Hogwarts Study Panel.

Chapter 406, Page 404: Slytherin's Locket

"So, have you discovered... Ravenclaw's tiara?"

As Dumbledore finished speaking casually, his expression gradually became serious.

"I discovered remnants of dark magic within it, so I destroyed it."

Sheen made no attempt to hide it.

He had forgotten some parts about a Horcrux, and perhaps Headmaster Dumbledore could enlighten him.

"Just remnants of dark magic?"

After asking the question, Dumbledore couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"You understand. You've always been smart, but this is a responsibility that we, the people who bear it, should shoulder."

I'm revealing some secrets to you in the hope that you'll stay as far away from danger as possible.

If you're willing to listen to an old man ramble on, then have some black tea; I hope it's just the right amount of sweetness this time.

His face showed an unprecedented seriousness.

Sheen took a sip; it was still so sweet it made her teeth ache.

"I must emphasize again, the minds of young people may bring about some interesting changes..."

However, young people should focus more on realizing their potential.

Dumbledore added.

Then he took out the Pensieve.

In the entire Hogwarts, perhaps only those two wizards would use the Pensieve in this way.

After all, people always feel that the Pensieve is very dangerous, as it has great power over memory and thought.

Whether it's the owner of the memory or someone else—that's the danger—they can enter those memories and walk around in them.

Inevitably, those who have secrets, are ashamed of their past, and long to keep their secrets and privacy will steer clear of things like the Pensieve.

"Do you remember what I said last time?"

"Dumbledore asked."

"Tom Riddle enjoys collecting souvenirs; he likes items that possess powerful magic and historical significance."

Sheen responded.

"Oh ho ho—yes, let's call him Tom Riddle."

Tom Riddle. His pride, his sense of superiority, and his determination to secure a prominent place in the history of magic all compelled him to carefully select his Horcruxes and favor items befitting that honor.

Dumbledore was always pleased with the intelligence of a wizard.

Especially when the little wizard's name is Sheen Green.

"It seems you're not surprised by Horcruxes?"

Dumbledore suddenly asked.

Sheen fell silent for a moment.

"A harmless little joke. I know some people who are never confused about the future."

Dumbledore said meaningfully,

"Well, later... we found Tom Riddle's diary."

Oh, although I didn't see Riddle appear from the diary, Harry described to me a phenomenon I had never seen before.

Can a single memory possess its own actions and thoughts? Can a single memory truly drain the life force of the girl who possessed it?

No, there was something far more evil in that diary… a soul. I’m almost certain that the diary was a Horcrux.

But this raises even more questions. What interests me most and shocks me the most is that the diary was once used as both a shield and a weapon.

"So, you suspect that Tom Riddle has more than one Horcrux."

Sheen naturally continued the conversation.

"The best answer imaginable."

Dumbledore nodded in approval and said...

"So, since Tom hopes the diary will be passed on or become part of some future Hogwarts student, he is very careless about the precious fragments of soul within it."

The purpose of Horcruxes is to safely seal away a part of one's own soul, rather than throwing it into someone else's path to risk annihilation—and this is what actually happened:

That part of the soul no longer exists; you can see that.

Voldemort's carelessness regarding this Horcrux gives me a very ominous feeling. It means he may have already made—or planned to make—more Horcruxes, so losing one wouldn't be so dangerous. I don't want to believe it, but there seems to be no other explanation.

Sheehan knew that Headmaster Dumbledore was wise; he had deduced a great deal from just one diary entry.

Therefore, Headmaster Dumbledore may have also found many clues...

He needed to speed up his plans; he needed to get rid of the Slytherin locket before the summer holidays and get to Gaunt's old house as soon as possible.

Sheen thought to herself, then cautiously stole a glance at Headmaster Dumbledore's hand, which made Dumbledore's smile even more meaningful.

"You know, for years I’ve tried to find out about Voldemort’s past life, I’ve traveled to many places and searched for his traces."

But I think my work is nowhere near as good as yours.

Dumbledore said with a smile.

"You're exaggerating."

Sheen said.

"I have to tell you something: don't always try to find the 'correct' answer to other people's questions. If you do that, what's the difference between you and just taking exams all the time?"

Dumbledore said with a kind smile.

"I only did some...minor parts."

Sheen said.

"Okay, okay."

"Dumbledore said helplessly."

"Then, let me continue our previous topic—"

Finding evidence about young Riddle was already difficult, but finding someone who could remember the adult Voldemort was almost impossible.

In fact, I doubt that anyone other than himself could give us a detailed account of his life after leaving Hogwarts. So, I have some memories to share with you.”

Dumbledore pointed to the small, sparkling crystal bottle next to the Pensieve.

"After that, I will be happy to listen to some of the opinions of young minds."

Sheen knew this was what he had been waiting for.

He knew Slytherin's locket was in a cave, and he also knew that the cave was fake. But from that, he could deduce another person:

Regulus Arcturus Black.

That is:

RAB.

Through that fake locket, Sheen can get a house-elf, Kreacher, to help him find the real locket...

The problem is, Sheen doesn't know where the cave is.

It now appears that Headmaster Dumbledore has found out.

"I hope you haven't grown tired of infiltrating other people's memories, because it's quite peculiar. This..."

Dumbledore explained,

"From a very old house-elf, her name is Haoqi."

Before reading Hao Qi's testimony, I must briefly explain how Voldemort left Hogwarts.

As you might have guessed, he advanced to seventh grade with top marks in every subject.

His classmates were all thinking about what careers they would pursue after graduation. Almost everyone believed that Tom Riddle would achieve amazing things; he was a prefect, a top student, and had received special awards from the school.

I know several teachers, including Professor Slughorn, who suggested he join the Ministry of Magic and offered to introduce him, but he refused them all. Later, the faculty learned that he had gone to work at Borgin-Burke.

(End of this chapter)