Tom Riddle/Lord Voldemort in HBP

[susanmcgee48176]

No: HPFGUIDX 133776

Lord Voldemort does not act in the Half-Blood Prince, but we see 
quite a bit of him in the Pensieve...and learn a lot about him.

Let us contrast Harry Potter when he is told by Hagrid that he is a 
wizard. Harry has defended himself by magic, but has never done 
anything nasty or mean spirited. He doesn't know that he has magical 
abilities. He is innocent.

In contrast, when we first meet Tom at the orphanage, he has already 
chosen to do evil with his powers. He has hung Billy Stubb's rabbit 
from the rafters.  Amy Benson and Dennis Bishop were never quite 
right after Tom had taken them into the cave. Tom has stolen items 
from the other children in the orphanage.

Then, Tom kills and steals from the Hepzibah, the rich old witch who 
has a cup of Helga Hufflepuff's and the gold locket from Slytherin. 
He finds his uncle, frames him for the murder of his father and 
grandparents, and steals his ring.

Then, we see a major confrontation between Professor Dumbledore, new 
headmaster at Hogwarts, and Tom Riddle, who would prefer to be 
addressed as Lord Voldemort.

"They do not call me 'Tom' any more" he said. "These days I am known 
as---"

"I know what you are known as,"...said Dumbledore, smiling 
pleasantly "But to me, I'm afraid, you will always be Tom Riddle..."

Dumbledore refuses to acknowledge or respect Tom/LV's remaking and 
renaming of himself. 

Dumbledore tells Tom/LV that he would be sorry to believe half of 
thing things that Tom/LV has done since he has left Hogwarts.

Tom/LV says "Will you let me return? Will ou let me share my 
knowledge with your students? I place myself and my talents at your 
disposal. I am yours to command."

Of course Tom/LV is really presenting Professor Dumbledore with an 
ultimatum...let me come back to Hogwarts or else....

Dumbledore refuses his ultimatum, and this is the declaration of 
war..alea iacta est....

So we see the beginnings of the war between Albus Dumbledore and Tom 
Riddle, who styles himself as Lord Voldemort.....

We also find out that it is Tom who has somehow cursed the DADA 
position (the one that he wanted) at Hogwarts..... Dumbledore 
says "...we have never been able to keep a DADA teacher for longer 
than a year since I refused the post to Lord Voldemort."

A lot to digest...

Susan McGee
Northern California