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{{Conjecture}}
 
{{Conjecture}}
 
{{Event infobox
 
{{Event infobox
|image = [[File:Article-0-0B08D358000005DC-888_634x423.jpg|250px]]
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|image = [[File:Article-0-0B08D358000005DC-888 634x423.jpg|250px]]
 
|name = Horcrux hunt
 
|name = Horcrux hunt
 
|location = Around [[Great Britain]]
 
|location = Around [[Great Britain]]
|date = [[July]] [[1996]] - [[May]] [[1998]]
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|date = [[July]] [[1996]] - [[2 May]] [[1998]]
 
|participants = *[[Albus Dumbledore]] †
 
|participants = *[[Albus Dumbledore]] †
 
*[[Harry Potter]]
 
*[[Harry Potter]]
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*[[Hermione Granger]]
 
*[[Hermione Granger]]
 
*[[Griphook]] †
 
*[[Griphook]] †
|description = The mission given to Harry Potter to find and destroy [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]'s [[Horcrux]]es
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|description = The mission given to Harry Potter to find and destroy [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]'s [[Horcrux]]es}}
|first = [[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]
 
|last = [[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]
 
|cause = If all horcruxes were destroyed, [[Harry Potter|one]] destroys [[Voldemort]].
 
}}
 
   
 
{{Quote|There are no more Horcruxes. It's just you and me. Neither can live while the other survives, and one of us is about to leave for good...|[[Harry Potter]] to [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
 
{{Quote|There are no more Horcruxes. It's just you and me. Neither can live while the other survives, and one of us is about to leave for good...|[[Harry Potter]] to [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
   
The '''Horcrux hunt''' was a mission started by [[Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore]] and given to [[Harry Potter]] in [[June]] of [[1997]] to find all of [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort's]] remaining [[Horcrux]]es and destroy them. Albus Dumbledore began this quest in [[July]] of [[1996]] when he sought out and destroyed [[Marvolo Gaunt's Ring]] in the [[Gaunt shack]]. After his death at the hands of [[Severus Snape]] during the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]], the mission fell to Harry Potter to complete. He was joined by [[Hermione Granger]] and [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]], and they set off in the aftermath of [[William Weasley|Bill Weasley]] and [[Fleur Delacour]]'s [[Wedding of William Weasley and Fleur Delacour|wedding]]. They eventually destroyed all of the Horcruxes by [[2 May]] [[1998]]. The hunt ended with the death of Lord Voldemort at the hands of Harry Potter at the end of the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
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The '''Horcrux hunt''' was a mission started by [[Albus Dumbledore]] and given to [[Harry Potter]] in [[June]] of [[1997]] to find all of [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort's]] remaining [[Horcrux]]es and destroy them.
   
  +
Albus Dumbledore began this quest in [[July]] of [[1996]] when he sought out and destroyed [[Marvolo Gaunt's Ring]] in the [[Gaunt shack]]. After his death at the hands of [[Severus Snape]] during the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]], the mission fell to Harry Potter to complete. He was joined by [[Hermione Granger]] and [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]], and they set off in the aftermath of [[William Weasley|Bill Weasley]] and [[Fleur Delacour]]'s [[Wedding of William Weasley and Fleur Delacour|wedding]]. They eventually destroyed all of the Horcruxes by [[2 May]] [[1998]]. The hunt ended with the death of Lord Voldemort at the hands of Harry Potter at the end of the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
==Background information==
 
===Creation of the Horcruxes===
 
{{Quote|Sir, I wondered what you know about. . . about Horcruxes?|Tom Riddle asks about Horcruxes to his potions teacher, [[Horace Slughorn]]|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
 
[[File:RiddleandSlughorn.jpeg|thumb|Riddle discusses Horcruxes with Slughorn]]
 
Obsessed with immortality from a young age, [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] created a series of [[Horcrux]]es in an effort to prevent his death.<ref name="HBP23">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 23 (''Horcruxes'')</ref> A Horcrux is a vessel into which one places a piece of one's soul to protect one from mortal death.<ref name="HBP23" /> Tom Riddle created his first Horcrux around the age of 16, and this became known as [[Tom Riddle's Diary]]. He used the death of a [[Muggle-born]] student named [[Myrtle]] to create it whom he had killed with [[Salazar Slytherin's basilisk]]. The following school year, Tom asked [[Horace Slughorn]], his Potions professor, about Horcruxes and learned that it was indeed possible to create more than one. Over the ensuing years using the murders of [[Muggle]]s and [[wizards]] alike, he created four more Horcruxes. These were [[Marvolo Gaunt's Ring]], [[Salazar Slytherin's Locket]], [[Helga Hufflepuff's Cup]], and [[Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem]]. He believed seven to be a magically powerful number and wished to create a seven part soul, but he seemed to save the creation of Horcruxes for significant murders.<ref name="HBP23" />
 
   
  +
==History==
[[File:Voldemort_Spirit.JPG|thumb|left|Voldemort's mangled soul]]
 
As of Halloween 1981, he had a six part soul with five finished Horcruxes, but the process had rendered his remaining soul very unstable. That evening, Lord Voldemort went to destroy [[Harry Potter]], whom he believed to be the subject of a [[Sybill Trelawney's first prophecy|prophecy]]. This prophecy predicted that Harry may be the one with the power to destroy him. When Voldemort's unstable soul was struck with his rebounding curse, a part of it shattered off, and attached itself to Harry.<ref name="DH35">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 35 (''Kings Cross'')</ref> Sometime after his resurrection, Voldemort created a sixth intentional Horcrux by turning his snake, [[Nagini]], into a Horcrux.<ref name="HBP23" /> As of this point, he had an eight part soul.
 
   
 
=== Background information ===
===Quirrell as a temporary Horcrux===
 
[[File:Quirrell-ps.jpg|thumb|Quirinus Quirrell.]]
 
{{main|Quirinus Quirrell}}
 
   
 
==== Creation of the Horcruxes ====
{{Quote|What is this magic?!|Quirrell reacting to Harry's hands in the Underground Chambers.|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)}}
 
 
{{Quote|Sir, I wondered what you know about... about Horcruxes?|Tom Riddle asks about Horcruxes to his potions teacher, [[Horace Slughorn]]|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
   
 
[[File:RiddleandSlughorn.jpeg|thumb|left|250x250px|Riddle discusses Horcruxes with Slughorn]]
  +
 
Obsessed with immortality from a young age, [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] created a series of [[Horcrux]]es in an effort to prevent his death.<ref name="HBP23">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 23 (''Horcruxes'')</ref> A Horcrux is a vessel into which one places a piece of one's soul to protect one from mortal death.<ref name="HBP23" /> Tom Riddle created his first Horcrux around the age of 16, and this became known as [[Tom Riddle's Diary]]. He used the death of a [[Muggle-born]] student named [[Myrtle Warren]] to create it whom he had killed with [[Salazar Slytherin's basilisk]]. The following school year, Tom asked [[Horace Slughorn]], his Potions professor, about Horcruxes and learned that it was indeed possible to create more than one. Over the ensuing years using the murders of [[Muggle]]s and [[wizards]] alike, he created four more Horcruxes. These were [[Marvolo Gaunt's Ring]], [[Salazar Slytherin's Locket]], [[Helga Hufflepuff's Cup]], and [[Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem]]. He believed seven to be a magically powerful number and wished to create a seven part soul, but he seemed to save the creation of Horcruxes for significant murders.<ref name="HBP23" />
  +
 
[[File:Voldemort_Spirit.JPG|thumb|225x225px|Voldemort's mangled soul]]
  +
 
As of Halloween 1981, he had a six part soul with five finished Horcruxes, but the process had rendered his remaining soul very unstable. That evening, Lord Voldemort went to destroy [[Harry Potter]], whom he believed to be the subject of a [[Sybill Trelawney's first prophecy|prophecy]]. This prophecy predicted that Harry may be the one with the power to destroy him. When Voldemort's unstable soul was struck with his rebounding curse, a part of it shattered off, and attached itself to Harry.<ref name="DH35">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 35 (''Kings Cross'')</ref> Sometime after his resurrection, Voldemort created a sixth intentional Horcrux by turning his snake, [[Nagini]], into a Horcrux.<ref name="HBP23" /> As of this point, he had a seven part soul, due to the prior destruction of Tom Riddle's diary.
  +
 
==== Quirrell as a temporary Horcrux ====
 
{{main|Quirinus Quirrell}}
  +
 
{{Quote|What is this magic?!|Quirrell reacting to Harry's hands in the Underground Chambers|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)}}
 
[[File:PlainQuirrell.jpg|left|thumb|303x303px|Quirinus Quirrell]]
 
Quirrell was able to penetrate the first six chambers that protected the [[Philosopher's Stone]], including the chamber in which he himself put a [[Troll]]. He reached the final chamber only to find the [[Mirror of Erised]], and was unable to figure out how to take the Stone from it, going so far as to consider smashing the mirror.
 
Quirrell was able to penetrate the first six chambers that protected the [[Philosopher's Stone]], including the chamber in which he himself put a [[Troll]]. He reached the final chamber only to find the [[Mirror of Erised]], and was unable to figure out how to take the Stone from it, going so far as to consider smashing the mirror.
   
Eventually, Harry alone managed to reach the last chamber, and was surprised to meet Quirrell instead of Snape. Quirrell non-verbally bound Harry and summoned a wall of fire behind the door to prevent him from escaping, then, on Voldemort's command, forced Harry to look into the mirror. Harry saw his reflection with the Stone in his own trousers' pocket, and felt it indeed being transferred to his real pocket. When Harry lied about what he saw in the mirror, Quirrell unwrapped his turban to reveal Lord Voldemort's face, bound to the back of his head.
+
Eventually, Harry alone managed to reach the last chamber, and was surprised to meet Quirrell instead of Snape. Quirrell non-verbally bound Harry and summoned a wall of fire behind the door to prevent him from escaping, then, on Voldemort's command, forced Harry to look into the mirror. Harry saw his reflection with the Stone in his own trousers' pocket, and felt it indeed being transferred to his real pocket. When Harry lied about what he saw in the mirror, Quirrell unwrapped his turban to reveal Lord Voldemort's face, bound to the back of his head. Quirrell and Harry struggle for possession of the Stone.
Quirrell and Harry struggle for possession of the Stone.
 
   
  +
[[File:Tumblr n29413O6t71rzvuwqo9 r1 250.gif|thumb|245x245px|Harry's touch burning Quirrell, causing him to die ]]
Quirrel's life ended then, when Voldemort forced him to attempt the murder of Harry Potter (deducing that Harry had the Stone and being unable to persuade him to give it willingly). Unfortunately, the body Quirrell and Voldemort were both sharing manifested in burns and blisters during his fight with Harry due to the protective power Harry's mother left in his skin when she died for him. It was consequently burned so horribly that Quirrell collapsed and died (Voldemort, however, was merely dispossessed and fled). However, despite being effectively turned into a living Horcrux—like Nagini—for the last year of his life, Quirrell did not ultimately lose his soul, having even tried to put up feeble resistance on occasion (in spite of the fact that Voldemort was far too strong for him).
 
   
 
Quirrel's life ended then, when Voldemort forced him to attempt the murder of Harry Potter (deducing that Harry had the Stone and being unable to persuade him to give it willingly). Unfortunately, the body Quirrell and Voldemort were both sharing manifested in burns and blisters during his fight with Harry due to the protective power Harry's mother left in his skin when she died for him. It was consequently burned so horribly that Quirrell collapsed and died (Voldemort, however, was merely dispossessed and fled). However, despite being effectively turned into a living Horcrux — like Nagini — for the last year of his life, Quirrell did not ultimately lose his soul, having even tried to put up feeble resistance on occasion (in spite of the fact that Voldemort was far too strong for him).
==Albus Dumbledore discovers the secret==
 
   
 
=== Albus Dumbledore discovers the secret ===
===Harry destroy's Tom Riddle's diary===
 
  +
 
==== Harry destroys Tom Riddle's diary ====
 
{{Quote|Funny the damage a silly, little book can do. Especially in the hands of a [[Ginevra Weasley|silly, little girl]].|[[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)}}
 
{{Quote|Funny the damage a silly, little book can do. Especially in the hands of a [[Ginevra Weasley|silly, little girl]].|[[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)}}
   
[[File:Riddle Diary.jpg|thumb|left|Tom Riddle's Diary]]
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[[File:Tom-riddles-diary.png|thumb|220x220px|[[Tom Riddle's Diary]]|left]]
  +
In [[1993]], [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] was under siege from an unseen terror. The [[Chamber of Secrets]] had been opened once more and the terror within unleashed upon the school's population.<ref name="CS10">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' - Chapter 10 (''The Rogue Bludger'')</ref> After several students had been Petrified, [[Harry Potter]] and his best friends [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] and [[Hermione Granger]] managed to solve the mystery. After discovering a few cryptic clues and a mysterious [[Tom Riddle's Diary|diary]], they realised that the monster that had been Petrifying the students was a [[Salazar Slytherin's basilisk|basilisk]] and that the entrance to the Chamber was located in [[Myrtle|Moaning Myrtle]]'s bathroom.<ref name="CS16">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' - Chapter 16 (''The Chamber of Secrets'')</ref> Unfortunately, Hermione also became a victim of the basilisk before they could solve the mystery.
+
In [[1993]], [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] was under siege from an unseen terror. The [[Chamber of Secrets]] had been opened once more and the terror within unleashed upon the school's population.<ref name="CS10">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' - Chapter 10 (''The Rogue Bludger'')</ref> After several students had been Petrified, [[Harry Potter]] and his best friends [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] and [[Hermione Granger]] managed to solve the mystery. After discovering a few cryptic clues and a mysterious [[Tom Riddle's Diary|diary]], they realised that the monster that had been Petrifying the students was a [[Salazar Slytherin's basilisk|basilisk]] and that the entrance to the Chamber was located in [[Myrtle Warren]]'s bathroom.<ref name="CS16">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' - Chapter 16 (''The Chamber of Secrets'')</ref> Unfortunately, Hermione also became a victim of the basilisk before they could solve the mystery.
   
