The Last Horcrux/Read The Fragmented Soul
The Fragmented Soul
This book was written in 1852, by an un-named author. Given the subject matter, you can understand why the author chose to remain nameless.
The book talks about the act of killing, with weapons, one’s bare hands, with magic, and with the unforgivable curse 'Avada Kedavra. This curse had been declared unforgivable in 1717, but at the time of writing, it was considered acceptable to use it on animals and magical beasts, such as Dragons, Hippogryphs, Spiders and the like. The author of the book utilised this to conduct a number of magical experiments, using the unforgivable curse to kill many animals and beasts and observing the effects.
One passage in particular stands out, and was underlined by a previous reader:
“The body is matter, but matter that is imbued with life and spirit. Destroying the matter, or the life of the body will separate it from the spirit, resulting in death. This we all know, and it is true whether the body be killed by a sword, or by drowning, or by the bare hands of another.
The Killing Curse is different. On incanting the words AVADA KEDAVRA, the magic user severs the link between the body and the spirit, casting the spirit into the afterlife whilst leaving the body unharmed. The curse attacks the prime anchor between the body and the soul. This I have observed. By casting the spell in the Astral Plane, I have seen the silver cord that links the soul to the body be severed irreparably.”
At this point you pause. Didn’t the author say they had only used the spell on animals? What manner of animal or beast can enter the Astral Realm? This is something you have only known incredibly talented Seers or Oneiromancers to be able to do. Did the author lie and slay one of these magic users to discover this? The author continues:
“Furthermore, one can see that the Killing Curse attacks the soul or its prime anchor by virtue of the fact that magical animated Guardians, such as Gargoyles and Golems are immune to the curse. This I have also verified experimentally. Such animated guardians can be readily ended by the destruction of their body, but are immune to the Killing Curse.”
You immediately realise that this means the Lestrange Family Guardian Statue will be immune to the unforgivable curse.
The second section of the book refers to the effect on the soul of the murderer. The author explains that only deliberate and intentional killing damages the soul of another. People who have accidentally killed, or tried and failed to save the lives of others do not appear to have soul damage. The author explains:
The act of killing, when intentional, tears a piece of the murderers soul asunder. One can observe this by means of the following:
Firstly, the incantation Revelio Anima, or Revelio Animus, in the case of a female. This spell will reveal something of the spirit, if the spirit is torn, damaged, or fragmented as is the case with murderers. Care must be taken, as some Dark Wizards have been known to utilise Obscura Amiga/Animus as a means of hiding their spirit, so as to conceal their crimes. Thus, by this means can one readily observe the effect of murder on the murderer’s soul in muggles, but not on all wizards and witches. If one suspects soul obfuscation has been utilised, the incantations Revelio Magicae, Revelio Obscura, and Finite Incantatem Obscura Anima/Animus may be required to detect and end such concealment. One Dark Wizard I encountered had gone so far as to conceal his gender, such that my spirit obfuscation counter was targeted incorrectly, aiming for a masculine Anima rather than a feminine Animus.
Secondly, one can detect soul fragmentation by the use of a Prime Pattern Mirror. I managed to obtain of these rare and ancient devices, and visited a Muggle prison in London, so as to use it without a magical confrontation. Posing as a doctor, I was able to