Was Marvolo Gaunts Ring or the Resurrection Stone the Horcrux in Harry Potter?

Introduction

Throughout the Harry Potter series, the Marvolo Gaunt's Ring and the Resurrection Stone have captivated readers as two significant magical artifacts. However, despite their importance, the ring itself is not a Horcrux, but it does serve as a vessel for one. This article delves into the intricacies of these magical objects and their connection to the Dark Lord, Voldemort, providing a comprehensive understanding of the Horcrux.

What is a Horcrux?

A Horcrux is a piece of dark magic practiced by dark wizards, allowing them to split their soul and safeguard a part of it within an object. This enables the dark wizard to return from death in a weaker but still dangerous form, effectively making them immortal. The Marvolo Gaunt's Ring becomes crucial in this context when it serves as a vessel for one of Voldemort's Horcruxes.

Marvolo Gaunt's Ring and the Resurrection Stone

Marvolo Gaunt's Ring holds more than just family history; it contains the Resurrection Stone, one of the three Deathly Hallows. The Resurrection Stone has the magical ability to bring forth the shadows of the dead, allowing one to communicate with them. However, the ring itself is not a Horcrux. It only becomes one after a series of unfortunate events.

From Family Heirloom to Horcrux

According to the narrative in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, when Tom Riddle (Voldemort) stole the Marvolo Gaunt's Ring from his uncle, Morfin, it was already not Marvolo's anymore. Tom Riddle performed the act of creating a Horcrux with the ring, embedding a piece of his soul within it. This transformation from a family heirloom to a vessel of dark magic turned a personal memento into a powerful, albeit dangerous, artifact.

The Birth of a Horcrux

The process of creating a Horcrux in this instance began when Tom Riddle, as a child named Tom Marvolo Riddle, stole the ring from Morfin Gaunt. Morfin, his uncle, accidentally revealed to Tom the location of the ring. After finding the ring and killing his family, Tom Riddle created the second Horcrux. It was during his sixth or seventh year that he performed the ritual, embedding a piece of his soul within the ring.

Unknown and Unintended

It is noteworthy that Voldemort (Tom Riddle) did not know about the Resurrection Stone within the ring until it took on Horcrux properties. He only knew of its monetary value and the magical potential of the Deathly Hallows, which he considered to be hollow and irrelevant. The Resurrection Stone was not an intended addition to the ring but rather an unintended side effect of Voldemort's magicked ritual.

In conclusion, the Marvolo Gaunt's Ring itself is not a Horcrux. It only becomes one after Tom Riddle performs his dark ritual, embedding a fragment of his soul within it. The ring serves as a vessel for the Horcrux, which contains a piece of Voldemort's soul, making it a powerful and dangerous artifact.