Why Wasn't Hagrid Cleared?

[erisedstraeh2002]

No: HPFGUIDX 42183

I'm a new member, but thanks to Darrin's kind note about not being 
afraid to bring up a topic that's probably been discussed a million 
times before, I'm going to bring up a question that I have about CoS -
which is, why does everyone (except Dumbledore) still believe Hagrid 
opened the Chamber of Secrets 50 years ago when it subsequently 
became clear that Tom Riddle was Voldemort and the true Heir of 
Slytherin?  As Professor Binns points out, only the Heir of Slytherin 
can open the chamber.  So once Riddle revealed himself as Voldemort 
and the Heir of Slytherin, why didn't everyone put these pieces 
together and realize that Hagrid was framed?

The only way I can make this make sense is if Dumbledore is the only 
one who knows that Riddle is Voldemort.  But if Dumbledore's the only 
one who knows, how did he find out something that no one else knows, 
and why did he keep it a secret?  Also, on p. 314 (Scholastic ed.), 
Riddle tells Harry that Voldemort "was a name I was already using at 
Hogwarts, to my most intimate friends only, of course."  Are we to 
assume that this was a secret these "intimate friends" kept for 50 
years?  Especially since some of them renounced Voldemort when he 
fell from power?

Also, why would Hagrid be sent to Azkaban during the second wave of 
attacks when he wasn't sent there the first time (when there was 
presumably more compelling evidence against him)?  Are we to presume 
that one has to be a certain age in order to be sent to Azkaban, and 
Hagrid was too young the first time?

I also noticed that at the end of CoS (Chapter 17), when Harry meets 
Riddle in the Chamber, Riddle is referred to as "Riddle" every time 
except for once on p. 318 (Scholastic ed.)where it says "*Voldemort* 
was laughing." I'm wondering whether there's any significance to this?
 
I'd love to hear your thoughts - thanks!

Phyllis
who is having trouble today following JKR's advice to "not let the 
Muggles get you down"