Tom Riddle

[corinthum]

No: HPFGUIDX 81208

Kelley asked:

> Lord Voldemort is Tom Riddle, and Tom Riddle has a muggle for 
> a father which means he is not pure blood. How is it that he is the 
> heir of Slytherin in CoS? 

He can trace his lineage to Slytherin through his mother's side.

> Also, don't Voldemort's supporters want to 
> purify by getting rid of all muggle borns? How can someone who is 
> muggle born lead that revolt?

Riddle needed a scapegoat for the many problems he (and the wizarding
world in general) have faced, and based on his own experiences with
the Muggle world (Muggle father abandoned left his mother, leading to
her death, and abondoned him,he was raised in an orphange that he
apparently hated, etc.) it's not too surprising that he chose Muggles
as the target on which to focus his hate.

The collision of the Muggle and Wizarding worlds, in Riddles own life,
resulted in only pain.  He has transferred this experience to life in
general.

My opinions, of course.

>Does everyone know that Voldemort is 
> Tom Riddle and that he is muggle born?
 
No.  Dumbledore states in CoS that very few people know Voldemort is
the same person as Tom Riddle.  

Also, Bellatrix makes it quite clear during her battle with Harry that
she believes Riddle to be pureblood.  Why would Voldemort alienate all
these followers who are so willing to do his bidding by revealing a
silly little secret like that?

-Corinth