at the Borrow. I explained the problem with the spell to Hermione and she agreed to keep the book and explain the situation to Ginny at the proper time. Ginny was about to begin her OWLs and I didn't think she should have the additional pressure on her now since nothing could be done for another month anyway. I suggested telling Molly and letting her read the book and discuss the decision with Ginny. Hermione said she would pass the suggestion to Ginny but it would have to be her decision to tell Mrs. Weasley.
Headmaster APWBD
June 10, 1997
I am feeling better and have sent for Harry to go with me and tackle the problem of the cave and Horcrux. I will guide him but must rely on his strength to carry us through the night.
When he arrived he was extremely upset and told me he had just learned from Sybil Trelawney it was Professor Snape that overheard the prophecy and told Voldemort about it. He screamed that Snape was responsible for his parent's deaths. He yelled that I was leaving the school when I knew Draco Malfoy and Severus were planning something. I became slightly angry at this implication that I would leave the children unprotected and told Harry so with no uncertainty. I assured him that the many times I had left the school that year I always saw to it that protections were in place for the children and tonight was no different.
I told him Severus was sorry for what happened and I knew him to be repentant but he refused to believe me and wanted to know why I trust Severus. I refused to answer him and told him if he wants to go with me to search for the Horcrux he should get his invisibility cloak and meet me in the entrance way. I took these few minutes to enter this in the log so when I return with the Horcrux in the excitement I will not forget to talk more with Harry and calm him down.
Headmaster APWBD