While the Potters are in hiding, Voldemort learns of a prophecy that foretells his death at the hands of a wizard born at the end of July. Despite the efforts put forth by the Ministry of Magic and the Dumbledore-founded Order of the Phoenix, Voldemort's power multiplies, and the wizarding world is plagued by constant terror.Īt the war's climax, Dumbledore instructs Order members Lily and James Potter to go into hiding with their infant son. Building on the social unrest, Voldemort declares himself the Dark Lord and leads a campaign of violence and prejudice against all those who aren't pure-bloods. Dumbledore's steadfast refusal to treat him as anything other than a former student - he still calls him Tom, after all - leads to an even deeper resentment towards the Hogwarts headmaster, the only other wizard in the world more powerful than Voldemort.Īfter years of social conflict in the wizarding world, in 1970 Voldemort and his Death Eaters openly commit acts of terrorism around Great Britain. Voldemort would never be truly happy unless everyone fears him and bows to his will. While Voldemort does amass a large number of followers after the years after leaving Hogwarts (and some of them probably love him, in a way), the dark wizard is incapable of understanding emotions beyond obsession, narcissism, anger, and a hunger for more power.

However, at nearly every battle and key moment in both the First Wizarding War and the Second Wizarding War, Voldemort is brought down by love – starting with his first defeat in Godric's Hollow when Lily Potter sacrifices herself to save her son, Harry. As someone who had never known love, Voldemort scoffs at Dumbledore and sees the traits of love, kindness, and mercy as weaknesses. In the first decades of their relationship, Dumbledore repeatedly tries to convince Voldemort of the irrefutable power of love and kindness. Still, Tom goes on to attend Hogwarts with Dumbledore watching over him. Though impressed by Tom's abilities at such a young age, Dumbledore is also equally disturbed by the boy after Tom tells him about hurting other people who displeased or annoyed him and his ability to talk to snakes (later defined as Parseltongue). When Dumbledore meets Tom in his room, the Hogwarts professor informs the boy of his magical abilities and extends an invitation for him to study as a wizard at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Cole also points out several dark incidents involving Tom: a boy's rabbit was found hanging after he and Tom argued, and two other children were traumatized into silence after venturing inside a cave with Tom during a seaside field trip. Cole to name the boy Tom Marvolo Riddle after his father and his grandfather.

The orphanage guardian tells Dumbledore that Tom's mother, Merope Riddle, died shortly after giving birth to Tom when she stumbled into the orphanage.

Dumbledore wand