Chapter 52: Chapter 52: “Destroying the Horcrux Part - 1”
The following day brought a serious discussion led by Arcturus about his research on the Horcrux they had found. He looked at Harry and Sirius with a grave expression as he shared his alarming findings.
"After looking into the Horcrux closely, I've come to a disturbing conclusion," Arcturus began, his voice heavy with concern. "It appears Voldemort was reckless enough to create not just one, but several Horcruxes. Based on the size of the soul fragment in this locket, I'm guessing he made more than three. Making even one is dangerous and insane, but he didn't stop there. His soul must be fragmented to an extreme extent by now."
Sirius, clearly worried, chimed in, "So, to truly beat him, we have to find and destroy all these Horcruxes?"
"That's correct. Alternatively, you could capture him and imprison him until his soul eventually perishes," Arcturus confirmed, outlining a daunting task.
Harry, ever curious about strategic advantages, asked, "Wouldn't that just make his followers try even harder to free him? If we did capture him, it would have to be done in secret, with no one knowing where he's held. But what I'm really wondering is whether we can use this Horcrux to help us find the others or figure out how many he made?"
Harry found himself in a difficult position. He knew where Voldemort had hidden the Horcruxes but wasn't sure what to do with that information.
One strategy was to subtly inform Arcturus about where the Horcruxes were hidden. Arcturus could then destroy them, possibly bringing the war to an end before it truly began, and paving the way for a peaceful future. This sounded like the perfect plan.
But, Harry had some worries about going down this path. His main worry was that if he ended the war too soon, the wizarding world would stay pretty much the same. It would still be filled with bad guys like the Death Eaters, and Dumbledore would continue to have too much influence over the Ministry of Magic, all for their own gains. Harry thought about fighting against them using politics, climbing up the ladder to defeat them from within. However, he knew this would be a slow and tough journey, taking years to make any real change happen. Harry felt that a war might be necessary to really clean house at the Ministry, getting rid of Voldemort's followers and reducing Dumbledore's grip on power. Without these big changes, Harry didn't think he had the ability to effect meaningful change in the wizarding world.
Even with these thoughts, Harry wasn't totally against the idea of ending the war quickly. He really wanted to make a name for himself in the wizarding world, to carve out a legacy for himself, but not through covert manipulation akin to Dumbledore's methods.
Still, Harry hesitated to spill the beans about the Horcruxes to Arcturus because of another, deeper fear. He was worried that even if he managed to stop Voldemort now, some twist of fate or the "universe's will" might save Voldemort or bring about a new dark lord, even scarier than the last one. Harry had read this kind of thing happen in many fan fiction and other stories. The idea that a new villain could pop up, stronger than the last, made Harry think twice about trying to change the story.
Ultimately, Harry decided to let things play out as they were supposed to, sticking to the original plot while making small tweaks here and there for his advantage without affecting the overall plot. If things started to go sideways, he'd figure out what to do then and there. By doing this, Harry hoped to steer through the complicated situation without making things worse.
While Harry was going through this crisis in his mind, Arcturus answered Harry's question. "In theory, it might be possible, but there's no precedent for dealing with multiple Horcruxes. No one has ever been foolish enough to split their soul multiple times. The pain of the first time has kept them away from the second. Due to this, we don't have a method to track or link Horcruxes together."
"Should we wait to destroy this locket, then?" Sirius proposed, hoping to find a more strategic use for it.
"No," Arcturus decisively replied. "The risk of keeping it is too great. We don't know if Voldemort can sense or locate his Horcruxes. Having it could attract unwanted attention. Consider how Walburga's mental state rapidly deteriorated; this locket could have been a factor. We can't keep it, nor can we risk hiding it."
"The biggest issue," Arcturus continued, "is that we lack someone with the necessary skills for research and spell creation who we can completely trust. Inventing a spell to track the Horcruxes would require letting someone else in on the secret. That could potentially expose us to Voldemort's followers, who would do anything to protect the Horcrux or use it to bring back their master."
The room fell silent as they understood the complexities and dangers involved in dealing with Voldemort's Horcruxes.
Harry, deep in thought, turned to Arcturus with a question that had been nagging at him. "Would getting rid of this Horcrux make Voldemort weaker?"
