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, stirring Harry’s feelings. Luna delivers Dumbledore’s summons. Tension flares between Ron and Lavender, while Hermione quietly enjoys the shift.

That evening, Harry arrives for Dumbledore’s lesson, passing an indignant Professor Trelawney, who resents sharing Divination with Firenze. Dumbledore, weary, warns that Trelawney is safer at Hogwarts and then pointedly rebukes Harry for not prioritizing extracting Slughorn’s memory. Chastened, Harry promises renewed effort.

Dumbledore presents Hokey the house-elf’s memory: as a Borgin and Burkes employee, Tom Riddle visits wealthy collector Hepzibah Smith. Hepzibah shows him Helga Hufflepuff’s cup and Salazar Slytherin’s locket. Riddle’s covetous reaction is clear. Two days later, Hepzibah dies; Hokey is convicted after her memory is altered. The cup and locket vanish, and Riddle disappears.

Dumbledore explains Voldemort now kills for gain, stealing artifacts linked to Hogwarts founders. He then shows his own memory from a decade later: a changed, waxy-faced Voldemort visits as Dumbledore, now headmaster, and requests the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Dumbledore refuses to call him by his chosen name, challenges his “greatness,” and notes his Death Eaters waiting at the Hog’s Head.

Dumbledore directly denies the job, asserting Voldemort seeks more than teaching. Voldemort leaves enraged. Dumbledore later infers the post became jinxed from that night on. He withholds his full conclusions until Harry obtains Slughorn’s unaltered Horcrux memory, saying that final piece will make everything clear.