 
When [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley]] was taken into the Chamber by the monster, Harry and Ron went to find her. They attempted to give their information to [[Gilderoy Lockhart]], who had been tasked with finding Ginny, only to find out that he was fraud and that he was about to flee the castle. At wand point, Harry and Ron took Lockhart to Myrtle's bathroom and discovered the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.<ref name="CS16" /> After the three of them entered the Chamber, Lockhart attempted to [[Memory Charm|erase]] the memories of Harry and Ron. The [[Ronald Weasley's first wand|wand]] backfired, causing Lockhart permanent mental damage and a cave in. While Ron created an exit through the rocks, Harry ventured deeper into the Chamber.<ref name="CS16" />
 
When [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley]] was taken into the Chamber by the monster, Harry and Ron went to find her. They attempted to give their information to [[Gilderoy Lockhart]], who had been tasked with finding Ginny, only to find out that he was fraud and that he was about to flee the castle. At wand point, Harry and Ron took Lockhart to Myrtle's bathroom and discovered the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.<ref name="CS16" /> After the three of them entered the Chamber, Lockhart attempted to [[Memory Charm|erase]] the memories of Harry and Ron. The [[Ronald Weasley's first wand|wand]] backfired, causing Lockhart permanent mental damage and a cave in. While Ron created an exit through the rocks, Harry ventured deeper into the Chamber.<ref name="CS16" />
   
  +
[[File:Chamber.png|thumb|251x251px|The Chamber of Secrets.]]
[[File:Chamber.png|thumb|262px|The Chamber of Secrets.]]Harry discovered Ginny laying on the ground and was informed by Tom Riddle, the boy from the mysterious diary, that she was almost dead. When Harry tried to warn Tom of the great danger, Tom explained that he was the great danger, being the boy who would become Lord Voldemort. He then summoned the basilisk from the depths of the Chamber.<ref name="CS17">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' - Chapter 17 (''The Heir of Slytherin'')</ref> Harry was able to kill the basilisk with the aid of [[Fawkes]], [[Albus Dumbledore|Dumbledore]]'s pet [[phoenix]]. However, Harry was badly injured by a basilisk fang. Fawkes healed Harry's wound, but Riddle was still about to kill Harry with his own wand.
 
   
 
Harry discovered Ginny laying on the ground and was informed by Tom Riddle, the boy from the mysterious diary, that she was almost dead. When Harry tried to warn Tom of the great danger, Tom explained that he was the great danger, being the boy who would become Lord Voldemort. He then summoned the basilisk from the depths of the Chamber.<ref name="CS17">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' - Chapter 17 (''The Heir of Slytherin'')</ref> Harry was able to kill the basilisk with the aid of [[Fawkes]], [[Albus Dumbledore|Dumbledore]]'s pet [[phoenix]]. However, Harry was badly injured by a basilisk fang. Fawkes healed Harry's wound, but Riddle was still about to kill Harry with his own wand.
[[File:Basilisk.jpg|thumb|left|Salazar Slytherin's basilisk.]]
 
  +
  +
[[File:Tumblr_m2urnpGnjk1rs69rzo3_250.gif|frame|Harry destroys Tom Riddle's diary |left]]
   
 
At that moment Fawkes swept Riddle's diary into Harry's hands, and Harry stabbed the diary with a fang.<ref name="CS17" /> Riddle disappeared, and Ginny's vitality was restored. She explained to Harry that she had been setting the basilisk on the student population, because she had been possessed by Tom Riddle through the diary. When Harry, Ron, Ginny, Lockhart, and Fawkes triumphantly returned to [[Minerva McGonagall]]'s office, Harry explained everything that had happened including the diary's possession of Ginny to Dumbledore.<ref name="CS18">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' - Chapter 18 (''Dobby's Reward'')</ref>
 
At that moment Fawkes swept Riddle's diary into Harry's hands, and Harry stabbed the diary with a fang.<ref name="CS17" /> Riddle disappeared, and Ginny's vitality was restored. She explained to Harry that she had been setting the basilisk on the student population, because she had been possessed by Tom Riddle through the diary. When Harry, Ron, Ginny, Lockhart, and Fawkes triumphantly returned to [[Minerva McGonagall]]'s office, Harry explained everything that had happened including the diary's possession of Ginny to Dumbledore.<ref name="CS18">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' - Chapter 18 (''Dobby's Reward'')</ref>
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Harry's description of the events and the diary's part in said events piqued Dumbledore's interest.<ref name="HBP23" /> He had been suspicious of Voldemort's experiments with dark magic for years. After years of careful consideration, Dumbledore had come to the conclusion that Voldemort had created Horcruxes to ensure his immortality, but he had no proof. When Harry brought the diary to Dumbledore, he thought he finally had the evidence to confirm his theory. What troubled Dumbledore most of all was the lax nature of the diary's security.<ref name="HBP23" /> As it contained a part of Voldemort's soul, Dumbledore thought that it should have been hidden and not recklessly thrown into danger, risking its destruction. He came to the conclusion that Voldemort must have created more than one Horcrux, but once again he had no proof.<ref name="HBP23" />
 
Harry's description of the events and the diary's part in said events piqued Dumbledore's interest.<ref name="HBP23" /> He had been suspicious of Voldemort's experiments with dark magic for years. After years of careful consideration, Dumbledore had come to the conclusion that Voldemort had created Horcruxes to ensure his immortality, but he had no proof. When Harry brought the diary to Dumbledore, he thought he finally had the evidence to confirm his theory. What troubled Dumbledore most of all was the lax nature of the diary's security.<ref name="HBP23" /> As it contained a part of Voldemort's soul, Dumbledore thought that it should have been hidden and not recklessly thrown into danger, risking its destruction. He came to the conclusion that Voldemort must have created more than one Horcrux, but once again he had no proof.<ref name="HBP23" />
   
===Destruction of Marvolo Gaunt's Ring===
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==== Destruction of Marvolo Gaunt's Ring ====
 
{{main|Marvolo Gaunt's Ring}}
 
{{main|Marvolo Gaunt's Ring}}
   
 
{{Quote|I was tempted.|[[Albus Dumbledore]] on why he put on Gaunt's ring|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
 
{{Quote|I was tempted.|[[Albus Dumbledore]] on why he put on Gaunt's ring|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
  +
[[File:Tom with ring.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Teenage Tom Riddle (Lord Voldemort) with the ring]]
 
[[File:Dumbledore-ring.JPG|thumb|Marvolo Gaunt's ring.]]
 
 
Having researched [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]'s life and heritage, [[Albus Dumbledore]] noted a ring worn by Lord Voldemort's maternal grandfather, [[Marvolo Gaunt]].<ref name="HBP10">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 10 (''The House of Gaunt'')</ref> Through the many memories he had collected concerning Voldemort, he discovered that the ring passed to [[Morfin Gaunt]]. When he sought out Morfin, he retrieved a memory showing Tom Riddle's discovery of his Gaunt and Muggle heritage. Dumbledore noted that the ring was missing after Morfin's encounter with his nephew.<ref name="HBP17">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 17 (''A Sluggish Memory'')</ref> From further research of Tom Riddle's childhood, Dumbledore knew that Riddle liked to collect trophies and surmised that he had likely stolen the ring. As an object of particular meaning to Riddle, Dumbledore thought that Voldemort had likely turned it into a Horcrux.
 
Having researched [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]'s life and heritage, [[Albus Dumbledore]] noted a ring worn by Lord Voldemort's maternal grandfather, [[Marvolo Gaunt]].<ref name="HBP10">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 10 (''The House of Gaunt'')</ref> Through the many memories he had collected concerning Voldemort, he discovered that the ring passed to [[Morfin Gaunt]]. When he sought out Morfin, he retrieved a memory showing Tom Riddle's discovery of his Gaunt and Muggle heritage. Dumbledore noted that the ring was missing after Morfin's encounter with his nephew.<ref name="HBP17">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 17 (''A Sluggish Memory'')</ref> From further research of Tom Riddle's childhood, Dumbledore knew that Riddle liked to collect trophies and surmised that he had likely stolen the ring. As an object of particular meaning to Riddle, Dumbledore thought that Voldemort had likely turned it into a Horcrux.
   
 
[[File:Dumbledore-ring.JPG|thumb|250x250px|[[Albus Dumbledore]] with Marvolo Gaunt's ring|left]]
In the summer of [[1996]], Albus Dumbledore searched for the ring. He discovered it concealed in the Gaunt shack.<ref name="HBP23" /> In the ring was set a stone that [[Marvolo Gaunt]] stated bore the "Peverell coat of arms."<ref name="HBP10" /> The stone set in the ring was, in fact, the [[Resurrection Stone]] of [[Deathly Hallows]] fame. Upon seeing the stone, Dumbledore put on the ring in hopes of once again seeing his dead family, forgetting that it was a [[Horcrux]].<ref name="DH35" /> The ring contained a deadly curse which Dumbledore only managed to keep at bay due to his extreme skill. Dumbledore destroyed the horcrux with [[Godric Gryffindor's Sword]] as it was albe to destroy horcruxes as it contained basilisk venom that had become attached when Harry killed the [[Salazar Slytherin's Basilisk|Basilisk]], but to his suprise the curse was not eliminated. Dumbledore contacted Severus Snape who was able to trap the curse in Dumbledore's hand using a number of spells and potions. However Severus Snape and Dumbledore found out that the curse would spread throughout his body and kill him in a years time. Because of this, he told Severus Snape to mercifully end his life before he was in pain.
 
   
 
In the summer of [[1996]], Albus Dumbledore searched for the ring. He discovered it concealed in the Gaunt shack.<ref name="HBP23" /> In the ring was set a stone that [[Marvolo Gaunt]] stated bore the "Peverell coat of arms."<ref name="HBP10" /> The stone set in the ring was, in fact, the [[Resurrection Stone]] of [[Deathly Hallows]] fame. Upon seeing the stone, Dumbledore put on the ring in hopes of once again seeing his dead family, forgetting that it was a [[Horcrux]].<ref name="DH35" /> The ring contained a deadly curse which Dumbledore only managed to keep at bay due to his extreme skill. Dumbledore destroyed the horcrux with [[Godric Gryffindor's Sword]] as it was able to destroy horcruxes as it contained basilisk venom that had become attached when Harry killed the [[Salazar Slytherin's Basilisk|Basilisk]], but to his surprise the curse was not eliminated. Dumbledore contacted Severus Snape who was able to trap the curse in Dumbledore's hand using a number of spells and potions. However, Severus Snape and Dumbledore found out that the curse would spread throughout his body and kill him in a years time. Because of this, he told Severus Snape to mercifully end his life before he was in pain.
==Harry's search for the Horcruxes==
 
===Background Information===
 
[[File:Harrypotteranddumbeldorelesson.jpg|thumb|260px|left|Dumbledore showing Harry a memory.]]
 
