The Riddle House (Dumbledore - In League with Voldemort?)

[lizzyben04]

No: HPFGUIDX 170937

Kimberly here:
> I've always leaned toward the idea that it was Dumbledore that 
> owned the house. Certainly he did say he found out about Frank's 
> murder from the paper but that was his ONLY source of what 
> happened. He didn't say he exclusively found out about it from 
> the newspaper. He may not have wanted to divulge the information 
> of him owning the house to Harry at the time of GoF so he withheld 
> that from him. Dumbledore seems to do a lot of withholding 
> information for Harry's own good.

> I wonder what happened to The Riddle House after GoF? Maybe 
> Dumbledore did own it? Perhaps he'll bequeath it to Harry and 
> we'll revisit it?

lizzyben:

I agree that DD was the owner of the Riddle house. He knew that 
Voldemort would return eventually, and that the Riddle house is one 
of the first places he'd go. As a great wizard, DD also probably 
knew the magical ritual that VD would use to regain a body - blood 
of an enemy, bones of the father. So, DD knew that that ritual would 
most likely take place in the Riddle graveyard. Thinking ahead, he 
bought the Riddle house cheap & waited. Good thinking, DD. Brilliant 
plan.

Except, after he bought the property, he didn't seem to do ANYTHING 
to surveil the house, or notify the MOM if VD or his followers 
returned. Nagini, Wormtail, Crouch, VD go trampling in & out of the 
house, w/only Frank Bryce noticing. After Bryce died, DD must have 
known who was responsible. He knew that VD would try to rise again - 
using the graveyard & the "Blood of an enemy." Whose blood would VD 
most likely try to use? Harry's, of course. By using Harry's blood, 
VD could end the "blood protection," & finally feel safe enough to 
hurt/kill Harry. 

And Dumbledore KNEW THIS. He KNEW that this would be VD's plan. He 
also knew that Snape's Dark Mark was burning, which meant that VD 
would act soon to rise again. Then the Goblet of Fire spits out 
Harry's name for the Tri-Wizard Competition. DD must have known, or 
at least suspected, that the Goblet was part of VD's plan. So, if he 
was interested in protecting "the Chosen One", DD should have done 
everything possible to make sure Harry didn't compete. DD did not.  
He also should have done some investigation to see if any DE 
spies/imposters were at Hogwarts. He did not. Hey, maybe use those 
Legimency skills to why that old friend Moody is acting strangely. 
DD did not (or did he?) Maybe station some Aurors or spies at the 
Riddle House? Come on! I don't see any indication that DD tried to 
prevent VD's resurrection. And he knew it was coming.

Finally, VD's plan succeeds. He uses a Portkey to transport Harry & 
Cedric to the Riddle graveyard, and also summons the Death Eaters to 
his side. Snape also received this summons to the Riddle graveyard - 
and informs DD. DD knows that VD & the Death Eaters are all 
assembled on his property, at the house he owns. While Harry is 
missing in a maze for a very suspicious competition. What does DD 
do? NOTHING! He waits.

Two hours later, Harry reappears at Hogwarts. Crying, traumatized, 
carrying the dead body of Cedric Diggory. DD asks Harry what 
happened, and when Harry reaches the part when Wormtail cut his arm, 
DD suddenly gets very interested. Not outraged, interested. He gets 
up to look at Harry's arm. Harry informs him that VD thought Harry's 
blood would make him stronger & remove the protection his mother had 
given. And Dumbledore suddenly has a "gleam of triumph." No mention 
of compassion for Harry's pain, or worry about Harry's safety. DD is 
feeling triumphant because he realizes that VD has fallen for his 
plan. 

Of course DD has a gleam of triumph. VD fell into the trap he 
himself had set. From purchasing the Riddle house, to throwing Harry 
in front of Quirrel-Mort & Tom Riddle, to letting Harry enter the 
tournament, DD has been in control of VD's resurrection all along. 
He purchased the Riddle House to have the "bones of the father", and 
he ensured that VD would try to use Harry for the "blood of the 
enemy". I haven't seen any indication that DD was actually trying to 
stop VD's return in GOF, instead, he seems to be ensuring that it 
DOES happen, on DD's own terms. I think DD has manipulated 
Voldemort almost as much as he manipulates Harry. It's all part of 
DD's larger Plan.

lizzyben, who wonders if Harry will still want to be Dumbledore's 
Man by the end of Book Seven.