Hearing Harry's somewhat naive question, Dumbledore couldn't help but sigh. "Yes, Harry, we all know it's terrible.
Horace was already horrified when he heard that creating a Horcrux required killing someone, but Riddle didn't care at all.
To be able to make more Horcruxes, he didn't care about committing murder after murder.
In fact, we all know that the reason he's so terrifying is because he personally killed hundreds of people over decades."
Harry couldn't help but shudder.
To kill hundreds of people single-handedly was truly terrifying!
Sherlock hesitated to speak but ultimately said nothing.
Dumbledore paused, then said to Harry.
"As for the Philosopher's Stone you mentioned, we know that two years ago, that's exactly what he tried to do.
But I think the Philosopher's Stone ultimately doesn't suit Voldemort's taste as much as Horcruxes—"
At this point, Dumbledore turned to Sherlock. "Sherlock, I think you understand this clearly?"
Sherlock said straightforwardly.
"The Elixir of Life can indeed extend life, but one must continue taking it to remain immortal.
Once the potion runs out, becomes contaminated, or the Philosopher's Stone is stolen, then immortality becomes a joke.
In other words, achieving immortality through that method means complete dependence on the potion.
Judging by Voldemort's personality, this is something he cannot tolerate."
"Exactly right. Voldemort would not allow himself to be controlled, even by a potion.
Of course, if it was just like two years ago, to escape that half-dead state after attacking Harry, he would be willing to obtain it.
But that would only be to regain a body.
After that, he would definitely still plan to continue relying on his Horcruxes.
By that time, he would need nothing else—as long as he could regain a human body, he would be immortal.
Or rather, closer to immortality than anyone else."
Harry nodded to show he understood.
Dumbledore's expression became excited again.
"In fact, with this crucial memory you've obtained, the truth has finally surfaced.
Now we're closer than anyone to the secret of how to destroy Voldemort.
You both heard what he said. 'Wouldn't splitting it into more pieces be better, making you more powerful? Isn't seven the most magically powerful number?'"
"Obviously, this madman actually split his soul into seven pieces."
Sherlock's voice contained uncontrollable anger.
Just to achieve immortality, planning murders, splitting his soul, making Horcruxes—this was something Sherlock could not tolerate. It was at this moment that he made a decision.
Voldemort must be destroyed!
"You're saying he really made seven Horcruxes?"
Harry was even more shocked. "Is he insane? Sir, are you saying they could be hidden anywhere in the world?"
"Sherlock, Harry, I'm glad you both see the seriousness of the problem."
Compared to the shocked Harry and angry Sherlock, Dumbledore seemed quite calm.
"But I must correct one point—not seven Horcruxes, but six.
Or perhaps Sherlock's phrasing is more accurate. he split his soul into seven parts.
As for the seventh part of the soul, however broken, it remains in his resurrected body.
It was this part of him that existed in a ghostly form during his years of exile. Without it, he would have no self.
This seventh part of the soul will be what anyone wanting to kill Voldemort must finally attack—the piece within his body."
"But those six Horcruxes," Harry said somewhat impatiently, "how can we find them?"
"Don't worry, Harry. Have you forgotten? Your good friend has already destroyed one."
"That's right!"
Harry looked at Sherlock, his eyes full of admiration.
Tom Riddle's diary had been destroyed by Sherlock using the Sword of Gryffindor.
"Even so, we can't celebrate too early.
If the guess about seven pieces of soul is correct, there are still five Horcruxes left."
Harry immediately started thinking.
A Horcrux could split a complete soul and hide it in some object.
Voldemort made six Horcruxes. They could be anything.
The only known Horcrux was Riddle's diary, which had been destroyed by Sherlock.
Dumbledore said the truth had surfaced, but Harry was still completely confused.
Wait!
Harry suddenly turned to look at Sherlock.
With Sherlock here, I don't need to think at all, do I?
To his surprise, Dumbledore made the same movement at this moment. He looked at Sherlock and asked expectantly.
"Sherlock, what do you think?"
"Sir, unfortunately I don't know Voldemort well enough to make accurate deductions about this, so I can only offer a few directions for your reference."