   
 
=== Harry's search for the Horcruxes ===
  +
 
==== Background Information ====
 
{{Main|Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore's private lessons}}
 
{{Main|Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore's private lessons}}
   
 
{{Quote|You'll go wrong, boy, mark my words.|[[Horace Slughorn]] to [[Tom Riddle]] in his falsified memory|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
During the [[1996–1997 school year]], Dumbledore began to share his findings regarding Voldemort's Horcruxes with Harry Potter.<ref name="HBP10" /> Using the [[Albus Dumbledore's Pensieve|Pensieve]], he showed Harry a series of memories about the boy who was Tom Riddle and the man who was Voldemort. During these [[Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore's private lessons|lessons]], Dumbledore taught Harry about the behaviours and psychology of Voldemort hoping to impart a thorough understanding of the man upon Harry. In January of 1997, Dumbledore showed Harry a memory of Tom Riddle meeting with the his [[Potions master]], [[Horace Slughorn]] who had recently returned to Hogwarts from retirement. The memory became cloudy, and Slughorn's voice boomed out of nowhere.<ref name="HBP17" />
 
   
 
[[File:Harrypotteranddumbeldorelesson.jpg|thumb|236x236px|Dumbledore showing Harry a memory.]]
{{Quote|You'll go wrong, boy, mark my words.|[[Horace Slughorn]] to [[Tom Riddle]] in his falsified memory|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}When they returned from the Pensieve, Dumbledore told Harry that the memory had been falsified and gave Harry the mission of obtaining the true memory. Months later when Harry did obtain the real memory, he and Dumbledore had an impromptu lesson well after midnight.<ref name="HBP23" /> They discovered that Riddle asked Slughorn if it were possible to split one's soul into seven pieces. Following this shocking revelation, Harry and Dumbledore discussed some of the objects that may be Horcruxes. From the memories they had watched, they deduced that in addition to the two Horcruxes already destroyed there were four more. They also thought that they possibly were Salazar Slytherin's Locket, Helga Hufflepuff's Cup, an object that belonged to either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor, and Nagini.<ref name="HBP23" />
 
===Attempt to get the locket ===
 
[[File:Horcruxcave.png|thumb|262px|The cave in which the locket was hidden.]]
 
   
 
During the [[1996–1997 school year]], Dumbledore began to share his findings regarding Voldemort's Horcruxes with Harry Potter.<ref name="HBP10" /> Using the [[Albus Dumbledore's Pensieve|Pensieve]], he showed Harry a series of memories about the boy who was Tom Riddle and the man who was Voldemort. During these [[Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore's private lessons|lessons]], Dumbledore taught Harry about the behaviours and psychology of Voldemort hoping to impart a thorough understanding of the man upon Harry. In January 1997, Dumbledore showed Harry a memory of Tom Riddle meeting with the his [[Potions master]], [[Horace Slughorn]] who had recently returned to Hogwarts from retirement. The memory became cloudy, and Slughorn's voice boomed out of nowhere.<ref name="HBP17" />
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[[File:Horace memories-HBP.jpg|left|thumb|250x250px|Harry retrieving the ''real ''memory from Slughorn ]]
 
When they returned from the Pensieve, Dumbledore told Harry that the memory had been falsified and gave Harry the mission of obtaining the true memory. Months later when Harry did obtain the real memory, he and Dumbledore had an impromptu lesson well after midnight.<ref name="HBP23" /> They discovered that Riddle asked Slughorn if it were possible to split one's soul into seven pieces. Following this shocking revelation, Harry and Dumbledore discussed some of the objects that may be Horcruxes. From the memories they had watched, they deduced that in addition to the two Horcruxes already destroyed there were four more. They also thought that they possibly were Salazar Slytherin's Locket, Helga Hufflepuff's Cup, an object that belonged to either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor, and Nagini.<ref name="HBP23" />
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==== Attempt to get the locket ====
 
{{Main|Second skirmish at the Horcrux cave}}
 
{{Main|Second skirmish at the Horcrux cave}}
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{{Dialogue a-b-a-b|Albus Dumbledore|If I tell to to leave me and save yourself, you will do as I tell you?|Harry Potter|I —|Harry?|Yes, Sir.|Albus Dumbledore to Harry Potter, before leaving Hogwarts|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince }}
   
 
[[File:Horcruxcave.png|thumb|235x235px|The cave in which the locket was hidden.]]
In June, Dumbledore and Harry ventured to a [[Horcrux cave|cave]] by the sea searching for a Horcrux.<ref name="HBP26">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 26 (''The Cave'')</ref> Dumbledore thought that this cave was a likely place to hide a Horcrux, since it was remote, hard to reach, and a scene where Tom Riddle had harmed to of his fellow orphans at the orphanage. Once inside, the defences set by Voldemort began to act against them. First, a payment of blood was expected to gain entrance to the cave.<ref name="HBP26" /> Upon entering, they were confronted with a vast black lake but saw a green misty light shining from what appeared to be an island in the middle. After a failed attempt at summoning the Horcux by Harry, Dumbledore detected an invisible boat in the water and raised it. Dumbledore and Harry discussed the defences while on the boat and saw that the lake was full of [[Inferi]] that were lying peacefully in the water, Dumbledore told Harry that the best weapon against inferi was fire. When they reached the island in the center, they saw that the green glow was emanating from [[Drink of Despair|a potion]] in a basin.
 
   
 
In June, Dumbledore and Harry ventured to a [[Horcrux cave|cave]] by the sea searching for a Horcrux.<ref name="HBP26">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 26 (''The Cave'')</ref> Dumbledore thought that this cave was a likely place to hide a Horcrux, since it was remote, hard to reach, and a scene where Tom Riddle had harmed two of his fellow orphans at the orphanage. Once inside, the defences set by Voldemort began to act against them. First, a payment of blood was expected to gain entrance to the cave.<ref name="HBP26" /> Upon entering, they were confronted with a vast black lake but saw a green misty light shining from what appeared to be an island in the middle. After a failed attempt at summoning the Horcrux by Harry, Dumbledore detected an invisible boat in the [[water]] and raised it. Dumbledore and Harry discussed the defences while on the boat and saw that the lake was full of [[Inferi]] that were lying peacefully in the water, Dumbledore told Harry that the best weapon against inferi was fire. When they reached the island in the centre, they saw that the green glow was emanating from [[Drink of Despair|a potion]] in a basin.
[[File:Drink_of_Despair.jpg|thumb|left|The Drink of Despair.]]After trying countless magical methods of removing the potion, Dumbledore decided that the only way to get rid of the potion was to drink it.<ref name="HBP26" /> He began drinking, but he could not finish it as the potion was causing him great pain. As agreed, Harry forced the rest of the potion down his Headmaster's throat. Once the basin was empty, Dumbledore asked for water, and Harry attempted to conjure some, but he was unable to give it to Dumbledore as it kept disappearing.<ref name="HBP26" /> Realising that the only way to get water would be from the lake, Harry ran down to the edge and filled the goblet with water. He returned to Dumbledore and splashed it all over his face and mouth, but noted that he felt a cold grip on his arm that was an inferius. Disturbing the water woke the masses of [[Inferius|Inferi]]. Harry attempted to fight them off but forgot about Dumbledore's earlier command to use fire. Just as he was being dragged towards the water to drown, he was saved by an incredibly weakened Dumbledore. They took the locket from the basin and proceeded out of the cave managing to keep the ring of fire around the boat.<ref name="HBP26" />
 
   
 
[[File:Fake_Horcrux_Locket.jpg|thumb|240x240px|R.A.B.'s locket.|left]]
====Discovery of Regulus Black====
 
[[File:Fake_Horcrux_Locket.jpg|thumb|244px|R.A.B.'s locket.]]
 
{{main|Regulus Black}}
 
   
 
After trying countless magical methods of removing the potion, Dumbledore decided that the only way to get rid of the potion was to drink it.<ref name="HBP26" /> He began drinking, but he could not finish it as the potion was causing him great pain. As agreed, Harry forced the rest of the potion down his Headmaster's throat. Once the basin was empty, Dumbledore asked for water, and Harry attempted to conjure some, but he was unable to give it to Dumbledore as it kept disappearing.<ref name="HBP26" /> Realising that the only way to get water would be from the lake, Harry ran down to the edge and filled the goblet with water. He returned to Dumbledore and splashed it all over his face and mouth, but noted that he felt a cold grip on his arm that was an inferius. Disturbing the water woke the masses of [[Inferius|Inferi]]. Harry attempted to fight them off but forgot about Dumbledore's earlier command to use fire. Just as he was being dragged towards the water to drown, he was saved by an incredibly weakened Dumbledore. They took the locket from the basin and proceeded out of the cave managing to keep the ring of fire around the boat.<ref name="HBP26" />
{{Quote|It was I that discovered your secret.|[[Regulus Black]] on Voldemort's Horcruxes|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
 
   
 
[[File:R.A.B._letter_to_the_Dark_Lord_pertaining_to_the_Horcrux_Locket.jpg|thumb|185x185px|Regulus's note left in the locket]]
After the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]] and Dumbledore's death, Harry discovered the [[Regulus Black's locket|locket]] was a fake. The real Horcrux had been taken by a mysterious person who called himself [[Regulus Black|"R.A.B."]] He was distraught at this news, believing that Dumbledore had weakened himself for nothing and that he had died in vain.<ref name="HBP28">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 28 (''Flight of the Prince'')</ref> Harry decided that he had been taught about the Horcruxes for a reason and resolved to continue Dumbledore's work.
 
   
 
After the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]] and Dumbledore's death, Harry discovered the [[Regulus Black's locket|locket]] was a fake. The real Horcrux had been taken by a mysterious person who called himself [[Regulus Black|"R.A.B."]] He was distraught at this news, believing that Dumbledore had weakened himself for nothing and that he had died in vain.<ref name="HBP28">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 28 (''Flight of the Prince'')</ref> Harry decided that he had been taught about the Horcruxes for a reason and resolved to continue Dumbledore's work.
[[File:R.A.B._letter_to_the_Dark_Lord_pertaining_to_the_Horcrux_Locket.jpg|thumb|left|208px|Regulus's note left in the locket]]
 
   
 
When he told Ron and Hermione, with whom he had shared everything Dumbledore had taught him, that he was going to drop out of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]], Ron and Hermione volunteered to join him on his mission.<ref name="HBP30">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 30 (''The White Tomb'')</ref> They spent time during the summer of [[1997]] researching R.A.B., but they could find no leads.<ref name="DH6">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 6 (''The Ghoul in Pyjamas'')</ref> After the [[Fall of the Ministry of Magic|Ministry had fallen]], Harry, Ron, and Hermione escaped to [[12 Grimmauld Place]]. On their first morning there, Harry discovered the identity of R.A.B.<ref name="DH10">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 10 (''Kreacher's Tale'')</ref>
 
When he told Ron and Hermione, with whom he had shared everything Dumbledore had taught him, that he was going to drop out of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]], Ron and Hermione volunteered to join him on his mission.<ref name="HBP30">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 30 (''The White Tomb'')</ref> They spent time during the summer of [[1997]] researching R.A.B., but they could find no leads.<ref name="DH6">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 6 (''The Ghoul in Pyjamas'')</ref> After the [[Fall of the Ministry of Magic|Ministry had fallen]], Harry, Ron, and Hermione escaped to [[12 Grimmauld Place]]. On their first morning there, Harry discovered the identity of R.A.B.<ref name="DH10">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 10 (''Kreacher's Tale'')</ref>
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[[File:Kreacherlocket.jpg|thumb|235x235px|[[Harry Potter|Harry]] asking [[Kreacher]] who took the real locket.|left]]
   
 
He had been Regulus Black, [[Sirius Black]]'s younger brother. He had joined the [[Death Eaters]], but backed out and was killed.<ref name="DH10" /> After searching the house, Hermione realised that the locket had been amongst the items they trashed two summers previous. Harry remembered that [[Kreacher]] had throughout that summer been stealing family heirlooms to protect them. He summoned Kreacher and asked about the locket.
 
He had been Regulus Black, [[Sirius Black]]'s younger brother. He had joined the [[Death Eaters]], but backed out and was killed.<ref name="DH10" /> After searching the house, Hermione realised that the locket had been amongst the items they trashed two summers previous. Harry remembered that [[Kreacher]] had throughout that summer been stealing family heirlooms to protect them. He summoned Kreacher and asked about the locket.
   
 
Kreacher told them the tale of Regulus's break from the Death Eaters.<ref name="DH10" /> He told them that he had tried to destroy the locket, but could not and that it had been stolen from the house by [[Mundungus Fletcher]]. Harry dispatched Kreacher to find Mundungus. Three days later, Kreacher returned with Fletcher in tow. Fletcher told them that the locket had been taken from him by "''some Ministry hag''", who resembled a toad.<ref name="DH11">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 11 (''The Bribe'')</ref> After hearing Mundungus's description, Harry, Ron, and Hermione knew that [[Dolores Umbridge]] was in possession of the locket.{{main|Infiltration of the Ministry of Magic}}
[[File:Kreacherlocket.jpg|thumb|[[Harry Potter|Harry]] asking [[Kreacher]] who took the real locket.]]
 
   
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[[File:Ministrybreakin1.png|thumb|230px|The trio escaping the Ministry atrium.]]
Kreacher told them the tale of Regulus's break from the Death Eaters.<ref name="DH10" /> He told them that he had tried to destroy the locket, but could not and that it had been stolen from the house by [[Mundungus Fletcher]]. Harry dispatched Kreacher to find Mundungus. Three days later, Kreacher returned with Fletcher in tow. Fletcher told them that the locket had been taken from him by "some Ministry hag", who resembled a toad.<ref name="DH11">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 11 (''The Bribe'')</ref> After hearing Mundungus's description, Harry, Ron, and Hermione knew that [[Dolores Umbridge]] was in possession of the locket.
 
