Smoke-Novel

Dumbledore nodded. With his left hand, he fished out a small bit of parchment.
"Do you know any informative works on Horcruxes besides these?"
Russell looked over the list of fifteen books. "I don't know of any others that
have any information not better explained in fourteen of these," he finally said.
"I don't know this second Tibetan one."
"There really is no other information in that book which is not found in the
other Buddhist sources," Dumbledore said. "Do you own any of these?"
"I actually own all of them," Russell answered.
"Really? I am surprised."
"You knew my great-great uncle Bertie, didn't you?"
Dumbledore nodded. "He was a Ravenclaw prefect my first two years here. I
must admit I lost track of him."
"His great-great uncle had gone to India with Clive, and married into an Indian
family you know."
"The Patils?"
"Exactly. These Patils are related, but not descended from him. Anyway, Uncle
Bertie went to work for what was then called Russell and Patil Imports. He
traveled extensively in Tibet, Nepal and other parts of Asia. He lived with us in
retirement until he died in 1963. He taught me a great deal, and I have his
library, among others. And yes, it is well protected."
"Don't give any of these books to Miss Granger, or give her much help,"
Dumbledore warned.
"Why?" Russell asked bluntly.
"I worry she will overly-influence Harry," Dumbledore answered. "I believe Harry
must proceed from instinct." When Russell tried to object, Dumbledore cut him
off. "I am serious, John."
"As you wish," Russell agreed. 'I'll get her any information she needs, somehow,'
he swore.
"Now, if you will excuse me, I think I need to rest," Dumbledore said, getting
shakily to his feet.
"May I ask what the Horcrux was?" Russell asked.
Dumbledore fished a ring from his pocket. "Slytherin's ring."