Destruction of a Horcrux

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so...

how exactly would a person destroy a horcrux? harry has to do it a bunch of times in the next book, but so far no one's been too concerned with how.

also, does the method of destruction change for each different object that the horcrux is? i.e. if it were a person or living thing, would it have to killed? and with an object such as the locket; you can't kill a locket, so how would one penetrate it?

hopefully harry, along with hermione the human dewey decimal system, will do some research and figure it out.

There are two problems that arise from HBP. First of all Harry doesn't know how to destroy a horocrux without piercing it with a basilisk fang. Dumbledore never tells him how to so how will Harry know how to destroy them presuming he finds the horocruxes? I bet it requires quite a bit of magic. Secondly the problem with the last horocrux in Voldemort is that Harry is pure of heart and all that soo he can't use the unforgivable curses. Thats why they fail on Bellatrix. He can't cause her pain but hes supposed to kill one of the most powerful wizards ever. Sure he has anger but I thought you had to want to cause pain and like it. Harry just wants revenge on him and snape so how's he gonna do it?

I think we will find and I have said this before, that Snape was under the same kind of promise that DD issued from Harry. I think that there will be a conversation at the Black home where Harry finds out about everything and that Snape is still DD's man. If that does not occur, he still has Lupin and Mad eye Moody.

Well I think in the seventh book maybe Dumbledore will have left some information around for Harry on what to do if Dumbledore dies. The thing about the unforgivable curses is up in the air though. I mean I'm sure Dumbledore had thought about that at some point in time. Maybe Dumbledore was going to teach Harry how to them?? But I doubt that because I really can't see Dumbledore or Harry for that matter using a unforgivable curse. Maybe there is another way to kill him???

Ok well i was just thinking, i may not describe what im thinking right but im sure you'll get the jist of it. Anyways, ok we now know that love is harrys uderestimated weapon, ok so harry is protecting Ginny by breaking up with her, as as stated above it ould be just like Ginny to get back in somehow, But ok this is what i was thinking ginny gets caught by V and is being used as a lure or something, harry goes up against V and V aims likea Ava kad at ginny, harry jumps in the way sacrificing himself for love! and as V has marked Harry as his equal is his undoing, not just bouncing opf harry as it did origianly but turing on V instead. obvoiulsy at his point harry would have found the horcruxs's i dunno but it seems plausable any ideas?

My guess is that he's gonna have to Avada Kedavra the horcruxes as he's essentially killing a piece of voldemorts soul, but I don't know how this will fit in with him not being able to perform the unforgivable curses. I would guess that something will drive him over the edge into pure hatred (e.g. death of Ron or Hermione?) which will enable him to use them.

My guess is that he's gonna have to Avada Kedavra the horcruxes as he's essentially killing a piece of voldemorts soul, but I don't know how this will fit in with him not being able to perform the unforgivable curses. I would guess that something will drive him over the edge into pure hatred (e.g. death of Ron or Hermione?) which will enable him to use them.

Well....there is a portrait of Dumbledore in the headmasters/mistress' office - so Harry will have to visit Hogwarts (or whereever Dumbledore's other portrait hangs) to talk to him....I'm sure he will be able to give Harry advice and answer questions! (after he wakes up - I'm sure there is a time after death that the person/portrait must rest and come to terms with their own death before they are ready to converse with others.)

There are worse things than death, and there are other ways to kill a man. From a thematic point of view, Harry's defeat of the Dark Lord will be a victory of good over evil. For this he should use good means / powers to defeat evil ones. The unforgivables are a hallmark of the Death Eaters - Snape is the only Order member we've seen use one, isn't he? And his goodness / badness hangs in the balance at the moment. It would be a false victory for Harry to use something dark to destroy the dark; I believe he must destroy the evil by the use of goodness. No, I can't imagine how he'll do it; but I don't think his lack of ability to do the unforgivables will lead to his downfall, I really don't. If anything, it improves his chances of victory, by showing that he is pure of heart and mind, he hasn't enough negative emotions in him to make those curses work.

I too am also wondering how Harry is going to manage finding all he horcruxes. It seems that Dumbledore was having a hard enough time himself even locating them, let alone getting to them. I don't forsee Harry being able to find an invisible wall or realize how to open it....or do anything similar to that. Then he has to manage to destroy them without hurting himself? To me, the odds are very much stacked against him. He's going to have to have some help. Maybe from one of the members of the Order of the Phoenix, or perhaps Dumbledore will pull an Obi-Wan Kenobi and somehow help Harry out?

I've also wondered how Harry will manage to kill Voldemort. Avada Kedavra is ilegal, but would the Ministry of Magic make an exception for this case? I know Harry's really good at heart, but he just might have the will to use it against Voldemort because his hate seems to be that strong. I know Snape said Harry really has to mean it if he's going to use an Unforgiveable Curse. I think he did have the will when trying to use Crucio against Snape. Snape just never gave him the chance to do so.

Where does it say in the book that you have to be "pure of heart" to cast a Unforgivable Curse?

Where does it say in the book that you have to be "pure of heart" to cast a Unforgivable Curse?

It doesn't. I think people are arguing that since Harry is pure of heart (which I'm not sure I entirely agree with), that is why he's not able to use the Unforgiveable Curses. He's not evil or bad enough to do so.

But he has tried to perform the unforgivable curses already. On Bellatrix and Snape. And the curse he performed on Malfoy in MM's bathroom would be an unforgivable curse if anybody knew about it.

I don't think that Harry will ever be able to fully perform the Unforgiveable Curses as they're meant to be cast because he is pure of heart. In addition I don't think that the Unforgiveable Curses will destory the Horcruxes. I think that the Horcruxes are heavily guarded by magic unique to each one so that no two are alike. As for defeating Voldemort, at the end of Half-Blood Prince we see Harry's Parents, Sirius and Dumbledore gone and Harry pushing away the people he loves for fear of their death. Harry has to realize and accept that love is what Voldemort does not know and what will be the end of him. Who knows, maybe in book 7 Harry learns a new spell that conjures the love of Harry's Parents, Sirius, Dumbledore, etc. that destroys Voldemort. Or Harry forces Voldemort to feel love, etc. I believe in the end Harry will have to face Voldemort alone and it will somehow involve love.

Well... Maybe Harry was much luckier than he thought he would have been when he took felix felicis. What I mean is, Harry hinted that Professor Slughorn could obtain Aragog's venim if he were to go to his funeral. Maybe Aragog's venim could destroy the horcruxes just like the bassilisk's venom destroyed the horcrux in Tom Riddles Diary.

Or, maybe Slughorn is the key to the Horcruxes. He definately knew a lot about the horcruxes, a lot of things he did not tell Tom. Now that Dumbledore is dead he might feel guilty somehow and teach Harry to destroy a horcrux.

Yet again there is of course, R.A.B. Jo definately would not have mentioned his name if we weren't going to find out who he is in the future. Maybe he is still alive, and if so he most definately is going to tell Harry how to destroy a horcrux.

maybe you do an curse on it that brakes it or do an unforgibable curse (avada kedavra specifically)

My idealistic climax wouldn't have Harry AK'ing Voldemort, but having Wormtail, GoodSnape, or another pivotal adult character kill him. I also believe that love will play a part in his murder.

maybe if harry just threw all of the objects through the veil, they could be destroyed that way

How will Harry find out how to destroy Horcruxes? Well there's Dumbledore's portrait. Dumbledore's pensive. Also Slughorn must know about them, afterall, he told Riddle some information.

How will he destroy them? I'm betting it's going to have to be a pretty thourough destruction. In CoS it was enough to penetrate the diary with a Basilisk fang, which was covered in excessive amounts of Basilisk Venom. I agree with xxshermdawxx, Harry might have been luckier than he realises and Aragog's venom will come into play.

How will he kill Voldemort? Harry has become more grey than black or white. He is "pure of heart", however, he's show a willingness to use Unforgivable Curses (on Bellatrix and Snape). He also, although unintentially, hit Malfoy with a more-than-unpleasant curse. Once he knew of this curse and what it did, he tried to use it on the Inferi
I wouldn't put it past Harry to use an Unforgivable Curse!
However, I wouldn't be surprised if the Veil in the DoM made another appearance.
There are also alot of references to Snakes and knives (the knife through the snake on the door of the Grunts, also the sword and the Basilisk).

maybe if harry just threw all of the objects through the veil, they could be destroyed that way
I think you have hit on a very good Idea .The veil is a portal to the land of the dead ,so if Harry throws the Horcruxes through the veil ,then those parts of Voldemort would be in the land of the dead, and be effectively dead !,so that Voldemort would be 5/7th. or 6/7th. dead and thus vunerable to being killed by Harry !. So what do you all think? :huh:

I'm sure there is a time after death that the person/portrait must rest and come to terms with their own death before they are ready to converse with others.

I'm just worried that this might be something more complex; for instance, since Dumbledore was murdered, maybe there's some clause that says he can only reawaken in his portrait once his killer is also dead...something like that to complicate matters.

I think to destroy a horcrux will be unique to each of the horcruxes ie the Basslisk fang destroyed the diary horcrux by killing that part of Voldemorts soul with the venom.

And people seem to have forgotten that there is at least one person left who has the name Dumbledore. That being Dumbledores brother. We've not seen much of him, but if Dumbledore confided in anyone, it would most likely be his brother. Who seems to have distanced himself slighty from Albus ie he's the bar man of the hogshead and Dumbledore was the headmaster of hogwarts. The perfect cover really.
I think Harry will come to realise in the end that he needs all the help he get on destroying the Horcruxes. Even though he wants to push people away, they are in danger ie Ron and Hermione know about the horcruxes and what Harry is intent on doing to them, and they know about the prophecy.

I suspose Harry could chuck them through the veil and destroy them that way. But it would be too easy i think plot wise.

I don't think Harry has a chance of finding them, or destroying them. Snape will do that for him.
Ask yourself why Dumbledore wore that ring for a while and then left it lying it around his office. Snape can casually mention the ring to Voldemort, Voldemort panics and goes to check on his other horcruxes, Snape destroys them, big race at the end to get to the locket.

There are worse things than death, and there are other ways to kill a man. From a thematic point of view, Harry's defeat of the Dark Lord will be a victory of good over evil. For this he should use good means / powers to defeat evil ones. The unforgivables are a hallmark of the Death Eaters - Snape is the only Order member we've seen use one, isn't he? And his goodness / badness hangs in the balance at the moment. It would be a false victory for Harry to use something dark to destroy the dark; I believe he must destroy the evil by the use of goodness. No, I can't imagine how he'll do it; but I don't think his lack of ability to do the unforgivables will lead to his downfall, I really don't. If anything, it improves his chances of victory, by showing that he is pure of heart and mind, he hasn't enough negative emotions in him to make those curses work.
I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the Unforgivables were invented by the forerunner of Voldemort and the Death Eaters, Grindelwald. If not him, previous Dark Wizards and Witches.

I'd imagine that any powerful magic, good or evil, could be used against a Horcrux. Horcruxes can NOT be killed by mundane means, by the way. Spilling ink and water over the Diary did not affect it, just as, say, if Nagini were run over by a stray car I'm sure she would survive intact.

Harry uses Dark Magic to kill the first one, Basilisk venom. He does know some powerful Light magic (to borrow a Star Wars term): The Patronus. That particular spell is related to the state of the caster's soul, since Tonks' changes due to soul-jarring trauma (death and unrequited love.) Harry can cast a particularily powerful Patronus because of the love he feels and the strength of his soul. I imagine that he will use a Patronus to destroy Voldemort, or at least one of his Horcruxes.

I reckon he won't need to destroy the Horcruxes. I reckon RAB has done it for him, If he's found one whats stopped him from finding the rest?

maybe if harry just threw all of the objects through the veil, they could be destroyed that way

slavetopadfoot, that is an excellent thought, and would be a relatively easy task for Harry (or anyone).

Whatever method is used, there are 4 of them, and perhaps would be best destroyed all at once.

Think anyone's selling basilisk venom in Knockturn Alley?

I was about to come here and post that same idea. He wouldn't be destroying them, but sending them to the afterlife where they belong. Same thing in the end though, really.

That would make sense to destroy them at once. Personally I believe that Voldemort killed Amelia Bones personally to make another Horcrux. She is the first one to die in this war (officially, that is what the History books will say, because the Ministry did not declare war until the end of OotP) which makes her very special. So if Voldemort replaces them as they are destroyed, why not toss them through the veil all at once?

well, there is rampant speculation about the locket in 12 Grimmauld Place being Slytherin's Locket...so my theory is this: if the locket belonged to Slytherin and we know LV was his heir and liked the history aspect of these items, could the "locks" on the horcrux have something to do with being a Parselmouth...i remember reading somewhere that there were only like two Parselmouths born that century(or something like that)...so knowing being a Parselmouth is *Rare*, LV probably used that fact in his enchantments on the locket....just my little theory... :rotfl:

:tu: This is such an interesting question- I know I was really wondering how Dumbledore destroyed Slytherin's ring when I was reading HBP.How will Harry find out how to destroy Horcruxes? Well there's Dumbledore's portrait. Dumbledore's pensive. Also Slughorn must know about them, afterall, he told Riddle some information.This seems very likely to me also- I can't imagine Dumbledore didn't take certain precautions to ensure that Harry would be able to know how to destroy a horcrux.

I kind of like the idea of each horcrux having its own special, unique way of being destroyed, but that would certainly complicate things. My first guess to destroy horcruxes would be to use some form of powerful destructive magic on them- something out of the realm of ordinary spells because I'm sure Voldemort would have protected the horcruxes with all kinds of charms. The basilisk venom was extremely potent, so it was able to destroy the diary. It was also poetic justice, seeing as how the basilisk was the monster in the Chamber of Secrets, which the diary held the key to opening.

Maybe Harry needs to use the spell that Voldemort used to kill the specific victim for a certain Horcux .............u get it right?

For example if Voldemort killed Regulus with the Avada Kedavra than harry need to use the avada Kedavra on the hurcrox ( this is an example only, regulus was killed after the horcruxes)

Well... Maybe Harry was much luckier than he thought he would have been when he took felix felicis. What I mean is, Harry hinted that Professor Slughorn could obtain Aragog's venim if he were to go to his funeral. Maybe Aragog's venim could destroy the horcruxes just like the bassilisk's venom destroyed the horcrux in Tom Riddles Diary.

That's exactly what I was thinking!

Two points: first, we've been given a hint that Death Eaters aren't the only ones who use Avada Kedavra. Weren't Sirius & Lupin going to kill off Pettigrew in the Shrieking Shack in PoA? I'm assuming (as they were approaching him menacingly with wands drawn) that they were going to use Avada Kedavra, which would mean it's not only Death Eaters who use it.

Second: I don't think Harry will finish off Voldemort with Avada Kedavra. AK Voldemort's MO, and it would be quite disappointing to see Harry do what Voldemort would do... I think JKR will be more original than that. Also, Harry doesn't have the proper training, and it would be an"evil" thing to do -- I just can't see Harry doing it. So far the best I can come up with is that, once Harry destroys all the Horcruxes, Voldemort will be mortal, and Harry will be able to kill him just like any other person (e.g., stabbing, pushing him off a precipice, etc.)

I like the theory about chucking the Horcurxes thru the veil. That sounds feasible...

There are things worse then death...says DD.....i assume Harry wont exactley murder Voldermort...so why use an unforgivable curse?

Wait how did DD black his hand. Whemn he destroyted it, or when he got it. (Like did he injure himself getting it through the magic barraiers. Or when he blew it up or whatever)

Some great ideas here. This is definitely an important topic. I predict that all the dark magic required to make or destroy horcruxes will be revealed by a new character in the last book. Maybe someone they find down Knockturn Alley.

I don't think DD has the answer for all of them, although he has experience with destroying the ring and Harry himself was able to destroy a horcrux by himself. I think the info from DD will come by way of his portrait.