   
====Infiltration of the Ministry of Magic====
 
[[File:Locketonumbridge.jpg|thumb|260px|[[Dolores Umbridge]] with the locket.]]
 
{{main|Infiltration of the Ministry of Magic}}
 
 
After coming to this chilling realisation, Harry, Ron, and Hermione set to planning.<ref name="DH12">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 12 (''Magic is Might'')</ref> They decided to break into the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] and retrieve the locket from Umbridge in person. After a month of planning and careful observation underneath the [[Invisibility cloak]], they decided the time was right.<ref name="DH12" /> On [[2 September]], Harry (disguised as [[Albert Runcorn]]), Ron (disguised as [[Reginald Cattermole]]), and Hermione (disguised as [[Mafalda Hopkirk]]) infiltrated the Ministry of Magic. They soon became separated as Cattermole was needed to stop the rain in [[Yaxley]]'s office, and Mafalda was dispatched to the [[Muggle-Born Registration Commission]] as the stenographer.<ref name="DH12" /> Harry, now on his own, came to the realisation that their plan had been quite ill conceived, because they had made no contingency for being separated or in fact planned anything once they were inside. Under the [[Cloak of Invisibility]], he ventured to Umbridge's office to search it. He did not find the Horcrux, but he did find [[Alastor Moody's magical eye]] on her door. He stole the eye and set off to find Umbridge and Hermione.<ref name="DH13">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 13 (''The Muggle-Born Registration Commission'')</ref>
 
After coming to this chilling realisation, Harry, Ron, and Hermione set to planning.<ref name="DH12">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 12 (''Magic is Might'')</ref> They decided to break into the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] and retrieve the locket from Umbridge in person. After a month of planning and careful observation underneath the [[Invisibility cloak]], they decided the time was right.<ref name="DH12" /> On [[2 September]], Harry (disguised as [[Albert Runcorn]]), Ron (disguised as [[Reginald Cattermole]]), and Hermione (disguised as [[Mafalda Hopkirk]]) infiltrated the Ministry of Magic. They soon became separated as Cattermole was needed to stop the rain in [[Yaxley]]'s office, and Mafalda was dispatched to the [[Muggle-Born Registration Commission]] as the stenographer.<ref name="DH12" /> Harry, now on his own, came to the realisation that their plan had been quite ill conceived, because they had made no contingency for being separated or in fact planned anything once they were inside. Under the [[Cloak of Invisibility]], he ventured to Umbridge's office to search it. He did not find the Horcrux, but he did find [[Alastor Moody's magical eye]] on her door. He stole the eye and set off to find Umbridge and Hermione.<ref name="DH13">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 13 (''The Muggle-Born Registration Commission'')</ref>
   
[[File:Ministrybreakin.png|thumb|left|The trio escaping the Ministry atrium.]]In the courtrooms downstairs, Hermione was witnessing, in fact participating in, the oppression of [[Muggle-born]] wizards and witches, who were being stripped of their wands and rights. Once she had been joined by Harry, who remained underneath the Invisibility cloak, she convinced Umbridge to reveal the locket. When Harry was enraged by Umbridge's comments about her "pure-blood" heritage, he attacked her and Yaxley.<ref name="DH13" /> In the fracas, Hermione pocketed the Horcrux and replaced it with a [[Geminio|copy]]. He and Hermione used [[Patronus]]es to drive the [[Dementor]]s back and ushered the Muggle-borns awaiting trial out to the Atrium, where they were instructed to flee with their families. Out in the Atrium, Harry and Hermione met up with Ron and made their escape, but only after revealing the location of [[12 Grimmauld Place]] to Yaxley.<ref name="DH13" />
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[[File:Locketonumbridge.jpg|thumb|225x225px|[[Dolores Umbridge]] with the locket.|left]]In the courtrooms downstairs, Hermione was witnessing, in fact participating in, the oppression of [[Muggle-born]] wizards and witches, who were being stripped of their wands and rights. Once she had been joined by Harry, who remained underneath the Invisibility cloak, she convinced Umbridge to reveal the locket. When Harry was enraged by Umbridge's comments about her "pure-blood" heritage, he attacked her and Yaxley.<ref name="DH13" /> In the fracas, Hermione pocketed the Horcrux and replaced it with a [[Geminio|copy]]. He and Hermione used [[Patronus]]es to drive the [[Dementor]]s back and ushered the Muggle-borns awaiting trial out to the Atrium, where they were instructed to flee with their families. Out in the Atrium, Harry and Hermione met up with Ron and made their escape, but only after revealing the location of [[12 Grimmauld Place]] to Yaxley.<ref name="DH13" />
   
 
====Destruction of the locket====
 
====Destruction of the locket====
Line 119: Line 127:
 
After escaping the Ministry of Magic, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had the Horcrux, but no means with which to destroy it. They spent months on the run and passed the locket between them in order to keep it safe. As they were good people, the locket had a visibly bad effect on the trio.<ref name="DH15">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 15 (''Goblin's Revenge'')</ref> This was the opposite of what Harry witnessed with Umbridge.
 
After escaping the Ministry of Magic, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had the Horcrux, but no means with which to destroy it. They spent months on the run and passed the locket between them in order to keep it safe. As they were good people, the locket had a visibly bad effect on the trio.<ref name="DH15">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 15 (''Goblin's Revenge'')</ref> This was the opposite of what Harry witnessed with Umbridge.
   
[[File:Ron_destroying_the_Horcrux.jpg|thumb|Ron destroys the locket.]]
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[[File:Locket_destruction.gif|frame|[[Ron Weasley]] destroys a Horcrux with the Sword of Gryffindor]]
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The locket caused them to become moody and bicker over petty things like cooking. Some time in the fall, the trio overheard another group of fugitives talking. It was revealed by the [[goblin]]s [[Griphook]] and [[Gornuk]] that the sword in the [[Lestrange Vault]] was in fact a fake. At this, Harry and Hermione surmised that Gryffindor's sword was impregnated with [[Basilisk venom]] and that it could destroy Horcruxes.<ref name="DH15" /> Hearing their excitement drove Ron, who was wearing the locket, over the edge. Ron exclaimed that they had discovered yet another object that they would have to search for and he abandoned his friends in a rage of fury and jealousy.<ref name="DH15" />
 
The locket caused them to become moody and bicker over petty things like cooking. Some time in the fall, the trio overheard another group of fugitives talking. It was revealed by the [[goblin]]s [[Griphook]] and [[Gornuk]] that the sword in the [[Lestrange Vault]] was in fact a fake. At this, Harry and Hermione surmised that Gryffindor's sword was impregnated with [[Basilisk venom]] and that it could destroy Horcruxes.<ref name="DH15" /> Hearing their excitement drove Ron, who was wearing the locket, over the edge. Ron exclaimed that they had discovered yet another object that they would have to search for and he abandoned his friends in a rage of fury and jealousy.<ref name="DH15" />
   
 
After Harry and Hermione's disastrous [[Attack at Godric's Hollow (1997)|journey]] to [[Godric's Hollow]], they camped in the [[Forest of Dean]].<ref name="DH19">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 19 (''The Silver Doe'')</ref> They discussed Harry's broken wand, and Ron heard his named through the [[Deluminator]] bequeathed to him by Dumbledore. Using the Deluminator, he returned in time to save Harry from drowning in a frozen pond. Harry had followed a mysterious Patronus into the night and found the Sword of Gryffindor.<ref name="DH19" /> When he tried to retrieve the sword, the locket which he was still wearing attempted to kill him. Ron pulled him and the sword out of the pond. Harry understood that Ron must destroy the locket since he had retrieved the sword. After a battle with the locket's energy in which Ron's greatest fears were played upon by the locket, Ron destroyed the locket with the sword and returned to his friends.<ref name="DH19" />
 
After Harry and Hermione's disastrous [[Attack at Godric's Hollow (1997)|journey]] to [[Godric's Hollow]], they camped in the [[Forest of Dean]].<ref name="DH19">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 19 (''The Silver Doe'')</ref> They discussed Harry's broken wand, and Ron heard his named through the [[Deluminator]] bequeathed to him by Dumbledore. Using the Deluminator, he returned in time to save Harry from drowning in a frozen pond. Harry had followed a mysterious Patronus into the night and found the Sword of Gryffindor.<ref name="DH19" /> When he tried to retrieve the sword, the locket which he was still wearing attempted to kill him. Ron pulled him and the sword out of the pond. Harry understood that Ron must destroy the locket since he had retrieved the sword. After a battle with the locket's energy in which Ron's greatest fears were played upon by the locket, Ron destroyed the locket with the sword and returned to his friends.<ref name="DH19" />
   
===Capture by Snatchers and Skirmish at Malfoy Manor===
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==== Capture by Snatchers and Skirmish at Malfoy Manor ====
[[File:Hermione_skimirish_at_malfoy_manor.JPG|thumb|314px|Bellatrix with a knife to Hermione's throat.]]
 
 
 
{{Main|Skirmish at Malfoy Manor}}
 
{{Main|Skirmish at Malfoy Manor}}
  +
  +
[[File:Bellatrix-x-Hermione-bellatrix-and-hermione-27355000-1280-528.jpg|thumb|240px|[[Bellatrix]] threatens to kill Hermione after torturing her.|left]]
   
 
When the locket had been destroyed Harry, Ron, and Hermione were once again lost for new leads. They spent the next few months listlessly journeying through the countryside in a vain search for more clues.<ref name="DH22">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 22 (''The Deathly Hallows'')</ref> It was not until around Easter that they found anything substantive. After listening to a pirate radio broadcast, [[Potterwatch]], Harry broke the [[Taboo]] on Voldemort's name.<ref name="DH22" /> The trio were captured by [[Snatchers]] and brought to [[Malfoy Manor]]. Their identities were confirmed, and [[Lucius Malfoy]] was about to summon the Dark Lord to the residence, but he was stopped by [[Bellatrix Lestrange]]. She saw Gryffindor's sword and assumed that the trio had broken into her Gringotts [[Lestrange Vault|vault]].<ref name="DH23">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 23 (''Malfoy Manor'')</ref>
 
When the locket had been destroyed Harry, Ron, and Hermione were once again lost for new leads. They spent the next few months listlessly journeying through the countryside in a vain search for more clues.<ref name="DH22">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 22 (''The Deathly Hallows'')</ref> It was not until around Easter that they found anything substantive. After listening to a pirate radio broadcast, [[Potterwatch]], Harry broke the [[Taboo]] on Voldemort's name.<ref name="DH22" /> The trio were captured by [[Snatchers]] and brought to [[Malfoy Manor]]. Their identities were confirmed, and [[Lucius Malfoy]] was about to summon the Dark Lord to the residence, but he was stopped by [[Bellatrix Lestrange]]. She saw Gryffindor's sword and assumed that the trio had broken into her Gringotts [[Lestrange Vault|vault]].<ref name="DH23">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 23 (''Malfoy Manor'')</ref>
   
[[File:Dobby223.jpg|thumb|left|270px|The group escape with the help of [[Dobby]].]]Bellatrix then separated Hermione for interrogation while the others were locked in the cellar with the other prisoners. In a blind panic, Harry scrambled in his bag for the shard of [[Two-way mirror|mirror]] and called out for help, and [[Dobby]] soon appeared in the cellar.<ref name="DH23" /> With Dobby's help, Harry managed to orchestrate their escape. In the ensuing [[Skirmish at Malfoy Manor|skirmish]], Ron saved Hermione while Harry defeated [[Draco Malfoy]] and took many wands from him.<ref name="DH23" /> Unfortunately, Dobby was killed in the escape. While overcome with grief for Dobby, Harry dug his grave and thought about the events of the day. He came to the conclusion that Voldemort had asked Bellatrix to store one of his Horcruxes at [[Gringotts Wizarding Bank]].<ref name="DH24">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 24 (''The Wandmaker'')</ref>
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Bellatrix then separated Hermione for interrogation while the others were locked in the cellar with the other prisoners. In a blind panic, Harry scrambled in his bag for the shard of [[Two-way mirror|mirror]] and called out for help, and [[Dobby]] soon appeared in the cellar.<ref name="DH23" /> With Dobby's help, Harry managed to orchestrate their escape. In the ensuing [[Skirmish at Malfoy Manor|skirmish]], Ron saved Hermione while Harry defeated [[Draco Malfoy]] and took many wands from him.<ref name="DH23" /> Unfortunately, Dobby was killed in the escape. While overcome with grief for Dobby, Harry dug his grave and thought about the events of the day. He came to the conclusion that Voldemort had asked Bellatrix to store one of his Horcruxes at [[Gringotts Wizarding Bank]].<ref name="DH24">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 24 (''The Wandmaker'')</ref>
   
===Break-into Gringotts Wizarding Bank===
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==== Break-into Gringotts Wizarding Bank ====
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{{Main|Break-In of Gringotts Wizarding Bank (1998)}}{{Quote|Remember the cup's small and gold, it's got a badger engraved on it, two handles —|[[Harry Potter]] describing the cup|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
[[File:Cuupp.jpg|thumb|120px|left|[[Helga Hufflepuff's Cup]]]]{{Main|Break-In of Gringotts Wizarding Bank (1998)}}
 
   
 
[[File:Cuupp.jpg|thumb|202x202px|[[Helga Hufflepuff's Cup]]]]
After escaping [[Malfoy Manor]] to the safe haven of [[Shell Cottage]], owned by [[William Weasley|Bill]] and [[Fleur Delacour|Fleur]], Harry negotiated with the [[goblin]] [[Griphook]] to break into the Lestrange vault, where he believed there might be a Horcrux. Griphook agreed, but only if Harry would give him Gryffindor's sword. Harry, reluctantly, conceded.<ref name="DH24" /> The next month was spent planning the heist. They decided to use what was left of their store of [[Polyjuice Potion]] to transform Hermione into Bellatrix. Since they had her real wand, Harry thought the disguise would be pretty convincing.<ref name="DH25">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 25 (''Shell Cottage'')</ref> Ron was to be [[Transfiguration|transfigured]] into a foreign wizard they called "Dragomir Despard."<ref name="DH26">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 26 (''Gringotts'')</ref> Harry and Griphook went under the [[Cloak of Invisibility]].
 
