Harry Potter: How Did Voldemort Become The Dark Lord? Explained

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As a devoted Potterhead with a heart full of nostalgia, I can’t help but be captivated by the enigmatic character of Tom Riddle, alias Lord Voldemort. Born into tragedy and abandoned at birth, his life was a testament to the power of pain and resentment.

As an ardent fan, I can attest that the Harry Potter series rose to prominence through its exceptional character development. I found myself deeply invested in the journey of Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they delved into hidden mysteries. The formidable antagonist, Lord Voldemort, sought to eliminate Harry, a child prophesied to bring about his demise.

As a dedicated reader, I can attest that these tales unveil the beginnings and ascension of Voldemort, who became the Dark Lord, wielding immense power yet making himself nearly invincible. His endeavor to eliminate me as an infant was thwarted by my mother’s selfless sacrifice, which obliterated his physical being. He retreated to regain strength and vitality. Voldemort plays a pivotal role in this saga; however, understanding his past may lead him towards a darker destiny.

Tom Riddles’s descent into darkness

Voldemort’s sorrowful roots trace back to his conception, where his mother, Merope Gaunt, charmed him with love potion, causing their relationship, and ultimately, his feelings about himself and the world to turn sour. It’s a typical background story for villains, filled with tragedy.

Merope Gaunt wed Tom Riddle Sr., manipulated by a charm, and bore the child destined to become Lord Voldemort. However, Tom forsook her, and their child was born in Wool’s Orphanage. Tragically, she passed away just an hour later, leaving the infant with muggle caretakers. Tom retained only his paternal grandfather’s and maternal great-grandfather’s names, harboring dreams of becoming a good-looking man. He spent his upbringing feeling forsaken and unappreciated.

Growing up in an orphanage among ordinary people (Muggles), Tom was oblivious to his mother’s background. His peculiarities and behaviors were a mystery to those around him, leading them to view him as odd and unsettling. As he began to realize his distinctiveness, this sparked a sense of superiority within him, driving his desire for power over others. Rejecting the acceptance of his peers and sometimes bullying them, Tom sought to demonstrate his superior status. His elitist attitude only served to intensify his thirst for power and self-awareness.

The confirmation of Tom’s self-perceived greatness came with Albus Dumbledore’s visit to Hogwarts, where he acknowledged that Tom could connect with other young wizards. Dumbledore saw potential in Tom and kept a watchful eye on his progress, hoping that acceptance would bring healing. Yet, Tom’s deep-seated hatred had already taken root, a wound that he carried for the rest of his life. The revelation of his Muggle father’s absence only served to intensify Tom’s animosity towards non-magical folk.

Voldemort’s sinister origins

Tom ended up in the Slytherin House, earning respect from both peers and teachers. Yet, an overwhelming curiosity about his parentage developed within him. Upon discovering he was a descendant of Salazar Slytherin, this revelation filled him with disdain towards his parents for cutting off his ties to his ancestry.

As a devoted adherent, I’ll recount the transformation from Tom to Lord Voldemort, my true identity unveiled. My ambition lies in eradicating Muggle-born students from Slytherin’s educational institution. To achieve this, I secretly unleash the fearsome Basilisk from the Chamber of Secrets and falsely accuse Rubeus Hagrid for my supposed failure. Eager to establish a lasting impact, I expand my forces significantly and construct Horcruxes, thereby complicating any attempts by other wizards to end my life.

At the age of sixteen, Tom learned about his grandfather’s passing from his uncle and uncovered details about his parents’ relationship. This revelation filled him with anger, leading him to take the lives of his father and grandparents out of spite. By utilizing their deaths, he crafted his second Horcrux, severing any bonds to kindness, thereby embracing evil in its purest form.

Becoming the Dark Lord 

Following his graduation from Hogwarts, Voldemort harbored ambitions of becoming a Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor to attract impressionable young wizards. Unfortunately, he was not granted this position and instead concocted a scheme to transform distinctive relics into Horcruxes. A decade later, his aspirations were once again thwarted, leading him to encounter Albus Dumbledore, who was privy to his clandestine intentions. In response, Voldemort began readying himself for the First Wizarding War.

Voldemort gathered numerous devotees who referred to themselves as Death Eaters, some joining voluntarily while others were compelled. Through his youth, teenage years, and young adulthood, Voldemort escalated to an alarming level of violence. His followers wreaked havoc and destruction across the globe. This led to widespread fear, with people too terrified to pronounce the name he’d chosen for himself. They believed merely saying Voldemort might summon him. Consequently, he was known as “You-Know-Who,” “He-Who-Cannot-Be-Named,” and “The Dark Lord.”

As a die-hard fan, I found Tom Riddle’s ascension to power within the Harry Potter universe absolutely riveting, opening up new avenues for us fans to delve deeper into this enchanting world. In his youth, Voldemort – a figure who had endured abandonment, betrayal, and a thirst for vengeance – adopted an alias as a means of survival. His mission was to eradicate those who had wronged him, but the prophecy surrounding Harry’s birth ultimately proved to be his undoing.

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2024-08-20 12:39