Magical Origins

Author Notes:

Year 6: The Fallen Family

Saturday came, and when it was seven-thirty, Harry and Lily made their way up to Dumbledore's office.

They weren't sure what to expect as Dumbledore made no comments on what he would be teaching the two.

They knock on his door, and they heard Professor Dumbledore's voice "Enter."

The pair walk forward and sees nothing in the office has been changed.

Nothing indicates duels or any books present, causing Harry and Lily to ponder what they would be learning.

"I trust you both had an eventful week," said Dumbledore pouring some of his hair into the pensive and watches his memories.

"Sir, your hand..." began Lily.

Dumbledore's right hand was still black and dead looking.

"Yes, I can't use it anymore," said Dumbledore.

"What happened?" asked Harry.

"That will take too long to explain, and time is short. You will learn eventually. For now, we must focus on your lessons," said Dumbledore.

"What are you going to be teaching us?" asked Lily.

"Last year, I told you why Voldemort targeted you when you were a baby. This year, I'll be guiding you through the mists of Voldemort's past. Voldemort is a highly accomplish and skilled duelist with years of experience behind him. As such, once a week, you both will be given dueling lessons by Miss Gorloisen," said Dumbledore.

"Why won't you teach us?" asked Lily.

Dumbledore holds up his right hand.

"As you can see, Miss Morris, I am unable to duel much anymore," said Dumbledore.

Lily looks at Dumbledore.

"Fear not, Miss Gorloisen is an excellent duelist and a fine teacher. She will help you," said Dumbledore with a smile.

"What are we learning tonight?" asked Lily.

Dumbledore pulls a memory and shows it to the pair.

"We will stumble upon the Dark Lord's past. There will be a lot of guesswork involved, but the more we learn…, the better your chances of defeating the Dark Lord will be," said Dumbledore.

"This is the memory of Mr. Bob Ogden's former Head of Magical Law Enforcement. On this particular day, he had a nasty run-in with the Gaunt Family," said Dumbledore.

Dumbledore then opens the vial and places the strand of hair into the Pensive.

"This time, both of you are entering with my permission," said Dumbledore.

They enter the Pensive and watch the last of the Gaunt family speak to Mr. Bob Ogden.

Once the memory was over, Harry and Lily look at Dumbledore in confusion and horror.

"I trust you have questions," said Dumbledore.

"Sir, did we see…," said Harry in anguish.

"Voldemort's family," said Dumbledore.

"So those people were…"

"Marvolo Gaunt, Voldemort's grandfather. As you saw, he loved the last of family heirlooms more than his own children. Morfin, the eldest son… was deranged with a history of hurting muggles," said Dumbledore.

"So Merope was…" began Lily.

"Voldemort's mother," said Dumbledore.

"What happened to Mr. Ogden?" asked Harry.

"He managed to escape and return to the Ministry. Ten minutes later, he returned in force with a squad of Aurors at his back. Marvolo and Morfin attempted to resist and put up a fight. They were easily overpowered. Marvolo received six months in Azkaban, with Morfin receiving three years," said Dumbledore.

"Why such a light sentence?" asked Lily.

"The laws back then were far more flexible towards anyone who was a pureblood," said Dumbledore.

"Sir… the man on the horse. Riding next to the girl Cecilia… that was Voldemort's father, wasn't it?" said Lily.

"Yes," said Dumbledore.

"I don't see how he ended up marrying Merope," said Lily.

Tom Riddle Jr. showed he despise the Gaunt Family and wanted them out of his village. The chances of the nobleman marrying Merope, who was no beauty, was unthinkable. Marvolo Gaunt nearly killed his daughter in front of Mr. Ogden after finding out his daughter had a crush on the rich muggle.

"You both are forgetting the fact that Merope was a witch," said Dumbledore.

Harry and Lily look at Dumbledore.

"Once she was free from her father's control and her brother's violent behavior, how easy could she have swindle, Tom Riddle, with magic?"

"Love potions, or the Imperius Curse?" mutters Harry.

"A Confudus would do the trick," said Lily

"Indeed," said Dumbledore beaming upon them. "She has always been bullied and tormented by her brother and her father. The moment both were sent to Azkaban. She was finally free. I could imagine it didn't take long for her to hatch a plan to marry Tom Riddle. She most likely would have confronted him when he was alone. Offering him a nice cold drink on a hot day," said Dumbledore.

"I can hardly imagine the shock that went around the town upon the two's marriage," said Lily.

"Indeed, but their shock was nothing compared to Marvolo's. He returned to Azkaban, expecting to find his daughter loyally and dutifully awaiting his return with a hot meal ready for him. Instead, all he found was a note of farewell explaining what she had done, and she wasn't coming back," said Dumbledore.

"Marvolo blamed her for running away, didn't he?" said Harry.

Marvolo sounded like a heavier and meaner version of Uncle Vernon.

"He did indeed. He never said her name or acknowledge he had a daughter after he returned. The shock of her departure may have contributed to his early death. He also never learned how to feed himself, always expecting Merope to do the cooking. Azkaban greatly weakened Marvolo. He did not live to see Morfin return to the cottage," said Dumbledore.

Harry only knew so much about Voldemort's childhood. He knew Voldemort's father abandon him before he was even born.

"Didn't Merope die after Voldemort was born?" asked Lily.