   
 
After escaping [[Malfoy Manor]] to the safe haven of [[Shell Cottage]], owned by [[William Weasley|Bill]] and [[Fleur Delacour|Fleur]], Harry negotiated with the [[goblin]] [[Griphook]] to break into the Lestrange vault, where he believed there might be a Horcrux. Griphook agreed, but only if Harry would give him Gryffindor's sword. Harry, reluctantly, conceded.<ref name="DH24" /> The next month was spent planning the heist. They decided to use what was left of their store of [[Polyjuice Potion]] to transform Hermione into Bellatrix. Since they had her real wand, Harry thought the disguise would be pretty convincing.<ref name="DH25">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 25 (''Shell Cottage'')</ref> Ron was to be [[Transfiguration|transfigured]] into a foreign wizard they called "Dragomir Despard."<ref name="DH26">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 26 (''Gringotts'')</ref> Harry and Griphook went under the [[Cloak of Invisibility]].
[[File:Bellatrix_Lestrange's_Vault_DH2.jpg|thumb|The trio in the [[Lestrange Vault]].]]Arriving on [[Diagon Alley]], they were promptly joined by [[Travers]], another Death Eater, who began asking too many questions to be comfortable with. However, they managed to escape Travers and get inside the Lestrange vault, but Harry had to perform the [[Imperius Curse]] multiple times to ensure their access without being noticed. Unfortunately, they were detected, and their covers blown.<ref name="DH26" /> Once inside they discovered that the treasure had been protected with [[Geminio]] and [[Flagrante]] spells. Harry found Hufflepuff's cup in the vault and was able to obtain it, but they had to escape on a [[Ukrainian Ironbelly at Gringotts|dragon]], when Griphook took the sword and abandoned them.<ref name="DH26" />
 
   
  +
[[File:Bellatrix_Lestrange's_Vault_DH2.jpg|thumb|230px|The trio in the [[Lestrange Vault]].|left]]
===Battle of Hogwarts===
 
[[File:HarryLunaFinalBattle.jpg|thumb|Harry and Luna entering the Ravenclaw Tower corridor.]]
 
   
 
Arriving on [[Diagon Alley]], they were promptly joined by [[Travers]], another Death Eater, who began asking too many questions to be comfortable with. However, they managed to escape Travers and get inside the Lestrange vault, but Harry had to perform the [[Imperius Curse]] multiple times to ensure their access without being noticed. Unfortunately, they were detected, and their covers blown.<ref name="DH26" /> Once inside they discovered that the treasure had been protected with [[Geminio]] and [[Flagrante]] spells. Harry found Hufflepuff's cup in the vault and was able to obtain it, but they had to escape on a [[Ukrainian Ironbelly at Gringotts|dragon]], when Griphook took the sword and abandoned them.<ref name="DH26" />
  +
 
==== Battle of Hogwarts ====
 
{{Main|Battle of Hogwarts}}
 
{{Main|Battle of Hogwarts}}
   
 
Harry had a vision soon after the Gringotts break-in. He saw the locations of all the Horcruxes.<ref name="DH27">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 27 (''The Final Hiding Place'')</ref> He was vindicated in the eyes of Ron and Hermione when he discovered that Hogwarts was the home of one of the Horcruxes. This was an idea he had been pushing for months. They decided to go to [[Hogsmeade]] immediately to gain entrance to the castle. They found a passage from the [[Hog's Head]] to the Room of Requirement.<ref name="DH28">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 28 (''The Missing Mirror'')</ref>
 
Harry had a vision soon after the Gringotts break-in. He saw the locations of all the Horcruxes.<ref name="DH27">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 27 (''The Final Hiding Place'')</ref> He was vindicated in the eyes of Ron and Hermione when he discovered that Hogwarts was the home of one of the Horcruxes. This was an idea he had been pushing for months. They decided to go to [[Hogsmeade]] immediately to gain entrance to the castle. They found a passage from the [[Hog's Head]] to the Room of Requirement.<ref name="DH28">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 28 (''The Missing Mirror'')</ref>
 
====Search for the Diadem====
 
====Search for the Diadem====
  +
 
[[File:Harryluna.png|thumb|225px|Harry and Luna entering the Ravenclaw Tower corridor..]]
   
 
Upon entrance to the [[Hogwarts Castle|castle]], Harry set off with [[Luna Lovegood]] to see what Ravenclaw's diadem looked like, while Ron and Hermione, unbeknownst to Harry, went to the [[Chamber of Secrets]]. There was a bust of the diadem in the common room of [[Ravenclaw Tower]].<ref name="DH29">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 29 (''The Lost Diadem'')</ref> They went under the [[Cloak of Invisibility|Invisibility cloak]], and when they reached the door, Harry found out that a riddle had to be answered to gain entrance to the common room. Thankfully, Luna was able to answer the riddle and Harry left the safety of the cloak to get a better look at the diadem.
 
Upon entrance to the [[Hogwarts Castle|castle]], Harry set off with [[Luna Lovegood]] to see what Ravenclaw's diadem looked like, while Ron and Hermione, unbeknownst to Harry, went to the [[Chamber of Secrets]]. There was a bust of the diadem in the common room of [[Ravenclaw Tower]].<ref name="DH29">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 29 (''The Lost Diadem'')</ref> They went under the [[Cloak of Invisibility|Invisibility cloak]], and when they reached the door, Harry found out that a riddle had to be answered to gain entrance to the common room. Thankfully, Luna was able to answer the riddle and Harry left the safety of the cloak to get a better look at the diadem.
   
[[File:ProfessorMcGonagall-HBP.jpg|thumb|left|136px|Professor McGonagall]]He was surprised by [[Alecto Carrow]], who pressed her [[Dark Mark]].<ref name="DH29" /> Luna then stunned Carrow, and Harry hid back underneath the cloak. [[Amycus Carrow]] and [[Minerva McGonagall]] entered the common room and found Alecto passed out on the ground. They argued about what to do. When Amycus spat in McGonagall's face, Harry used the [[Cruciatus Curse]] on him until he passed out. Harry then left with McGonagall as she prepared the castle for the coming seige.<ref name="DH30">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 30 (''The Sacking of Severus Snape'')</ref>
+
He was surprised by [[Alecto Carrow]], who pressed her [[Dark Mark]].<ref name="DH29" /> Luna then stunned Carrow, and Harry hid back underneath the cloak. [[Amycus Carrow]] and [[Minerva McGonagall]] entered the common room and found Alecto passed out on the ground. They argued about what to do. When Amycus spat in McGonagall's face, Harry used the [[Cruciatus Curse]] on him until he passed out. Harry then left with McGonagall as she prepared the castle for the coming siege.<ref name="DH30">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 30 (''The Sacking of Severus Snape'')</ref>
   
[[File:Diademm.jpg|thumb|Ravenclaw's diadem]]
+
[[File:Diademm.jpg|thumb|210px|Ravenclaw's diadem|left]]
   
 
In his search for Ron and Hermione, Harry ran into [[Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington|Nearly Headless Nick]]. At this, he realised that the [[Helena Ravenclaw|Grey Lady]] might know about the diadem.<ref name="DH31" /> When he found her, she was initially reluctant to give him information, but in the end she told him that she had stolen the diadem from her mother and that it was left in [[Albania]] where she died. She revealed that only once did she tell this story to someone. Harry thought that Riddle had charmed the story out of her.<ref name="DH31" /> When Harry saw a pair of fallen gargoyles, he had a brain wave. The diadem had been hidden in the [[Room of Requirement]] in the same place Harry had hidden the [[Severus Snape's copy of Advanced Potion-Making|Half-Blood Prince's book]].
 
In his search for Ron and Hermione, Harry ran into [[Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington|Nearly Headless Nick]]. At this, he realised that the [[Helena Ravenclaw|Grey Lady]] might know about the diadem.<ref name="DH31" /> When he found her, she was initially reluctant to give him information, but in the end she told him that she had stolen the diadem from her mother and that it was left in [[Albania]] where she died. She revealed that only once did she tell this story to someone. Harry thought that Riddle had charmed the story out of her.<ref name="DH31" /> When Harry saw a pair of fallen gargoyles, he had a brain wave. The diadem had been hidden in the [[Room of Requirement]] in the same place Harry had hidden the [[Severus Snape's copy of Advanced Potion-Making|Half-Blood Prince's book]].
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====Destruction of Hufflepuff's Cup====
 
====Destruction of Hufflepuff's Cup====
   
  +
[[File:Cupp.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Hermione prepares to destroy the Cup]]
[[File:Cupp.jpg|thumb|left|Hermione prepares to destroy the Cup]]When he reached the Room of Requirement, he found Ron and Hermione and was told that the cup was destroyed. While Harry was searching for the unknown third Horcrux, Ron and Hermione decided to get rid of the cup. They had the inspiration to get basilisk fangs from the [[Chamber of Secrets]]. Ron was able to imitate [[Parseltongue]], and he and Hermione found some fangs. Hermione destroyed the cup, and they reunited with Harry, who was on his way to the [[Room of Requirement]].<ref name="DH31">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 31 (''The Battle of Hogwarts'')</ref>.
 
  +
 
When he reached the Room of Requirement, he found Ron and Hermione and was told that the cup was destroyed. While Harry was searching for the unknown third Horcrux, Ron and Hermione decided to get rid of the cup. They had the inspiration to get basilisk fangs from the [[Chamber of Secrets]]. Ron was able to imitate [[Parseltongue]], and he and Hermione found some fangs. Hermione destroyed the cup, and they reunited with Harry, who was on his way to the [[Room of Requirement]].<ref name="DH31">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 31 (''The Battle of Hogwarts'')</ref>
   
 
====Skirmish in the Room of Requirement====
 
====Skirmish in the Room of Requirement====
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{{Quote|Like it hot, scum?|[[Vincent Crabbe]], just before destroying the diadem|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
 
{{Quote|Like it hot, scum?|[[Vincent Crabbe]], just before destroying the diadem|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
   
[[File:Fiendfyregoyle.jpg|thumb|Ron and Hermione running from Fiendfyre in the Room of Requirement.]]
+
[[File:Tumblr_lq5athBeOT1r0jmzdo5_250.gif|frame|Ron and Hermione running from [[Fiendfyre]] in the Room of Requirement.|left]]
   
 
When they all entered the Room of Requirement, they split up to search for the diadem. Harry found it, but before he could get it, he was ambushed by [[Draco Malfoy]], [[Gregory Goyle]], and [[Vincent Crabbe]].<ref name="DH31" /> During a brief skirmish in which Crabbe and Goyle had aimed to kill, Crabbe used [[Fiendfyre]], but he could not control it. While the trio tried to escape, they found two old brooms. Harry mounted one and Ron and Hermione took the other. As they were flying away, they saw Malfoy and a hurt Goyle standing in the fire. Harry saved Malfoy and grabbed the diadem as it was falling. They escaped the room and examined the diadem which had been destroyed by the cursed fire.<ref name="DH31" />
 
When they all entered the Room of Requirement, they split up to search for the diadem. Harry found it, but before he could get it, he was ambushed by [[Draco Malfoy]], [[Gregory Goyle]], and [[Vincent Crabbe]].<ref name="DH31" /> During a brief skirmish in which Crabbe and Goyle had aimed to kill, Crabbe used [[Fiendfyre]], but he could not control it. While the trio tried to escape, they found two old brooms. Harry mounted one and Ron and Hermione took the other. As they were flying away, they saw Malfoy and a hurt Goyle standing in the fire. Harry saved Malfoy and grabbed the diadem as it was falling. They escaped the room and examined the diadem which had been destroyed by the cursed fire.<ref name="DH31" />
Line 173: Line 188:
 
