"There are several ways to manage getting a body back if one is desperate enough or willing to pursue into the deepest pits of dark magic. There are rituals that use certain sacrifices to return a spirit to a body. We should make sure that none of them is an option. But there is an even easier one if you have the right resources. That way is the Elixir of Life, a substance of great power and rejuvenating abilities that can be produced with a Philosopher's Stone and the only currently existing stone belongs to Nicolas Flamel, an old friend of Dumbledore." Wundermoor explained.
"Okay, I'll get him immediately. Tibby." Healer Reggam called understanding the urgency now.
The house elf popped into the room while Reggam was writing a short note and transfigured a handkerchief into an envelope.
"Master Reggam called Tibby?" The elf asked.
"Yes, Tibby, I need you to immediately get this message to Professor Dumbledore. Nobody can see this message except him. Tell him we need him at St. Mungo's immediately." Healer Reggam instructed the elf.
"Of course, Master Reggam." Tibby said and popped away.
"How are you feeling, Mr Potter?" Healer Reggam asked.
"Drained. The headache is better now, but it feels strange in my head. Like there has been a dam and now water is flooding into the open space." Harry tried to describe the feelings.
Then a flash of a flame appeared in the room and Albus Dumbledore appeared with a red and golden bird on his shoulder. Harry got a really nice feeling from the bird.
"I just got your message from Tibby. Did you really find a horcrux in Harry's scar?" He asked concerned.
"Yes, there is a soul piece of You-Know-Who latched onto this splint of wood. It was a bit tricky to get out of Mr Potter's scar as it put up fairly strong resistance." Healer Reggam explained.
The bird meanwhile looked at Harry and flew over to him. He looked into the boy's tired eyes. Harry felt some kind of connection to the bird. He felt warm and safe.
"It seems Fawkes hasn't forgotten you, Harry. When you were a baby and your parents had you with them to meetings with me, you always were very fond of Fawkes." Dumbledore said smiling.
Then Fawkes started crying on the now open scar. He let the tears fall into the cut and with every tear Harry felt better.
"Incredible. I wouldn't have thought to be able to ever see a phoenix healing somebody he wasn't bonded to." Wundermoor said flabbergasted.
"Thanks, Fawkes." Harry said and reached out to pet the phoenix.
Fawkes trilled like he was saying 'You're welcome' and let Harry stroke his feathers. Then he flew back to Dumbledore's shoulder. Dumbledore was very encouraged by the behaviour of Fawkes. If Harry had become dark, Fawkes wouldn't have healed him with his tears. That meant Harry was still pure despite his horrible experiences.
Harry sat up again, looking at the adults.
"What is a horcrux and what is so special about that splint?" Harry asked.
First Dumbledore didn't want to reveal such dark magic to an eleven year old boy, but then he thought better. Harry already knew a lot and if he wanted to have a chance that Harry would choose Hogwarts for his education he needed to give him incentives. He knew that there were other really good schools out in the world that Harry could choose over Hogwarts. He had already given some thought to what he could offer Harry to make the decision for Hogwarts. Some would be radical, but some could easily be achieved. And he needed to give the boy the impression that he wasn't kept in the dark concerning things that directly involved him. Harry wouldn't rest until he knew what the splint meant and why it would influence his life from here on. But he still thought that the prophecy would be a bit much for now. The boy had just learned about magic. That part he would have to ease the boy into over a longer period of time.
"A horcrux, Harry, is the darkest of magic. Not very many people know of them, mostly cursebreakers like Mr Wundermoor here and those that have studied the Dark Arts intensely like those with a mastery in Defence Against the Dark Arts. But even within that group there are not many. Some decades back the knowledge was more available, but I feared what certain people would do if they found out about it. So when I became headmaster at Hogwarts I took all the books regarding the darkest arts of magic from the library. I didn't think it would be good if students had access to those dangerous books. The way a horcrux works is that the witch or wizard that creates it has to commit the worst crime, committing murder. That act tears the soul apart. The piece that is torn from the main part of the soul is stored in a container. As long as the horcrux exists the owner of the horcrux can't really die." Dumbledore explained.
"Now, to fully understand why a horcrux is the most despicable kind of magic you need to know that to a wizard or witch the soul is normally sacrosanct. A whole soul enables you to keep your magic in balance and use your full potential. At least concerning magic that isn't completely dark and twisted. Some kinds of that magic work better if your soul is mutilated. But as far as I know none of the dark lords and ladies in history ever went that far. They knew that they would lose the obedience of their followers if they went and used that magic. There are other ways to reach a kind of immortality that doesn't maim your soul. A whole soul can be a strong weapon as well."
"Well, the person also doesn't really live as well if the horcrux is the thing that keeps the rest of the soul on the plain of the living. That's the reason I called you. I know that you are friends with Nicolas Flamel, Professor Dumbledore. His Philosopher's Stone and the elixir of life it produces are one way how You-Know-Who could return to a body. It would be best if you warned the Flamels of the danger." Wundermoor piped in after the explanation.
"That I'll indeed do. It's good to know that now, because Nicolas already had found signs that somebody is after his stone again. I'll probably think of something to increase the stone's protection. It can't fall into the wrong hands." Dumbledore said.
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