Unofficial Portkey Archive

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, it belongs to JK Rowling, etc etc.

Authors Note: It's a pretty short chapter, sorry, but I'd got everything I wanted to say out. The scene with Slughorn, well, I'm not too sure about it, but it was the best I could do. I don't think it's really important how he got it, just that he did. Besides, I think, with Felix Felicis, he could have called Slughorn a fat old geezer and he'd have still given him the memory. After all, he'd be unnaturally lucky. This is also the first time I've shown a "lesson" with Dumbledore, but this time I thought it was necessary. Hope it didn't suck too much.

Also, someone asked why there was a sofa in Slytherin's chamber, which is a valid question, and I thought I'd answer it here in case anyone else was wondering. I didn't answer this in the story, but is suppose I should have. Sorry about that. But to answer that question, Harry brought the sofa in himself, or, to be more precise, he conjured it. Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Four

Feeling incredibly lucky, Harry was making his way towards Horace Slughorns office, holding a slightly emptier bottle of Felix Felicis. He had only taken a mouth full, confident that he could get the job done in a few hours, and also unwilling to use up more of Hermione's rightfully earned luck potion.

He had no idea how he was actually going to get the unaltered memory, but with Felix Felicis on his side, he was sure that if he just followed his instincts, he'd pull it off. So as soon as he took the mouth full of potion, he was off, heading towards Slughorns office.

The rest of the school would probably be getting ready for bed, but Harry was somehow sure that Slughorn would be in his office. He sped up, wanting to be certain he caught the old Professor before he left for his own quarters. As the dungeon door came into view, Harry slowed down, until he was walking without making a single sound. He stopped outside the door and peered through the tiny crack between the door and wall.

Slughorn was sitting behind his desk, a bottle of Firewhisky clutched in his hand, his head lolling against the back of the chair. He looked terrible and half asleep. Had he been drinking? Most likely, Harry figured, judging by his appearance and the bottle of Firewhisky in his hand. Thank you Felix, Harry thought.

Smiling to himself, Harry slowly opened his door and stepped into the dim light of the classroom. Slughorn didn't seem to notice him enter.

"Hello Professor," Harry said, getting the old wizards attention.

Slughorn jumped, his fat belly quivering under his robes and spilling a large amount of Firewhisky on the floor.

"Harry?" he slurred, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"I was just passing by," Harry lied, knowing it was the right thing to do, "and I saw the light on. What are you still doing here?"

If Slughorn had been any more cognisant he might have questioned why Harry was out and about so late, but instead the old wizard just nodded in acceptance and answered:

"To be honest," Slughorn said, suppressing a belch, "something has been on my mind lately. A decision I made, a while ago. A mistake, I think."

Bingo.

"The Horcruxes, sir?" Harry asked.

"Now," Slughorn attempted to draw himself up to his full height, but evidently got a little dizzy and just sat back down instead, sighing, "Now Harry, I thought I told you not to ask about that anymore."

"I know Professor," Harry said, "but I have too. I need your help Professor."

"Oho," Slughorn wobbled, "you need my help. You want to follow in his footsteps, do you? No, I won't, not again."

"Sir," Harry said, meeting the old mans eyes, "does it look like I want to follow in Voldemort's footsteps? What I'm asking you for is what's going to help bring him down. I'm not an idiot sir, I know you told him about these Horcruxes and that - whatever they are - they somehow contribute to his power. You feel guilty for it, that's obvious. Why else would you be drowning your sorrows in Firewhisky? This is your chance to right the wrong, sir. Please give me the memory."

Slughorn sighed. "It won't do any good," he said, "even if I did give it to you, how will that help? What are you going to do against You Know Who? I understand how you feel my boy. It must really hurt, knowing he robbed you of your parents. Your mother, she was a brilliant witch. That's what I regret the most."

"Then help me," Harry said, "and I'll make him pay. You're right - my mother was brilliant. And you know what, my father was powerful. But me, I top them both. I'm not being arrogant, it's just fact. I'm the only person who can stop Voldemort, but like I said, I need your help."

"You really think you stand a chance?" Slughorn asked, squinting up at Harry through glazed eyes.

"I know I do," Harry said confidently.

Slughorn sighed, but pulled out his wand and pressed it to his temple, summoning up the memory as a long thread of silver, which he dangled of his wand into an empty bottle on his desk. He corked it and shoved it across the table to Harry, who snatched it up.

"If you think it will help," Slughorn said softly, "then I hope you're right."

"Trust me sir," Harry said, pocketing the bottle.

Slughorn just nodded, letting his head fall against the arm rest, his eyes closed. As Harry left the dungeon classroom, he heard the man's rattling snore and smiled. Slughorn wouldn't remember a thing in the morning.

(----)

In what can only be called great timing, Dumbledore summoned Harry to his office only two days after Harry had acquired the real memory from Slughorn. So after the feast on Monday night, Harry made his way up to the Headmaster's chamber, finding Dumbledore waiting for him behind his desk.

"Ah Harry," Dumbledore greeted him in his usual manner, eyes twinkling, "perfect timing. Lemon drop?"