{{Quote|You were the seventh Horcrux, Harry, the Horcrux he never meant to make.|Dumbledore talking to Harry in [[King's Cross]]|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
 
{{Quote|You were the seventh Horcrux, Harry, the Horcrux he never meant to make.|Dumbledore talking to Harry in [[King's Cross]]|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
   
  +
[[File:Tumblr_lth8u7IhCZ1qa9jn1o7_r1_250.gif|frame|Voldemort hitting Harry with the Killing Curse]]
[[File:DH_-_Harry_Potter-Forbidden_Forest.jpg|thumb|left|Harry gives himself up to Voldemort]]
 
While the battle was still in full swing, Harry, Ron, and Hermione ventured down to the [[Shrieking Shack]]. They knew that was where Voldemort was located and believed that [[Nagini]] would be with him. After witnessing Nagini kill [[Severus Snape]], Harry collected a string of memories from the dying man.<ref name="DH32">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 32 (''The Elder Wand'')</ref> During a one hour ceasefire, Harry discovered that ''he'' was an unintended Horcrux from Snape's memories. In order to destroy Voldemort, he had to allow the Dark Lord to kill him. Harry also found out that Severus Snape was loyal to Dumbledore after all, because he had been in love with Harry's [[Lily Evans|mother]].<ref name="DH33" />
 
   
 
While the battle was still in full swing, Harry, Ron, and Hermione ventured down to the [[Shrieking Shack]]. They knew that was where Voldemort was located and believed that [[Nagini]] would be with him. After witnessing Nagini kill [[Severus Snape]], Harry collected a string of memories from the dying man.<ref name="DH32">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 32 (''The Elder Wand'')</ref> During a one hour ceasefire, Harry discovered that ''he'' was an unintended Horcrux from Snape's memories. In order to destroy Voldemort, he had to allow the Dark Lord to kill him. Harry also found out that Severus Snape was loyal to Dumbledore after all, because he had been in love with Harry's [[Lily Evans|mother]].<ref name="DH33">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 33 (''The Prince's Tale'')</ref>
{{Quote|Voldemort had raised his wand. His head was still tilted to one side, like a curious child, wondering what would happen if he proceeded. Harry looked back into the red eyes, and wanted it to happen now, quickly, while he could still stand, before he lost control, before he betrayed fear -- He saw the mouth move and a flash of green light, and everything was gone.|Voldemort killing Harry and inadvertantly destroying one of his own Horcruxes.|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
 
   
[[File:Avadakedavra.png|thumb|Voldemort hitting Harry with the Killing Curse]]Harry left the castle under his [[Cloak of Invisibility]]. Along the way he entrusted [[Neville Longbottom]] to kill Nagini. He followed two [[Death Eaters]] back to their camp. There, he willing let Voldemort kill him, fully intending to die.<ref name="DH34">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 34 (''The Forest Again'')</ref> Fortunately, the [[blood]] from Harry in Voldemort allowed Harry to survive, while the piece of Voldemort's [[soul]] inside him was destroyed.<ref name="DH35" />
+
Harry left the castle under his [[Cloak of Invisibility]]. Along the way he entrusted [[Neville Longbottom]] to kill Nagini. He followed two [[Death Eaters]] back to their camp. There, he willing let Voldemort kill him, fully intending to die.<ref name="DH34">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 34 (''The Forest Again'')</ref> Fortunately, the [[blood]] from Harry in Voldemort allowed Harry to survive, while the piece of Voldemort's [[soul]] inside him was destroyed.<ref name="DH35" />
   
 
====Killing of Nagini====
 
====Killing of Nagini====
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{{dialogue a-b-a|Harry|You know Voldemort’s snake. Neville? He’s got a huge snake. Calls it Nagini|Neville|I’ve heard, yeah. What about it?|It’s got to be killed.|Harry asking Neville to kill Nagini|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
 
{{dialogue a-b-a|Harry|You know Voldemort’s snake. Neville? He’s got a huge snake. Calls it Nagini|Neville|I’ve heard, yeah. What about it?|It’s got to be killed.|Harry asking Neville to kill Nagini|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
   
  +
[[File:Nevillegif.gif|frame|Neville kills [[Nagini]] using the [[Sword of Gryffindor]]|left]]
[[File:Serp.jpg|thumb|Nagini]]
 
  +
 
With Harry feigning death, the [[Death Eaters]] marched back to the castle and demanded its surrender. Harry knew that the Horcrux inside him was destroyed, but one Horcrux still remained to be destroyed: Voldemort's enormous serpent, [[Nagini]]. The defenders of the castle filed out onto the grounds to face the approaching army. Believing Harry to be dead, [[Neville Longbottom]] lunged at Voldemort and swore that he would only join him when "hell freezes over."<ref name="DH36">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 36 (''The Flaw in the Plan'')</ref> In response, Voldemort cast a [[Full Body-Bind Curse]] on Neville, then placed the [[Sorting Hat]] on his head and set it ablaze.
 
With Harry feigning death, the [[Death Eaters]] marched back to the castle and demanded its surrender. Harry knew that the Horcrux inside him was destroyed, but one Horcrux still remained to be destroyed: Voldemort's enormous serpent, [[Nagini]]. The defenders of the castle filed out onto the grounds to face the approaching army. Believing Harry to be dead, [[Neville Longbottom]] lunged at Voldemort and swore that he would only join him when "hell freezes over."<ref name="DH36">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 36 (''The Flaw in the Plan'')</ref> In response, Voldemort cast a [[Full Body-Bind Curse]] on Neville, then placed the [[Sorting Hat]] on his head and set it ablaze.
   
[[File:Ty56y56546.jpg|thumb|left|[[Nagini]] is killed by [[Neville Longbottom]]]]At the same time, the [[centaur]]s and other creatures from the [[Forbidden Forest]] attacked the Death Eaters. In the chaos, Neville withdrew Gryffindor's sword from the hat and decapitated [[Nagini]], who had been set free of [[Protection orb|the protection]] that she had been under earlier.<ref name="DH36" /> With Nagini dead, all of the Horcruxes had been destroyed.
+
At the same time, the [[centaur]]s and other creatures from the [[Forbidden Forest]] attacked the Death Eaters. In the chaos, Neville withdrew Gryffindor's sword from the hat and decapitated [[Nagini]], who had been set free of [[Protection orb|the protection]] that she had been under earlier.<ref name="DH36" /> With Nagini dead, all of the Horcruxes had been destroyed.
   
====Voldemort's Death====
+
=== Voldemort's Death ===
 
{{main|Duel in the Great Hall}}
 
{{main|Duel in the Great Hall}}
   
 
{{Quote|[[Killing Curse|Avada Kedavra]]!|[[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]]'s final words.|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
 
{{Quote|[[Killing Curse|Avada Kedavra]]!|[[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]]'s final words.|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
  +
[[File:HarryElderWand.png|thumb|250px|Harry Potter holding the Elder Wand after defeating Voldemort.]]
+
[[File:HarryElderWand.png|thumb|250x250px|Harry Potter holding the Elder Wand after defeating Voldemort.]]
   
 
A few minutes later, Harry revealed himself and faced Voldemort. He explained everything to Voldemort - Snape's true loyalty, Dumbledore's plan, and the Elder Wand's true master (first Draco, now Harry himself), and even offered Voldemort the chance for trying to be remorseful, which Voldemort refused. Having been told of his mistakes, Voldemort tried to kill Harry with the [[Killing Curse]] once and for all, but all did not go according to plan.
 
A few minutes later, Harry revealed himself and faced Voldemort. He explained everything to Voldemort - Snape's true loyalty, Dumbledore's plan, and the Elder Wand's true master (first Draco, now Harry himself), and even offered Voldemort the chance for trying to be remorseful, which Voldemort refused. Having been told of his mistakes, Voldemort tried to kill Harry with the [[Killing Curse]] once and for all, but all did not go according to plan.
   
When Voldemort tried to kill Harry with the Elder Wand, Harry's mastery of the Elder Wand (which he obtained earlier by [[Disarming Charm|Disarming]] the previous master, [[Draco Malfoy]]) caused it so that the Elder Wand refused to harm its true master: the Killing Curse rebounded, the Elder Wand went soaring through the air into Harry's hand, and Voldemort was destroyed once and for all.<ref name="DH36" />
+
When Voldemort tried to kill Harry with the Elder Wand, Harry's mastery of the Elder Wand (which he obtained earlier by [[Disarming Charm|Disarming]] the previous master, [[Draco Malfoy]]) caused the Elder Wand to refuse to harm its true master: the Killing Curse rebounded, the Elder Wand went soaring through the air into Harry's hand, and Voldemort was destroyed once and for all.<ref name="DH36" />
   
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
[[File:Harry's_Diary.png|thumb|250px|Harry's notes on Horcruxes.]]
+
[[File:Harry's_Diary.png|thumb|230px|Harry's notes on Horcruxes.]]
 
*[[Horcrux]]
 
*[[Horcrux]]
 
*[[Tom Riddle]]
 
*[[Tom Riddle]]

Revision as of 12:27, 12 May 2015

"There are no more Horcruxes. It's just you and me. Neither can live while the other survives, and one of us is about to leave for good..."
Harry Potter to Lord Voldemort[src]

The Horcrux hunt was a mission started by Albus Dumbledore and given to Harry Potter in June of 1997 to find all of Lord Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes and destroy them.

Albus Dumbledore began this quest in July of 1996 when he sought out and destroyed Marvolo Gaunt's Ring in the Gaunt shack. After his death at the hands of Severus Snape during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower, the mission fell to Harry Potter to complete. He was joined by Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, and they set off in the aftermath of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour's wedding. They eventually destroyed all of the Horcruxes by 2 May 1998. The hunt ended with the death of Lord Voldemort at the hands of Harry Potter at the end of the Battle of Hogwarts.

History

Background information

Creation of the Horcruxes

"Sir, I wondered what you know about... about Horcruxes?"
— Tom Riddle asks about Horcruxes to his potions teacher, Horace Slughorn[src]
File:RiddleandSlughorn.jpeg

Riddle discusses Horcruxes with Slughorn

Obsessed with immortality from a young age, Lord Voldemort created a series of Horcruxes in an effort to prevent his death.[1] A Horcrux is a vessel into which one places a piece of one's soul to protect one from mortal death.[1] Tom Riddle created his first Horcrux around the age of 16, and this became known as Tom Riddle's Diary. He used the death of a Muggle-born student named Myrtle Warren to create it whom he had killed with Salazar Slytherin's basilisk. The following school year, Tom asked Horace Slughorn, his Potions professor, about Horcruxes and learned that it was indeed possible to create more than one. Over the ensuing years using the murders of Muggles and wizards alike, he created four more Horcruxes. These were Marvolo Gaunt's Ring, Salazar Slytherin's Locket, Helga Hufflepuff's Cup, and Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem. He believed seven to be a magically powerful number and wished to create a seven part soul, but he seemed to save the creation of Horcruxes for significant murders.[1]

Voldemort Spirit

Voldemort's mangled soul

As of Halloween 1981, he had a six part soul with five finished Horcruxes, but the process had rendered his remaining soul very unstable. That evening, Lord Voldemort went to destroy Harry Potter, whom he believed to be the subject of a prophecy. This prophecy predicted that Harry may be the one with the power to destroy him. When Voldemort's unstable soul was struck with his rebounding curse, a part of it shattered off, and attached itself to Harry.[2] Sometime after his resurrection, Voldemort created a sixth intentional Horcrux by turning his snake, Nagini, into a Horcrux.[1] As of this point, he had a seven part soul, due to the prior destruction of Tom Riddle's diary.

Quirrell as a temporary Horcrux

Main article: Quirinus Quirrell
"What is this magic?!"
— Quirrell reacting to Harry's hands in the Underground Chambers[src]
PlainQuirrell

Quirinus Quirrell

Quirrell was able to penetrate the first six chambers that protected the Philosopher's Stone, including the chamber in which he himself put a Troll. He reached the final chamber only to find the Mirror of Erised, and was unable to figure out how to take the Stone from it, going so far as to consider smashing the mirror.

Eventually, Harry alone managed to reach the last chamber, and was surprised to meet Quirrell instead of Snape. Quirrell non-verbally bound Harry and summoned a wall of fire behind the door to prevent him from escaping, then, on Voldemort's command, forced Harry to look into the mirror. Harry saw his reflection with the Stone in his own trousers' pocket, and felt it indeed being transferred to his real pocket. When Harry lied about what he saw in the mirror, Quirrell unwrapped his turban to reveal Lord Voldemort's face, bound to the back of his head. Quirrell and Harry struggle for possession of the Stone.

