Two Bottles of Love Potion

"Kyle, you must come to the party tomorrow."

After Potions Class ended, Horace Slughorn stopped Kyle, who was about to leave. "This is to celebrate Mr. Blaise Zabini's seventeenth birthday. You'll definitely come, won't you?"

He looked positively delighted, bobbing his head as though he were the one about to celebrate a birthday.

Kyle, whom he had stopped, merely nodded. "Of course, Professor Slughorn. I'll be there."

"I knew it." Horace Slughorn smiled even more broadly. "A wizard coming of age is a major occasion. Lots of people will be attending—you certainly won't want to miss it.

"I'll go prepare the drinks for the party. I hope the Three Broomsticks still has some fine aged stock..."

Horace Slughorn fastened the gold clasp on his dragon-hide briefcase and was about to leave.

"Wait, Professor. I have a question." Kyle suddenly called after him.

"Then ask quickly, child, ask quickly..." Horace Slughorn turned back and said warmly.

"Professor, do you know about... Horcruxes?"

Horace Slughorn froze. His hand hung in midair, and even his round face seemed to cave in.

It was strange. A man who had been so lively moments ago seemed to wilt in an instant, as though he had not slept for days.

He licked his lips and asked hoarsely, "Y-you... what did you just say?"

"Horcruxes, Professor," Kyle repeated. "I saw the term in a book and got curious."

"Dumbledore sent you?" Horace Slughorn asked in a low voice, though his tone was certain. "Dumbledore showed you that memory... didn't he? He sent you to ask me!"

Horace Slughorn's eyes filled with shock and fear, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.

"What memory? Professor Dumbledore knows about this too?" Kyle asked in confusion.

"You don't know?" Horace Slughorn paused, then pulled a handkerchief from his breast