Harry opens the locket and finds a note inside.  He reads it and discovers that the locket containing the Horcrux was stolen and a fake put in its place by a former Death Eater who had switched sides.  He now knows that he has to find the real locket as well as the other Horcruxes.

  While Harry, Ron and Hermione are searching for the Horcruxes, Voldemort takes over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts, installing an Auror enslaved by an Imperius Curse as Minister for Magic and a Death Eater as Hogwarts Headmaster.  Harry and his friends find the real locket, but without Snape's help they never find the weapon they need to destroy the Horcrux within.  While they are searching, Voldemort discovers that the basin in the cave is empty and realizes that Harry is looking for the Horcruxes.  He checks that his other Horcruxes are still in place and decides to make a final assault upon Hogwarts before Harry finds them.  Before doing so, he tells all his Death Eaters where to find his spirit if his body is killed and how to make him a new body, and Lucius volunteers to do the job if Voldemort forgives Draco for his failure to kill you.

  Harry and his friends rush back to Hogwarts and join the fray.  Harry finds Voldemort, challenges him to a duel and kills him, but he is attacked from behind and killed by Lucius Malfoy.  Lucius draws Harry's blood and uses it to restore Voldemort once again.  Without Harry to inspire them, Voldemort's enemies are no match for Voldemort and his supporters, and he succeeds in conquering the wizarding world.  Ron, Hermione and Ginny are tortured and killed for their association with Harry.

  If you are satisfied with this state of affairs, turn to Chapter 50.

  If you want to explore the consequences of a different set of choices, click on the back arrow in your browser until you get to a choice you want to change.