Magical Studies at Hogwarts

Horcrux, Harry knew that it was a very evil black magic, but he didn't know what it was and what it did. Dumbledore didn't tell him.

The only thing he was certain of was that Horcruxes were the key to defeating Voldemort.

"Horcruxes, sir, what exactly are Horcruxes?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore did not answer his question, but mentioned another thing that Harry had just noticed.

"We will always talk about this matter. Now let us turn our attention to the memory itself... You should have noticed that it has been tampered with."

"Tampering?" Hearing this, Harry was still a little confused, but then he reacted, "Those white mist!"

"Yes, the white mist and the weird feeling of stagnation are all proof that the memory has been tampered with." Dumbledore nodded.

"You mean, Professor Slughorn tampered with his memory? Why?"

"I think he was ashamed of the memory, so he tampered with it to make himself more respectable."

"He erased some things that he didn't want me to see, but as you can see, the tampering was very clumsy and you could tell it was improvised."

"This is a good thing, it means that the real memory is still retained, and this is also the homework I want to give you, Harry..." He pushed up his glasses and said, "I need you to find a way to get it from Slughorn. Getting real memories is the most critical thing for us.”

Harry looked at Dumbledore in disbelief and said, "But sir, maybe you can use Veritaserum or Legilimency?"

"Slughorn is a very powerful wizard, and his Occlumency is much better than Morfin. Moreover, since I forced him to hand over this memory to me, he will definitely be on guard against me and carry it with me. With the antidote to Veritaserum.”

"He's a Potions Master, it's easy for him."

Dumbledore paused and then said: "It is not advisable to forcefully get the truth from Slughorn, and I don't want him to leave Hogwarts. But I think you will be the one who can break through him. People on the defensive line...remembering Harry, the real memory is very important."

"So, good luck to you, Harry."

"Sir, I think..." Harry hesitated for a while before saying, "Hermione may be more suitable than me..."

"Miss Granger is not as suitable for you, Harry." Dumbledore shook his head slightly and said, "I know Slughorn. It is true that Miss Granger is a very outstanding witch, Slughorn He is indeed very interested in her, but some rumors about Miss Granger will make him wary..."

"You are the most suitable, or in other words, the only candidate, Harry."

With that said, Dumbledore looked at the time and said, "Okay, it's already very late. You should go back to the dormitory and have a good sleep and think about this matter tomorrow."

Harry knew that Dumbledore would not say anything else tonight, so although he was helpless, he still got up and walked outside.

After a night, the next morning, Harry told Hermione and Ron what happened last night. He urgently needed some advice from the two of them, especially Hermione.

It's not that Ron's advice is bad, it's just that in most cases, Hermione's advice is more reliable.

"You can ask him directly, aren't you the little prince of potions now?" Ron said nonchalantly while eating breakfast, "He likes you and won't refuse you anything, right?"

Ron's suggestion was ignored by Harry. He looked at Hermione, eager to hear something constructive.

"I have to say that Dumbledore gave you a very difficult task." Hermione's expression was serious. "It's certain that he concealed the truth. But Dumbledore can't even get it. I'm not sure about you." I can get it successfully. But..."

"But what?"

"Horcrux, I know it..."

"you know!"

Before Hermione could finish her words, Harry and Ron shouted in surprise.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Harry complained.

"You didn't even ask." Hermione rolled her eyes and introduced directly to the two of them, "Horcrux is a very evil black magic. It is said to have been invented by the despicable black wizard Herbo in ancient Greece. Its function is only One is to make people immortal..."

"Immortality! That's not..." Harry understood immediately.

"Yes." Hermione nodded, "This should be the reason why the Dark Lord can come back. Because he used this magic, he didn't die completely after you reflected the death curse."

"However, my understanding of Horcruxes is limited to this. I didn't find any records about Horcruxes in the library, and the same is true in the restricted book area."

"So, what Dumbledore wants to get from Slughorn is information about Voldemort's Horcruxes?"

"That's right." Ron came to a conclusion directly and suggested, "There is a Potions class this afternoon. You can ask him directly after class!"

Harry also thought Ron's idea was bad, but since Hermione didn't give any more reliable advice, he had no choice but to give it a try.

So, after Potions class ended in the afternoon, Harry deliberately stayed at the end.

"Hurry up, Harry, you're going to be late for the next class." Slughorn said kindly.As Ron said, Slughorn liked him very much.

Harry hesitated, but still mustered up the courage and asked directly: "Sir, I want to ask something."

"Then ask quickly, kid..."

"Sir, I would like to ask you if you know...horcruxes?"

"What did you say?" Slughorn's expression froze for a moment, he licked his lips and his voice became hoarse.

"I asked you if you knew about Horcruxes." Harry repeated his question, but Slughorn became more nervous.

He lowered his voice, leaned slightly towards Harry, and asked, "Dumbledore asked you to come?"

Harry didn't answer, but Slughorn was already convinced.He became more nervous and a little frightened.After rummaging in his breast pocket for a while, he took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Just a moment ago, there was already a cold sweat.

"Dumbledore showed you that memory, didn't he?"

"Yes." Harry nodded.

"Of course..." Slughorn said softly, still wiping sweat with a handkerchief. This time, even his neck was covered with sweat.However, this move did not relieve his nervousness and uneasiness.

Harry didn't press any further and stared for a while before hearing Slughorn say: "Of course you saw that memory, otherwise you wouldn't ask me..."

"But...but since you saw it, you should know that I know nothing about Horcruxes!"

"Know nothing!"