Maybe Harry needs to use the spell that Voldemort used to kill the specific victim for a certain Horcux .............u get it right?

For example if Voldemort killed Regulus with the Avada Kedavra than harry need to use the avada Kedavra on the hurcrox ( this is an example only, regulus was killed after the horcruxes)


I think this is a good idea, but if you will remember Slughorn said that in order to encase a piece of your soul in a Horcrux it took a spell. That being said, the counterspell to the spell should destroy the Horcrux and the bit of soul that it holds.

The question is, how to find out the spell and counterspell when the subject seems so taboo in the wizarding world? Not that Harry would take the intellectual route when destroying them, anyway. I think total annihalation will be more his style now.

I'm really intrigued by possible plot(s) in book seven. After all, going to get to a horcrux (the locket -false clue) in a watery cave and climbing up cliffs was quite a quest. Now harry has to find four more (is it 4?) Sounds like these quests could almost use a book each!

anyway, to destroy them will depend on what each is made from --- melt down the locket, crush a crystal or rock etc. With each Horcrux gone, LV has lost a bit more of his soul. By the time Harry has to confront him, he will be pretty much a zombie and I don't think Harry's humanity will find much in LV still human.

BIG problem to me --- I think part of LV's soul has been left in Harry (Maybe entered through his scar). In order for LV to survive, Harry can't kill himself. But, in order for LV to be killed, Harry has to die too. "Neither can live while the other survives."

I hate this idea but I really believe Harry will not survive after killing LV. I think it's the only possible ending. It also means that JKR cannot be pursuaded to write further episodes after Hogwarts. This will REALLY be the last part of the story.

just a tought on horcruxes. We are told to create a horcrux one must kill another. This rips the soul and with magic one can capture half of the soul and store it. At least that is what I recall. If so, then wouldn't each horcrux be proportionately smaller with V's soul? The first would have 1/2, the 2nd 1/4th, the 3rd 1/8th, the 4th 16th, the 5th 1/32nd and the 6th only 1/64th leaving Voldemort with 1/64th? From Slughorn's description I didn't get the impression one could slice off just as much as one wanted. It was half. So that only left half when the next one was formed to begin with.

If so, the difficulty of destroying each horcrux may be determined by the order in which it was created

so...

how exactly would a person destroy a horcrux? harry has to do it a bunch of times in the next book, but so far no one's been too concerned with how.

also, does the method of destruction change for each different object that the horcrux is? i.e. if it were a person or living thing, would it have to killed? and with an object such as the locket; you can't kill a locket, so how would one penetrate it?

hopefully harry, along with hermione the human dewey decimal system, will do some research and figure it out.

Even worse, how can you be sure that a horcrux is a horcrux?

indeed. i think horcruxes still function as normal objects.

take the locket found in black manor that is assumed to be slytherin's and therefore the horcrux. i'm sure you could still wear it as a piece of jewelry and it wouldn't affect you. they just couldn't open it. horcruxes will be very hard to identify, but even as dumbledore said to harry when harry asked how he knew what to do when they were at the cave, dumbledore said that magic always leaves behind hints or residue or something.

anyway, to find the horcruxes, harry's gonna have to get really good at doing that... or just use hermione. =D

but we digress...

To destroy them harry must travel to mordor and destroy them in the fires of mount doom from whence they were made !... oh wait wrong book :p

Seriously though, the way they are made is through death, what if its the opposite that will destroy them life or possibly love, what if harry has discovered one by Bills wedding and still doesnt know how to destroy them but because it was present is destroyed by the beginning of life or because of love.

I'm really intrigued by possible plot(s) in book seven. After all, going to get to a horcrux (the locket -false clue) in a watery cave and climbing up cliffs was quite a quest. Now harry has to find four more (is it 4?) Sounds like these quests could almost use a book each!

anyway, to destroy them will depend on what each is made from --- melt down the locket, crush a crystal or rock etc. With each Horcrux gone, LV has lost a bit more of his soul. By the time Harry has to confront him, he will be pretty much a zombie and I don't think Harry's humanity will find much in LV still human.

BIG problem to me --- I think part of LV's soul has been left in Harry (Maybe entered through his scar). In order for LV to survive, Harry can't kill himself. But, in order for LV to be killed, Harry has to die too. "Neither can live while the other survives."

I hate this idea but I really believe Harry will not survive after killing LV. I think it's the only possible ending. It also means that JKR cannot be pursuaded to write further episodes after Hogwarts. This will REALLY be the last part of the story.
I think you may be on to something here about dying, not that it hasn't been said before. Anyway, I think the point is that Harry can survive if he is the last horcrux because of the theme love. Therefore, he can love Ginny to eradicate the horcrux and then destroy Voldemort.

I think you may be on to something here about dying, not that it hasn't been said before. Anyway, I think the point is that Harry can survive if he is the last horcrux because of the theme love. Therefore, he can love Ginny to eradicate the horcrux and then destroy Voldemort.

If there is a piece of Voldemort's soul inside of Harry, when Harry destroys his body the only part of him remaining would be inside of Harry. As a result of this, from voldemorts point of view he would be suffering a fate worst than death because he will be surrounded by the thing he hates the most which is love.

Well....there is a portrait of Dumbledore in the headmasters/mistress' office - so Harry will have to visit Hogwarts (or whereever Dumbledore's other portrait hangs) to talk to him....I'm sure he will be able to give Harry advice and answer questions! (after he wakes up - I'm sure there is a time after death that the person/portrait must rest and come to terms with their own death before they are ready to converse with others.)

What about the Chocolate Frog cards? Can the pictures talk, I've never heard them talk, but DD did not want the MoM to take him off the cards.

To destroy them harry must travel to mordor and destroy them in the fires of mount doom from whence they were made !... oh wait wrong book :p

Seriously though, the way they are made is through death, what if its the opposite that will destroy them life or possibly love, what if harry has discovered one by Bills wedding and still doesnt know how to destroy them but because it was present is destroyed by the beginning of life or because of love.


My thoughts entirely, where better than Mount Doom! I have been trying to work out a way to get rid of them without dying! Iarwain - Elvish for oldest, my elvish name on a diff. site!

Gosh, there is so much for Harry to do - and if the one Horcrux could do so much damage to DD's arm, how on earth is Harry going to manage four?
And what is he going to do with the one that resides in his scar, turn the wand to his head and say Adava Kedavra? And then who's going to kill LV after that?

Gosh, there is so much for Harry to do - and if the one Horcrux could do so much damage to DD's arm, how on earth is Harry going to manage four?
And what is he going to do with the one that resides in his scar, turn the wand to his head and say Adava Kedavra? And then who's going to kill LV after that?

Snape mentions to Narcissa in Spinner's End that, "...DD is growing old. The duel with the Dark Lord last month shook him. He has since sustained a serious injury because his reactions are slower that they once were." pg 31 AE

So maybe since Harry is younger he will be able to avoid an injury.

We don't know that his scar is a HC. But if it is Harry will have to die I think.

First of all, some people have brought up the possibility of Voldemort creating additional horcruxes beyond the initial 6. I don't believe this is the case. If the magical number is 7, then Voldemort's soul would have been spread across 7 objects. If they're destroyed and Voldemort continued to make them, the aspect of 7 would be lost. Yes, there might be 7 at that time, but I think the initial splitting into 7 is the most important. Aside from this, I think Dumbledore would have brought up this possibility when he and Harry were discussing the destruction of the diary.

Aside from that, I think it's very likely that R.A.B. will have left behind notes about the horcruxes; clues about their location, how the soul can be extracted from the object and destroyed, etc. If Dumbledore was unable to find the cave for such a long time and was most likely unaware that R.A.B. made the swap, it's very likely that Harry would be unable to find the locations of the remaining ones without some kind of help. If R.A.B. is Regulus Black and Harry plans to live in the Black's house after moving away from the Dursley's, the stage is set for Harry to find notes/penseive memories left behind by Regulus.

Also, about Harry or his scar being a horcrux... while I find that very unlikely for reasons I've posted before, there is no indication that Harry needs to die for the horcrux to be removed. The diary was not completely destroyed nor was the ring Dumbledore obtained.

Maybe Harry needs to use the spell that Voldemort used to kill the specific victim for a certain Horcux .............u get it right?

For example if Voldemort killed Regulus with the Avada Kedavra than harry need to use the avada Kedavra on the hurcrox ( this is an example only, regulus was killed after the horcruxes)
Brilliant idea, poetic justice seven times over. The only problem is that Voldemort probably used Avada Kedavera on most of his victims, and Harry can't cast a decent Unforgivable (not that I fault him for that.)

Incidentally, I figure a good Patronus could kill off Voldemort in the end. A Patronus is the opposite of Avada Kedavera, it relies on the caster having a strong soul, happy memories, and such things. I would love to see Voldemort with only 1/7th (or 1/64th for those of us who are mathematically inclined) of a soul being killed by a Patronus like some common Dementor.

Does anyone know the answer to my Q.?
Wait how did DD black his hand. Whemn he destroyted it, or when he got it. (Like did he injure himself getting it through the magic barraiers. Or when he blew it up or whatever)

The Portrait in the Headmasters office will almost certainly be of some use- there is much speculation on this that I will not go into. There is also multiple other persons that know, Dumbledore cant be the only one, right?

...

:)

.::.

I think that in order to understand the destruction of a horcrux, we need to think about how horcruxes (sp?) are made. In order to make one, you need to do an act of evil, aka murdering somebody. So, it stands to reason that in order to destroy a(n) horcrux, you need to do an act of good. Nowhere does it say that you have to destroy the actual object to destroy the horcrux, unless im mistaking. If you think about the two horcruxes that we know for sure were destroyed, (the ring and the diary) we know that it took a sacrifice to destroy them (harry got bit by a basilsik, and dumbledore sacrificed his hand.) So, my working theory, is that destroying the rest will NOT be easy, and will require some kind of sacrifice from the characters. This also relates right back to the fact that the power harry has over Voldemort is love. And I do agree with the theory that harry is the sixth horcrux. However, I don't think harry will have to die in order to destroy his horcrux. I think maybe Ron will sacrifice himself for harry, thus the act of good needed to destroy his horcrux, then harry's free to defeat voldemort. (by the by, i say ron because there are many theories that show that ron's death has been foreshadowed.)

maybe if harry just threw all of the objects through the veil, they could be destroyed that way

But what happens if he tries and it dosen't work lol. Anyone aspiring to get the horcrux would die before they got to it, that would stink.

Brilliant idea, poetic justice seven times over. The only problem is that Voldemort probably used Avada Kedavera on most of his victims, and Harry can't cast a decent Unforgivable (not that I fault him for that.)

Incidentally, I figure a good Patronus could kill off Voldemort in the end. A Patronus is the opposite of Avada Kedavera, it relies on the caster having a strong soul, happy memories, and such things. I would love to see Voldemort with only 1/7th (or 1/64th for those of us who are mathematically inclined) of a soul being killed by a Patronus like some common Dementor.

but wouldn't that be too easy i mean.......because even if harry destroys all the hurcruxes voldemort is still very strong and i think that harry needs to do something more than that like stabb him with GG's sword

If Voldemort is indeed mortal again couldn't an object like Gryfindor's sword (or anything like that) kill him.

Edit:well okay so drlazy thought of it before i refreshed

I don't know how he will destroy them, I thought Dumbledore was going to teach him before he died. Maybe his picture will.

Maybe Harry can find another Basilisk, kill it, and use it's fangs to destroy the other Horcruxes. lol

Ok well i was just thinking, i may not describe what im thinking right but im sure you'll get the jist of it. Anyways, ok we now know that love is harrys uderestimated weapon, ok so harry is protecting Ginny by breaking up with her, as as stated above it ould be just like Ginny to get back in somehow, But ok this is what i was thinking ginny gets caught by V and is being used as a lure or something, harry goes up against V and V aims likea Ava kad at ginny, harry jumps in the way sacrificing himself for love! and as V has marked Harry as his equal is his undoing, not just bouncing opf harry as it did origianly but turing on V instead. obvoiulsy at his point harry would have found the horcruxs's i dunno but it seems plausable any ideas?

I thought of this today myself, while on my second read-through of HBP, and I knew I couldn't possibly be the only person to whom this had occurred. Then I thought of something that might shoot that theory down, unfortunately: will Harry even be given the chance to live by Voldy? In order for the curse to rebound, according to JKR, he has to choose to die (since Lily was given the chance to live and chose to die). I don't think Voldy will give him that choice - I think Voldy would kill him off just for good measure, even if he didn't think he was much of a threat anymore. But, I still think it's a good theory & it might come to fruition somehow - we don't have all the details yet as to how the AK-rebound works.

There are two problems that arise from HBP. First of all Harry doesn't know how to destroy a horocrux without piercing it with a basilisk fang. Dumbledore never tells him how to so how will Harry know how to destroy them presuming he finds the horocruxes? I bet it requires quite a bit of magic. Secondly the problem with the last horocrux in Voldemort is that Harry is pure of heart and all that soo he can't use the unforgivable curses. Thats why they fail on Bellatrix. He can't cause her pain but hes supposed to kill one of the most powerful wizards ever. Sure he has anger but I thought you had to want to cause pain and like it. Harry just wants revenge on him and snape so how's he gonna do it?


Maybe he can slash everything with Sectusempra?

That spell peirces things with a sword and causes slash marks, etc. While it is a powerful bit of dark magic, it is not an unforgivable. Maybe harry can use Sectusempra on Voldemort himself, too. Kill him with stab wounds.

Or otherwise, for the locket, I'm thinking sledgehammer.

Only joking.

But for an animal? Maybe there's a magical means of extracting a horcrux from something without killing it. A spell of some sort.

Personally I don't think destroying the objects that are Horcruxes is going to be that difficult. The hard part is recovering them. Now this is my interpretation, but I got the impression that Dumbledore's hand was mangled because of the enchantments that had been left on the ring to protect not, not destroying the ring itself.

Lets say I tell you you need to kill someone. Not that difficult a task. There are a variety of ways to do it that don't require a lot of strategy or effort. Now lets say this person is in a tank. Technically it's still not that hard to kill him, what is hard is getting past the obstacle that the defensive capabilities of the tank provides.

This is how I view the Horcrux quest. Destroying them is the easiest part of the job. Locating them and then getting past their protection is what's going to cause problems.

Personally I don't think destroying the objects that are Horcruxes is going to be that difficult. The hard part is recovering them. Now this is my interpretation, but I got the impression that Dumbledore's hand was mangled because of the enchantments that had been left on the ring to protect not, not destroying the ring itself.

Lets say I tell you you need to kill someone. Not that difficult a task. There are a variety of ways to do it that don't require a lot of strategy or effort. Now lets say this person is in a tank. Technically it's still not that hard to kill him, what is hard is getting past the obstacle that the defensive capabilities of the tank provides.

This is how I view the Horcrux quest. Destroying them is the easiest part of the job. Locating them and then getting past their protection is what's going to cause problems.

I tend to agree with you :). We have also been given other evidence of this as per CoS when Harry used the fang to destroy that Horcrux. I think that destroying them would probably have to be done in some unconventional way. The main reason I believe this is because I know the last thing I would be thinking about when I had a Basalisk fang would have been to put it into the diary. Didn't Harry say he didn't know where the idea came from or why he did it, but it seemed like the thing he had to do (something to that effect, I will find it in the book).

We also know that Voldemort thinks extremley highly of himself, we could deduce this just from his past actions and overall character, but Dumbledore tells us this in HBP as well. Knowing this, he wouldn't have reason to believe that anyone would or could destroy the horcux, therefore, doing it would not be as hard as retrieving them. Voldemort has the uncanny ability repeatedly underestimate those fighting him. He wouldn't assume that people would be able to get past everything let alone actually lay their hands on the actual horcrux.

However, I don't believe that the horcrux's themselves are completley harmless, I just think that they might be slightly easier to destroy then they are to retreive :)

I think that he will have to destroy them directly, with his own hands (Could it be "at the hand of the other"?), and not directly with magic.