Arcturus nodded, affirming Harry's guess. "Yes, it would. Destroying a piece of his soul would impair his magical capabilities, particularly his ability to perform highly complex spells."
This insight shed light on how Harry in the original story managed to beat Voldemort so easily at the end. It also made sense of why Voldemort often resorted to his killing curse during his later battles; his other magical abilities were weakened.
Feeling a strong conviction, Harry said, "We should destroy it then." He couldn't shake off a feeling of discomfort that the locket brought about, suspecting it might be influencing their emotions subtly. "I'm sure we'll track down the other Horcruxes eventually."
Sirius agreed, eager to honor his brother's final wish. "Yes, let's do it. And if hunting down every single Horcrux proves too difficult, we still have the backup plan. Considering the extensive protections around this horcrux, the others are likely just as securely hidden. Knowing where they are is one thing; actually destroying them is another challenge altogether."
As they prepared to destroy the locket, Harry pondered another possibility. "Is destruction the only option? Could we not use the soul piece's energy to strengthen someone else?"
Arcturus considered Harry's idea carefully. "It's possible. There's a spell that could move the soul power from the soul in the locket to a wizard, making their soul stronger. But Harry, you're already pretty strong for your age. Do you really want to make yourself even stronger this way?"
Harry thought about it and said, "Considering Voldemort might come back, I don't think I'm strong enough and may not have much time. Plus, I don't want to miss out on this chance to get stronger. I'm already working on getting physically and magically stronger, but this could be a chance to strengthen my soul, which I can't do on my own."
Arcturus responded, "I see your point, but this spell is still in the testing phase, and I can't let you try it while you're still growing. It's too risky for someone your age."
Chapter 53: Chapter 53: “Destroying the Horcrux Part - 2”
Harry was trying his best to convince Arcturus, saying confidently, "I'm not scared. I believe I can do this. We could ask Emma or Grandma Cordelia to keep an eye on us. If something starts to go wrong, they could step in and save me."
Arcturus replied with concern, "I get where you're coming from, Harry, but you need to realize we're dealing with something very delicate here: the soul. Neither I nor anyone else I know has enough understanding of how magic affects the soul. The method I've suggested is safer than most, but it's still not completely reliable or well-tested. There's no way I'm going to experiment with this, especially not on an eight-year-old boy."
Harry tried to push his point further, but seeing that Arcturus wasn't going to budge, he proposed an alternative, "What if Sirius tries it? It might be good for him."
Sirius, caught off guard, questioned, "You think I need to get stronger, Harry? Just so you know, I'm considered one of the strongest in the Auror department."
Harry explained, "Sure, you're strong, Sirius, but against Voldemort, your strength isn't enough. Plus, sometimes you rush into things without thinking. Maybe having a stronger soul could help you think things through better."
Sirius, with a hint of humor, responded, "What, you think I'm a fool now?"
Harry replied, "It's not about being smart or strong enough; it's about being even stronger to protect your family. I'd try it myself if Grandpa Black wasn't so worried about the risks involved."
Arcturus cut in, "Harry's proposal has merit. It could be precisely what you need, Sirius. And you can't deny your intelligence. Your pranks at Hogwarts, particularly the one that nearly harmed a Slytherin student, speak to your cleverness."
Sirius, begrudgingly accepting the plan, said, "Fine, I'll do it. But for the record, I'm doing this not because I think I'm lacking. I just don't want Harry to take unnecessary risks."
With the decision made, they prepared to proceed with the experiment, hoping it would not only bolster Sirius's abilities but also provide a new way to combat the dark forces they were up against.
Arcturus beckoned his house elf, Vardey, to retrieve a specific tome from his vast collection. Vardey soon came back, holding a book that seemed to almost breathe with a foreboding presence, its title "Magick Moste Evile" etched on the cover. When they opened it, a disturbing sound filled the room until Arcturus quickly silenced it with a few whispered words.
Harry, who was watching everything closely, couldn't help but ask, "That book delves into dark magic, right? Is Sirius about to perform dark magic? Are you sure it's safe?"
