In the restricted section.

And I read something rather odd about a bit of rare magic.

It's called, as I understand it, a Horcrux.

I beg your pardon?

Horcrux, I came across the term while reading.

And I didn't fully understand it.

I'm not sure.

What you were reading, Tom, but this is very dark stuff, very dark indeed.

Which is why I came to you.

A Horcrux is an object in which a person has concealed part of their soul.

But I don't understand how that works.

One splits one's soul and hides part of it in an object, and by doing so you are protected should you be attacked and your body destroyed.

Protected?

That part of your soul that is hidden lives on.

In other words, you cannot die.

And how does one split his soul, sir?

I think you already know the answer to that, Tom.

Murder, yes, killing rips the soul apart, it is a violation against nature.

Can you only split the soul once?

Once, for instance, except seven.

Seven?

Merlin's beard, Tom, isn't it bad enough to consider killing one person to rip the soul into seven pieces?

This is all hypothetical, isn't it, Tom?

All academic?

Of course, sir.

It'll be our little secret.