Throwing them through the Veil? Could be a solution, he could also give them to a Dementor, after all I don't think they mind to suck a whole soul or suck it by parts. :nc:

I am sure Harry will find a way to fling each Horcrux off the highest point of Mt. Doom, and then have to kill himself, as he is likely a Horcrux. (has anyone thought of that scar's greater significance that way?)

It's frustrating when these books take on the themes of other science fiction books in such an obvious way. Harry's destruction of the horcruxes is an obvious ode to Frodo in LOTR.

but would a dementor sucking the soul out of a horcrux (if this is possible) destroy the soul piece or would it just contain it with dementor itself? i don't think a dementor would destroy the soul.

i don't think dementors are known for destroying a soul along with sucking it out of a person... and if a dementor could suck the soul out of a horcrux and it remained harbored within the dementor rather than being destroyed, we would now have the problem of destroying the dementor to destroy the soul piece. can a dementor even suck a soul out of an inanimate object? i doubt it's been tried before...

and i don't see this happening and i don't understand what the point would be to make even more huge problems just to be solved within the last book itself, so i don't think the dementor theory is plausible...

The Veil is a possibility, as are dementors - if they suck out the soul...shouldn't they be able to remove parts of a soul from the Horcruxes? The question is, how does Harry get them to suck out LV's soul from, say, a goblet without it sucking out his soul too?

I think that in order to understand the destruction of a horcrux, we need to think about how horcruxes (sp?) are made. In order to make one, you need to do an act of evil, aka murdering somebody. So, it stands to reason that in order to destroy a(n) horcrux, you need to do an act of good.

That theory sounds very plausible to me, especially because, as you said, Harry's ability to love is what makes him so powerful.

Going back to the idea of needing to think about how Horcruxes are made, I also believe that destroying a Horcrux involves releasing the part of the sould that is encased inside the object. We know that in order to make a Horcrux, a wizard must perform an act of supreme evil (ie: murder) to split his/her soul and then use a spell to encase the torn portion of the soul in an object. So, in order to destroy a Horcrux, one would have to find a way of allowing the piece of the soul concealed in the object to escape, and performing an act of supreme good seems like it would work.

Well I think in the seventh book maybe Dumbledore will have left some information around for Harry on what to do if Dumbledore dies. The thing about the unforgivable curses is up in the air though. I mean I'm sure Dumbledore had thought about that at some point in time. Maybe Dumbledore was going to teach Harry how to them?? But I doubt that because I really can't see Dumbledore or Harry for that matter using a unforgivable curse. Maybe there is another way to kill him???


There has to be a way doesn't there? I thought that because of their wands, Harry would be unable to kill LV via AK. Or is it that they just can't duel. So Destroy the horcruxes and drop a big rock on his head? Or what?

Or, does he find his father or his mother's wand and kill LV with one of those? AHA! I love this idea.

The Veil is a possibility, as are dementors - if they suck out the soul...shouldn't they be able to remove parts of a soul from the Horcruxes? The question is, how does Harry get them to suck out LV's soul from, say, a goblet without it sucking out his soul too?

Or get the dementors to suck out the remaining soul that still inside LV. Easier said than done, I'm assuming.

I think that in order to understand the destruction of a horcrux, we need to think about how horcruxes (sp?) are made. In order to make one, you need to do an act of evil, aka murdering somebody. So, it stands to reason that in order to destroy a(n) horcrux, you need to do an act of good. Nowhere does it say that you have to destroy the actual object to destroy the horcrux, unless im mistaking. If you think about the two horcruxes that we know for sure were destroyed, (the ring and the diary) we know that it took a sacrifice to destroy them (harry got bit by a basilsik, and dumbledore sacrificed his hand.) So, my working theory, is that destroying the rest will NOT be easy, and will require some kind of sacrifice from the characters. This also relates right back to the fact that the power harry has over Voldemort is love. And I do agree with the theory that harry is the sixth horcrux. However, I don't think harry will have to die in order to destroy his horcrux. I think maybe Ron will sacrifice himself for harry, thus the act of good needed to destroy his horcrux, then harry's free to defeat voldemort. (by the by, i say ron because there are many theories that show that ron's death has been foreshadowed.)

I agree, you beat me to it! :agree: It's going to take a sacrifice of love to destroy the horcruxes. As far as finding the horcruxes and beating the curses and traps goes; It's a shame Harry doesn't know anybody experienced in treasure hunting and curse breaking. Where, oh where, will he find somebody like that? :D

I am sure Harry will find a way to fling each Horcrux off the highest point of Mt. Doom, and then have to kill himself, as he is likely a Horcrux. (has anyone thought of that scar's greater significance that way?)

It's frustrating when these books take on the themes of other science fiction books in such an obvious way. Harry's destruction of the horcruxes is an obvious ode to Frodo in LOTR.

There's only, what, 30 some original stories that have ever been told. Everything else is just a variation of an original theme. Don't worry about it.

I agree, you beat me to it! :agree: It's going to take a sacrifice of love to destroy the horcruxes. As far as finding the horcruxes and beating the curses and traps goes; It's a shame Harry doesn't know anybody experienced in treasure hunting and curse breaking. Where, oh where, will he find somebody like that? :D

Excellent, excellent!!! I'm sure Bill didn't need any more urging to help, but he will undoubtedly be more than willing now after being attacked by Fenrir. Fleur doesn't seem to be the type to try and tell him to stay out of it, either (good for her). She'll probably want to help and Molly will flip out.

I do think, however, that Voldy got better and better at protecting his Horcruxes as he made them. So, the diary wasn't very well protected at all. It did indeed, as DD said, show a total disregard for actually hiding the thing you were supposed to be keeping safe! That was, remember, the first one he made (with Myrtle's death).

OK, let me see if I can work this out.

Horcruxes
Voldy's Diary
- created by killing Myrtle while still at Hogwarts
- seems to be unprotected
- destroyed with Basilisk fang

Gaunt's Ring
- created by killing Tom Sr. (in between yr 6 & 7 at Hogwarts)
- well protected by a nasty curse - hidden in Gaunt's old house?
- destroyed (don't know how)

Slytherin's Locket
- created by killing?? (post-Hogwarts)
- protected by a lot of nasty things & well hidden - takes 2 people to get to it
- whereabouts & intactness unknown

So it seems, as he got older, Voldy got a lot smarter about protecting and hiding his Horcruxes, and a lot nastier about the curses that were on and around them. I would also imagine that the idea of killing someone from a particular house (like a direct descendant of Hufflepuff, for instance) would make it even better for him. I'll hazard a guess that he killed Hepzibah to make the cup Horcrux given her relation to Helga H. It would be his idea of purifying the school in a way, wouldn't it? Maybe that's where we can look for the rest of the Horcruxes - places significant to Voldy. That must mean the Riddle House or the graveyard of his rebirth would be good places to look. Maybe one is still at the school too. The last of them, if it really is Nagini, stays with him.

Concerning the earlier discussion about the unforgivables, It never says you have to really "want" to cast any other than Crucio. I also feel that even if "want" is required to cast an unforgivable on an enemy I think Harry has the ability to kill Tom and Severus (pending further plot twists of course). So if it comes down to motive I think Harry deffinately has the motive.

One point I think people have been missing about the creation of Tom's horcruxes is that a horcrux is not created from a specific murder; it all depends on a sufficeint number of soul fragments. At the time that Tom found out about horcuxes and their construction, he had already split his soul into enough pieces to make four horcruxes. The specific murder idea comes from Dumbledore's rather deep understanding of Tom's psyche. Dumbledore has inferred, from the horcruxes that have been identified, that Tom created his horcruxes from specific items that have (for lack of a better word) sentimental value to him. The diary was written the year he opened the Chamber of Secrets and commited his first murder. He felt that the ring was rightfully his, and he liked the history behind it concerning Slytherin's legacy. The locket was another hierloom of Slytherin and the cup was a possession of a Hogwarts founder. Nagini (assuming, as I do, that she is a horcrux) sustained him in his travels and apparently provided him with his pseudo body.

I am sure Harry will find a way to fling each Horcrux off the highest point of Mt. Doom, and then have to kill himself, as he is likely a Horcrux. (has anyone thought of that scar's greater significance that way?)

It's frustrating when these books take on the themes of other science fiction books in such an obvious way. Harry's destruction of the horcruxes is an obvious ode to Frodo in LOTR.


The scar could be a Horcrux, i've been thinking along those lines since i read the HBP. Rowling has said that the shape of the scar is not the most important thing about it.
Rather what it enables Harry to do ie see into Voldemorts mind and have access to his thoughts that Death Eaters would kill for. Dumbledore said in COS it seemed like Voldemort had poured a little bit of himself into Harry, giving him powers and future to take on Voldemort more than 3 times. More than his parents managed or Nevilles for that matter.

Those are subtles clues as to the nature of the scar. Theres a strong indication that the scar is a horcrux, however Dumbledore put a little seed of doubt into my mind, over Harry being able to choose to walk away from the whole deal if he wants to.
He doesn't have to face Voldemort because of the prophecy, Harry has ample enough reasons for wanting to exact revenge on Voldemort for the deaths of those who were extremely close to him, his parents, Sirius, and Dumbledore.

If the scar is a horcrux, a dementor could suck that part of Voldemort's soul out. But i don't think Harry would let a Dementor get that close to him, unless he had no other option. Even if that does mean death.

Oh and Harry Potter books aren't sci-fi books, they are fantasy novels.
The thing with Tolkien is everyone has recycled his ideas, knowingly and unknowingly. He did say he wanted people to use his works as a mythology. Tolkien also used the mythology from the past and reinvented it for the modern world, using his sublime skills with the use of dead langauges and English.

One point I think people have been missing about the creation of Tom's horcruxes is that a horcrux is not created from a specific murder; it all depends on a sufficeint number of soul fragments. At the time that Tom found out about horcuxes and their construction, he had already split his soul into enough pieces to make four horcruxes. The specific murder idea comes from Dumbledore's rather deep understanding of Tom's psyche. Dumbledore has inferred, from the horcruxes that have been identified, that Tom created his horcruxes from specific items that have (for lack of a better word) sentimental value to him.

I think you've pointed out something very important that I didn't notice before, AdmiralSteve, and I'd like to add to your thought a bit just by filling in the canon for it. Slughorn tells us that murder rends the soul (p 498, US version) when he's talking with Tom and friends in the memory, and that after the soul is torn, a piece of it can be encased in the Horcrux. We see in that same scene on page 494 that Voldy already has Marvolo's ring - you're totally right, that's already 4 murders under his belt (Myrtle, his dad, and his grandparents). Now let the Horcrux-making begin.

The other thing I find very interesting is that this might mean that what ever infintessimal amount of soul is left in Voldy's body is also in a bunch of pieces, since he's obviously commited more murders than needed for 7 soul fragments. In what way might this effect or weaken him, since DD believes the power of a whole soul is great compared to his badly fragmented one?

I think if he threw them through the veil, they would be in the afterlife but not destroyed. This would make the one part of soul in Voldemort immortile for sure because no one would be able to get the horcrux from behind the veil.

I think Harry should just take a gulp of Felix while trying to destroy one. It would tell him how to do it and even let him do spells to destroy the horcrux even if he didn't know them.

There is no coming back from the Veil from what we know so far. It's also intresting to note that Voldemort did'nt go anywhere near it in order of the phoenix. You could say by apparating into the artium he made it easier for him to leave the MoM.

I think the veil will have a part to play in the last book. Perhaps in the final battle between Voldemort and Harry. Remember what Luna said about people being just behind the veil. It's most likely a gateway into whatever adventure death brings, but one which you cannot come back from (from what we know thus far, Sirius showed fear in his face just before he passed through the veil).

I think that Harry will need Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and even Fred and George to help find those Horcruxes. But as for killing he-who-must-not-be-named he will have to use love. All the love he posses for Sirius, DD, and his parents, and incorporate the love he feels for Ginny and his friends, maybe somehow get inside he-who-must-not-be-named and force him to feel it that way.

Maybe it will be easier for Harry to destroy the Horcruxes after Voldermond used his blood in GoF. Harry's blood has become Voldy's in a way, so the Horcruxes may "recognize" it as their master's!!! That would make them easier to destroy... I know it sounds kind of far-fetched, but it's possible, isn't it? :-)

Well that would make sense had it not been that the Horcruxes had all been made before graveyard scene in GoF where Voldemort was reborn so they wouldn't consider LV thier true owner anymore now. Since he has Harry's blood flowing through him. Why cannot he learn the Horcrux spell to take the soul parts out of horcruxes and then use holy items to destroy them(GG's sword etc. etc.). Or maybe to defeat the final soul piece Harry learns to put all of his love into like an arrow and he shoots it from his wand into LV's heart. Ok now that was very farfetched but just a thought.

Also isn't it weird that Voldemort took Harry to his father's grave. I think it may have significance since he could've taken Harry anywhere in the world (even to the cave where he'd never escape).

P.S. Harry might as well just give up the search himself since its imposssible for a 17 yr. old to find a horcrux as like many others mentioned it took DD such a long time to track down a Horcrux. Harry may just be accompannying his friends and the Order and the Order takes all damage from traps and stuff to allow Harry to proceed to the Horcrux. But its a thought that maybe LV would never die!!! I mean that is if Harry AK's LV then maybe LV might not die. It is his spell since he uses it like its his dinner and he may be oblivious to darkness powers like inferi. Maybe Harry just has to burn LV's clothes to weaken LV then use "love" to destroy him.

Lol this reminds me. 4 yr. old muggles would be very useful at this time for Barney and Teletubbies ways of love to destroy LV lol. :eyebrows:

i don't think that the blood theory stands.

dumbledore destroyed the gaunt ring horcrux and he's not related to either tom riddle or harry.

I agree, you beat me to it! :agree: It's going to take a sacrifice of love to destroy the horcruxes. As far as finding the horcruxes and beating the curses and traps goes; It's a shame Harry doesn't know anybody experienced in treasure hunting and curse breaking. Where, oh where, will he find somebody like that?

But they've already destroyed two of the horcruxes, right? And they didn't really seem like acts of love. Harry puts a basilisk fang through Tom's diary, and RAB got the locket by drinking a potion that makes you relive some way bad memories.

Would have been really helpful if Dubledore had passed on the knowledge of how Gaunt's ring was destroyed... It would stop us having to guess how to do it, stop Harry having to do the same too :lol:

Throw the horcruxes to a dementor, that'd do the job. No idea how it will actually be done though

But they've already destroyed two of the horcruxes, right? And they didn't really seem like acts of love. Harry puts a basilisk fang through Tom's diary, and RAB got the locket by drinking a potion that makes you relive some way bad memories.

Ahh, but the only reason Harry was there in the first place was to protect Ginny. He willingly chose to sacrifice himself to try to save her. That is a sacrifice of love.

I thought that chucking the horcruxes through the veil would be the solution. But then, why didn't Dumbledore think of it, why did he destroy the ring the stupid way and got hit by this curse?

Harry will have to magically release the parts of Voldemorts soul and vanquish the whole Voldemort. Will the released pieces zip back to Voldemort and unscar him?

Once all the horcruxes have been destroyed, the rebounded curse with which Voldemort tried to kill Harry, will come into full effect on Voldemort, as he is whole again. At least that will vanquish Voldemort without Harry having to kill him.

There is definitely no set way to destoy a horcrux. Remember, when Dumbledore destroyed the horcrux in the ring his hand was injured, but when Harry destroyed the diary he sustained no such injury. This lead me to believe that the way horcruxes are destroyed/ the retribution for doing so depends on what the horcrux is and who's sould is contained in it.

How to destroy the Horcrux probably depends on the enchantments placed on it. I suspect that Voldemort's protective enchantments have gotten more deadly and dangerous with each Horcrux he created.