"No thanks," Harry said, sitting down across from the wizened wizard and placing Slughorns real memory (bottled up) on Dumbledores desk.

"So you managed to get the memory I see," Dumbledore commented, leaning forward and picking it up.

"Of course," Harry said.

Dumbledore held the bottle up to the light and examined the silvery liquid through squinted eyes. He smiled, his wrinkled face wrinkling further.

"Wonderful," he said, standing up instantly. "Well done Harry."

"Whatever - so are you going to tell me what this is all about yet?" Harry asked, trying to mask his impatience. He didn't do very well, after all Dumbledore always seemed to be able to read him like an open book, even when most others wouldn't have had a clue what Harry was thinking or feeling.

Dumbledore chuckled. "Patience is a virtue Harry," he said, pulling out his Pensive. By it's side were two small vials of silvery liquid - more memories.

"Yeah," Harry said, standing up and approaching the circular basin, "one I don't have."

"I think we both know that's not true," Dumbledore said, smiling at him, "after all, you've been able to put up with my lessons so far, haven't you? I'm aware of how frustrated you must feel, but I'm glad to tell you that all of that will be absolved tonight."

"Then let's get on with it," Harry said, placing his hands on the side of the basin and looking in at the swirling contents.

"Indeed," Dumbledore agreed, placing Slughorns memory to one side and picking up one of the other vials, "I think we'll begin with this one. Professor Slughorns memory can wait until last, I think."

He poured the silvery contents into the Pensive and then together they plunged into the memory. Harry would have liked to have viewed Slughorns memory first, incredibly curious about Horcruxes as he was, but knowing that he would - by the end of the night - finally find out, he was able to remain patient.

Harry watched the two other memories Dumbledore had to show him with only marginal interest, still not really knowing why Dumbledore insisted on showing him these seemingly insignificant looking memories. He watched as Riddle flattered Hepzibah Smith and practically gushed over Hufflepuffs cup and Slytherins locket. Then he watched the memory in which Riddle, now looking a lot more like the Voldemort Harry was used to, asked Dumbledore for the Defence Against the Dark Arts job.

Finally, they got to the memory Harry was really interested in, the one in which the truth about Horcruxes would be found. Harry watched with growing interest, and dread, as Slughorn told Tom Riddle all about Horcruxes, how you had to split your soul by murdering someone and then affixing it to an object, thus creating a Horcrux. He was shocked at the mere thought of splitting your soul into seven pieces, but when Tom asked about it, he wasn't all that surprised. Finally, they left the memory behind, and Harry no longer needed Dumbledore to explain why they had been viewing all those seemingly random memories.

"So Voldemort has split his soul," Harry said, speaking before Dumbledore, "and created Horcruxes using those objects - Hufflepuffs Cup and Slytherins locket."

"Very perceptive of you Harry," Dumbledore answered, "and quite correct. Though I fear he created more than just those two."

"The ring?" Harry asked, casting a glance at the seemingly harmless object lying on Dumbledores desk. "What else?"

"Well," Dumbledore said, taking a seat behind his desk again, "as I said, we can only speculate now. Though I suspect the snake Nagini may be one as well."

"So that means the ring, the locket, the cup and the snake are Horcruxes," Harry said thoughtfully, "or at least, we suspect."

"Also," Dumbledore held up a hand, "I suspect the diary you destroyed in your second year was also a Horcrux. In fact, that is what sparked my interest in researching all this."

"So that's five Horcruxes," Harry said, "meaning, two more exist. Or is it one more? And then Voldemort?"

"That's one more Harry," Dumbledore confirmed, "and, as you put it, then Voldemort."

"Any idea what the other one is?" Harry asked with curiosity.

"I suspect it is either an item with some significance to Godric Gryffindor or Rowena Ravenclaw," Dumbledore answered, "most likely Ravenclaw. The only item with some relevance to Gryffindor is the sword you used to slay the Basilisk." Dumbledore motioned towards the jewelled sword encased behind him.

"But you really have no idea what?" Harry asked.

"Correct," Dumbledore said, "but as I have already stated, all of what I have told you is just speculation. For all we know, Nagini may not actually be a Horcrux, but just a very intelligent and loyal snake."

"Right," Harry said.

"However," Dumbledore went on, "I think I am close to discovering the location of one of the Horcruxes. I would like for you to join me when I am sure."

"Really?" Harry couldn't help but be surprised. That was certainly not what he had expected.

"Of course," Dumbledore said.

"Count me in," Harry said eagerly. He was finally going to be treated like an adult.

"Splendid," Dumbledore stood up abruptly, "well, I think that will do for tonight. I shall contact you again if I have any new information. Until then, don't forget to keep studying."

Harry laughed, standing as well. "Sure," he said, walking towards the door. He stopped with his hand on the handle, turning to look back at Dumbledore. "Thanks sir, for treating me like I'm not some incompetent kid."

"I have all the faith in the world in you Harry," Dumbledore told him, smiling.

Harry just nodded and left.

(----)

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