So, are there 5, 6, or 7 horcruxes?

[fanofminerva]

No: HPFGUIDX 136412

I know we seem to have discussed horcruxes "to death" (pardon the very 
bad pun).  I wanted others' opinions to this question.

We know LV wanted to split his soul 7 times.  The question I have is 
this:  Did he intend to have 7 horcruxes, with the part of his soul 
remaining in him being the 8th part of his soul?  Or did he intend to 
have 7 parts of his soul...6 in horcruxes and 1 in his body?

The second part of my question is this: Did he succeed in esatblishing 
the last horcrux, or was he thwarted at Godric's Hollow?  If he was 
thwarted, does he have 5, 6, or 7 horcruxes?  Of the horcruxes, 2 have 
been destroyed (the diary and the ring - isn't this what bar-b-qued 
DD's hand?).  It seems the answer to this is crucial for understanding 
what will happen in book 7.

Julie -- who sometimes thinks herself into confusion