But I rather like the idea of chucking them through the veil. There is that handy dandy locked love room in the DoM., too.

My idealistic climax wouldn't have Harry AK'ing Voldemort, but having Wormtail, GoodSnape, or another pivotal adult character kill him. I also believe that love will play a part in his murder.


I think that is a good point. Harry will *try * to perfom AK but won't and I think Snape will jump in. I know that Wormtail is now bound to Harry because Harry saved his life but I don't think that extends to destroying his master for him.

But of course, Harry has to destroy all of the other Horcruxes first or all of this would be for naught. The other Horcruxes will be the puzzle, as we have mentioned. This, I think, is where Harry will need some help. He does pretty well in a tight corner but it would seem from Dumbledore's injury at the destruction of the ring horcrux that he wil need some very powerful help.

There are two problems that arise from HBP. First of all Harry doesn't know how to destroy a horocrux without piercing it with a basilisk fang. Dumbledore never tells him how to so how will Harry know how to destroy them presuming he finds the horocruxes? I bet it requires quite a bit of magic. Secondly the problem with the last horocrux in Voldemort is that Harry is pure of heart and all that soo he can't use the unforgivable curses. Thats why they fail on Bellatrix. He can't cause her pain but hes supposed to kill one of the most powerful wizards ever. Sure he has anger but I thought you had to want to cause pain and like it. Harry just wants revenge on him and snape so how's he gonna do it?

If it doesn't have to be a freshly killed basalisk fang, then Harry knows where to get more :eyebrows:

Hmm.. well I wouldn't think that Harry can't figure out how to destroy a Horcrux. It seems like the heaviest enchantments are placed on the actual obstacles to obtain the Horcrux, not destroy it. I was under the impression that Dumbledore had injured his hand through an enchantment guarding the Horcrux, and that all you had to do to destroy the soul inside was to destroy the object completely. This is why I don't think that the veil would work. Because although the Horcruz wouldn't be in this world anymore, it would never have been destroyed.

Interesting things these Horcruxes are......Anyway, what if Harry can only destroy the Horcruxes unharmed because he is the one that is meant to kill the Dark Lord. Somewhat like the prophesy orb that only Harry, LV, and Neville can touch. The ring was an object and could obviously be destroyed so that is why DD could destroy it but not without harm.

No, I think Harry is going to have an easy time destroying horcruxes because he is "The Chosen One". All that means is the prophecy saw a future where Harry can kill Voldemort. He has no special rights or powers given to him by virtue of being the subject of the prophecy. Some powers have been transferred to him because Voldemort chose him, but that will not include the ability to destroy horcruxes. Other than Harry's window into Voldemort's mind and Parseltongue, I don't think Harry has special powers. Harry does have the love power that the Dark Lord knows not, but that should help him in his final battle with Voldemort.

I think the Sword of Gryffindor deserves a closer look. Don't forget, when the basilisk fang broke off, Harry had just at that very moment stabbed the snake with the sword. Is it possible some power from the sword was transferred through the fang or it's venom that allowed Harry to destroy the diary (or at least the soul fragment within it)?

As for the ring, we know it had a crack in it, and that it was no longer a Horcrux. I think it's possible that Dumbledore struck the ring with the sword, which was kept in his office, causing the crack and eliminating the soul fragment. As for his injuries, I believe that was a protective curse, but that's another thread.

I think, if I'm right, it's entirely possible that the Sword of Griffindor could be the ultimate weapon Harry needs to destroy all the Horcruxes, and in the end, Voldemort himself.

Also, do we know if Harry is directly descended from Godric Gryffindor? Dumbledore said that "only a true Gryffindor" could have pulled the sword from the Sorting Hat. He may have meant more by that than just Harry's place in the house. If Harry is a direct descendant, JKR could be setting up the ultimate, final battle between the heirs of Slytherin and Gryffindor.

I think it was more the Basilisk's power that destroyed the diary then some transferrance of power from the sword. Harry descendant of Gryffindor... That is possible. Harry's dad was a powerful pureblood so he might have been descended from Godric. That would make the ultimate showdown. Heir of Salazar Slytherin versus Heir of Godric Gryffindor.

As for the actual destruction of the Horcruxes themselves.. I think that an Order member will help Harry with that or maybe Snape.

The ULTIMATE Guide to Destroying Horcruxes
-------------------------------------------
1) Use the Reductor Curse
Effectiveness: Theoretically Reliable [blowing up the Horcrux]
In Depth Analysis: The Reductor Curse is used to blow things up. Harry used it to blow up a small hole in the Triwizard Maze.

2) Using an extremely lethal weapon (sword, poison fang)
Effectiveness: Reliable [as shown in CoS]
In Depth Analysis: The sword of Gryffindor is believed to hold powers to destroy Horcruxes -- if all else fails.

3) Using the AK spell
Effectiveness: Theoretically Unreliable [AK destroys lifeforms, not chunks of soul]
In Depth Analysis: AK is used to kill, not destroy... but what if it works?

4) Using an Unknown Spell
Effectiveness: Unknown
In Depth Analysis: Maybe Snape will help, with another invented spell, but I doubt Harry will accept Snape's help.

k so i've decided that arithmancy might play a bigger deal with the (assumedly) more powerful horcruxes. according to JKR's new wizard of the month, the person is responsible for coming up with why seven is the most powerful magical number and they were an arithmanthicist.

hermione loves arithmancy.

could this help the destruction of the seven pieces of voldy's soul?

I've also read (prob. somewhere on this site) that sectumsempra may be related to destroying horcruxes, especially since it seems to split things apart (as the ring was cracked apart after DD destroyed it).

When I finished reading HBP, I had the same question about how horcruxes could be systematically destroyed. I agree with those who say that they must each be destroyed according to the magic placed upon them individually, but I also think Harry has an edge. I don't have a copy of CoS on hand, but I believe when he destroyed the diary JKR wrote something about him moving instinctively, as if he had always known what to do. In HBP, Harry knows that the only way to give water to DD in the cave is to dip the goblet in the lake; JKR writes, "Harry knew, instinctively, the only way left to get water, because Voldemort had planned it so" (US Ed 574). There's something to Harry's "instinct" in these two horcrux scenes, I think. It must be related to what LV transferred to him when he created his scar, whether that be an incidental transfer or Harry turns out to be a horcrux himself. Either way, it seems like Harry's connection to LV may make him especially skilled at destroying LV's soul bits.

Any thoughts?

Harry has good instincts period. He's always known what to do in an emergency or under pressure. It's one of his strengths.

ComicBookWorm, I agree that that's one of his general strengths (although I take issue with the "always" - he's definitely made huge mistakes based on instinct), but I also think the wording is curious in its suggestion that Harry knew instinctively that Voldemort "had planned it so." It reads as if he is thinking the way Voldemort would think, which makes sense given the connection between the two of them (window into his mind, etc.) throughout the novels. While I don't think this is a "special power" in the way that the ability to transfigure things or cast spells ia a power, I think there is something about Harry's particular insight into Voldemort's way of thinking that will help him undo what Voldemort has done.

ComicBookWorm, I agree that that's one of his general strengths (although I take issue with the "always" - he's definitely made huge mistakes based on instinct), but I also think the wording is curious in its suggestion that Harry knew instinctively that Voldemort "had planned it so." It reads as if he is thinking the way Voldemort would think, which makes sense given the connection between the two of them (window into his mind, etc.) throughout the novels. While I don't think this is a "special power" in the way that the ability to transfigure things or cast spells ia a power, I think there is something about Harry's particular insight into Voldemort's way of thinking that will help him undo what Voldemort has done.
The only mistake I can think of is going to the DoM for Sirius. Harry has great instincts in an emergency. When he thinks about things too much, he can either overthink them or come to the wrong conclusion. But under pressure, he seems to know exactly what he needs to do to survive.

I thought that chucking the horcruxes through the veil would be the solution. But then, why didn't Dumbledore think of it, why did he destroy the ring the stupid way and got hit by this curse?
No, the curse guarding the ring is what got Dumbledore. Once they get the Horcruxes themselves, it's easy going from there. No one got hurt holding the Diary, as was pointed out already.

So the real challenge becomes what to do about the traps around the Horcruxes. I think Harry will have an easy time of it because of his insight into Voldemort's mind. He knows enough of his past that he'll figure it out. I think I have already:

Voldemort set the cave up so that if he decided to have a trip down memory lane, by kidnapping a Muggle orphan and dragging them to the cave, it would be easy going for him. He would use their blood to open the door, and make them drink the potion. My theory is that all the traps around the Horcruxes will be set up so they relate to Voldemort's life when he first visited those places. Harry knows the Dark Lord's past, and will see this. He won't go as far as sacrificing Muggle children, but he will understand how Voldemort set up his defences and hopefully will figure out other ways to get past them.

Anyone ever think that there will be more than 7 horcruxes ?

let's think if LV found out that 3 of his horcruxes are destroyed, he will make 3 more
well at least he will know that one of his horcrux is destroyed (the diary) from Lucious Malfoy don't u think he will assume that his horcruxes are now 6, therefore he will need to make another horcrux to make it 7 again ?

Maybe you can only make so many. Seven was really pushing it to begin with.

I mean
LV obviously know that he lost one of his horcrux from the diary
so why dont he make another one to make it 7 again ?
after all if u can divide ur soul into 2, and he can divide his soul into 7
then he can divide the soul that he own now into 2 again to make the total horcrux 7 again

There might not be enough soul left for him to divide up. If he could keep making horcruxes indefinitely, then he could not be killed. Also, he may have done some special magic to divide his soul into seven pieces. That probably can't be reproduced.

Yes, I think (hope) Jo will include that in her next FAQ poll (why can't Voldemort make more Horcruxes.) Maybe 7 is a magical number because it also happens to be the magical limit on the number of fragments a soul can be divided into.

Actually, what really worries me is that Harry and Dumbledore are assuming that Horcruxes are the only thing he is using and will ever use. If Voldemort knows that Harry is systematically eliminating the things that keep him immortal, then he will move the last remaining ones, and invent a new plan. There's nothing to prevent him from finding other methods to stay immortal, Harry's blood has made him "invincible", according to Snape (it may not work, since Voldemort doesn't understand love, but he did use Harry's blood because he thought it would work.)

Anyway, back on topic, if Harry eliminates all 6 Horcruxes, is Voldemort still immortal? Would he die of old age? Since his body is two years old, that may take a long time. He did age anyway, after graduating from Hogwarts, so he may have used other methods to stop the ageing process (no use being immortal inside an old broken-down body.)

Anyway, back on topic, if Harry eliminates all 6 Horcruxes, is Voldemort still immortal?I believe Dumbledore said that once all of the horcruxes were destroyed, Voldemort would be reduced to a mortal human being with an extremely mutilated soul (since he'd have only one more piece of it left). So once Harry can destroy all of the horcruxes, the last piece of Voldemort's soul that he'll have to destroy will be the one that resides in his body. I just hope that Voldemort won't discover what Harry is up to.

Does anyone think that with the destruction of certain horcruxes, Voldemort might feel it, especially if the horcrux was made fairly recently or if it was a particularly important horcrux? Dumbledore says that Voldemort couldn't feel the destruction of the diary because that part of his soul had been broken away from him so long ago, but what about any horcrux that Voldemort created recently, like Nagini? I wonder what Voldemort would feel if he sensed the destruction of a horcrux.

Nagini will probably be the last horcrux that harry will destroy, and will probably be killed just before Harry and Voldemort have thier last fight, so it won't really matter as much if Voldemort detects that horcrux destruction.

Also, the killing curse may be the fastest and most efficient way of killing someone, but I doubt that there are many other ways to kill someone.

Hasn't Harry already killed? What about Quirrell, I know he didn't really mean to, but through the protection in his blood, he killed Quirrell.

So Harry may not have to be able to do an unforgivable curse. I know Voldemort can now stand being touched by Harry, but he still can't possess him or anything.

I am hoping that Harry will be able to get rid of VOldemort by some other means than an Unforgivable Curse

But even if he did have to use Avada Kedavra, I don't think the ministry would mind that much! It's Voldemort!

I think each Horcrux would be hidden in its own precious (to voldemort) spot and each one also protected in its own unique way.

I was also thinking a Horcrux that is an animal and/or person the way to destroy it or at least extract it(the soul) could be done by something along the lines of an exorcism. I mean isn't that what an exorcism is, the extraction of an evil spirit, which in essence would be a soul? well, my theory anyway.
And on that note, once you extract that piece of soul, does it just die if it doesn't go straight into its rightful owner or do you have to "kill" that piece of soul? It seems to me you would have to kill it, I mean if it can maintain it's power even in an inanimate object, surely it could live freely in the air as Voldy did after trying to AK baby Harry.

I am assuming that to destroy a horcrux is the same as murdering the soul inside a person. Therefor, avada kadavra could be used ect. I think (not sure) it mentions somewhere that DD got his injuries when he was trying to break through the enchantments gaurding it. I think harry will have problems with that not the actual horcrux itself.

It seems that getting the Horcruxes is going to be the hard part, and destroying it may actually be easier.

Do we know that Dumbeldore sustained his injury from getting through all the enchantments surrounding the Horcrux, or from destroying it?

Perhaps you only have to destroy the object, to break it in someway, and that will destroy the part of Voldemort's sould.

Harry destroys the diary by putting the poinsonous fang through it. I wonder if just piercing it with anything (such as a knife) would have destroyed it too.

The ring had a large crack in it, and although we don't know how that crack was made, it was a brocken object, like the diary was broken.

So maybe that's all you have to do to destroy it, just break it in someway, and this will not only "destroy" the object by breaking it, but destroy the piece of soul inside.

I think there are two ways you can destroy a horcrux

A)destroy the object or being the piece of soul is residing in

B)use a specific spell to extract and destroy only the soul (this is likely what DD did to the ring) which does not destroy the object but does damage it.

I reckon Harry should get Slughorn to make him lots of Felicis somethingorother (the lucky potion), he could put himself on a drip and have Ron or Hermione running behind him holding the bag of it ... heh.

I'm sure that would be helpful.

Dumbledore hurt himself trying to destroy the ring because he was wearing it. I'm sure when he realisd what it was, the ring had already tried to 'lure' Dumbledore or steal his body. That's what happened with Ginny and the diary, but it was easy to get rid of. I think as long as you don't become close to the object with the soul within, but destroy it immediatly, you'll be ok.

If you used the veil to destroy a horcrux, I'm not sure if it would work. Since we don't really know what the veil does, it's hard to know what would happened if you threw a horcrux behind it. Harry and Luna heard voices so maybe there's still part of the person left? In that case it might not completly destroy Voldemort's soul.

Previously posted in a now locked thread...

We don't know how difficult it is to destroy Horcruxes, really. We only know how one of them has been destroyed and the circumstances there were extraneous. For all we know, the Horcrux might have been destroyed if someone set it on fire.

What we DO know indicates that two of them (ring and locket) are exceedingly difficult to OBTAIN for someone who doesn't know how they're protected. We know little about what it takes to destroy the soul within one that hasn't spawned a spirit version of Voldemort.

JKR introduced three things which can rip souls from bodies. First the Avade kedavra curse. Second, dementors. Third, the veil -ok soul isn't ripped from the body- but it's passed to the afterlife. I think that Harry will use each of these things once (and not on Voldemort). I think he will use AK on Nagini not Voldemort. I think he will be attacked by dementors while attempting to destroy a second horcrux and the horcrux will be accidentally destroyed that way - this would possibly be the locket as it is now out and about in the world. Another horcrux - possibly the unknown one - will be destroyed by the veil - I think Hermione will come up with this idea.

By the way - on a slightly unrelated note - I think the reason that LV can so easily control the dementors and they don't just turn on him and try to suck his soul is that he has so little soul left that they won't even bother with it.

A question I have is: what power does the number 7 have that caused LV to create 7 horcruxes? If there is some power, it may not be as simple as Harry discovering the horcruxes and throwing them through the veil or destroying them by other means. What magical properties will he need to discover and overcome? That is not told.......

