Lord Voldemort

Early Life

Tom Marvolo Riddle, later known as Lord Voldemort, was born on December 31, 1926. He was the only child of Merope Gaunt, a witch descended from Salazar Slytherin, and Tom Riddle Sr., a wealthy Muggle. His birth was the result of a love potion administered by Merope to Tom Sr., who abandoned her once the potion's effects wore off. Merope died shortly after giving birth, leaving her infant son to be raised in a Muggle orphanage.

A large, old-fashioned brick building that serves as an orphanage.

Education at Hogwarts

Riddle was admitted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at the age of eleven, where he was sorted into Slytherin House. He was an exceptional student, excelling in many areas of magic and becoming a prefect and later Head Boy. He also discovered his ability to speak Parseltongue, a rare skill inherited from Salazar Slytherin.

Transformation into Lord Voldemort

During his time at Hogwarts, Riddle began to explore the Dark Arts and became obsessed with achieving immortality. He discovered the concept of Horcruxes, magical objects used to store pieces of the soul, and decided to split his own soul into seven parts. He used the murder of his father and grandparents to create his first Horcrux, a ring containing the Resurrection Stone.

After leaving Hogwarts, Riddle disappeared for several years. When he resurfaced, he had taken on the name Lord Voldemort and gathered a group of followers known as the Death Eaters. He led a campaign of terror against Muggles and Muggle-born witches and wizards, culminating in the First Wizarding War.

A dark mark, the symbol of the Death Eaters, against a cloudy sky.

The First Wizarding War

The First Wizarding War was a violent conflict that lasted from 1970 to 1981. Voldemort and his Death Eaters committed numerous atrocities, including mass murder and torture. The war ended when Voldemort attempted to kill infant Harry Potter, but his Killing Curse rebounded and destroyed his physical body, leaving only his disembodied soul.

The Second Wizarding War

Voldemort returned to power in 1995, marking the beginning of the Second Wizarding War. He and his Death Eaters continued their campaign of terror, taking control of the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. The war ended in 1998 with the Battle of Hogwarts, where Voldemort was finally defeated by Harry Potter.

Legacy

Voldemort's reign of terror left a lasting impact on the wizarding world. His name is still feared and rarely spoken, and his actions led to significant changes in wizarding society, including reforms in the Ministry of Magic and increased efforts to promote equality among witches and wizards.