[HPforGrownups] Re: Question regarding Tom Riddle

[Rita]

No: HPFGUIDX 46511


Becky: 

Erm. Normally I'd agree with you, but AFAICR there is no mention of 
anybody but Hagrid referring to LV's House. The quote with Ron comes 
from the CTMNBN, *not* the books. In the books, this is a clear 
Hagrid line. I honestly *don't* think that Ron would have any clue 
what House LV was in. I can imagine a "Probably in Slytherin" (said 
with an appropriate disgusted grimace ;-)), but I'm not ready to go 
all "poor, maligned Slytherin" using CTMNBN quotes. :P 

Me: 
Actually this is a very tricky issue, I've always taken for granted that LV
was in Slytherin and I can't really remember what makes me so sure, I seem
to recall that neither Riddle nor LV mention their house, so doesn't Dumbl
the only time he tells about Lv's days at school in CoS, there's nothing in
the diary memory either and I can't recall any other place in the books
where it's likely that a reference to this could be made. 
The only canon to support this idea has been give, and Becky can relax and
agree with the
others because the Ron quote *comes* from the book: PS ch.6 'The journey
from platform 9 and 3/4' p . 80 UK edition, it could have been retained in
the movie, I don't remember 'cause I haven't seen it since last year when it
came out. And there's no 'disgusted grimace' on Ron's face just a depressed
look at the thought that he could end up in Slytherin ( that's what they
were discussing when the reference comes up) ^_- 

Given this sort of ambiguity on the subject and the first name thing between
Hagrid and Riddle we could be very much surprised later on, otherwise I can'
t think of any other reason why JKR was so careful not to state clearly
Riddle's house (unless she just likes being ambiguous!). 

I checked all the aforementioned episodes, so now I'm sure it says nothing
about the house but I found a little bit of canon that complicates the
picture ( is this English?). 
CoS, last chapter p. 244-245 Uk edition Harry and Dumbl are discussing Harry
s
 likeness to LV, the very famous 'choice speech': 
Harry: I don't think I'm like him! ... I'm in Gryffindor 
then he goes on to tell about the Sorting, then Dumbl explain his theory
about the transfer of powers and the traits that Harry shares with Slytherin
house and please note that Dumbl refers to Salazar himself and *not* LV. All
this time Dumbl has never mentioned LV, but didn't even correct Harry's
belief that Riddle was a Slytherin. 
The only time Riddle is referred to is in replying to Harry's statement
about having asked not to be put in Sl : 'Which makes you very different
from Tom Riddle. It's our choice etc etc'. Which, to me, could either mean
that Riddle asked to go to Sl or that at some point, whatever his house was
at school, he choose evil. Harry, to whom ( but he's not the only one)
Slytherin is the 'symbol' of evil, in rejecting that house in his very first
day at school rejected evil at the tender age of 11. Which also means that
he sort of decided to use his 'dark side' for Good, not to succumb to it as
it is then proved when he spares  Sirius, before, and later Peter's lives,
he was able to check is hate and revengefulness.
All this to say that the matter is far from being settled if we have to
decided using what we have been given so far.
Hope I managed to make myself understood,
R.

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