I have always wondered why we are repeatedly told that Hermione takes Arithmancy as a subject. This is where it might come handy. Also ancient runes. Perhaps there will be some text on how to destroy the horcruxes that only she can read.

So many questions, so few answers...........

so...

how exactly would a person destroy a horcrux? harry has to do it a bunch of times in the next book, but so far no one's been too concerned with how.

also, does the method of destruction change for each different object that the horcrux is? i.e. if it were a person or living thing, would it have to killed? and with an object such as the locket; you can't kill a locket, so how would one penetrate it?

hopefully harry, along with hermione the human dewey decimal system, will do some research and figure it out.

I think you just phixscally destroy it remeber the diary harry did even use magic he just stuck the fang of the basilisk right threw and everyone celabrated maybe you bring it to mordor and cast it into the flames of mount doom i don't think there is any type of special magic you use

I think Harry may have to use different methods on each Horcrux in order to destroy them. By this i mean that each object (horcrux) will have specific properties, which will lead to specific methods of destruction. The bassilk fang destroyed the diary and the fragment of Voldemorts soul precisely because the fang broke through the pages, and the posion killed the fragment of soul that resided in the book.

It's possible that horcruxes are easy to destroy - but they are protected by horrible curses and protections. If they were really difficult to destroy, they wouldn't need to be protected. It seems like Dumbledore's hand was caused by touching the ring, not destroying the horcrux. If that is the case, Harry actually doesn't have that hard a job because Nagini is probably only protected by his proximity to Voldemort (yeah....only :D ) and the locket has already been removed from the protections. That leaves only the cup and the mystery object. One of them is probably in the Chamber of Secrets and since Voldemort is supposed to be the only one capable of getting in, he may not have added extra curses. So Harry probably only has to defeat a single curse. This could be where either Snape or Wormtail help out. This is pure speculation, but it makes some sense.

We don't know how difficult it is to destroy Horcruxes, really. We only know how one of them has been destroyed and the circumstances there were extraneous. For all we know, the Horcrux might have been destroyed if someone set it on fire.

No way, they tried to flush the Diary. That would destory a normal book, but only the Powerful Dark Magic from the Basilisk could kill the Diary in the end.

I agree with RemusLupinFan, that Voldemort should eventually notice that bits of his soul are no longer on Earth. Especially when Harry's only got one or two left to destroy. But by then it will be too late. Voldemort originally planned on wearing his Horcruxes everywhere, instead he locked them up.

I know there's little evidence, but think about it. Voldemort wants powerful artefacts from the founders, with hidden magical abilities. He found the Ring, and wore it everywhere. I figure he wanted to make a Horcrux out of it so he would have a Horcrux on himself (so he would always know that it's working) that would also be protected by the Ring's ancient magical powers, (powers which would also help the bearer of said ring) not to mention his own magical skills. Then he makes the Horcrux, and suddenly it's hidden in a shack. Same goes for the Locket.

I think that he grew to hate the Horcruxes, they remind him of his mortality, they remind him that he is completely dependent on them for survival. So he hid them, and didn't look back. So don't expect him to figure out Harry's plans any time soon. If he really wanted to check on them regularly, he would keep them in sight. The only way he'll figure it out is if he is told that the Horcruxes have gone missing, he probably won't check them himself. And he won't trust his Death Eaters to check them either.

It's possible that horcruxes are easy to destroy - but they are protected by horrible curses and protections. If they were really difficult to destroy, they wouldn't need to be protected.That could be true, but I doubt there would be an easy way to remove the piece of soul without severely damaging the object, especially since the two destroyed horcruxes we've seen so far had to be damaged beyond repair (especially the diary).

I think that he grew to hate the Horcruxes, they remind him of his mortality, they remind him that he is completely dependent on them for survival.I think you're absolutely right - Voldemort would hate to be reminded that without these horcruxes, he'd just be like any other ordinary mortal man, and that's something Voldemort hates, along with the fact that he's dependent on the horcruxes for his immortality. It's like Gollum and the ring (if I may make a comparison): Gandalf says (in the movie, I'm not sure who says it in the book) that he "loves and hates the ring, as he loves and hates himself". So I think there's a parallel there.

Most of the objects that Voldemort chose to encase his Horcruxes had magical properties of their own before Voldemort got his hands on them. I wonder of these magic properties can be used to the Horcrux-destroyer's advantage?

Diary
No magic powers to start with, being purchased from a Muggle newsagent. The powers put in it allowed the person it was possessing to open the Chamber of Secrets and control the basilisk. Presumably the idea was that the basilisk would kill anyone who threatened the Horcrux. In the end, without knowing it, Harry did turn the diary's power to his advantage (aided by a Gryffindor object significantly) by destroying the Horcrux with the basilisk's fang - very ironic. Looks like Lockhart wasn't the only one who was impaled on his own sword that day.

Ring and Locket
If they belonged to Slytherin they were bound to have nasty curses protecting them, see Dumbledore's hand for details. If the locket Horcrux wasn't destroyed, perhaps the Slytherin trait of Parseltongue can come in useful again (or maybe Harry can find another basilisk fang).

Cup
Helga Hufflepuff doesn't seem the sort of witch to go in for nasty curses to protect her possessions, although Hepzibah Smith did mention the cup had magic powers attributed to it. Her values seem to be loyalty, fairness and hard work. I don't know how these are going to help evict a piece of Voldemort's soul though.

Object of Ravenclaw's or Gryffindor's
Ravenclaw's possession is likely to be an intelligence test (Hermione could come in here), while Gryffindor would protect something of his with a test of courage. As it is more likely to be a Ravenclaw object, I hope Hermione has worked her way through the Hogwarts library.

Snake
Nagini can probably protect herself with her rib-crunching bite and her venom that causes prolonged bleeding. Luckily the Healers at St Mungo's seem to have worked out how to counteract the venom.

I think the protections around the remaining Horcruxes will be formidable, due to the nature of Voldemorts mind and his knowledge of magic. Once you have a Horcrux it is probably easy to destroy the soul inside the object. However Rowling never really makes things easy for Harry. Harry only usually sees ways past problems when he is in a life or death situation. They seem to clear his mind and makes him focus on the tasks at hand. Each of the books thus far have been a bit of training for Harry.

Book 1: Fighting past magical protections surrounding an object - similar to the protections around the fake Horcrux, but seeped in Dark Magic, rather than Dumbledores effective but rather simple way of protecting the stone.

Book 2: The destruction of the diary in the Chamber of secrets, Harry fights and kills the king of all serpents (the Basslisk), preparing him for fighting Nigini. Harry also learns how to destroy a Horcrux through instinct.

Book 3: Learning some vital lessons about loved ones who are dead. Binding Wormtail to a life debt. Also learning about the dangers of time travel. Also learns of Prophecy's and the reasons why it was not his fault that Wormtail escaped.

Book 4: The Triwizard tournament, Harry learns more DADA spells. He also learns how to get past many different magical challenges and survive, which will put him in good shape the horcruxes protections. His first experince of having a real wizarding Duel, he has learned vital lessons about fighting other Wizards.

Book 5: Goes through an emotional upheavel which enables him to mature. Witnesses first hand at exactly how Voldemort fights against a much better wizard, in this case Dumbledore. Who showed Harry how to get the better of Voldemort in a fight. Which lead to Harry learning how to open his heart about the loved ones he has lost ie sirius and drive Voldemort out of himself. Harry also learns the contents of the prophecy from Dumbledore, the first part of the knowledge that will give him a fighting chance to defeat Voldemort.

Book 6: Is the book where Harry finally realises that he is on his own in terms of having the likes of Dumbledore there to protect him, but also armed the knowledge that he does not have to follow the prophecy unlike Voldemort who probably will, once he learns of it's full contents. He also learns about what he has to do in order to defeat Voldemort ie the horcruxes. I think there are probably a few more peices of information that Harry needs to know in order to defeat Voldemort, most likely information about his mother Lilly Potter.

Dumbledore has been preparing Harry for what he must face since Harry's first day at Hogwarts, though through an indirect route, as some lessons need to experinced, not taught about from a book etc. Harry has all the skills he needs to find and destroy the Horcruxes. He also knows spells which will help him destroy Horcruxes and ones that can help survive duels with Death Eaters and finally Voldemort. The only skills Harry lack are those of not being able to cast non verbal skills and to close his mind so his enemys cannot predict his next move.

The thing that gets me is Moody is said to have apprehended and KILLED quite a few number of Death Eaters back in the day. If Moody wasn't using AK, then what did he use to kill Death Eaters with? We are never really given the names of any "harming" spells except for Sectum Sempra. There's got to be something better than a stunning spell, because Moody has killed Death Eaters before.

Well thats fairly easy i guess. The Spell that Dumbledore used on Voldemort seems likely that it could kill, the spell which Voldemort had to deflect with a shield charm. There are also any number of posions that one could use to kill other wizards without the need for the AK curse.
In fact the Death Eaters killed bode with devil's snare. So although the AK curse is the most efficent means of killing, there are other methods. And i believe Moody may well have used the AK curse at some point in his lifetime against a death eater. Ethier kill or be killed.
Moody could be of help to Harry if he needs to learn how to use deadly spells. Just a thought. Though i believe a few Death Eaters will most likely go after Moody and kill him. Or Voldemort will personally.

There is a thread about hero-stories in which it is said that a common theme is the hero on his quest helping others, both animal and human, and then in the end getting special help from those he helped. I would hate to see Harry AK'ing Nagini, but if Harry came across the boa constrictor he released in PS and got its help in a snake-to-snake battle, that would be a really cool scene. Constrictor-type snakes, as I recall, often hunt other snakes, poisonous or not (I think the scales help protect them from the fangs).

I thought that chucking the horcruxes through the veil would be the solution. But then, why didn't Dumbledore think of it, why did he destroy the ring the stupid way and got hit by this curse?
Harry will have to magically release the parts of Voldemorts soul and vanquish the whole Voldemort. Will the released pieces zip back to Voldemort and unscar him?
Once all the horcruxes have been destroyed, the rebounded curse with which Voldemort tried to kill Harry, will come into full effect on Voldemort, as he is whole again. At least that will vanquish Voldemort without Harry having to kill him.

I've had some similar thoughts, and also considered what Dumbledore said to Voldemort at MoM in OotP about about there being other ways to destroy a man. What if there is some way that Harry could use the soul fragmants to restore Tom Riddle, in effect destroying Voldemort? As theories go it needs some work, how would Harry get the fragments from the already destroyed horcruxes, what would keep Tom from going back to Voldemort...

Voldemort will still be evil even if his soulpieces are restored, so the only way the wizarding world will be safe and certain he won't threaten them in the future is to kill him once and for all.

There is a thread about hero-stories in which it is said that a common theme is the hero on his quest helping others, both animal and human, and then in the end getting special help from those he helped. I would hate to see Harry AK'ing Nagini, but if Harry came across the boa constrictor he released in PS and got its help in a snake-to-snake battle, that would be a really cool scene. Constrictor-type snakes, as I recall, often hunt other snakes, poisonous or not (I think the scales help protect them from the fangs).
I pictured a similar confrontation. Great minds...

Here's my two cents on destruction of horcruxes.

Its interesting that Harry was able to destroy a horcrux without suffering any sort of permanent damage in CoS. Going through the paragraph again, it seems that he made the conncetion between the fang, venom and the diary in an instant, and then proceeded to stab the diary with the fang.

How did Harry make that connection? His spontaneous reaction to events have later saved his life on many occasions, Like the patronus in PoA when he realises that it was he who'd created a patronus. Or the graveyard scene in GoF, where there was a voice in his head telling him to not break the connection, and to push the beads back. In OoTP, he got the idea of using Wingardium Levios on the brains immediately, without thinking.

In all these situations, there seems to be someone or something that tells Harry to do what he's supposed to do. If so, these 'guardians', for lack of a better word, will help Harry figure out a way of destroying them, like they did with the diary.

There is a thread about hero-stories in which it is said that a common theme is the hero on his quest helping others, both animal and human, and then in the end getting special help from those he helped. I would hate to see Harry AK'ing Nagini, but if Harry came across the boa constrictor he released in PS and got its help in a snake-to-snake battle, that would be a really cool scene. Constrictor-type snakes, as I recall, often hunt other snakes, poisonous or not (I think the scales help protect them from the fangs).
A bit farfetched, considering that snake would have been wandering around England for almost eight years (can snakes even live that long?) unnoticed by anyone (especially the zoo authorities, who should be responsible for recapturing her) somehow surviving in the harsh British climate. Then it would be drawn to Nagini at that magical hour to eat her so Harry doesn't have to kill Nagini himself (or have Ron and Hermione do it.) I would be shocked if this did play out.

Then again, Jo thought the boa came from Brazil, winked at Harry, and could hear him. Boa constrictors don't come from Brazil (which is why it was changed to Burma for the movie, one of the changes I'm glad they did) snakes can't wink or blink since they have no eyelids, and they can't hear since they have no ears. So considering how much Jo knows about snakes, it is possible.

I dont know if this was already said but why wouldnt Harry go to Bill for help considering hes a curse breaker for gringotts and he would probably have at least some knowledge of horocrux's from all the research he has done on curses and how to reverse them.

Then again, Jo thought the boa came from Brazil, winked at Harry, and could hear him. Boa constrictors don't come from Brazil (which is why it was changed to Burma for the movie, one of the changes I'm glad they did) snakes can't wink or blink since they have no eyelids, and they can't hear since they have no ears. So considering how much Jo knows about snakes, it is possible.
Boa constrictors most definitely do come from Brazil (and much of the rest of Central and South America). They can't wink nor hear airborne noise though. The snake in the film was changed to a Burmese Python - I expect they're easier to handle or something.

Why doesn't Harry just buy or summon a small army of mongooses and bewitch them to hunt and kill Nagini :evil: ?

maybe if harry just threw all of the objects through the veil, they could be destroyed that way

that is some good thinking. it would suck if it didnt work. you couldnt get it back. i think it must work, i think if any (i dont really want to say living) "living" soul (or part of one) went through it, since it is a transport to the land of the dead then it should kill anything that went through it.

but then again i dont really think that horcruxs would come under the heading "living". i am really confusing myself

About the locket: Since the Chamber of Secrets was opened by speaking Parseltounge to the fixture with the engraved S shaped snake, wouldn't the locket open the same way?

About the locket: Since the Chamber of Secrets was opened by speaking Parseltounge to the fixture with the engraved S shaped snake, wouldn't the locket open the same way?

interesting, very good theory. But why would they want to open it? they would just want to destroy it.

Perhaps to destroy the locket Harry will have to first open it, then destroy through magical means or melt the locket down in a furnace. I think each horcrux has a specific method of destruction. The Diary was simple enough ie bassilik fang through the paper into the heart of the book, which contained part of Voldemorts soul.

I think that Dumbledore's death, though obvious and necessary came a bit too quickly. Harry may have learned about the horcruxes but there are a few things he never learned. Where the horcruxes might be and how to destroy them. We know of three people who have succesfully found and (tried to) destory(ed) a horcrux, Dumbledore, Harry and R.A.B. (Regulus Arcturus Black?, Borgin of Borgin and Burkes?). Dumbledore we know found two horcruxes and destroyed one of them. Harry both accidently found and destroyed one and R.A.B. found one and may have learned how to or actually destoryed one. Unfortunately Harry does not actually know how to destroy a horcrux other than by sticking a basilisk fang into it, which I doubt there are many of lying around. That is why I believe Harry will need someone to help him a little, to learn how to find and destroy horcruxes but still do it on his own. The whole purpose of Dumbledore's death of course was so that Harry would complete his final mission on his own. I definately believe that Dumbledore will be coming back in some form but not in enough time to help Harry, so who will help him?:

- Ron and Hermione? Despite all Hermione's scholarly knowledge and research abilities I don't think that she will ever be able to find out anything about horcruxes from her resources. And Ron, as loyal and brave as he is, can't really help here.

