Horcruxes

Horcruxes are magical artifacts that contain fragments of a wizard's soul, created to achieve immortality and to prevent death from destroying the self. The fragment resides within an object or, rarely, within a living being, granting the maker a form of continued existence even if their body is damaged.

A Horcrux is produced through a dark ritual that requires murder to tear the soul. The ritual is illegal, morally condemned, and deeply dangerous, as it corrupts the creator and allows the soul fragment to reside in an external vessel, severing the bond between the soul and the body.

In the canonical works, seven Horcruxes are identified: Tom Riddle's diary, Marvolo Gaunt's ring, Salazar Slytherin's locket, Helga Hufflepuff's cup, Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem, Nagini the snake, and Harry Potter himself, who becomes an unintended Horcrux. Each Horcrux anchors a fragment of Voldemort's soul and must be found and destroyed to render the wizard mortal again.

Destruction of Horcruxes requires powerful magic, often involving specialized weapons or substances capable of piercing a soul fragment, such as Basilisk venom or the Sword of Gryffindor. In the narrative, these Horcruxes are progressively eliminated, enabling the demise of the maker.

The concept raises questions about life, death, and moral corruption, and the Horcruxes serve as a central plot device in the story's climactic struggle. They have become a notable element of magical lore within the fictional universe.