Harry Potter Q: What is a "horcrux"?!
By maezee
@maezee (41985)
United States
December 18, 2009 8:12pm CST
I started reading the last Harry Potter book (yes - lol - shamelessly so, too, so if you want to tease me..have at it!) but I'm confused by this word they keep using: "horcrux". Something about how Harry, Ron, & Hermione are going to go about trying to find some "horcruxes" or something of the sort.
Without giving any future details of the book away (I'm on page 60 I think?), what can you tell me about horcruxes? I texted a friend of mine about it and she said they were "parts of Voldemorts soul" but I don't know if that holds any truth to it.
What are these crazy "horcrux" things? Or is it better that I don't know until I get more into the book?
5 responses
@thewayis (646)
• Bulgaria
19 Dec 09
I saw that you got an answer to your question but i cant help but wonder why do you feel ashamed of the fact that you are reading Harry Potter? I mean, it doesn't matter if it is Harry Potter or something else one should never be ashamed of the interests they have. If you are interested in something or you like something that others don't than good for you - it means that we are not all the same :)
For the record I like Harry Potter, too, it is a great book
@crimsonladybug (3112)
• United States
19 Dec 09
I won't tell you anything that wasn't already explained in the Half-Blood Prince. 
They are made through dark magic - when a person commits a murder, a part of their soul is destroyed. When a wizard commits a murder they can use dark magic to funnel that destroyed part of their soul into a magical object. Having that object with a part of their soul in it makes that part of them invulnerable. So Voldemort created seven of them in an attempt to make himself immortal. If the horcrux is destroyed, the piece of the soul goes with it, which is why they are looking for them. Harry destroyed the first one in the Chamber of Secrets, Tom Riddle's diary. In the Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore destroys a second, Marvolo's ring. So there are five more.
They are made through dark magic - when a person commits a murder, a part of their soul is destroyed. When a wizard commits a murder they can use dark magic to funnel that destroyed part of their soul into a magical object. Having that object with a part of their soul in it makes that part of them invulnerable. So Voldemort created seven of them in an attempt to make himself immortal. If the horcrux is destroyed, the piece of the soul goes with it, which is why they are looking for them. Harry destroyed the first one in the Chamber of Secrets, Tom Riddle's diary. In the Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore destroys a second, Marvolo's ring. So there are five more.
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
19 Dec 09
A few months back, I went on a business trip where there was going to be a lot of waiting involved. In the hotel, in the airport, etc. So I grabbed a book from home to take along the trip. I picked book 7 of the Harry Potter series. I already read the other 6 some years back.
So, shamelessly, I've also read it! Thankfully it was one of those hard bound books where you can peel off the cover. Nobody would know what your reading!
Oh horcruxes, I think crimsonladybug has already explained it perfectly! 
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
19 Dec 09
A few months back, I went on a business trip where I know there was going to be a lot of waiting involved. At the hotel, at the airport, etc. I brought a book with me to help pass the time. I grabbed book 7 of the Harry Potter series. I have already read the other 6 a few years ago.
So shamelessly, I also read it! Thankfully it was on of those hard bound books where you can take off the cover so nobody would know what your reading.
Oh, horcuxes! I think crimsonladybug already explained it perfectly.