- Dumbledore? As I mentioned, while he will definately be coming back the whole purpose of his death was so that he would not help Harry in his final task. So, no.

- McGonagall? Harry has seemed to have trouble confiding in her and as never really meshed with her. Considering that Harry wouldn't even tell her about the Horcruxes I don't see her as much help.

- Slughorn? This actually seems likely to me. If Harry returns to Hogwarts Slughorn will most likely be there in light of recent events as Head of Syltherin. He knows the most about horcruxes other than Dumbledore (who is temporarily dead) and the mysterious, unrevealed R.A.B. (oh and Voldy of course, but I don't see him helping Harry destroy the bits of his soul). But considering how reluctant Slughorn was to even show that he had suggested the idea of horcruxes to LV and Harry had to use his felix felicis on it I don't think he will help. Although this brings up an interesting point. Why was Slughorn so reluctant to reveal his memory? How did he know that that was LV's secret? Maybe I'm looking to much into it and he just assumed when Dumbledore asked him for it, but then again how did Dumbledore know about that conversation? Possibly because Tom was Slughorn's favorite student so Dumbledore asked Slughorn for all his memories of Tom? Alas, I digress...moving on.

- My final guess is R.A.B., we will definately find out who he is in Book 7 and I think that Dumbledore also knew about him and who he was so (that of course is the all-knowing Dumbledore, who predicted his own death, who knew all along about R.A.B. and the fake horcrux) if Harry does return back to Hogwarts for his final year (which I think he will) R.A.B., if its not Regulus, or if its Regulus in disguise, or if it is probably someone we don't know, or someone we know in disguise, will be his DADA teacher. Dumbledore will either from his portrait or have left a little note telling McGonagall to hire him. Harry will need someone, who may not be able to come with him, but someone to help him find and learn how to destroy the horcruxes. I think that R.A.B. will help Harry through his DADA lessons in the 7th book with Harry, Ron and Hermione constantly darting out from school to locate a new horcrux and destroy it, like Dumbledore did in HBP. Also, considering that both the ring and the diary survived despite the removal of Voldemort's soul if Harry learns how to destroy a horcrux and assuming he is one he will learn how to extract his own soul from his body or scar without killing himself. A bit long, and maybe a bit unlikely but that's my theory.

Or he could use the Dementors kiss, we know that removes souls from vessels.

The veil is another possibility although i dont see Harry darting into the DoM to chuck items through the veil without someone seeing him or realising what he is upto.

Personally, i think its to do with the state of the object, the diary as we know was physically pieced, maybe DD cracked the stone set into the ring, thus physically harming the object and releasing the contained soul.

Until we get more info, our theories are just gonna be getting as unlikely as the next.

How does one destroy a Horcrux?

This is the thousand dollar question. I can imagine Harry finding all the horcruxes but not knowing what to do with them. Dumbledore was the one who destroyed one, so maybe his painting knows. Snape stopped the curse, so maybe he knows. If I was Harry, and I had one in my possession, I'd ask Dumbledore's painting first, then consult Bill, who's a curse breaker. This could be one of the conflicts in the next book: Ron goes with Harry, but resents that Harry has to go to Ron's older brother(s) for help.

I think that destroying a HX is a matter of destroying the object, By any means, but before you go onto destroying the HX you need to remove all the curses VM has put in place. I mean, with the diary, had the situation been different, harry would've been able to burn, tore, shred, etc the diary and get the same results. But since he was in the CoS wandless and with only a fang to try and do something, this is how the diary was destroyed.

Same thing with the ring, Dumbledore probably got a sludge hammer and busted it until the stone broke, meaning that the stone was the HX. not the entire ring. But in the process he got cought by one of the curses VM had placed to protect the thing.

When we talk about the locket, I fell that the thing has to be opened and that there will be something inside that's the actual HX that needs to be destroyed, and somehow I think that the locket will only open if Harry asks nicely *in parselmouth*.

The cup might be tricky, since is rough out of gold, maybe it will require a re-melting, or something like that.

It will be interesting to see how, in the founders object, the ancient magic plays a role in avoiding the object to be destroyed.

- Slughorn? This actually seems likely to me. If Harry returns to Hogwarts Slughorn will most likely be there in light of recent events as Head of Syltherin. He knows the most about horcruxes other than Dumbledore (who is temporarily dead) and the mysterious, unrevealed R.A.B. (oh and Voldy of course, but I don't see him helping Harry destroy the bits of his soul). But considering how reluctant Slughorn was to even show that he had suggested the idea of horcruxes to LV and Harry had to use his felix felicis on it I don't think he will help. Although this brings up an interesting point. Why was Slughorn so reluctant to reveal his memory? How did he know that that was LV's secret? Maybe I'm looking to much into it and he just assumed when Dumbledore asked him for it, but then again how did Dumbledore know about that conversation? Possibly because Tom was Slughorn's favorite student so Dumbledore asked Slughorn for all his memories of Tom? Alas, I digress...moving on.

I agree with you and I think Slughorn will be a crucial player in Book 7. As for you questions, I thought up some answers. Slug was reluctant to give up his memory because he was deeply ashamed of it. He felt guilty about telling Tom about Horcruxes because he must have assumed (correctly) that Tom went on learning the spell and killing people for his Horcruxes. Slug is not brave but his guilt plus him being REALLY fond of Lily may push him enough to help, especially if he will not have to face LV directly.

How to destroy a horcrux?
pierce, burn, crush, drown. maybe the opposite of the house that built it

I suppose it depends upon the item. A living Horcrux may have to be killed while an object, well, depends. The diary was impaled:lol:, the ring...who knows what happened to that one. Someone elsewhere mentioned simply getting the locket to open.

What would have to happen to the cup, I wonder?:)

What would have to happen to the cup, I wonder?:)
Just give it to Neville - he always breaks the cups. :lol:

Ah, that's the key to the whole thing. Good job!:tu::rotfl:

Or you could melt the cup down in a magical fire started by Neville.
I think each Horcrux most likely has a slighty different method of destroying the physical item that houses the piece soul, then a similar method for actually destroying that piece of soul. Seeing as it comes from a more or less living being (Voldemort).

I think the plant route might be the way to go for the Cup - there were some poisonous plants mentioned, perhaps one of those could destroy the Horcrux in the same way as the basilisk fang. Hmm: Mimbulus mimbletonia and its 'amazing defensive mechanism'.

personally I'd like Harry to do a little Lord of the Rings impression thus apparating to Mt. Vesuvius and chuck the horcruxes into the lava :D
Actually I think in order to destroy a horcrux you have to physically break it. Slytherin's ring had a long crack in the stone and I guess DD simply broke the stone and thus the spell ended. If the Horcrux is a living thing I think you have to kill it, so I guess we'll see a dead Nagini before long.

There must be an amazing amount of magic to protect a Horcrux. No one is going to incase their soul into an object that can be easily smashed? There are probably counter-charms, counter-magic that must be performed to maybe neutralize or take off that magical protection before the thing could be destroyed. Look at DD hand? He probably though he got all the protections off, but one lingered to cause the damage to him. It is too bad that DD didn't tell Harry what he did? Harry will have to figure it out himself, and the results will not be pretty.

There must be an amazing amount of magic to protect a Horcrux. No one is going to incase their soul into an object that can be easily smashed? There are probably counter-charms, counter-magic that must be performed to maybe neutralize or take off that magical protection before the thing could be destroyed. Look at DD hand? He probably though he got all the protections off, but one lingered to cause the damage to him. It is too bad that DD didn't tell Harry what he did? Harry will have to figure it out himself, and the results will not be pretty.
I don't think that the curse that made DD's hand wither away is part of the Horcrux' innate protection, but it was more like an added bonus placed by Voldemort to destroy anyone trying to steal that part of this soul. I guess the Horcrux itself could be destroyed relatively easy, after all Harry was able to do away with one of them by simply striking it with a poisonous fang.

Well if you take a look at what the bassilisk fang did to the diary then you'll see how a horcrux can be destroyed. The physical act of the fang going into the pages of the diary, destroyed the souls home, and the Bassiliks venom killed the bit of soul that was still tied to the diary. However if Ginny had died then that piece of soul would have been alive in a sense. Vapourmort would have ethier recombined himself with the Riddle that came out of the diary, possessed the diary Riddle in a similar fashion to Nagini or he would have used the diary Riddle to get himself a body etc.

Now from physical charastics of the diary the bassilik fang was ideally suited to destroying the horcrux. As for the cup that has it's own magical powers in addtion to any protections Voldemort has cast around it. That will probably have to be destroyed with the help of Slughorn and the rest of the Professors at Hogwarts.

Or Aberforth may well know a thing or two about Horcruxes. He may not be as brilliant as Albus was, but he probably knows more about his brother than anyone else in the potterverse. The goats thing probably did happen, but provided excellent cover for him ie being the simple brother of the great Albus Dumbledore etc.

The only thing i did notice about aberforth in HBP, was that he drew his cloak around his neck pretty quickly when he saw Harry and co approaching. I wonder if he has bought the locket that may or may not be Slytherins locket. Hrm..... Probably off there.

I don't think that the curse that made DD's hand wither away is part of the Horcrux' innate protection, but it was more like an added bonus placed by Voldemort to destroy anyone trying to steal that part of this soul. I guess the Horcrux itself could be destroyed relatively easy, after all Harry was able to do away with one of them by simply striking it with a poisonous fang.Hmm..good point. However, the poisonous fang was specifically from a Basilisk, which there are not too many of them around. A regular fang from a snake may not have been good enough - same with a regular knife or something. I still think there are protections on each Horcrux. It would be crazy not to protect it. The ring has magic that burned DD hand, and the basin was protected by the potion and Inferi. And that was even before getting to the actual Horcrux (which I expect is the locket).
Kevin mentioned the locket, and I also think it's the same one from Grimmauld place. We know that Mundungus is selling stuff off from Grimmauld. What is one of the easiest things to hide in your robes and that people would actually want to buy? Jewelry. And Dung sold it to Aberforth. So that locket will be a Horcrux. If it is, remember in OotP, is couldn't be opened. So whoever opens it (probably Harry) will be to be very very careful.

Hmm..good point. However, the poisonous fang was specifically from a Basilisk, which there are not too many of them around. A regular fang from a snake may not have been good enough - same with a regular knife or something. I still think there are protections on each Horcrux. It would be crazy not to protect it. The ring has magic that burned DD hand, and the basin was protected by the potion and Inferi. And that was even before getting to the actual Horcrux (which I expect is the locket).
Kevin mentioned the locket, and I also think it's the same one from Grimmauld place. We know that Mundungus is selling stuff off from Grimmauld. What is one of the easiest things to hide in your robes and that people would actually want to buy? Jewelry. And Dung sold it to Aberforth. So that locket will be a Horcrux. If it is, remember in OotP, is couldn't be opened. So whoever opens it (probably Harry) will be to be very very careful.
I can totally see your point, MH, I seriously doubt that you would be able to destroy a horcrux by purely mechanical means, but there needs to be some kind of magic involved.
Also I agree with you that the Horcruxes are well protected what I meant was that a Horcrux doesn't have magical protection on his own. Voldemort will have placed the most insidious spells and curses on the Horcruxes and as we've heard at least the cup and the locket have some magic of their own, but turning something into a Horcrux doesn't give it any specific protection from magic so IMO I think you can destroy a Horcrux with a Reductor Curse (for example)

Our Hero…The Last Remaining Horcrux!!!

By: - Sherin .S. Ghevarghese (HPgenious)

Our long awaited book has finally arrived. Mostly everyone was either ecstatically happy, sad, or even a bit disappointed by it. Well now that it has come and gone, lets get cracking, it’s up to us to come up with the theories for the 7th and final book. I know we are all anxiously waiting to find out what lies in store for our hero and to see what happens next. Well let’s see what evidence our beloved J.K. provides for us.

The answer came to me when I was rereading my copy of the HBP. I remember J.K. Rowling telling us that the 6th and 7th books are Parts 1 and 2 of each other. This is why HBP contained certain clues that were much larger than the other books. So I decided to look at the new info she gave us. One of the most important topics in HBP was about the Horcruxes. This is what we know about them.

There are 7 Horcruxes [U.S version, 503-508]:-
1) Tom Riddle’s Diary
2) Slytherin’s ring
3) Slytherin’s locket
4) Hufflepuff’s cup
5) *unknown* Something that belongs to Ravenclaw or Gryffindor
6) The snake Nagini
7) Voldemort’s body

I knew somehow that J.K., brilliant as she is, will make the remaining, unknown horcrux something that is right under our noses. There are a lot of things that Voldemort could have made in to his horcrux. It could be anything or anyone suspicious, the sorting hat, Hermione’s cat, Filch’s cat or anything else. The only one that stood out was the Hero himself. Harry’s scar should be taken under consideration too. The more I thought about it, I realized how important his scar really is.

1) Through his scar, Harry got Voldemort’s powers such as Parsletongue.
2) The scar transfers Voldemort’s thoughts and feelings directly to Harry.
3) His scar burns every time Voldemort is near. The scar acts like a door bell to warn Harry every time Voldemort is some where close by.
4) There is an obvious link between Voldemort and Harry, not only according to their abilities but also because of their similar childhood.

I then realized exactly how much power it must have required for a little, one year old boy to stop one of the greatest wizards of all time. There had to be a specific reason for this and even though I’m sure Lily’s sacrifice and her love was huge. There had to be something more. Then suddenly it hit me, and at this point it was 4:30 at night and I smiled with exhilaration. Harry had to be the Horcrux! Dumbledore, a reliable source, was the one who concluded that Voldemort would want something that belonged to either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. Remember when Harry didn’t know which house he truly belonged to? He wasn’t sure if he was meant to be in Slytherin or Gryffindor. I believe the whole reason J.K.Rowling made that point stand out in her story was so we could understand the purpose Harry would eventually serve and how Gryffindor relates to him. When he pulled the Gryffindor sword out of the hat, he proved to himself that he indeed belonged in Gryffindor. His “belonging to Gryffindor” was the key point J.K was trying to make. Who ever said that the thing that belongs to Gryffindor had to be something nonliving or an object? It was a person, a person known as Harry Potter.

J.K. gives us evidence that living things can be made into horcruxes too. Voldemort makes the snake Nagini into a horcrux. I believe J.K did that to foreshadow that the remaining horcrux might not be an object at all and to give us a hint that it might be something living. Something that Dumbledore said also struck me. [U.S version, 506] “Well, it is inadvisable to do so,” said Dumbledore, “because to confide a part of your soul to something that can think and move for itself is obviously a risky business…” As I see it, it is obvious through out the books that Harry has dreams and things that don’t quite make sense, so he ignores them as regular dreams, but it is significant because it could be the activity of Voldemort’s soul within him. He feels discomfort of sorts, and he knows how Voldemort is feeling and what he is thinking. Harry and Voldemort are on such opposite sides of the spectrum that it seems odd how Harry wasn’t corrupted by it. Voldemort’s soul, which is clearly evil, being inside Harry, did not corrupt him at all. He still remained good and pure hearted even then. Even if his life was as miserable as Voldemort’s, he still did not turn evil. Dumbledore once said"… It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be!" Good always over comes evil!

The night Voldemort tried to kill Harry; he still had not made the last horcrux. He wanted to make the final horcrux with Harry’s death. He needed to kill someone in order to divide his soul once more to make the final horcrux. When Lily sacrificed herself to save Harry, something powerful was evoked, something he did not know about. Maybe it was because unlike his other victims, she decided to let him kill her willingly. Without knowing, he transferred the last piece of his soul and his powers to Harry. Before the spell could actually kill Harry, I believe his soul was already inside Harry. This is why the spell rebounded on Voldermort instead, leaving Harry with nothing but a scar. I think this is because you can’t kill your own soul, which is why his spell could not kill Harry. Even when the spell reflected back on him, even though his body was completely destroyed, notice that his soul still wasn’t. Even though Voldemort was barely alive, he was still able to live because he could not destroy his own soul.

