Harry Potter, #6
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 13: The Secret Riddle
Overview
After Katie Bell is sent to St. Mungo’s, Dumbledore resumes lessons and reveals memories tracing Voldemort’s origins. Caractacus Burke bought Merope Gaunt’s Slytherin locket for a pittance, and a young Dumbledore recruited orphan Tom Riddle, exposing his cruelty, control, and Parseltongue. Dumbledore highlights Riddle’s self-sufficiency, disdain for his name, and trophy-collecting—traits crucial to understanding Voldemort. Harry notices Marvolo’s ring is missing.
Summary
News of Katie Bell’s cursing spreads as she is moved to St. Mungo’s; Dumbledore notes Snape slowed the curse. Dumbledore declines to discuss his weekend but promises future explanations and says Mundungus will stop pilfering Grimmauld Place. Harry raises Draco; Dumbledore will investigate but turns to their lesson.
Dumbledore shows Caractacus Burke’s memory: a destitute, pregnant Merope sold Slytherin’s locket for ten Galleons. Dumbledore suggests Merope abandoned magic and chose death after Tom Riddle Sr. left her.
Entering Dumbledore’s own memory, they visit a London orphanage where Mrs. Cole recounts Tom Riddle’s birth, Merope’s death, and disturbing incidents: a hanged rabbit and a cave episode that traumatized two children. Dumbledore meets eleven-year-old Tom, who is suspicious, domineering, and eager to prove he is “special.”
Dumbledore reveals magic, briefly ignites and restores a wardrobe, then exposes Riddle’s stolen “trophies” and orders their return. He warns about laws, offers financial aid, and explains Diagon Alley. Riddle demands independence, asks about his parentage, and reveals he can speak Parseltongue.
Back in the office, Dumbledore analyzes Riddle: early control of magic used to punish and dominate, contempt for sharing the name “Tom,” extreme self-sufficiency, and a habit of collecting trophies—details that will matter later. As Harry departs, he notices Marvolo Gaunt’s ring is gone; Dumbledore dismisses the idea of any hidden significance in a mouth organ.
Who Appears
- Albus DumbledoreGuides Harry through memories; recruits young Tom Riddle; analyzes his traits; notes trophy-collecting and name rejection; ring now absent.
- Harry PotterAttends Dumbledore’s lesson, learns about Merope’s locket and Tom Riddle’s past; questions Malfoy; notices Gaunt’s ring missing.
- Tom Riddle (young)Orphaned boy recruited to Hogwarts; controlling, cruel, secretive; collects stolen trophies; Parselmouth; rejects the name ‘Tom.’
- Mrs. ColeOrphanage matron; recounts Riddle’s birth, Merope’s death, and disturbing incidents; facilitates Dumbledore’s meeting.
- Caractacus BurkeIn memory, boasts of buying Merope Gaunt’s Slytherin locket cheaply at Borgin and Burkes.
- Phineas Nigellus BlackPortrait in Dumbledore’s office; comments on school discipline and reacts to Mundungus’s thefts.
- Katie BellVictim of a cursed opal necklace; sent to St. Mungo’s after Snape slows the curse’s spread.