Tumblr n29413O6t71rzvuwqo9 r1 250

Harry's touch burning Quirrell, causing him to die

Quirrel's life ended then, when Voldemort forced him to attempt the murder of Harry Potter (deducing that Harry had the Stone and being unable to persuade him to give it willingly). Unfortunately, the body Quirrell and Voldemort were both sharing manifested in burns and blisters during his fight with Harry due to the protective power Harry's mother left in his skin when she died for him. It was consequently burned so horribly that Quirrell collapsed and died (Voldemort, however, was merely dispossessed and fled). However, despite being effectively turned into a living Horcrux — like Nagini — for the last year of his life, Quirrell did not ultimately lose his soul, having even tried to put up feeble resistance on occasion (in spite of the fact that Voldemort was far too strong for him).

Albus Dumbledore discovers the secret

Harry destroys Tom Riddle's diary

"Funny the damage a silly, little book can do. Especially in the hands of a silly, little girl."
Lord Voldemort[src]
Tom-riddles-diary

Tom Riddle's Diary

In 1993, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was under siege from an unseen terror. The Chamber of Secrets had been opened once more and the terror within unleashed upon the school's population.[3] After several students had been Petrified, Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger managed to solve the mystery. After discovering a few cryptic clues and a mysterious diary, they realised that the monster that had been Petrifying the students was a basilisk and that the entrance to the Chamber was located in Myrtle Warren's bathroom.[4] Unfortunately, Hermione also became a victim of the basilisk before they could solve the mystery.

When Ginny Weasley was taken into the Chamber by the monster, Harry and Ron went to find her. They attempted to give their information to Gilderoy Lockhart, who had been tasked with finding Ginny, only to find out that he was fraud and that he was about to flee the castle. At wand point, Harry and Ron took Lockhart to Myrtle's bathroom and discovered the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.[4] After the three of them entered the Chamber, Lockhart attempted to erase the memories of Harry and Ron. The wand backfired, causing Lockhart permanent mental damage and a cave in. While Ron created an exit through the rocks, Harry ventured deeper into the Chamber.[4]

Chamber

The Chamber of Secrets.

Harry discovered Ginny laying on the ground and was informed by Tom Riddle, the boy from the mysterious diary, that she was almost dead. When Harry tried to warn Tom of the great danger, Tom explained that he was the great danger, being the boy who would become Lord Voldemort. He then summoned the basilisk from the depths of the Chamber.[5] Harry was able to kill the basilisk with the aid of Fawkes, Dumbledore's pet phoenix. However, Harry was badly injured by a basilisk fang. Fawkes healed Harry's wound, but Riddle was still about to kill Harry with his own wand.

File:Tumblr m2urnpGnjk1rs69rzo3 250.gif

Harry destroys Tom Riddle's diary

At that moment Fawkes swept Riddle's diary into Harry's hands, and Harry stabbed the diary with a fang.[5] Riddle disappeared, and Ginny's vitality was restored. She explained to Harry that she had been setting the basilisk on the student population, because she had been possessed by Tom Riddle through the diary. When Harry, Ron, Ginny, Lockhart, and Fawkes triumphantly returned to Minerva McGonagall's office, Harry explained everything that had happened including the diary's possession of Ginny to Dumbledore.[6]

Harry's description of the events and the diary's part in said events piqued Dumbledore's interest.[1] He had been suspicious of Voldemort's experiments with dark magic for years. After years of careful consideration, Dumbledore had come to the conclusion that Voldemort had created Horcruxes to ensure his immortality, but he had no proof. When Harry brought the diary to Dumbledore, he thought he finally had the evidence to confirm his theory. What troubled Dumbledore most of all was the lax nature of the diary's security.[1] As it contained a part of Voldemort's soul, Dumbledore thought that it should have been hidden and not recklessly thrown into danger, risking its destruction. He came to the conclusion that Voldemort must have created more than one Horcrux, but once again he had no proof.[1]

Destruction of Marvolo Gaunt's Ring

Main article: Marvolo Gaunt's Ring
"I was tempted."
Albus Dumbledore on why he put on Gaunt's ring[src]
Tom with ring

Teenage Tom Riddle (Lord Voldemort) with the ring

Having researched Lord Voldemort's life and heritage, Albus Dumbledore noted a ring worn by Lord Voldemort's maternal grandfather, Marvolo Gaunt.[7] Through the many memories he had collected concerning Voldemort, he discovered that the ring passed to Morfin Gaunt. When he sought out Morfin, he retrieved a memory showing Tom Riddle's discovery of his Gaunt and Muggle heritage. Dumbledore noted that the ring was missing after Morfin's encounter with his nephew.[8] From further research of Tom Riddle's childhood, Dumbledore knew that Riddle liked to collect trophies and surmised that he had likely stolen the ring. As an object of particular meaning to Riddle, Dumbledore thought that Voldemort had likely turned it into a Horcrux.

File:Dumbledore-ring.JPG

Albus Dumbledore with Marvolo Gaunt's ring

In the summer of 1996, Albus Dumbledore searched for the ring. He discovered it concealed in the Gaunt shack.[1] In the ring was set a stone that Marvolo Gaunt stated bore the "Peverell coat of arms."[7] The stone set in the ring was, in fact, the Resurrection Stone of Deathly Hallows fame. Upon seeing the stone, Dumbledore put on the ring in hopes of once again seeing his dead family, forgetting that it was a Horcrux.[2] The ring contained a deadly curse which Dumbledore only managed to keep at bay due to his extreme skill. Dumbledore destroyed the horcrux with Godric Gryffindor's Sword as it was able to destroy horcruxes as it contained basilisk venom that had become attached when Harry killed the Basilisk, but to his surprise the curse was not eliminated. Dumbledore contacted Severus Snape who was able to trap the curse in Dumbledore's hand using a number of spells and potions. However, Severus Snape and Dumbledore found out that the curse would spread throughout his body and kill him in a years time. Because of this, he told Severus Snape to mercifully end his life before he was in pain.

Harry's search for the Horcruxes

Background Information

"You'll go wrong, boy, mark my words."
Horace Slughorn to Tom Riddle in his falsified memory[src]
Harrypotteranddumbeldorelesson

Dumbledore showing Harry a memory.

During the 1996–1997 school year, Dumbledore began to share his findings regarding Voldemort's Horcruxes with Harry Potter.[7] Using the Pensieve, he showed Harry a series of memories about the boy who was Tom Riddle and the man who was Voldemort. During these lessons, Dumbledore taught Harry about the behaviours and psychology of Voldemort hoping to impart a thorough understanding of the man upon Harry. In January 1997, Dumbledore showed Harry a memory of Tom Riddle meeting with the his Potions master, Horace Slughorn who had recently returned to Hogwarts from retirement. The memory became cloudy, and Slughorn's voice boomed out of nowhere.[8]

Horace memories-HBP

Harry retrieving the real memory from Slughorn

When they returned from the Pensieve, Dumbledore told Harry that the memory had been falsified and gave Harry the mission of obtaining the true memory. Months later when Harry did obtain the real memory, he and Dumbledore had an impromptu lesson well after midnight.[1] They discovered that Riddle asked Slughorn if it were possible to split one's soul into seven pieces. Following this shocking revelation, Harry and Dumbledore discussed some of the objects that may be Horcruxes. From the memories they had watched, they deduced that in addition to the two Horcruxes already destroyed there were four more. They also thought that they possibly were Salazar Slytherin's Locket, Helga Hufflepuff's Cup, an object that belonged to either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor, and Nagini.[1]

Attempt to get the locket

Albus Dumbledore: "If I tell to to leave me and save yourself, you will do as I tell you?"
Harry Potter: "I —"
Albus Dumbledore: "Harry?"
Harry Potter: "Yes, Sir."
— Albus Dumbledore to Harry Potter, before leaving Hogwarts[src]
Horcruxcave

The cave in which the locket was hidden.

In June, Dumbledore and Harry ventured to a cave by the sea searching for a Horcrux.[9] Dumbledore thought that this cave was a likely place to hide a Horcrux, since it was remote, hard to reach, and a scene where Tom Riddle had harmed two of his fellow orphans at the orphanage. Once inside, the defences set by Voldemort began to act against them. First, a payment of blood was expected to gain entrance to the cave.[9] Upon entering, they were confronted with a vast black lake but saw a green misty light shining from what appeared to be an island in the middle. After a failed attempt at summoning the Horcrux by Harry, Dumbledore detected an invisible boat in the water and raised it. Dumbledore and Harry discussed the defences while on the boat and saw that the lake was full of Inferi that were lying peacefully in the water, Dumbledore told Harry that the best weapon against inferi was fire. When they reached the island in the centre, they saw that the green glow was emanating from a potion in a basin.

Fake Horcrux Locket

R.A.B.'s locket.

After trying countless magical methods of removing the potion, Dumbledore decided that the only way to get rid of the potion was to drink it.[9] He began drinking, but he could not finish it as the potion was causing him great pain. As agreed, Harry forced the rest of the potion down his Headmaster's throat. Once the basin was empty, Dumbledore asked for water, and Harry attempted to conjure some, but he was unable to give it to Dumbledore as it kept disappearing.[9] Realising that the only way to get water would be from the lake, Harry ran down to the edge and filled the goblet with water. He returned to Dumbledore and splashed it all over his face and mouth, but noted that he felt a cold grip on his arm that was an inferius. Disturbing the water woke the masses of Inferi. Harry attempted to fight them off but forgot about Dumbledore's earlier command to use fire. Just as he was being dragged towards the water to drown, he was saved by an incredibly weakened Dumbledore. They took the locket from the basin and proceeded out of the cave managing to keep the ring of fire around the boat.[9]

R.A.B

Regulus's note left in the locket

After the Battle of the Astronomy Tower and Dumbledore's death, Harry discovered the locket was a fake. The real Horcrux had been taken by a mysterious person who called himself "R.A.B." He was distraught at this news, believing that Dumbledore had weakened himself for nothing and that he had died in vain.[10] Harry decided that he had been taught about the Horcruxes for a reason and resolved to continue Dumbledore's work.

When he told Ron and Hermione, with whom he had shared everything Dumbledore had taught him, that he was going to drop out of Hogwarts, Ron and Hermione volunteered to join him on his mission.[11] They spent time during the summer of 1997 researching R.A.B., but they could find no leads.[12] After the Ministry had fallen, Harry, Ron, and Hermione escaped to 12 Grimmauld Place. On their first morning there, Harry discovered the identity of R.A.B.[13]

Kreacherlocket

Harry asking Kreacher who took the real locket.

He had been Regulus Black, Sirius Black's younger brother. He had joined the Death Eaters, but backed out and was killed.[13] After searching the house, Hermione realised that the locket had been amongst the items they trashed two summers previous. Harry remembered that Kreacher had throughout that summer been stealing family heirlooms to protect them. He summoned Kreacher and asked about the locket.

Kreacher told them the tale of Regulus's break from the Death Eaters.[13] He told them that he had tried to destroy the locket, but could not and that it had been stolen from the house by Mundungus Fletcher. Harry dispatched Kreacher to find Mundungus. Three days later, Kreacher returned with Fletcher in tow. Fletcher told them that the locket had been taken from him by "some Ministry hag", who resembled a toad.[14] After hearing Mundungus's description, Harry, Ron, and Hermione knew that Dolores Umbridge was in possession of the locket.

Ministrybreakin1

The trio escaping the Ministry atrium.

After coming to this chilling realisation, Harry, Ron, and Hermione set to planning.[15] They decided to break into the Ministry of Magic and retrieve the locket from Umbridge in person. After a month of planning and careful observation underneath the Invisibility cloak, they decided the time was right.[15] On 2 September, Harry (disguised as Albert Runcorn), Ron (disguised as Reginald Cattermole), and Hermione (disguised as Mafalda Hopkirk) infiltrated the Ministry of Magic. They soon became separated as Cattermole was needed to stop the rain in Yaxley's office, and Mafalda was dispatched to the Muggle-Born Registration Commission as the stenographer.[15] Harry, now on his own, came to the realisation that their plan had been quite ill conceived, because they had made no contingency for being separated or in fact planned anything once they were inside. Under the Cloak of Invisibility, he ventured to Umbridge's office to search it. He did not find the Horcrux, but he did find Alastor Moody's magical eye on her door. He stole the eye and set off to find Umbridge and Hermione.[16]

Locketonumbridge

Dolores Umbridge with the locket.

In the courtrooms downstairs, Hermione was witnessing, in fact participating in, the oppression of Muggle-born wizards and witches, who were being stripped of their wands and rights. Once she had been joined by Harry, who remained underneath the Invisibility cloak, she convinced Umbridge to reveal the locket. When Harry was enraged by Umbridge's comments about her "pure-blood" heritage, he attacked her and Yaxley.[16] In the fracas, Hermione pocketed the Horcrux and replaced it with a copy. He and Hermione used Patronuses to drive the Dementors back and ushered the Muggle-borns awaiting trial out to the Atrium, where they were instructed to flee with their families. Out in the Atrium, Harry and Hermione met up with Ron and made their escape, but only after revealing the location of 12 Grimmauld Place to Yaxley.[16]

Destruction of the locket

"Ron, kill it!"
Harry yells at Ron to destroy the Locket[src]

After escaping the Ministry of Magic, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had the Horcrux, but no means with which to destroy it. They spent months on the run and passed the locket between them in order to keep it safe. As they were good people, the locket had a visibly bad effect on the trio.[17] This was the opposite of what Harry witnessed with Umbridge.

