What did Riddle want from Ginny?

[fanofminerva]

No: HPFGUIDX 111407

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, caesian <caesian at y...> wrote:
> Well, I feel like Hannah Abbott: I lost my head completely and 
somehow 
> managed to multiply a ferret into a flock of flamingos (OotP, 
O.W.L.S.) 
> over on the Snape thread.  I might have driven Kneasy to swear off 
> romance entirely - and he used to have a thing for Madam 
Rosmerta!  Oh 
> well.  Sorry.  (wait a minute - do you think she's on to us with 
that 
> ferret-flamingo reference?  Draco would be the ferret, and then... 
> nevermind.)
> 
> So, in penance, I went digging around for some really, really 
obscure 
> Canon.
> 
> For example, anyone else notice that poor wizard Barruffio, the 
one who 
> pedals Brain Elixer (OotP, O.W.L.S.), said 's' instead of 'f' and 
found 
> himself on the floor with a buffalo on his chest (PS, Hallowe'en).
> 
> But what got my interest was this question and answer on JKR's 
official 
> Website in the FAQ section:
> 
> Question: In 'Chamber of Secrets', what would have happened if 
Ginny 
> had died and Tom Riddle had escaped the diary?
> Answer: I can't answer that fully until all seven books are 
finished, 
> but it would have strengthened the present-day Voldemort 
considerably.
> 
> My first thought was, is that really a frequently asked question?  
I 
> mean, who are these genius kids?  And who cares?  He didn't escape 
and 
> the diary is destroyed.  Interesting that it was included.  It was 
> posted before the whole HBP announcement, or any mention of a long-
lost 
> link between CoS and HBP.  (Sneaky.)
> 
> Second, could this be the plot that was entirely removed from 
CoS?  
> I.e., is the explanation of what happened between Ginny and 
Riddle, and 
> what he stood to gain, removed from CoS to be included later?  I 
would 
> assume it pertains to the nature of the present-day Voldemort.  
What 
> was he getting from Ginny?
> 
> According to the text:
> "So Ginny poured out her soul to me, and her soul happened to be 
> exactly what I wanted."
> 
> hmmm.  Very changelling hypothesis. 
> (http://www.redhen-publications.com/Changeling.html)
> 
> Also:
> "All the while he spoke, Riddle's eyes never left Harry's face.  
There 
> was an almost hungry look in them."
> 
> yikes, watch your soul.
> 
> Caesian

This reminded me of the theory that the soul of Tom Riddle was 
transferred to baby Harry that night at Godric's Hollow.  This would 
explain why he did not die.  His body may have vaporized 
(hence, "Vapormort") but his soul still lived in Harry.  This 
provides explanations to others issues as well.

First, the prophecy.  This soul transference marked Harry as his 
equal.  Equal because of Tom's soul residing in him.

Second, the connection.  If Tom's soul is residing in Harry, then 
Harry can sense what Tom is thinking/feeling.  This may also explain 
why the name "Tom Riddle" was familiar to Harry.

Third, the scar.  Perhaps a scar of this kind was the mark of 
a "soul bearer."  DD said this was "ancient magic."  Perhaps it was 
done with greater frequency in an earlier time.  For what reason?  I 
haven't the foggiest.  One guess would be to escape persecution.  
One's soul would be transferred to another, their bodies "killed" 
then their soul reunited.  (Far-fetched, I know, but it's just 
birdwalking anyway.)

Fourth, the intensity.  The more Harry is around LV and learns of 
him (and vice versa), the greater the intensity of the pain in his 
scar, the darkness of his mood, the "insight" of his nightmares, 
etc.  LV may be trying to pull his soul from Harry, but 
unintentionally.  I don't think LV knows his soul is in Harry.  
(Chamber of Secrets, ch. 17 "Well," said Riddle, smiling 
pleasantly, "how is it the you -- a skinny boy with no extraordinary 
magical talent -- managed to defeat the greatest wizard of all 
time?  How did you escape with nothing but a scar, while Lord 
Voldemort's powers were destroyed?"  There was an odd red gleam in 
his hungry eyes now.  American hardback page 313.)

SO, yes, Tom may have been after Ginny's soul because he was missing 
his own soul.  

Then again, Tom may have been looking for love.  Or would this be 
the same thing?

Chamber of Secrets, chapter 17 "It's very boring, having to listen 
to the silly troubles of an eleven-year-old girl," he went on. "But 
I was patient.  I wrote back.  I was sympathetic, I was kind.  Ginny 
simply /loved/ me."  American hardback page 309

Julie -- things that make you go Hmmmmmm...