Owner of Riddle House - House of Mystery?

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 148339

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Gregory Sopko" <gsopko at ...> wrote:
>
>   > Catherine:
>   > Who is "the wealthy man that owned the Riddle house" (pg 10, 
>   > GoF, UK edition)? <snip> 
> 
>   Exodusts:
>   > <snip> Maybe LV bought the house, through an agent, at the 
>   > most recent of its sales? <snip>
> 
> Gregory:
> Since Voldemort killed his father and grandparents, he inherited the 
> house and would be the wealthy owner, would he not?
>

bboyminn:

Well, I can say for certain, but I have a theory ....HA! Like you
didn't already know that.

I have always suspected there were people who acted as 'go betweens'
between the muggle and magic worlds. Perhaps a green grocer who is
aware of the magic world (for whatever reason) uses his business to
funnel fresh produce into the magic world. There could be similar real
estate agents who, for example, helped Mr. Weasley buy his farm. If
you are willing to accept this premise, then it is logical that there
would be 'go between' people who help wizard with muggle legal problems. 

Logically, with no clear and immediate heir to the Riddle Estate, the
government would get involved in settling the estate. I'm not sure of
the details of how it works in the U.K., but I think it is still a
reasonable assumption. 

So, Tom Riddle would send lawyer in advance to make his case and lay
his claim to the estate. At the last minute, after all the evidence
and necessary documentation had been produced, he would show up in
person to sign the documents and claim the estate. They couldn't
really accuse him of murder because the books clearly tell us that
there was no proof at all that the Riddles had been murdered. Indeed,
it was that very fact that got Frank Bryce off.

Voldemort, through his 'go between' agents quickly claimed the money
and turned the real assets into cash, and used the money to finance
his quest for the Dark Arts and Immortality. This could have been done
within a year after the Riddles had been murdered.

Since that time, the house has been sold and resold. Each new owner
rejecting the house because it had a nasty feel to it. And why would a
perfectly good house have a nasty feel? Because some small bit of
Voldemort's soul is residing there. Hey, it could happen.

Though, I will admit, it goes against Dumbledore's speculation
regarding /what/ the Horcruxes are, but it doesn't necessarily go
against Voldemort's idea of hiding Horcruxes in significant places.
The place where he killed his parents would certainly be viewed as a
significant part of Voldemort's personal history. I think he is much
more likely to have hid a Horcrux at or near the Riddle house than he
is to have hidden one at Godrics Hollow. 

I'm not saying all this is true, only that it is a relatively
reasonable speculation of the sequence of events.

In previous discussions of this subject, the names that have most
often come up as current owners are Malfoy (on Voldemort's behalf) and
Dumbledore (because he understands the significants). Maybe, Harry
will inherit the Riddle House from Dumbledore, and IT will become his
new 'home base'.

Just a few rambling thoughts.

Steve/bboyminn