Chapter 20: Lord Voldemort’s Request

Harry and Ron leave the hospital wing recovered, with Hermione reconciled to Ron. Hermione reports Ginny argued with Dean, which secretly cheers Harry. Luna delivers Dumbledore’s summons. Ron faces tension with Lavender, while Hermione pointedly helps Harry with homework before his meeting.

In Dumbledore’s office, Sybill Trelawney departs angrily. Dumbledore warns she is unsafe outside and reminds Harry she made the prophecy. He then reproaches Harry for failing to obtain Professor Slughorn’s unaltered memory, stressing it is essential. Harry promises to prioritize it.

Dumbledore recounts Riddle’s departure from Hogwarts: Tom first sought a teaching post but was deemed too young, then took work at Borgin and Burkes, cultivating access to dark artifacts. Through Hokey the house-elf’s memory, Harry witnesses Riddle charming Hepzibah Smith, who shows him Helga Hufflepuff’s cup and Salazar Slytherin’s locket. Hepzibah dies two days later; Hokey is convicted after a manipulated memory, and the cup and locket vanish as Riddle resigns and disappears.

Dumbledore concludes Riddle murdered for gain, stealing treasured founders’ artifacts. A decade later, in Dumbledore’s own memory, Voldemort—altered and chilling—returns to request the Defense Against the Dark Arts job. Dumbledore refuses to call him by his chosen name, exposes his Death Eaters nearby, and rejects the application, seeing ulterior motives. Voldemort leaves in cold anger.

Back in the present, Dumbledore withholds his theories about Voldemort’s purpose until Harry secures Slughorn’s true memory. He confirms Voldemort definitely wanted the Defense job; since that refusal, no Defense teacher has lasted more than a year, implying a curse on the post.