Harry Potter - Magick Moste Evile - What is (and isn't) a Horcrux

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Magick Moste Evile - What is (and isn't) a Horcrux

by Kevin McDonald

A Horcrux is a container in which the witch or wizard who makes one puts a piece of their soul to keep safe in the event that their body is destroyed. A Horcrux prevents the soul from "passing on" and thereby holds the witch or wizard's consciousness earth bound. That's it. From that point on, steps would have to be taken to re-establish ones self in a body.

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Reader Comments:

Great job Kevin!

Posted by tracy on January 17, 2007 07:49 AM

Interesting summary.

Posted by Alicja from SWIDNICA, POLAND on January 17, 2007 08:54 AM

that was very illuminating. the more i read the more i started thinking about other possibilities. even though the diary wasnt a typical hocrux, i hope it was one of the seven otherwise it would make harry's job a lot more difficult.

Posted by diana from stow , ohio on January 17, 2007 08:58 AM

I'm sure the diary was one of the six. It just had other enchantments on it also.
Hepzibah Smith said both Slytherin's locket and Hufflepuff's cup had magic powers. I don't think being "Horcuxified" changes pre-existing enchantments.

Posted by Kevin from Wisconsin on January 17, 2007 10:15 AM

I thought that Dumbledore had stated in HBP, that he believed Riddle created his first hocrux at the age of 16, when he ed his father. So this would make the diary the first, and would explain why it was his 16 year old self was in the diary. It was not protected as the others we saw because he had given it to Lucius to use at a later time, and also because when he had given it to Lucius, he had created other hocruxes, though I am sure he did not think it would be destroyed.

Posted by Jillian from Naperville, IL on January 17, 2007 10:50 AM

congratulations kevin! this article helped me to improve my education in the wizardry world.

Posted by sabri from italy on January 17, 2007 10:59 AM

Kevin - Congratulations! This is an excellent article and I already sent it to all my friends who have their problems with Horcruxes;-) Glad we have something now to reread from time to time, in case we get stuck with the Horcrux-Situation.

Posted by Mistral from Switzerland on January 17, 2007 11:07 AM

Are you obbsessed? You must have spent hours going over the books searching for the possible answers to some of the worlds greatest mysteries. But, as great men have said, "Obsession is nothing less than genius." Great work!

Posted by Bethany from Tennessee on January 17, 2007 11:37 AM

Jillian, Dumbledore said that at the same age Harry was (16), Morty was already LOOKING for ways to become immortal. He asked Slughorn and got what little information he had, but it would have had to have been after he left Hogwarts he learned how to make a Horcrux.

It would appear he did enchant the diary at 16, but that was to open the chamber after he left.

Posted by Kevin from Wisconsin on January 17, 2007 1:21 PM

awesome man! you always know what to write. ur so cool:)

Posted by Neil from New York on January 17, 2007 1:40 PM

Great article! The idea of splitting ones soul to continue to exist, even after the body is destroyed, is horrid. I agree with Kevin that Voldemort had to have learned how to make Horcruxes after he left. It be very interesting to find out who taught him this vile incantation. As for the Diary, did Malfoy know it was a Horcrux when he planted it? Or did he just think it would open the Chamber of Secrets? If I were Voldemort, I don't know how much I would tell any of my lackeys. Knowledge is a very useful and dangerous thing; R.A.B has already proved that. I believe that some of the Horcruxes be protected like the locket, but others be hiding in plain sight.

Posted by Hermione from Hogwarts on January 17, 2007 2:46 PM

Just to cover ALL the bases, the diary and the Voldemort under Professor Quirrel's turban could have the common link of the leftover ink from the eater Tattoos. Quirrel could have been tattooed with the same ink that Tom Riddle ussed to enchant his journal.

Posted by ken from la ca usa ea(rth) on January 17, 2007 7:12 PM

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