"No problem. I think the directions you provide will be very useful to me—this has been proven more than once."
"From what I understand, Voldemort is a proud, arrogant person full of superiority.
Then his selection of Horcruxes would definitely not be like Portkeys, choosing easily overlooked everyday items like old tin cans, empty medicine bottles, or broken shoes.
His first Horcrux was that diary. His own memory told us personally that the diary could prove he was the Heir of Slytherin, which held great significance for Voldemort.
So, I deduce from this that Voldemort would choose items that already possess special value, particularly commemorative significance, to serve as Horcruxes."
"For example—"
Sherlock looked intently at Dumbledore. "Sir, I'm afraid you must first answer two questions for me."
"Ask away."
"First, did all four founders of Hogwarts leave behind relics? Second, does each founder have only one relic?"
Dumbledore was first stunned, then a smile appeared on his face.
Soon, this smile turned into laughter.
Harry looked at Dumbledore in surprise.
He had never seen Dumbledore so happy.
Whether it was Gryffindor winning the Quidditch Cup, winning the House Cup three times in a row, or even recently successfully obtaining Slughorn's memory.
Dumbledore laughed so happily that tears came out.
"Sherlock, Sherlock..."
Dumbledore placed his hand on Sherlock's shoulder. "Because of you, I'm becoming more and more confident about the future."
"Naturally," Sherlock said without any modesty. "Being enemies with Sherlock Holmes is the misfortune of those criminals."
"You're right. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin—every founder of Hogwarts left behind relics.
But I'm certain that Gryffindor's only known relic is safe and sound, and you used it in your second year."
"The Sword of Gryffindor—"
"Exactly."
"What about the Sorting Hat? Didn't you say the sword was Gryffindor's only relic?"
"Oh, my phrasing was problematic. The Sorting Hat was indeed the hat Gryffindor used during his lifetime.
Later, the four founders of Hogwarts infused their thoughts into it, allowing the Sorting Hat to sort students into various houses based on their talents and qualities.
But don't worry, it's still in my office now."
"Then the next thing is quite obvious."
"Indeed. From now on, I will carefully search Voldemort's past to see if I can find traces of items like Hogwarts relics disappearing around him."
"I have another suggestion," Sherlock added. "That ring Voldemort wore on his hand.
Professor Slughorn obviously didn't notice this detail, so the ring's details aren't very clear.
But as I just said, that ring holds great significance for Voldemort—this can be deduced from his behavior.
So, I have reason to deduce that he soon after turned it into a Horcrux as well."
"It's so good to have you, Sherlock."
Dumbledore looked at Sherlock, the affection in his eyes almost overflowing.
"I mentioned before that after graduation, Voldemort twice wanted to return to Hogwarts.
Now it seems one reason was naturally to develop and strengthen his power through the school.
As for the other reason, it was to find relics of the other founders."
"A very reasonable deduction," Sherlock nodded. "Then now the matter is quite clear."
Sherlock stood up, as if summarizing.
"Sir, I'm afraid for some time to come, you'll be searching for Voldemort's past."
"You're right. In fact, since you gave me the diary two years ago, I've already started doing this.
It's just that afterward, other things came one after another, fortunately you successfully resolved them.
Whenever that happens, I'm always grateful you're on the side of justice, allowing me to free up more time."
Harry understood Dumbledore was referring to the matter of Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew.
Thinking about it, without Sherlock, Hogwarts would definitely have been unsettled all last year, just like in second year.
However, Sherlock raised an eyebrow. "So, you've taken on another big job this year?"
Dumbledore. '(°一°)
"Can you tell me how you figured that out?"
"You're too rushed."
Sherlock sighed. "Harry had just stayed at the Dursleys' for exactly one month when you wrote telling us to come here.
From picking us up to going to Slughorn's house, you seemed calm, but some details proved you were in a hurry.
For example, being unable to wait to view the memory at his house after obtaining it.
The more familiar I am with someone, the easier it is to see these things.
Also, your outfit clearly shows you've traveled from afar."
Dumbledore looked down at his black traveling cloak and couldn't help but smile.
"Hearing you say that, it really is simple!"
"I've heard that countless times, sir."
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