Accidental Harrycrux : a theory

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 155330

Rebecca:
*(snip)*
> I also have to question 
> when in fact that Tom Riddle made the diary and the ring Horcruxes -
 we 
> don't know how old Riddle was in the memory, but he "did" have the 
ring on 
> his hand because Harry notices it in the memory Slughorn gave him. 
Just 
> curious, but if it was a Horcrux then, why did he ask Slughorn 
about them?

Ceridwen:
I think it's possible that the only thing Tom Riddle really meant to 
find out from Slughorn was if it was possible to make more than one 
Horcrux.  As he gets closer to the information he wants, the smooth 
line drops away, he is visibly impatient.  See Horcruxes chapter, 
page 497 US Scholastic hardcover, as the 'careful flattery' begins to 
give way to excitement.  On page 498 he demands information which 
Slughorn cannot or will not give.  Then he backs off, apologizes for 
possibly offending, then gets to the question that I think was really 
his purpose:

"What I don't understand, though - just out of curiosity - I mean, 
would one Horcrux be much use?  Can you only split your soul once?  
Wouldn't it be better, make you stronger, to have your soul in more 
pieces, I mean, for instance, isn't seven the most powerfully magical 
number, wouldn't seven - ?"

When Tom leaves, Harry notices a look of 'wild happiness' that made 
him look 'less human' (page 499).

Since Horcruxes are a banned subject at Hogwarts (Slughorn doesn't 
say DD banned them or was instrumental in their banning, only that he 
was fierce about upholding the ban), then how did Tom, Muggle-raised, 
know about them if he didn't know more than he got from Slughorn in 
the first place?  He needed to know if it was possible to make more 
than one, in my opinion.

Ceridwen.