Well now we know that there is a great possibility that Harry might be the horcrux. I constantly thought about how he would get rid of Voldemort. Then it occurred to me and the answer sounded reasonable, yet sad. The prophesy says that neither can survive while the other lives, well maybe it means that neither could survive. After all how could they? Both of them will certainly do all that it takes to try defend themselves. Voldemort can’t destroy his own soul, but Harry certainly can. The only way Harry can destroy Voldemort would be by killing himself. Since both Harry and Voldemort are horcuxes, I strongly believe that Harry will somehow have to kill himself and Voldemort together.

Dumbledore kept stressing the fact that “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” The facts suggest that it’s all up to Harry and the choice he makes. He already knows that Voldemort isn’t going to back down so it’s his decision to either run or fight. Harry himself said that, when Dumbledore was killed, his final and greatest protection was destroyed. [U.S version, 645] Harry has proven to be brave and courageous on various occasions. Yet in my opinion, this last battle will truly be the greatest test of his bravery and he alone must face it. In the 5th book, he had Dumbledore to save him, but this time his protection is gone. He must do this by himself. I believe that he will make the choice of sacrificing himself, if it means saving everyone else from harm. And when he does, he will truly prove that he alone won against Voldemort. He alone paid the greatest price. No one could then say that it was because of someone else’s help he succeeded. He alone will get all the glory, which he rightfully deserves.

We will have to wait and see what truly happens. But you’ve got to admit, coming up with theories is fun. I strongly suspect that this is what’s going to happen in the 7th book and I truly hope I’m wrong because I love Harry! If anyone wants to debate or talk about my theory, kindly e-mail me at glowworm725@yahoo.com. Thank you for your time. God Bless. Ciao =).

Hey guyssss.... i really HOPE that u find my editorial interesting and i hope u think it made sence...KINDLY let me know what u think of it caz it took me so long to find this place...lolz...thank you so much for ur time...and it would be awesome to know wat u guys think...thankz a lot! God Bless u always!
Sherzz

Our Hero…The Last Remaining Horcrux!!!
By: - Sherin .S. Ghevarghese (HPgenious)
One of the most important topics in HBP was about the Horcruxes. This is what we know about them.

There are 7 Horcruxes :-
1) Tom Riddle’s Diary
2) Slytherin’s ring (debated if it's Slytherin: Peverell ring, % Gryffindor)
3) Slytherin’s locket
4) Hufflepuff’s cup
5) *unknown* Something that belongs to Ravenclaw or Gryffindor
6) The snake Nagini (debated: why a mortal horcrux?)
7) Voldemort’s body
I knew somehow that J.K., brilliant as she is, will make the remaining, unknown horcrux something that is right under our noses.

There are a lot of things that Voldemort could have made in to his horcrux. It could be anything or anyone suspicious, the sorting hat, Hermione’s cat, Filch’s cat or anything else. The only one that stood out was the Hero himself. Harry’s scar should be taken under consideration too. The more I thought about it, I realized how important his scar really is.

1) Through his scar, Harry got Voldemort’s powers such as Parsletongue.
2) The scar transfers Voldemort’s thoughts and feelings directly to Harry.
3) His scar burns every time Voldemort is near. The scar acts like a door bell to warn Harry every time Voldemort is some where close by.
4) There is an obvious link between Voldemort and Harry, not only according to their abilities but also because of their similar childhood.

Harry had to be the Horcrux!

The only way Harry can destroy Voldemort would be by killing himself. Since both Harry and Voldemort are horcuxes, I strongly believe that Harry will somehow have to kill himself and Voldemort together.Sherzz

Excellent theories, - but look at threads [U]Identifying the Remaining Horcrux's (on volume 3), Harry the Horcrux, and Harry's Scar - a Protean Charm. They are all discussing this stuff there. The fact that you guys are all mesmerized by the Harry = Horcrux idea (I'm not, but waver) means it has something.

The issue here is - how do you destroy the LOCKET, the CUP, the UNKNOWN of Ravenclaw or Gryffindor, NAGINI, and then, most importantly, VOLDEMORT?

Well if you take a look at what the basilisk fang did to the diary then you'll see how a horcrux can be destroyed.
Someone suggested it was not Basilisk Venom that did it, but Harry's blood, which was also on the fang.

I still don't know what was on the Ring - possibly a curse similar to the one on the opal necklace? I imagine the CUP would kill anyone that tried to drink from it.

Excellent theories, - but look at threads


Someone suggested it was not Basilisk Venom that did it, but Harry's blood, which was also on the fang.


Or a combination of the two. Harry nearly died before Fawkes tears saved him from the bassilisk venom. Though it would be quite fitting if the pet of Slytherin had a hand in destroying his last remaining heir's horcrux.

Ok I just re-read COS and the book says, Ch.17. "The Basilisk venom had burned a sizzling hole right through it." So not Harry's blood, basilisk venom. This is one reason that reading the books is a big mistake.

I think it's strange for the "Serpent of Slytherin" to be the source of the venom that kills his horcrux, shouldn't a Slytherin have some sort of immunity? Will it work on all the horcrux's - at least if it's Harry's blood it's easily accessible. He bleeds everywhere.

I don't think that controlling the Basilisk is the same as being immune to its deadly poison. It's poison is somewhat like the acid blood in the alien. It's so powerful that it melts diaries and stiches.

It's poison is somewhat like the acid blood in the alien. It's so powerful that it melts diaries and stiches.Stitches? When did we ever find out that it was a basilisk that attacked Mr. Weasley? As far as we know that could have been Nagini or just some random highly venomous snake. It couldn't have been a basilisk, because Mr. Weasley looked into its eyes. Nagini can't be a basilisk, because Harry has looked into its eyes.

Anyway, killing Nagini will be pretty easy. Just point your wand at the animal and employ the AK Curse. The question is can you use the AK Curse to destroy the other horcruxes. Why not? I'm guessing that it will be more complicated.

Ok I just re-read COS and the book says, Ch.17. "The Basilisk venom had burned a sizzling hole right through it." So not Harry's blood, basilisk venom. This is one reason that reading the books is a big mistake.

I think it's strange for the "Serpent of Slytherin" to be the source of the venom that kills his horcrux, shouldn't a Slytherin have some sort of immunity? Will it work on all the horcrux's - at least if it's Harry's blood it's easily accessible. He bleeds everywhere.Riddle and the Slytherin's can only control the Basilisk. If it wanted (the Basilisk), it could take a chomp out of anyone it desires. The fangs (and venom) are lethal regardless of the person. But the Slytherin's can control it and prevent it from attacking.

Harry's blood won't do either. If it could, then Dumbledore would've used a vial of Harry's blood and drop some onto the ring and the basin horcrux.
Besides, if Harry's blood could neutralize the horcrux, it is "worthless" now, because Voldemort used Harry's blood to regenerate.

Besides, if Harry's blood could neutralize the horcrux, it is "worthless" now, because Voldemort used Harry's blood to regenerate.Why would it be worthless now? Voldie is not a horcrux.

Riddle and the Slytherin's can only control the Basilisk. If it wanted (the Basilisk), it could take a chomp out of anyone it desires. The fangs (and venom) are lethal regardless of the person. But the Slytherin's can control it and prevent it from attacking.Help me understand what you are saying here, I'm a little confused.

Are you saying anyone in Slytherin House can control the basilisk, or any true heir of Salazar Slytherin himself? I'm going to believe the second one, it makes more sense to me. But then wouldn't it only be a decendant who can also speak Parseltongue? I doubt all the decendants can otherwise the Chamber could have been opened way before Tom Riddle did it.

Harry's blood won't do either. If it could, then Dumbledore would've used a vial of Harry's blood and drop some onto the ring and the basin horcrux.
Besides, if Harry's blood could neutralize the horcrux, it is "worthless" now, because Voldemort used Harry's blood to regenerate.Even though Voldemort used Harry's blood to regenrate, the other horcruxes were created before the regeneration. If Harry's blood could neutralize the horcrux, which I'm not sure I believe, Voldemort's regeneration should have nothing to do with it.

Harry put a hole through the book, Dumbledore cracked the ring, mabye the horcrux has to be broken open, so the fragment of soul can esacpe, because, wouldn't that happen to someone who killed someone but didn't horcrux their soul, would it just float away?

Harry put a hole through the book, Dumbledore cracked the ring, mabye the horcrux has to be broken open, so the fragment of soul can esacpe, because, wouldn't that happen to someone who killed someone but didn't horcrux their soul, would it just float away?

That makes sense, that it has to be broken open. Or maybe just broken so that the object can no longer hold a part of the soul.

Who says Harry has to destroy all the Horcruxes.
It would be a lot easier if each teacher had responsibility for tracking one down and destroying it.
Harry has to kill Voldemort, he doesn't have to find all 7 horcruxes (or the 5 hidden ones.)

That makes sense, that it has to be broken open. Or maybe just broken so that the object can no longer hold a part of the soul.Next problem:
how do you break an object that is heavily protected by curses?

Harry does not yet have the magical knowledge to break curses on his own. (Mind you, I say "knowledge" not "ability"!) I don't think he can rely on luck alone, but he'll need to have a general idea how to destroy them.

My theory is that he will be hunting down the horcruxes - but he won't be alone. He'll have someone of the Order accompanying him, to take care of the curses.
(and in my wilder dreams I see Snape taking care of some horcruxes....but that's another story :p)

That makes sense, that it has to be broken open. Or maybe just broken so that the object can no longer hold a part of the soul.
It would be very amusing if it turned out that the perfect tool for the job came from Grunnings drills

First, i want to make it known that i was not sure if i should post this topic within the already provided Horcruxes threads. As the threads are not directly related to my topic, i decided to write it here.
BUT
If someone thinks that this topic can be moved, have no hesitation to do so.


Now.
I must say to begin with, that my theory is based heavily on astral projection. If you have a different theory on the matter, no matter how different it is, dont be afraid to step forward here.

Ok. For those who dont know what astral projection is, astral projection is the ability to seperate the soul from the body. Its also know as OBE (out of body experiance).
People who have acheived or experianced this ability describe it as what its called; an out of body experiance. At first, the person see's themselves as a small golden or white orb which then forms the astral body (which vary from colour, black and white, transperant, solid, etc). But each has always got a long thin chord connected them to their body's navel.
It is my belief, as it is many others who have researched astral projection, that when someone dies, that long thin chord connecting the astral body to the human body is severed and you would then forever be able to roam the world as you wish.

Keeping all this in mind, anything that has to do with the soul in the Harry Potter world would follow these guidlines. Im not saying they *are*, im just saying its possible that JK Rowling could have picked up a book on astral projection as she has done with Divination and Greek mythology to name a few.

As we all know, the dementors perform what is known as 'the kiss'. We also know that the only way to fight them off is with the Patronus charm and (to what we know of) there is no known way to kill a dememtor.
If we follow the 'guidlines' of astral projection, the dementors dont actually kill either the astral body (soul) or the human body. We know this because the human body is still alive (or, as said in the books, an empty shell). The astral self (soul) is simply trapped within the dementor, the 'long thin thread' still connected to both bodies.
Its really no wonder, if this is true, why Dumbledore dislikes the dementors so much. Years in prizon being garded by the dementors is one thing, an eternity of an afterlife trapped in the stomache of a dementor is another.

Now, for why im writting this.

Voldemorts Soul(s). The Horcruxes.

Voldemort has seven parts of his soul, six of which are ment to be hidden (the seventh, the main soul, within voldemort). This means that, if voldemort used astral projection and parted the soul within his body now, he would see the main part of his soul (the one in his body) connected by a long thin cord to the navel of his body. Aswell, he would see six other long thin threads leading in all different directions to where he has hidden the other parts of his soul.
To make this 'main' soul and 'smaller' souls easier to understand, i'll try to draw it out.

Small \
..Small \
....Small \
..............Main --- Body
....Small /
..Small /
Small /

The 'main' part of the soul is directly attatched to the body. The small ones also are, but only because they are directly attatched to the 'main' soul.

Hopefully, that makes sence.
So, to what the books tell us, the reason why Voldemort didnt die was because of the horcruxes. He was ripped from his body.
What happened was the 'main' soul was ripped from the body, and the reason why the 'long thin' cord connecting the 'main' soul to the body wasn't broken was because of the magic of the Horcruxes. He couldn't die because of the smaller parts of his soul.
He will die, however, if the smaller parts of his soul are severed from his main soul. The smaller ones have to be broken first, otherwise the magic of the horcruxes will still exist.

Given that we know Voldemort has lost now 2 of these hocrcuxes, one we saw happen with Tom's Diary, i think its safe to say that the chord was severed and that those two smaller souls are now floating around waiting for the rest of the soul (so to speak).

Now, before i end this, id also like to add the all so well known theory that Harry may be a horcruxes.
I do not want to discuss this here because i know all too well that there is a topic made for this.
But relating to my theory...
This would mean that part of Voldemorts soul is within Harry.
The only way Harry knows how to sever the horcrux from Voldemorts body and the object is by destroying the object (which is what he did with Riddle's Diary). This of course means is that Harry will have to be distroyed for the horcrux to be distroyed.
But if Harry wanted to live, he would have to find a way of removing the Voldemorts 'small' soul out of his body and place it in an object for it to be distroyed.
Yes, its possible Harry might learn how horcruses work and seperate Voldemorts soul from his body by means of killing someone (ie, Snape).
But is it possible that Harry, in his research, could find a way of extracting Voldemorts soul from his body, where it will return to the 'main' part of Voldemorts soul.

If he does find a way to do this, that means that the victoms of the dementors kiss can be brought back to life.

Any comments are welcome.

WOW! It's a good theory, but I don't really like the "astral projection" of the soul. Everything else sounds good! :cool:

Yeah that's an interesting theory. Just one thing, if the horcruxes are all connected then why does Voldemort not feel anything when they are destoyed?

Actually I like how your theory sort of answers why Voldemort survived; why he would survive just because of fragments of his soul lying around many miles away.

I know what you mean flagrate.
im not exactly sure why Voldemort cant feel those fragments of soul cant be felt if destroyed.
I do know that Harry did ask Dumbledore the same question in book 6. At work at the moment, so i cant tell you where. I'll get back to that....

What i was thining *could* be the reason would be that because its not directly linked to his body. If it was, he would feel it.
Not sure if that makes any sence...

The horcruxes are like tent pegs holding the soul to earth. Unhook the pegs and the tent can fly away in the winds of fate.

The destruction of a horcrux becomes so much more "fraught" or meaningful if Harry is a horcrux. Otherwise the trio will do like with the puffapods in herbology, stamp them, pound them, throw them at things, in the fire, etc. until something works... until....

That's why I think the locket was a gimmee, so they can practice on it. Arthur & Bill might be of help - working with cursed objects as they do.

Even though Voldemort used Harry's blood to regenrate, the other horcruxes were created before the regeneration. If Harry's blood could neutralize the horcrux, which I'm not sure I believe, Voldemort's regeneration should have nothing to do with it.

I don't agree with the blood thing either - seeing as how a soul really has nothing to do with flesh and bone - The soul is housed in a vessel - it is the vessel that needs to be destroyed - unable to house the horcrux - in the case of the diary - Harry stabbed a big hole in it - it was unable to hold Voldemort's soul anymore - end of horcrux.

Now as far as the portion of Voldemort's soul that is housed in his new body - Harry's blood would be useless here since his blood is already part of Voldemort's new body. This is going to be the hardest piece to get rid of (stating the most blantantly obvious). I think the horcruxes will be harder to find than to destroy. That is why they needed to be safegaurded so well, since it seems, not quite easy, but not a huge challenge, to destroy the horcrux.