Locket destruction

Ron Weasley destroys a Horcrux with the Sword of Gryffindor

The locket caused them to become moody and bicker over petty things like cooking. Some time in the fall, the trio overheard another group of fugitives talking. It was revealed by the goblins Griphook and Gornuk that the sword in the Lestrange Vault was in fact a fake. At this, Harry and Hermione surmised that Gryffindor's sword was impregnated with Basilisk venom and that it could destroy Horcruxes.[17] Hearing their excitement drove Ron, who was wearing the locket, over the edge. Ron exclaimed that they had discovered yet another object that they would have to search for and he abandoned his friends in a rage of fury and jealousy.[17]

After Harry and Hermione's disastrous journey to Godric's Hollow, they camped in the Forest of Dean.[18] They discussed Harry's broken wand, and Ron heard his named through the Deluminator bequeathed to him by Dumbledore. Using the Deluminator, he returned in time to save Harry from drowning in a frozen pond. Harry had followed a mysterious Patronus into the night and found the Sword of Gryffindor.[18] When he tried to retrieve the sword, the locket which he was still wearing attempted to kill him. Ron pulled him and the sword out of the pond. Harry understood that Ron must destroy the locket since he had retrieved the sword. After a battle with the locket's energy in which Ron's greatest fears were played upon by the locket, Ron destroyed the locket with the sword and returned to his friends.[18]

Capture by Snatchers and Skirmish at Malfoy Manor

Bellatrix-x-Hermione-bellatrix-and-hermione-27355000-1280-528

Bellatrix threatens to kill Hermione after torturing her.

When the locket had been destroyed Harry, Ron, and Hermione were once again lost for new leads. They spent the next few months listlessly journeying through the countryside in a vain search for more clues.[19] It was not until around Easter that they found anything substantive. After listening to a pirate radio broadcast, Potterwatch, Harry broke the Taboo on Voldemort's name.[19] The trio were captured by Snatchers and brought to Malfoy Manor. Their identities were confirmed, and Lucius Malfoy was about to summon the Dark Lord to the residence, but he was stopped by Bellatrix Lestrange. She saw Gryffindor's sword and assumed that the trio had broken into her Gringotts vault.[20]

Bellatrix then separated Hermione for interrogation while the others were locked in the cellar with the other prisoners. In a blind panic, Harry scrambled in his bag for the shard of mirror and called out for help, and Dobby soon appeared in the cellar.[20] With Dobby's help, Harry managed to orchestrate their escape. In the ensuing skirmish, Ron saved Hermione while Harry defeated Draco Malfoy and took many wands from him.[20] Unfortunately, Dobby was killed in the escape. While overcome with grief for Dobby, Harry dug his grave and thought about the events of the day. He came to the conclusion that Voldemort had asked Bellatrix to store one of his Horcruxes at Gringotts Wizarding Bank.[21]

Break-into Gringotts Wizarding Bank

"Remember the cup's small and gold, it's got a badger engraved on it, two handles —"
Harry Potter describing the cup[src]
Cuupp

Helga Hufflepuff's Cup

After escaping Malfoy Manor to the safe haven of Shell Cottage, owned by Bill and Fleur, Harry negotiated with the goblin Griphook to break into the Lestrange vault, where he believed there might be a Horcrux. Griphook agreed, but only if Harry would give him Gryffindor's sword. Harry, reluctantly, conceded.[21] The next month was spent planning the heist. They decided to use what was left of their store of Polyjuice Potion to transform Hermione into Bellatrix. Since they had her real wand, Harry thought the disguise would be pretty convincing.[22] Ron was to be transfigured into a foreign wizard they called "Dragomir Despard."[23] Harry and Griphook went under the Cloak of Invisibility.

Bellatrix Lestrange's Vault DH2

The trio in the Lestrange Vault.

Arriving on Diagon Alley, they were promptly joined by Travers, another Death Eater, who began asking too many questions to be comfortable with. However, they managed to escape Travers and get inside the Lestrange vault, but Harry had to perform the Imperius Curse multiple times to ensure their access without being noticed. Unfortunately, they were detected, and their covers blown.[23] Once inside they discovered that the treasure had been protected with Geminio and Flagrante spells. Harry found Hufflepuff's cup in the vault and was able to obtain it, but they had to escape on a dragon, when Griphook took the sword and abandoned them.[23]

Battle of Hogwarts

Main article: Battle of Hogwarts

Harry had a vision soon after the Gringotts break-in. He saw the locations of all the Horcruxes.[24] He was vindicated in the eyes of Ron and Hermione when he discovered that Hogwarts was the home of one of the Horcruxes. This was an idea he had been pushing for months. They decided to go to Hogsmeade immediately to gain entrance to the castle. They found a passage from the Hog's Head to the Room of Requirement.[25]

Search for the Diadem

File:Harryluna.png

Harry and Luna entering the Ravenclaw Tower corridor..

Upon entrance to the castle, Harry set off with Luna Lovegood to see what Ravenclaw's diadem looked like, while Ron and Hermione, unbeknownst to Harry, went to the Chamber of Secrets. There was a bust of the diadem in the common room of Ravenclaw Tower.[26] They went under the Invisibility cloak, and when they reached the door, Harry found out that a riddle had to be answered to gain entrance to the common room. Thankfully, Luna was able to answer the riddle and Harry left the safety of the cloak to get a better look at the diadem.

He was surprised by Alecto Carrow, who pressed her Dark Mark.[26] Luna then stunned Carrow, and Harry hid back underneath the cloak. Amycus Carrow and Minerva McGonagall entered the common room and found Alecto passed out on the ground. They argued about what to do. When Amycus spat in McGonagall's face, Harry used the Cruciatus Curse on him until he passed out. Harry then left with McGonagall as she prepared the castle for the coming siege.[27]

Diademm

Ravenclaw's diadem

In his search for Ron and Hermione, Harry ran into Nearly Headless Nick. At this, he realised that the Grey Lady might know about the diadem.[28] When he found her, she was initially reluctant to give him information, but in the end she told him that she had stolen the diadem from her mother and that it was left in Albania where she died. She revealed that only once did she tell this story to someone. Harry thought that Riddle had charmed the story out of her.[28] When Harry saw a pair of fallen gargoyles, he had a brain wave. The diadem had been hidden in the Room of Requirement in the same place Harry had hidden the Half-Blood Prince's book.

Destruction of Hufflepuff's Cup

Cupp

Hermione prepares to destroy the Cup

When he reached the Room of Requirement, he found Ron and Hermione and was told that the cup was destroyed. While Harry was searching for the unknown third Horcrux, Ron and Hermione decided to get rid of the cup. They had the inspiration to get basilisk fangs from the Chamber of Secrets. Ron was able to imitate Parseltongue, and he and Hermione found some fangs. Hermione destroyed the cup, and they reunited with Harry, who was on his way to the Room of Requirement.[28]

Skirmish in the Room of Requirement

"Like it hot, scum?"
Vincent Crabbe, just before destroying the diadem[src]
File:Tumblr lq5athBeOT1r0jmzdo5 250.gif

Ron and Hermione running from Fiendfyre in the Room of Requirement.

When they all entered the Room of Requirement, they split up to search for the diadem. Harry found it, but before he could get it, he was ambushed by Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, and Vincent Crabbe.[28] During a brief skirmish in which Crabbe and Goyle had aimed to kill, Crabbe used Fiendfyre, but he could not control it. While the trio tried to escape, they found two old brooms. Harry mounted one and Ron and Hermione took the other. As they were flying away, they saw Malfoy and a hurt Goyle standing in the fire. Harry saved Malfoy and grabbed the diadem as it was falling. They escaped the room and examined the diadem which had been destroyed by the cursed fire.[28]

Harry's Sacrifice

"You were the seventh Horcrux, Harry, the Horcrux he never meant to make."
— Dumbledore talking to Harry in King's Cross[src]
Tumblr lth8u7IhCZ1qa9jn1o7 r1 250

Voldemort hitting Harry with the Killing Curse

While the battle was still in full swing, Harry, Ron, and Hermione ventured down to the Shrieking Shack. They knew that was where Voldemort was located and believed that Nagini would be with him. After witnessing Nagini kill Severus Snape, Harry collected a string of memories from the dying man.[29] During a one hour ceasefire, Harry discovered that he was an unintended Horcrux from Snape's memories. In order to destroy Voldemort, he had to allow the Dark Lord to kill him. Harry also found out that Severus Snape was loyal to Dumbledore after all, because he had been in love with Harry's mother.[30]

Harry left the castle under his Cloak of Invisibility. Along the way he entrusted Neville Longbottom to kill Nagini. He followed two Death Eaters back to their camp. There, he willing let Voldemort kill him, fully intending to die.[31] Fortunately, the blood from Harry in Voldemort allowed Harry to survive, while the piece of Voldemort's soul inside him was destroyed.[2]

Killing of Nagini

Harry: "You know Voldemort’s snake. Neville? He’s got a huge snake. Calls it Nagini"
Neville: "I’ve heard, yeah. What about it?"
Harry: "It’s got to be killed."
— Harry asking Neville to kill Nagini[src]
Nevillegif

Neville kills Nagini using the Sword of Gryffindor

With Harry feigning death, the Death Eaters marched back to the castle and demanded its surrender. Harry knew that the Horcrux inside him was destroyed, but one Horcrux still remained to be destroyed: Voldemort's enormous serpent, Nagini. The defenders of the castle filed out onto the grounds to face the approaching army. Believing Harry to be dead, Neville Longbottom lunged at Voldemort and swore that he would only join him when "hell freezes over."[32] In response, Voldemort cast a Full Body-Bind Curse on Neville, then placed the Sorting Hat on his head and set it ablaze.

At the same time, the centaurs and other creatures from the Forbidden Forest attacked the Death Eaters. In the chaos, Neville withdrew Gryffindor's sword from the hat and decapitated Nagini, who had been set free of the protection that she had been under earlier.[32] With Nagini dead, all of the Horcruxes had been destroyed.

Voldemort's Death

"Avada Kedavra!"
Voldemort's final words.[src]
HarryElderWand

Harry Potter holding the Elder Wand after defeating Voldemort.

A few minutes later, Harry revealed himself and faced Voldemort. He explained everything to Voldemort - Snape's true loyalty, Dumbledore's plan, and the Elder Wand's true master (first Draco, now Harry himself), and even offered Voldemort the chance for trying to be remorseful, which Voldemort refused. Having been told of his mistakes, Voldemort tried to kill Harry with the Killing Curse once and for all, but all did not go according to plan.

When Voldemort tried to kill Harry with the Elder Wand, Harry's mastery of the Elder Wand (which he obtained earlier by Disarming the previous master, Draco Malfoy) caused the Elder Wand to refuse to harm its true master: the Killing Curse rebounded, the Elder Wand went soaring through the air into Harry's hand, and Voldemort was destroyed once and for all.[32]

See also

Harry's Diary

Harry's notes on Horcruxes.

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Chapter 23 (Horcruxes)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 35 (Kings Cross)
  3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Chapter 10 (The Rogue Bludger)
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Chapter 16 (The Chamber of Secrets)
  5. 5.0 5.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Chapter 17 (The Heir of Slytherin)
  6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Chapter 18 (Dobby's Reward)
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Chapter 10 (The House of Gaunt)
  8. 8.0 8.1 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Chapter 17 (A Sluggish Memory)
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Chapter 26 (The Cave)
  10. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Chapter 28 (Flight of the Prince)
  11. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Chapter 30 (The White Tomb)
  12. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 6 (The Ghoul in Pyjamas)
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 10 (Kreacher's Tale)
  14. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 11 (The Bribe)
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 12 (Magic is Might)
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 13 (The Muggle-Born Registration Commission)
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 15 (Goblin's Revenge)
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 19 (The Silver Doe)
  19. 19.0 19.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 22 (The Deathly Hallows)
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 23 (Malfoy Manor)
  21. 21.0 21.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 24 (The Wandmaker)
  22. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 25 (Shell Cottage)
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 26 (Gringotts)
  24. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 27 (The Final Hiding Place)
  25. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 28 (The Missing Mirror)
  26. 26.0 26.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 29 (The Lost Diadem)
  27. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 30 (The Sacking of Severus Snape)
  28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 31 (The Battle of Hogwarts)
  29. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 32 (The Elder Wand)
  30. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 33 (The Prince's Tale)
  31. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 34 (The Forest Again)
  32. 32.0 32.1 32.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 36 (The Flaw in the Plan)