Harry Potter and the Room of Things no one Knows About

Chapter 6

What did Ginny's conversations with the Tom Riddle Diary look like?

By

Jason Richard

Lucius Malfoy had an item he wanted to drop off at Hogwarts, and the easiest way to do that was to just slip it into some unsuspecting student's bag. Any student would do, except a Slytherin of course. Wouldn't want one of them to get in trouble. No, if this thing was going to cause trouble he'd want any other house to get the blame. Gryffindor would be especially rewarding.

So when he got the chance to slip this item into the cauldron of Ginny Weasley, member of a detestable low-class family that was certain to be a Gryffindor, he took the chance without a second's hesitation.

But there were things he didn't know about this item, and one thing that would have surprised him was that the item had a mind of its own. The mind of this item, unfortunately, might have picked a different student if it had been given a choice in the matter.

…

Tom Riddle, a memory saved in a magical diary long ago, waited patiently as that diary was brought to Hogwarts. It had been so long since his last visit. He didn't know much about the girl he was traveling with, but he'd soon find out. He just wished she'd try writing in this diary soon. The wait was killing him.

Finally, when Ginny had settled in, she looked at the diary, shrugged, and decided to use it. As she brought out her quill and began to write, Tom Riddle waited within those pages. Who had gotten this diary? A prospective duelist? An aspiring potions master? A soothsayer with second sight?!

Dear Diary, wrote Ginny. Harry Potter didn't notice me three times on the train.

A girl with a crush on a boy, lovely. Thought Riddle. I had hoped to learn new teaching methods that Hogwarts was using. Probably no such luck.

That fool Lucius Malfoy had kept the diary in a hidden space at his mansion, so Riddle couldn't get a sense of what was happening in the world. If Lucius had really revered the master who'd given him this diary then Malfoy would have kept it on his person at all times. But no, he'd kept him in a hole in the floor and passed him off to an uninteresting little girl. Riddle bet even this Harry Potter was more interesting.

Oh but Harry is just so awesome! I'd give anything to see how he beat you know who! And to do it in his first year too!

Oh, a juvenile delinquent who beats people up eh? Thought riddle's memory. He's already interesting. And who's this 'you know who' person? Sounds like some poser trying to copy the moniker I eventually got, 'he who must not be named.' I'll bet 'you know who' is a real loser!

Now that I think about it, I suppose it's childish to keep calling him 'you know who.' I'm going to school with the person who beat him after all. I'm going to write his real name Here goes. Vol

Nope. Can't do it. Maybe someday.

Riddle's memory paused on that. Vol? Could she have been trying to write Voldemort? No. That wasn't possible. Some child had defeated the greatest wizard who ever lived? Nonsense! The memory supposed that he'd been defeated somehow, sensed something off in the world, but to lose to a child?

I wonder if we'll get to see the third-floor corridor. Wrote Ginny. Actually, see where Harry beat him last year. You know who. The dark lord himself. He who must not be named.

It has to be someone else, though Riddle's memory.

But then Ginny wrote, To think someone would beat a man that had the entire wizarding world in chaos.

No, though Riddle's memory. There's no mistake. She's talking about the real me, Voldemort. How can it be? A mere eleven-year-old child defeated him? I cannot be!

Though I suppose he was weakened from the first time he was defeated. Now that I think about it Harry probably didn't have to do much last year.

Alright, thought riddle. That makes more sense. This Harry might be talented enough to defeat a Voldemort who was weakened by a great duel, but if my alter ego really was defeated years ago then surely it was a great and powerful wizard who did it.

Of course, that just makes me wonder how Harry beat you know who the first time when he was a baby.

Riddle: WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?! That's it. I have to reveal myself.

So riddle put words in the diary. Harry Potter, you say? Sounds interesting young lady.

Ginny hesitated, then wrote back, You're a living diary? I'm sorry. My mother says I shouldn't talk to strangers. I mean she never told me not to write to a stranger living in a book, but I'm gonna assume she would.

Oh come now, said Riddle. You have nothing to fear from me. I'd love to hear more about this Harry. I'm sure if he's as great a wizard as you say he's bound to notice a charming young lady such as yourself sooner or later.

Riddle's memory waited for a second for her response. Had she decided to put him away?

But then Ginny responded, I've written some poetry about him. Would you like to read some?

Of course my dear! Riddle wrote back.

This is perfect, though Riddle. I'll get information on this Harry Potter, and I'll have to do is read some lovey-dovey poetry written by an eleven-year-old girl.

It took a moment for that to sink it. Riddle thought, Have I made a mistake?

Ginny: His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad.

Riddle: A mistake. I've made a huge mistake! Ginny! Stop, please!

Ginny: His hair is as dark as a blackboard.

Riddle: Ginny? Ginny, are you paying attention? Please stop! I'm begging you to stop!

Ginny: I wish he was mine, he's truly divine.

Riddle: (sigh) At least this poem can't get any worse.

Ginny: The hero who conquered the dark lord...twice!

Riddle: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!