everything

» The memory of Professor Slughorn:  [Harry watches Slughorn's real memory, which starts with Tom tapping the hourglass] Tom Riddle: [approaching Slughorn] I was in the library the other night, in the Restricted Section, and I read something rather odd about a bit of rare magic. It's called, as I understand it... a Horcrux. Horace Slughorn: I beg your pardon? Tom Riddle: Horcrux. I came across the term while reading and I didn't fully understand it. Horace Slughorn: I'm not sure what you were reading, Tom, but this is very dark stuff. Very dark indeed. Tom Riddle: Which is why I came to you. Horace Slughorn: [Stares at Tom for a second] A Horcrux is an object in which a person has concealed part of their soul. Tom Riddle: But I don't understand how that works, Sir.Horace Slughorn: One splits ones soul and hides part of it in an object. By doing so, you are protected, should you be attacked and your body destroyed. Tom Riddle: Protected? Horace Slughorn: That part of your soul that is hidden lives on. In other words, you cannot die. Tom Riddle: [Looks into the fireplace] And how does one split his soul, sir? Horace Slughorn: I think you already know the answer to that, Tom. Tom Riddle: Murder. Horace Slughorn: Yes. Killing rips the soul apart. It's a violation against nature. Tom Riddle: [Adjusting ring on his finger, the same one in present day Dumbledore's office] Can you only split the soul once? For instance, isn't seven... Horace Slughorn: Seven? Merlin's beard, Tom! Isn't it bad enough to consider killing one person? To rip the soul into seven pieces... This is all hypothetical, isn't it, Tom? All academic? Tom Riddle: [Smiling] Of course, sir. It'll be our little secret.