Arcturus responded with a calm, "Yes, the spell we're considering comes from the realms of dark magic. But, Harry, remember that the nature of magic isn't black and white. It's the intention behind its use that matters most."
Arcturus explained further, "The way we categorize magic into 'dark' and 'light' is just something people came up with a long time ago. It wasn't about good versus bad. Sometimes, people use what's considered 'light' magic to do bad things, and 'dark' magic can be used for good reasons. The reason I'm using this book, which is full of dark magic, is because spells that deal with the soul fall under that category. But don't worry, you'll get to understand all these differences as you learn more. For now, just know that we're not doing anything wrong, and Sirius will be fine."
Harry felt reassured by Arcturus's words and nodded, showing he understood and trusted him for the moment.
Then, Arcturus took his time to carefully teach Sirius how to do the spell. Harry paid close attention to this teaching as he wanted to learn the spell too. Many more Horcruxes were waiting to be found by Harry and Harry needed this spell to safely dispose of them while strengthening himself.
As soon as Sirius felt ready, having practiced the spell thoroughly, Arcturus proposed they bring Kreacher in to be part of this momentous occasion.
Kreacher arrived, visibly moved by the prospect of witnessing the fulfillment of his beloved Master Regulus's final request. His small form trembled with emotion, and tears welled in his eyes, reflecting his deep connection to the Black family legacy.
They moved to a room that Arcturus had set up just for this purpose, where the cursed locket was placed carefully on the ground, center stage for what was to come.
With a strong voice, full of resolve, Sirius initiated the spell.
From his wand burst forth a brilliant white light, wrapping around the locket, engaging in a silent struggle against the darkness sealed within it. After a tense moment, a ghostly figure that resembled Voldemort appeared from the locket, screaming in defeat before it was completely consumed by the light, which then receded and flowed into Sirius.
Kreacher, witnessing the locket's destruction and the successful completion of Regulus's final wish, couldn't contain his emotions. He laughed and cried simultaneously, a rare display of joy for the usually reserved house-elf.
Sirius, recovering from the spell's effects, along with Harry and Arcturus, watched Kreacher's reaction. They were touched by his genuine joy and relief, sharing in the emotional release that came with closing a chapter that had long haunted their family.
After the intense moment, Harry couldn't resist lightening the mood. "So, Sirius, feeling any sharper? Maybe we should dig up some NEWT exams to see if you've tapped into some hidden genius," he teased, knowing full well how much Sirius, like many Hogwarts students, had dreaded those exams.
Sirius, with a light-hearted retort, responded, "Very funny, Harry. I don't feel much different, just somewhat rejuvenated."
Arcturus then weighed in, his tone serious, "Don't expect any dramatic changes. The shard of Voldemort's soul that merged with you, Sirius, was minuscule. It's unlikely to bestow any profound powers immediately. The true extent of its effects, if any, will only become clear with time. The realm of the soul is still largely uncharted territory, largely due to the stigma attached to dark magic."
He then turned his attention to the locket, noting its surprisingly good condition post-cleansing. "A few simple spells should have this looking as good as new," he observed.
Harry, always curious, saw an opportunity. "Once it's fixed, could I keep it? There's something about it that fascinates me."
Sirius, curious himself, couldn't help but ask, "And why's that, Harry? It's not like you can just open it."
Harry's reply came with a playful smirk, "Ah, that's for me to know."
Arcturus, considering the request, eventually nodded. "Alright, Harry. Once I've restored it, it's yours."
Eager to see if the soul piece had any noticeable effect on Sirius, Harry led him to test out his magical prowess.
They were both pleasantly surprised to find a subtle yet definite improvement in Sirius's spellcasting abilities, particularly with the more complex spells which now seemed to require less effort. It appeared that Sirius had indeed gained a deeper mastery over his magic, a silver lining to the whole ordeal.
When Arcturus finally handed the repaired locket to Harry, he accepted it, already planning to delve into its mysteries when his packed schedule allowed.
The locket, with its rich history and connection to Slytherin, held many secrets Harry was eager to uncover. However, with his current commitments to training and his ongoing projects, Harry decided to shelf his curiosity about the locket for the time being, focusing instead on the tasks at hand.
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