Horcrux

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Word / Name Origins
In Latin, crux is similar to "Crucis," which means "pain or torture," and "hor" is a shortened form of the noun "horreum," which means "storehouse." Thus, "tormenting storehouse." The English meaning for "crux" is "the critical feature or essence," like the crux of an argument. Similar to the Latin translation, it then becomes understood as "essence storehouse." Many consider the soul to be the essence of an individual. Thus, Horcrux shares its naming origins with the Cruciatus Curse.

Riddle: Yes, sir. What I don't understand, though --- just out of curiosity --- I mean, would one Horcrux be much use? Wouldn't it be better, make you stronger, to have your soul in more pieces, I mean, for instance, isn't seven the most powerfully magical number, wouldn't seven---?"

A Horcrux is an object into which a person has concealed a part of his or her soul, enabling them to survive an attack on or the destruction of his or her body. In order to split the soul and contain it in a Horcrux, the spell caster must perform murder, as killing rips the soul apart, and then use a spell to encase the severed spirit. Lord Voldemort is the first known person to split his soul into more than two pieces.

Horcruxes are a banned subject at Hogwarts. Instructors are forbidden to provide any information on them and there are no textbooks currently in the library which provide details. Prior to Dumbledore's administration, there were books on the subject, but Dumbledore removed them to his office. Hermione was able to obtain these books following Dumbledore's death using a Summoning Charm.

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Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes

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