Source of Riddle's Diary Solved

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 87431

Recently there has been a long on-going discussion of Tom Riddle's
Diary, and where he is likely to have gotten it. 

Most people seem set on Tom Riddle going to the diary, but I have
alway contended (as has Ron) that the diary came to Tom. 

In speculating about how Tom Riddle Jr might have come across his
diary, some brilliant research has been done by the equally brilliant
Shaun Hately, who not only found the most likely location of the
1940's era Vauxhall Road, but was able to lead us to likely orphanages
in the area where Tom Riddle Jr could have been living. What I am
going to propose in no way invalidates, diminishes the significants
of, or minimizes the substantial amount of research that went in to
accumulating his data.

Primarily, in 1943/1944, American GI's, very much missing their own
homes and families, threw huge 'Christmas for Orphans' parties. Every
orphan they could gather was invited to a big feast, a chance to be
adopted by a GI for the day, a cahnce to meet Santa Claus, and of
course, PRESENTS! (History Channel - WWII doucmentary coverage)

In cases there the orphans were unable to come to them, they drove
huge fleets of trucks out to ophanages loaded with food and presents.
Many Brits who were orphans who were interviewed remember the
Christmas Parties very vividly and very fondly, some of thier best
memories during those dark times.

If would seem reasonable to conclude that little children are easy to
satisfy at Christmas; a toy and a little affection, but older kids
like Tom Riddle would probably feel uncomfortable with both a
child-like present and with the affection. Extending this logic, a
diary doesn't seem that unreasonable a gift for someone of 15 or 16. 

I certainly don't have any way to prove this, but from many orphans
this was the only Christmas they had, and any presents they received
would have come from these GI sponsored parties.

To believe that Tom Riddle bought the diary himself, I would have to
see some indication of calculated intent to use the diary prior to his
opening of the Chamber of Secrets 50 ago.

In the absents of that prior intent, I have to conclude that the diary
fell into his possession some how, and only later did he get the idea
to save himself in it.

Just a thought.

bboy_mn