Forgiveness

[kemper]

No: HPFGUIDX 188711

> Shelley:
> ...snip... Doesn't this show, contrary to the mental illness claim of one not being able to make choices, a clear indicator that he was capable of self-restraint and good behavior, of making good choices? 

> ...snip... If he had a choice to control his actions in those 5 years, what would have taken away that ability to make a choice to repent later on? 

Kemper now:
He did show self-restraint except for that one time when he was playing with the basilisk.  But I get your meaning.  He presented well.  But I think you might want to consider what his motives were for displaying socially acceptable behavior.  The two possible motives we see for this are:
1. to deflect suspicion for negative bx (Basilisk, the Riddle murders)
2. to gain trust to gain information (horcrux) 

Controlling one's actions does not make one able to repent.  Reflecting on one's actions does.  And we don't see that with Voldemort.

Kemper