Could Voldemort Have Made Hogwarts Castle or a Mountain a Horcrux?

In the Harry Potter universe, not anything can be made into a Horcrux. Objects and living creatures can become vessels for a dark wizard’s torn spirit. However, is it possible for places like Hogwarts Castle or a mountain to become Horcruxes? Let's delve into the possibilities.

Horcruxes and Their Formation

To form a Horcrux, a Dark wizard must fragment their soul and store it in an object. This requires the caster to commit a heinous act, such as murder, and performs a highly ritualistic and dangerous spell. Once created, a Horcrux can exist in any form, whether a book, a diary, or even a piece of jewelry. However, the key factor is the ability to house and contain a fragment of the wizard's soul.

Hogwarts Castle – Can It Be a Horcrux?

The infamous Hogwarts Castle is a powerful and complex environment steeped in magic. It is haunted by several ghosts and has a poltergeist. Its architecture and history are intertwined with the dark arts. However, the castle is not simply a structure but a place where many magical artifacts and events have transpired. Professor Nicolas Flamel, the founder of the school, was a sorcerer with powerful knowledge of the dark arts.

According to Wizarding World experts, buildings constructed with or around Dark magic may have a form of inherent protection or backlash against those who attempt to destroy them. For example, Azkaban prison may be cursed to some extent, making it difficult to break down or destroy. Similarly, a substantial magical structure like Hogwarts could potentially resist efforts to turn it into a Horcrux.

Mountains – Can They Serve as Horcruxes?

Mountains are vast, unyielding natural formations that have a unique magnum aura. The idea of a mountain turning into a Horcrux is intriguing. Mountains are not objects the way a diary or jewelry might be, but they do possess a significant amount of energy and are often associated with powerful magic. Would Voldemort be able to fragment his soul and store it in a mountain?

The answer lies in the complexity of the process and the nature of the mountain itself. Mountains are not living beings nor objects that hold a soul fragment, making them less likely to become a traditional Horcrux. However, their immense magical capacity might allow a powerful dark wizard to interact with the mountain in a unique way. The mountain’s energy could somehow act as a conduit for a fragment of the Dark Lord's soul, albeit in an unconventional and potentially dangerous manner.

Rare Possibilities for Horcruxes

Theoretically, a Dark wizard might attempt to bind a shard of their essence to a place by either creating a feature that is already immovable from the structure or placing an object inside a venue of great sentimental value. The castle of Hogwarts, being a place of great significance and high emotional value to many characters, might be considered such a location. If Voldemort were to conceive of such a plan, he might choose a feature of the castle, such as the hidden chamber or a magical portrait, to house a Horcrux.

Alternatively, a mountain might serve as a unique Horcrux in the sense that its enormous size and energy allow for an indirect storage of a soul fragment. However, this would be highly speculative and would likely involve complex and unprecedented magic.

Canonical Examples and References

For a Horcrux to be considered canon, it must be directly referenced within the Harry Potter series. In Hogwarts: A History, pg. 492 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and pg. 506, it is stated that a Horcrux can be resistant to most natural and supernatural calamities. Chapter 6 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix mentions a house (Grimmauld Place) feeling like it has enough faculty to discern who wants to break the curses due to the accumulation of malevolent artifacts. These examples suggest that places can have uncanny abilities under certain conditions, which might support the idea of a Horcrux in a different form.

Conclusion

While the possibility of Hogwarts Castle or a mountain becoming a Horcrux is highly theoretical and speculative, it is intriguing to consider the magical complexities and potential dark magic that might be involved. The principles of Dark magic and the nature of Horcruxes suggest that while it is unlikely, it is not entirely inconceivable. The heart of the matter lies in the understanding of the Dark Lord's true intentions and the limits of magical creation.