What killed the Riddles?

[Theresa]

No: HPFGUIDX 104901

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "jelly92784" <jelly92784 at y...> 
wrote:
> <wsherratt3338 at r...> wrote:
> > I've always supposed that the 3 Riddles were killed by a AK 
curse, 
> but
> > I was comparing their deaths with that of Cedric, and noticed a 
> small
> > discrepancy.  They were said to be found with a look of terror on
> > their faces, as if frightened to death.  Yet when we've seen an 
AK 
> in
> > action, on Cedric, it isn't described that way - Harry looks 
at "his
> > open grey eyes, blank and expressionless as the windows of a 
> deserted
> > house, at his half-open mouth, which looked slightly surprised."  
> 
> 
> Now me:
> I think that their expressions had to do with the situation facing 
> them, although in both cases it was death due to AK, it was very 
> different for the riddles and cedric.  Cedric and Harry were 
thinking 
> that the cup being a portkey was a part of the last task of the 
> tournament, as far as we know cedric's life wasn't full of danger 
> like Harry's was and this was probably the last thing that he 
> expected, therefore, he was 'surprised' and probably not quite 
> comprehending what was happening. 
> 
> We know less about the case of the Riddles.  I assume that the 
> teenage boy that they saw was Tom, and although they probably had 
> rarely, if ever, seen him before my guess is that he might've gone 
in 
> there and told them exactly who he was and what he was going to do 
to 
> them, and then he did it.  The riddles would've been terrified.
> 
> I guess in general what i'm saying is that it's not the curse that 
> leaves a certain expression on the victim's face, but the 
> circumstances surrounding the curse and what the victim is 
> experiencing.
> 
> thoughts?
> 
> Janelle

This is a rather interesting question. I had always thought Tom had 
used AK but since they were muggles and here was this wizard who 
obviously hated them, that they were frightened as it hit them, hence 
their expression. Also, not having my copy of my book here at work, 
what was Frank's expression when he hit the floor in GOF? I remember 
the icky thing in the chair scared him before he was cursed but I 
don't recall if it says his expression was of fear. Plus I don't 
think Cedric had time to react to the curse. Harry and Cedric showed 
up in the graveyard and were still figuring things out when boom - 
here comes a guy and down Cedric goes. So maybe some people do look 
frightened.
I believe they did not know who he was as in CoS he mentioned to 
Headmaster Dippert about not wanting to go back to the orphanage if 
the school shutdown. I figured his mom died in childbirth, and his 
dad never acknowledged him so he was sent to the orphanage. And being 
a wizard that caused a few problems growing up so his hatred grew for 
his father. I imagine he was quite scary when he showed up there. I 
know if I were them I would have been quite afraid. Especially, if 
Tom Sr knew what Tom Jr's mum was capable of doing.
The only other thought I had if it was not AK was maybe a dementor 
accompanied Tom Jr. I am not sure how friendly (I know odd word to 
use with dementors) they were with Voldemort during the first war. I 
know Dumbledore says in GOF that they might ally with Voldemort so 
they should be removed from Azkaban.
I think my vote is still on the AK though.

Theresa