a matter of life

Harry stared at the various oddments that littered Dumbledore's shelves. Of course, he was far too sensible to touch anything.

He prodded the old toy lion. Someone had transfixed it with a miniature sword. You could almost see a look of pain on its face, if you squinted.

"Ah, Harry," Dumbledore said, sweeping up behind him silently.

"Sir," Harry acknowledged. "Er, is this another Horcrux?"

"Quite the opposite, Harry. This is an empty shell, no more. But what formed it -- he was a being who would do anything rather than take a life, and who gave his own for others."

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