The Gaunt Shack and the Second Horcrux
**Chapter 24: The Gaunt Shack and the Second Horcrux**
After spending a quiet Yule holiday at home, Alex’s mind couldn’t rest. The weight of the future he knew was pressing on him. Having already obtained Rowena Ravenclaw’s diadem, a Horcrux that had given him a dangerous glimpse into Voldemort’s fragmented soul, Alex had decided to continue his quest. The second Horcrux he sought was the Gaunt ring—another piece of Voldemort’s dark puzzle that lay hidden in the decaying ruins of the Gaunt family shack.
Located in Little Hangleton, the shack was a crumbling, forgotten relic of the once-powerful Slytherin bloodline. It was here that Voldemort’s maternal family had lived in squalor, consumed by bitterness and pride. The ring itself, now a cursed Horcrux, was no ordinary trinket—it was also one of the Deathly Hallows, a powerful magical artifact. But Alex wasn’t after the Hallow; he was after the dark piece of Voldemort’s soul encased in the ancient gold ring.
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**Preparation for the Mission**
Alex had spent weeks preparing for this. He had spent countless nights researching the shack’s location, studying defensive and curse-breaking magic, and, most importantly, ensuring that no one would be able to track him once he retrieved the ring. He wasn’t foolish—he knew the dangers that came with Horcruxes. His first encounter with the diadem had nearly driven him mad, and this second Horcrux would be no different. But he was determined. Each piece of Voldemort’s soul he could remove from the equation meant weakening the Dark Lord before his eventual return.
He had also spent time crafting a small pocket dimension—a space no bigger than a closet, hidden away and undetectable by ordinary magical means. It was here that he planned to store the Horcruxes until he could find a way to destroy them safely. Carrying them around was too dangerous; Voldemort had a way of sensing his soul’s pieces, even if weakened, and Alex couldn’t afford to draw attention to himself just yet.
After making sure his plans were airtight, Alex set out under the cover of night, using a combination of Disillusionment Charms and Apparition to ensure he wouldn’t be detected.
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**The Gaunt Shack**
The Gaunt shack was as decrepit as Alex had imagined. Nestled on the outskirts of Little Hangleton, the small, rotting house had long since been abandoned. The atmosphere around it was oppressive, almost as though the very land itself was cursed by the darkness that had once resided there. The air felt thick with decay, and Alex could feel the faint hum of dark magic lingering around the house.
As he approached the entrance, Alex’s pulse quickened. The knowledge he had gained from Voldemort’s memories within the diadem Horcrux served him well. He knew there would be traps. The shack was guarded by powerful blood magic, ancient and dangerous. If not for his careful preparation and knowledge of curse-breaking, Alex would have been caught in one of Voldemort’s webs.
He carefully waved his wand, casting a series of counter-curses and detection spells. A faint shimmer appeared around the front door, signaling the presence of an intricate magical lock designed to keep intruders out. Muttering an incantation he had learned from an old tome in the Black family library, Alex dispelled the barrier and stepped inside.
The inside of the shack was even worse than the outside. Broken furniture lay scattered around the small, dingy room, and the walls were covered in grime and dust. A lingering sense of malice seemed to permeate the air, as though the house itself held onto the hate of those who had lived there.
Alex moved carefully, his senses heightened. He knew where the ring was hidden—in the floorboards under an old, dilapidated table in the center of the room. But he also knew that simply grabbing it wasn’t an option. The ring was cursed—anyone who touched it without proper protection would be struck down by a deadly curse.
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**Retrieving the Ring**
Kneeling by the table, Alex used his wand to gently lift the floorboards. Beneath them lay a small, intricately carved box. He could feel the dark magic emanating from it even before he opened it. The Horcrux inside pulsed with the vile energy of Voldemort’s fragmented soul, desperate to protect itself.
Using a specialized protective charm, Alex levitated the box and placed it on the table. He murmured a series of curse-breaking incantations, his heart pounding as he worked. The process was delicate—one wrong move and he could trigger the curse that had been laid upon the ring.
After what felt like an eternity, the last of the protective curses around the ring broke. With a deep breath, Alex opened the box. There, nestled within a velvet-lined compartment, was the Gaunt ring—a simple gold band with a black stone set in the center.
He didn’t reach for it. Instead, he used his wand to carefully transfer the ring into a small, magically reinforced container he had brought with him. The moment the ring was secured, he felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had done it. The second Horcrux was now in his possession.
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**A Moment of Reflection**
Alex stood in the silent, decaying shack, staring down at the box that now held one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes. The weight of his actions was starting to settle on him. He had now twice come into direct contact with the darkest of magic. He had stolen two pieces of Voldemort’s soul, and the knowledge that came with it was both intoxicating and terrifying.
His mind briefly wandered to Harry. How would this ritual work on him? Could the connection between Voldemort and Harry be severed, freeing him from the prophecy’s curse? It was a tempting thought, but one that required more research and careful planning. For now, Alex had to focus on his next steps.
He carefully hid the ring inside his pocket dimension, securing it with every protective charm he knew. He couldn’t risk carrying it with him at Hogwarts—it was too dangerous, and too many eyes were watching.
As he left the shack, the cold night air hit him, bringing him back to reality. The path ahead was more dangerous than ever, and now that he had stolen two pieces of Voldemort’s soul, he knew that he would have to be even more careful. Voldemort’s influence was still present, even if he wasn’t fully resurrected yet, and the Dark Lord’s followers wouldn’t rest until they found him.
For now, though, Alex had time. He would return to Hogwarts after the holidays, prepare, and keep building his knowledge and power. There were still more Horcruxes to find, more pieces of Voldemort to destroy.
And one day, when the time was right, he would confront the Dark Lord himself.
But for now, he was ready to face whatever came next.