Became good friends with the Boy Who Lived

In the Pensieve in the headmaster's office of Hogwarts, Aeris and Harry were led by Professor Dumbledore, like three spectators, watching Professor Slughorn's true memory.

This is an exquisite and comfortable office with a gorgeous round table, comfortable armchairs, and each armchair is equipped with a set of ottomans.

A variety of exquisite snacks and desserts were placed on the table. Sitting around the table were several young men who looked like Hogwarts students. These students were vaguely led by the most handsome student.

Of course, there is also Professor Slughorn, who looks young and high-spirited, sitting in the C position.

Professor Slughorn squinted his eyes and tasted the candied pineapple with a satisfied expression on his face. He said with satisfaction: "Tom... Tom... You are such a clever little guy... You have mastered the taste I like. The candied pineapple you sent is so sweet that it touches my heart..."

The most handsome boy chuckled, looking a little shy. Aeris started to wonder in his heart, "Oh my god... this boy is so handsome..."

The current Tom Riddle has obviously created at least two Horcruxes. The separation of his soul did not make him ugly, but instead gave him a kind of androgynous...beauty.

"Is it necessary to make myself look like that in the later period?" Aeris complained, "Being strong or not is a temporary thing, but being handsome or not is a lifelong thing!"

Professor Slughorn went on to say, "You are about to graduate, Tom. Have you thought about your future? If you plan to go into politics, as long as you keep sending me candied pineapples, I promise that you will become the Minister of Magic within ten years. I have a very strong relationship in the Ministry. Even Dumbledore can't change what I said..."

Aries looked at Professor Dumbledore beside him strangely. The old professor just held his forehead in silence, smiled bitterly and shook his head. He seemed helpless to have such a boastful but capable colleague.

Tom spoke, his voice gentle, in stark contrast to Voldemort's current voice: "I have no intention of entering politics, sir, I don't have any background..."

The other students were whispering to each other, seemingly saying that their leader had an extraordinary background.

Professor Slughorn was slightly displeased. He said proudly, "What do you mean by no background? I've heard that you might have the blood of Salazar Slytherin. Putting that aside, can't I be your background?"

"Of course... sir... of course... thank you for your appreciation..." Tom said quickly.

Professor Slughorn then revealed a satisfied smile, and glanced at the clock in the corner intentionally or unintentionally, and said in artificial surprise: "It's this late already? Good times always pass quickly, don't they? Go back to bed! Let's go, children... Lestrange, if you don't hand in your Potions paper tomorrow, I will put you in detention..."

Several students laughed and pushed each other out of the office, and only Tom stayed at the end. He was playing with a rough gold ring on the index finger of his left hand. The ring was exactly the same as the one Professor Dumbledore wore at the opening dinner.

Harry exclaimed in surprise: "Marvolo's ring..."

Professor Slughorn turned around and saw Tom who had not left. He said in surprise, "Go back to the dormitory, Tom! You are the president of the male student union, and curfew is coming soon. You can't... take the lead in violating school rules, right?"

"You know me, sir!" Tom said gently, "I am the most obedient of your students, but I have a question... Of course, I can also ask Professor Mellors... But... You know... Some professors... are not as open-minded as you..."

"Hahaha...you!" Professor Slughorn laughed heartily. "Any questions? Just ask. I'll try my best to answer them for you..."

"Uh...Horcruxes..." Tom began hesitantly.

Professor Slughorn's face darkened instantly. He looked at Tom suspiciously and asked uncertainly, "Questions about Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

"I accidentally saw this...noun..." Tom said quickly, "Please forgive me...I...have become a little curious about this word..."

"Of course... of course... academic discussions... very normal... very normal..." Professor Slughorn said, "Horcruxes... containers of souls... extremely evil black magic items. The person who first invented and successfully made them was the most evil Greek black wizard of almost the same era as the four giants of Hogwarts: the despicable Herpo..."

"Then...what is the function of the Horcrux?" Tom asked tentatively.

Professor Slughorn had a layer of cold sweat on his forehead, but he still answered Tom: "Separate a part of your complete soul... through the most evil method... and store it in a container... It can be any container. This way you will have an extra life. When your original body dies or is irreversibly destroyed, the part of your soul that you separated can... continue to live in pain... But believe me... Tom... that kind of incomplete soul... is better off dead..."

"Evil ways?" demanded Tom. "What evil ways?"

"Murder..." Professor Slughorn hesitated for a long time before answering.

"Just that?" Tom couldn't wait to ask.

"It also requires a spell..." Professor Slughorn was a little exasperated, "Don't ask me what the spell is... I don't know... Do I look like a murderer? Do I look like one?"

"Of course not... sir... we are not discussing academic matters..." Tom said quickly, "Then... theoretically... can a wizard create multiple... Horcruxes... for example... isn't seven the most magical number? Is it possible..."

"Oh my Merlin!" Professor Slughorn staggered back two steps and looked at Tom in disbelief, as if he had just met him for the first time. "Killing a person and splitting his soul is evil enough, Tom... my child... you... you... you... I... I... we are really just having an academic discussion... right..."

"That's right... Professor... We are just having an academic discussion... We won't disturb your rest... Good night... Sir..." Tom Riddle said and turned around and walked out of the office door. What Professor Slughorn didn't notice was that Tom Riddle had an ecstatic expression on his face and a fierce red light in his eyes when he turned around and walked out.

"It's time to go back, children!" Professor Dumbledore's gentle voice rang out, and in a trance, Aries and Harry were led out of the Pensieve by Professor Dumbledore, and their feet landed on the solid floor of the headmaster's office.