Chapter 301: Hidden Horcruxes

In fact, although the relics of the founders of Hogwarts are mysterious, there are mentions of them in some of Hogwarts' books.

Legend has it that the four founders left behind four magical relics.

These relics are magical items with special effects.

At the mention of them, Penelope, Cho Chang, and Hermione immediately recalled the books they had read and certain rumors they had heard.

This left Fleur completely puzzled.

"I remember the Sorting Hat was once Godric Gryffindor's hat," Hermione said loudly.

"Additionally, Gryffindor's sword and Helga Hufflepuff's cup are also founder relics."

"You're right," Alaric smiled.

"However, the Sorting Hat isn't one of the four relics, and it has always been at Hogwarts.

Gryffindor's sword is indeed Gryffindor's relic, but I have seen it in Dumbledore's office, so it cannot be a Horcrux.

After all, Horcruxes possess dark powers, and that diary is an example."

"That's true. Voldemort's Horcruxes certainly wouldn't be something we could easily see—otherwise, they would have been discovered long ago," Hermione said, curling her lip.

"So... what about Slytherin and Ravenclaw's relics?" Cho Chang asked.

"We don't know what the relics of these two founders are."

"Actually... we could ask Mrs. Grey," Penelope suddenly suggested.

"Mrs. Grey is Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter, so she might know what Ravenclaw's relic is."

"The Dark Lord himself claims to be a descendant of Slytherin," Fleur also offered her thoughts.

"If he speaks the truth, then Slytherin's relic is likely to be a family heirloom or something similar."

"That makes sense. In that case, we can consider Ravenclaw's relics after school starts, and we can check out Slytherin's relics at the Dark Lord's old home.

I remember Voldemort's mother was named Merope Gaunt, and she was from the Gaunt family, which is Slytherin's only descendant," Alaric summarized.

"So, the Dark Lord might have found two, maybe even three of the founders' relics," Hermione said, counting on her fingers.

"But even if he obtained Ravenclaw's or Slytherin's relics, plus the diary, Harry himself, and the Dark Lord's family crest, there's still the seventh Horcrux remaining.

Do you think it could be that snake? Can animals even be used as Horcruxes?"

"Not very likely," Alaric analyzed.

"Because entrusting a part of your soul to a living, thinking being is very risky.

However, if I'm correct, when the Dark Lord was considering killing Harry Potter, he was still missing at least one Horcrux, and had not yet reached his goal of creating six."

"You mentioned that the Dark Lord used murder to create Horcruxes," Penelope said with some confusion.

"But we know he failed."

"Yes, but a few years later, he used Nagini to kill a Muggle old man.

Perhaps that was when he decided to make the snake his final Horcrux.

It could highlight Slytherin's heritage and enhance his mystery. I think it might be his favorite thing.

He undoubtedly likes to keep it close and seems to have an unusual level of control over it, even in Parseltongue, which is rare."

"So, with the diary destroyed, Harry no longer being a 'Horcrux,' and the snake and Ravenclaw's relic being currently inaccessible, it means there are still those three Horcruxes left to find," Fleur asked.

"So... should we search for them? Alaric? Is that what we're doing this vacation?"

"Yes," Alaric nodded, then looked at the girls. "Do you want to come along?"

"Of course," the girls agreed without hesitation.

For the division of labor, Cho Chang and Penelope were responsible for searching for information about Hufflepuff's cup through the Ministry of Magic and other means.

Through the alchemy shop, Penelope already had her own connections.

With Alaric introducing her to Mrs. Bones, finding the whereabouts of the cup was not as difficult as expected.

Meanwhile, Hermione and Fleur would accompany Alaric to explore the first destination, the Gaunt family home.

Early the next morning, Alaric, with the two girls, arrived early at the Ministry of Magic.

They went to the second floor, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

In the office of the Head of the Department, Mrs. Bones had been waiting for them for a while.

"You're here, Alaric, and also Miss Granger and Miss Delacour," Mrs. Bones greeted them and waved her hand.

Next to her, a wizard stood up. He was a short, stout man wearing very thick glasses that made his eyes appear as tiny dots, much like a mole's eyes.

He was dressed in eccentric clothes, resembling those wizards who try to dress like Muggles but lack experience: a striped bathing suit under a formal coat, with shoe covers on his feet.

He nodded to Alaric, his gaze filled with apprehension and fear.

"This is Fawley, an Auror," Mrs. Bones introduced.

"Although I don't know what you're investigating, he will be responsible for taking you to the Gaunt family home."

Guided by Fawley, using Apparition, Alaric and the girls arrived on a country path.

On both sides were tall, tangled hedgerows, and the summer sky above was as clear and blue as forget-me-nots.

A wooden signpost extended from the thorn bushes on the left side of the path.

Fawley stepped forward, examined the signpost, and then quickly walked down the path.

The three of them followed.

As they passed the wooden signpost, Hermione looked up at its two directional arrows.

One pointing back read: "Great Hangleton, 5 miles."

The one pointing towards the direction of Ogden read: "Little Hangleton, 1 mile."

Heading towards Little Hangleton, they walked for a while, surrounded only by tall hedgerows and the expansive, blue summer sky.

Then, the path turned left, descending steeply down the slope, and they unexpectedly discovered a valley that lay before them in full view.

In the valley, they saw a village—it was undoubtedly Little Hangleton, nestled between two steep slopes, with the church and cemetery clearly visible.

On the opposite slope of the valley, there was a large mansion surrounded by lush green fields.

Due to the steep descent, Fawley unconsciously started jogging.

Alaric lengthened his stride, and Hermione and Fleur quickened their pace to keep up.

As the path turned right, when they rounded the bend, Fawley's coat tails flashed, and he disappeared through a gap in the hedge.

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