Harry must now trust all the remaining members of the Order. He refused to tell McGonnaggall (sp?) what Dumbledore was up to, but I think it was a mistake (and he will realise that sooner or later). He must understand that he alone will not be able to track down and destroy the Horcruxes. He must rely on other people's memories and abilities, and I'm perfectly sure that Lupin, Tonks, Minerva and the Weasleys are absolutely trustworthy.

And, most important of all, Slughorn. I'm positive that he'll get a much larger part in the last book. We know that was extremely ashamed of that memory Dumbledore wanted. Yeah, he told Tom Riddle what Horcruxes were. And so what? I'm sure (and Slughorn certainly knew it too) that he didn't say anything Voldemort wouldn't have found out by himself sooner or later. So here's my point: he did something else more shameful, something that makes him feel deeply guilty.

I mean Slughorn obviously knows about the Horcruxes too, otherwise he wouldn't be ashamed of that particular memory, and something tells me that he will be of great use for Harry.

Just a random thought: a Patronus is used to save the soul from a dementor's kiss. a horcrux is made by splitting the soul.... maybe there's a connection. (Also, Harry is particularly good at making a PAtronus)

I think you will find it depends on what the horcruxes are. the ring and the book where destored two different ways.

Just a random thought: a Patronus is used to save the soul from a dementor's kiss. a horcrux is made by splitting the soul.... maybe there's a connection. (Also, Harry is particularly good at making a PAtronus)
now there is an idea

Just a random thought: a Patronus is used to save the soul from a dementor's kiss. a horcrux is made by splitting the soul.... maybe there's a connection. (Also, Harry is particularly good at making a PAtronus)I doubt. A patronus should protect the soul, we need something, what destroyes the soul. A dementor would do, but I got the impression that JK tried to tell us that it's the wrong way to use the evil creatures for work. Maybe one horcrux will get destroyed accidently by dementors - to show that even Voldi can't lead them.

It would be very amusing if it turned out that the perfect tool for the job came from Grunnings drills
:rotfl: Definitely! :tu: Just another instance of MoldyVoldy underestimating the power of those he feels are beneath him--Muggles to the rescue! :lol:

Seriously, I think a Muggle drill could work (if we ignore the "Muggle electrical devices don't work around magic" rule; it's an iffy rule anyway and JKR has suggested that Colin made his Muggle camera work with magic instead).

Diary--punctured in its destruction (basilisk venom may or may not have been needed to "complete" the destruction).
Ring--stone broken (cracked) in its destruction (with what? a sledgehammer? a spell? a good whack against a stone?).
Locket--may only require the use of Parseltongue to open it (but if the act of opening it does not release the soul fragment, it will need to be 'destroyed' some way; drill bit through it could work...).
Cup--will need to be cracked, or have a hole drilled in it; some form of destruction that would not allow it to 'hold' (bad pun!) its contents.
Nagini--eh, maybe the drill wouldn't work as well on her...
Unknown relic (presumably a Ravenclaw object) is probably silver (the locket and cup are gold, the sword of Gryffindor was silver--possibly makes two founder objects gold and two silver)--personally, I'd drop that one in nitric acid, but don't doubt that it could probably be damaged with a drill! (Plus, I don't see Harry knowing much about Muggle "potions", though he did think a cabinet in the Room of Requirement looked like someone had thrown acid on it...)

I really don't think the physical destruction part will be anywhere near as difficult as getting past the protective enchantments surrounding each horcrux. Fortunately, Harry doesn't have to pass more than 3 (cup, unknown object, possibly around Nagini if she isn't with Voldemort) since the locket's protections have already been negated.

Dumbledore must know how to destroy a horcrux otherwise what would he have done with the one in HPB? I think Harry will go to Dumbledore's frame in the headmaster's office for help.

I beleive that Dumbledore has prepared Harry in some way for the task ahead of him for destroying the Horcruxes. As a firm beleiver of Snape's innocence, I beleive that Dumbledore was prepared for his death and as a result has either dropped crucial information that neither Harry nor we have picked up on yet or else he has left information for Harry to come across. Dumbledore is a brilliant man who obviously was aware that Harry would need more guidance than what he has received to date.

Hey all.

I just created a post about this topic, and was told to come here. I'm pretty lazy, so I'm just going to copy and paste what I wrote in my post in here. ;) Here's my post:

We all know that Harry has already destroyed one of the horcruxes himself. He destroyed the piece of soul in Tom's diary by impaling the book with a fang of Syltherin's basilisk. Could that be the key? I mean, I know for myself when I first read CoS, I just thought it was the venom in the fang that killed Tom's "memory", but what if it was more than that? What if it was because the basilisk was inherently connected to Slytherin, and therefore to Voldemort himself, and that's why a weapon made of the basilisk was able to destroy the fragment of soul?

Actually, thinking about CoS makes me want to open up another angle of whole horcrux deal, aka the theory that Harry is, in fact, a horcrux himself. The horcrux in the diary was destroyed, and yet the diary itself remained. Dumbledore allowed Harry to have it, in fact, proving that he believed that it was no longer harmful. This is a huge, HUGE indicator that you don't have to destroy the object of the horcrux to destroy the soul fragment itself. Which means, that Harry may not have to die to destroy the horcrux within him. He'd be considerably less powerful than he was, but he wouldn't be dead.

Those are some of my theories. Tell me what you guys think. :)

I think it is either you destroy it with muggle means, get Dudley to sit on it, or some spell.
Due to obvious reasons, it's probably going to be a spell. I don't think Dumbledore even knows this spell, and I think Snape does. Why? Who is the one that Dumbledore goes to help for the Dark Arts stuff? Snape is.
Due to the fact that Snape is probably innocent (don't ask why), I think Harry will go to Snape and ask him how to do it before he attempts to kill Harry. Or Harry might just go to a bookshop in Knockturn Alley and find out there.
However, if Dumbledore does know, he will probably go to his portrait in his office.

So many wonderful and feasible theories, reading this thread, my head is swimming. But I do have a couple questions and ideas that may prompt more discussion.
How did Harry 'know' that by destroying the diary, he could save Ginny and get rid of LV? There was no one there to 'help' HP figure it all out. It was just pure instinct ? Was someone not visible putting thoughts into his mind? Remember ** doesn't need an invisibilty Cloak to be 'invisible'. Or does HP just have this inate ability to figure something out under circumstances of unconditional love?
Everyone HP has come in contact with have given him the skills, knowledge and love that he needs to carry out the destruction of the Horcruxes and LV. Even if he has Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Loona by his side, in the end it will be HP 'figureing it all out', drawing from his memories, dreams , instinct or 'someone' putting thoughts in his head! Who in fact would that person be? Someone you can also read his mind...Snape!
The infamous HBP will be there to assist in the destruction of LV (the last & final Horcrux)and finally prove his loyalty to ** and HP by sacrificing himself to fullfill the Unbreakable Vow he made to ** years ago (in order to prove his allegiance to the Order after betraying James and Lily to LV)- to protect HP, assuring that the Dark Lord would be destroyed.

Sure Harry needs help here and there, but really the ultimate test of growing up (which is what book 7 is for Harry) is to figure things out on your own, and be independent. I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt...he isn't completely stupid. I figuring out Malfoy's secrets in the first few chapters of HBP (hidding the dark mark), shows he is quite capable.

Hey all.

I just created a post about this topic, and was told to come here. I'm pretty lazy, so I'm just going to copy and paste what I wrote in my post in here. ;) Here's my post:



Those are some of my theories. Tell me what you guys think. :)
I don't think it would be especially comfortable for harry to stick a basilisk fang in himself, or harm himelf in any other way. The diary, although not destroyed completely still has a hole in its middle. I do find it very likely that he will come to some unchangeable harm (like dumbledore's hand) while destroying the remaining horcruxes.

Here is my theory

Harry will Destroy Voldie and somehow capture his sould in something then he and Ron will go to a near by lava pit and a construction site where they will throw the horcruxs in the pit then harry will realise he is one and will make Ron lower him into the lava pit and then as Harry slowly sinks into the lava his hand the only visible part left he will give Ron and thumbs up

(note if you dont get the joke watch Terminator 2)

Many theories, all of them possible of course. Just a few tips.

16 y/o Riddle came out of a diary. That piece of soul was an actual human been, like he was when the Horcrux was created. I think he's got to treat all the others Horcruxes like human beens, because that's why they are if we think about it: a soul in a physical object. What do you do to kill someone? You destroy the physic part, because the soul can't be alive without its corpse (or locket, or cup). Dumbledore did not destroy the ring, he just vanished the soul that was "living" inside of it. The damage he had on his hand was caused by the curses the ring had as protection.

locket and cup are gold, the sword of Gryffindor was silver--possibly makes two founder objects gold and two silver)--personally, I'd drop that one in nitric acid, but don't doubt that it could probably be damaged with a drill! (Plus, I don't see Harry knowing much about Muggle "potions", though he did think a cabinet in the Room of Requirement looked like someone had thrown acid on it...)Had an awsome glass of fruit punch today and it got me thinking (weird, I know): why couldn't Harry just chuck the Horcrux in Dragon's blood? JKR has been careful not to reveal what the dragon's blood does, and at this stage of the game, what else could it possibly be good for if not the destruction of a horcrux? Maybe the listed of uses isnt like "# 7- Destruction of a Horcrux" but maybe it's like "destruction of a powerful magical object or highly corrosive" or something like that.

i think you just need to destroy or brake the object the the horcruxe is in. The diary is a good examle, the snake toothe is plunged strate through it and so to the horcrux. Not sure bout the ring though it was broken but you carn't tell it it was destroyed strat away. :shrug:

I don’t think you have to physically destroy the object. I think Dumbledore might have used some magic (DUH), and the diary, I think it has to do more with the venom of the basilisk…

I don’t think you have to physically destroy the object. I think Dumbledore might have used some magic (DUH), and the diary, I think it has to do more with the venom of the basilisk…
I definitely agree with this. However, i also think you can just chuck the things into Mount Doom...well, maybe not there, but in some kind of Volcano and it will be destroyed.

Dumbledore explains to Harry the dangers of creating a Horcrux in an animal, because if the animal were to die ie. cease to exist or function, then the Horcrux would also. Therefore, is the object is unable continue to function as a Horcrux, (ie. the diary having been stabbed to the point where noone could write or read it, and the ring able to be worn by Dumbledore, one of Voldemort's worst foes) then the seventh of Vold's soul would be no more.

Do you think that maybe Bill might know how to destroy a horcrux? I mean, he is a curse-breaker for Gringotts, right? Maybe in Egypt he encountered mummies who had created horcruxes or something like that. Or, even if he hadn't dealt with horcruxes before, as a curse-breaker, he might be able to figure it out.

I think you have to break the object or sever it or something whether by physical or magical means. Harry pierced the Diary with the Basilisk's fang and Dumbledore broke the black stone in the ring. So a Horcrux might be pretty easy to destroy but of course Voldemort has put up tons of magical protection to ensure that no one gets the opportunity/chance to destroy his Horcruxes. You could see he was angry with Lucius Malfoy for leaving his Diary vulnerable to destruction and Dumbledore with his great power was able to breach Voldemort's protection both with the ring and the locket.

Perhaps the merging of Voldemort with Harry at the end of OotP will play an important role in destroying the Horcruxes but then that would mean finding a way to separate the Horcrux from the object. You know one way of Harry drawing out the Horcrux from the objects could be by using the accio spell. This accio Horcrux did not work in the cave where there were preventative measures against such magic but out side that protection the Horcrux might be removed from an object using accio. If the locket that can not be opened in Grimmauld was the real locket that contained the Horcrux then Harry might not need to open it but just accio Horcrux as no protection against that spell will be present.

I just got this idea a few minutes ago, and it has developed quite a bit. I am sorry if I am posting a theory that was thought of and posted before. Now, we know that in order to destroy the horcrux for the diary and the ring, the objects had to be destroyed... Now suppose when those objects were destroyed, the piece of soul wasn't destroyed, but going back to Voldemort's "main" piece of soul. This would then make it so the pieces of the soul were being exerted from the objects. This opens up a new realm of possibilities. Hagrid commented in book 1 that he didn't think Voldemort was "human enough to die." By giving him back his pieces of his soul, Voldemort would be comming more human, thus validating Hagrid's theory and making it so he can be killed without contradicting this theory. Lets also assume for a moment Harry is a horcrux (I'm not saying he is or isn't, just exploring the possibility). Dumbledore has constantly said Harry has love, that love is the power "The Dark Lord knows not." There must be some reason behind this great emphasis on this. Maybe it can be love that can repel this powerful dark magic of the horcrux out of Harry's body. All the other object that we know about (other then Voldemort himself) that have been made into Horcruxes have been inatimate. Therefor they couldn't love and the only way the horcrux could be removed was to destroy it's container. Of course this addition to the theory allows the horcrux to be "destroyed" (all though not really, it just wouldn't be a horcrux anymore) before the final blow from Harry to Voldemort, fullfills the prophecy by allowing Harry to live (the prophecy kind of said either Harry or Voldemort was going to live), and make it so people aren't holding a shotgun to JKR's head because she killed Harry :lol:. Feel free to leave any comments and/or additions to this theory. Who knows, this may actually come to something...

Y'know, that actually makes a lot of sense.
But wouldn't Dumbledore have already researched deep into horcruxes when he realised Voldermort was using them? So, he would already have known about it and would have told Harry.

Y'know, that actually makes a lot of sense.
But wouldn't Dumbledore have already researched deep into horcruxes when he realised Voldermort was using them? So, he would already have known about it and would have told Harry.
You saw how hard it was for even Hermione to find info on Horcruxes. It doesn't sound like much have been made and it would be way to taboo for even a dark wizard to research/experiments into. Also I think Harry would be the first living Horcrux

You might want to move this to the already open thread:

Destruction of a Horcrux (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=60348).

Please do an "Advanced Search" before opening a new thread. Duplicate threads use up valuable server space here. If you need help learning how to Search, please use the Tutorial link in my signature.

You might want to move this to the already open thread:

Destruction of a Horcrux (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=60348).

Please do an "Advanced Search" before opening a new thread. Duplicate threads use up valuable server space here. If you need help learning how to Search, please use the Tutorial link in my signature.
Ah, didn't think of searching, how dumb the smart can sometimes be (although I might be a little arogant for considering myself to be smart... but such is life). As for moving it into that thread... I don't think it quite works. By reading that first page it seems to me that that thread is for theories on HOW to destroy horcruxes, not what happens AFTER they're destroyed. What happens AFTER is mostly what my theory is about. The only part about HOW to destroy them is how Harry would "destroy" the part of the soul in himself.

I'll just quote a bit of canon:"Without his Horcruxes, Voldemort will be a mortal man with a maimed and diminished soul. Never forget, though, that while his soul may be damaged beyond repair, his brain and his magical powers remain intact."So once a Horcrux {an object containing a soul fragment} is destroyed, it appears that the soul fragment dies as well, rather than being released to return to Voldemort.

Voldemort, Horcruxes destroyed, has a diminished soul---not a reconstituted soul---and that maimed and diminished soul is 'beyond repair', meaning the damage cannot be corrected.

Voldemort had no knowledge of the diary being destroyed....shouldn't he have, assuming that one soul fragment returned to Voldemort after being 'released' from the diary? But we know for a fact that it was destroyed...we're told that in Half-Blood Prince and also in the interview that JK did post-release July 16th:JKR: Harry definitely destroyed that piece of soul, you saw it take shape, you saw it destroyed, it’s gone. And Ginny is definitely in no way possessed by Voldemort.

You might have me on that bit there, and my theory is just that, a theory. The first quote is from Dumbledore, a character, who could be mistaken. He's admitted that he makes mistakes. As for JKR, well it could be considered that when the piece soul links to the "main" piece of soul, it is destroyed since that piece of sould no longer exists. JKR likes to kind of leave loop holes like that... I'm not trying to prove my theory right, just trying to say how it could still be right.