Harry is up before dawn at Prince Manor, determined to hunt Horcrux leads the Muggle way. With Dobby’s help and a hoard of old Daily Prophets, he pieces together the deaths of Hepzibah Smith, the theft of Hufflepuff’s cup and Slytherin’s locket, and the Gaunt family murders that were blamed on Morfin instead of Tom Riddle. By breakfast he has added the Gaunt ring to his growing Horcrux list and earned another rare moment of pride from Severus. After they eat, Severus takes Harry to the ruined Gaunt shack, teaches him to feel and strip Voldemort’s wards, and almost gives up when the place seems empty. Harry finally spots a loose floorboard, finds the hidden ring, and nearly dies reaching for it before Severus yanks him back and reveals just how deadly the curse on it was. When Dumbledore Apparates in to check the shack, they slip out through a tiny bathroom window and escape unseen. Back in the dungeons, Severus destroys the ring with basilisk venom while Harry watches another Horcrux die, then gets patched up from nettle stings and thrown straight back into dueling practice. The day ends with praise for how far Harry has come, a letter from Dumbledore asking for Harry’s help on Friday, and plans for more training and ward study as the war and the Dementors’ breeding ground keep closing in.

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