"Yes. There are no memories or evidence to support what happens next, so we have to guess what happened. Within a few months after their runaway marriage, Tom Riddle reappeared at his family manor in Little Hangleton without his estranged wife. Rumors flew around the neighborhood. He claimed to have been 'hoodwinked' by Merope Gaunt. From what he was saying, is the enchantment he was under by Merope was lifted, and he was free. He never mentions directly what had happened in fear others would think he was insane. The villagers guessed Merope lied and blackmailed Tom Riddle. Pretending she was pregnant with his child. He married her for this reason," said Dumbledore.

"She was pregnant," said Harry.

"She didn't give birth until a year after her marriage to Tom Riddle," said Dumbledore.

"Why did she set him free?" asked Lily.

"This is again guesswork, but I believe that Merope, who was so deeply in love with her husband, could no longer bear to keeping him enslaved with magic. She chose to free him. Perhaps she thought, given the time they've spent together, he would love her in return. Or he would stay for their child's sake. She was wrong on all accounts. He took the first chance to leave his estranged wife and unborn child. He never saw her again, nor bothered to learn what happened to his child," said Dumbledore.

"That's not a happy ending," said Lily.

"Do you blame him?" asked Dumbledore.

"No, he was a slave to her will. That's not what love is…" said Lily.

"What happened to Merope after her husband left her?" asked Harry.

"That's all for tonight. It's getting late, and there is much we must discuss throughout the year. Next week, Miss Gorloisen will be waiting for you to help you both with your dueling lessons," said Dumbledore.

"Sir, I assume you don't want us to tell anyone," said Harry.

"Yes, very dangerous to speak of what you're learning to anyone. Even to your closest friends. Voldemort has gone to extreme lengths to keep his past hidden from everyone. If he learns that you are learning of his past and secrets, I fear what he would do in retaliation," said Dumbledore.

Harry and Lily said nothing more as they turn and leave Dumbledore in his office.

Their heads filled with questions regarding Voldemort's past.

Marvolo was a meaner version of Uncle Vernon. Uncle Vernon hated magic and hated his nephew. Harry never thought he would meet someone worse than Uncle Vernon.

It goes to show, not everyone can be parents. It was a serious task and one that required devotion.

Seeing the memory gave Harry and Lily and dark feeling of Voldemort's childhood.

True to Dumbledore's words, they began to evaluate the Dark Lord and his past. Harry and Lily would speak on what they learn, comparing notes. They knew Voldemort's middle name was Marvolo, and they wonder why Merope would name her son after her father. He was a terrible person.

The ring and the locket would play a part in the memories. They both knew that.

Harry looks at his notes.

Salazar Slytherin's locket. The one he forged to give to his wife, whose name had been lost in time. The locket itself was worth a fortune and could easily buy a mansion.

The other was interesting... The Ring. The very same ring Dumbledore was wearing on his right hand. The stone was engraved with the Peverell coat of arms. Marvolo claimed countless wizards had offered him mountains of gold for the ring.

Harry was sure he was lying.

Lily said the Gaunt family made the Weasley family appear rich. That was a serious statement as the Weasley family was well known for being one of the Wizarding World's poorest families.

Marvolo Gaunt wasn't a loving parent. He beat and tormented his daughter. Morfin, his deranged son who walked around the village, hurting the villagers with magic. His family had fallen, and the only thing he could cling to was his pureblood lineage to Salazar Slytherin.

The Gaunt family clearly had lost their sanity long before their birth. No wonder why Merope fled when her father and brother were sent to Azkaban.

"You know, no matter how many times I think about it, I can't help but shake the feeling I've seen that locket somewhere before," Lily mutters as they compare notes.

Harry couldn't deny the feeling himself. It was more like the fact he's had the feeling he's even held the locket.

Harry sits at the Slytherin table very late, knowing most of the student body would be in classes. Only the sixth and seventh years were free as they had few classes.

Hermione Granger sat at the Gryffindor table with countless parchments in front of her. She was hardly paying any attention to the food around her.

Ron Weasley wasn't paying attention to his classes, as he several plates of food, pigging out every chance he got. As typical Ron Weasley fashion, he took one bite before setting it down. Never to be touched again.

"Mr. Potter," said Snape.

"Yes, Professor?" said Harry, wondering what he did wrong to gain the attention of his Head of House.

"I would like to inform you that twenty hopefuls have signed up for the Slytherin Quidditch Team tryouts," said Professor Snape.

"I wasn't aware that I was still the Captain after I was kicked from the team last year," said Harry.

Snape gives Harry a fake smile Harry.

"As Madam Umbridge's decisions weren't even legal or valid, you are still the Quidditch Captain of Slytherin," said Snape.

"You can give the badge to someone else. I'm not interested this year. I got much on my plate," said Harry.

Snape glares at Harry, clearly surprised by this development.

"Strange, I would have expected your desire to show off once more, Potter," said Snape.

Snape said nothing more, having insulted Harry, and walks off.

"He really doesn't like you," said Daphne as she sits next to Harry.

"He never has," said Harry.

"What's his problem?" asked Tracy.

"He has unresolved feelings towards my father," said Harry.

Harry grabs his goblet and drinks his morning pumpkin juice.

Daphne looks at Harry, knowing once again he was keeping his secrets to himself.

Daphne, Tracy, and Blaise knew Harry better than anyone in Slytherin of their year. At the same, they knew nothing about him.

"Is it true Artemis is back at Hogwarts?" said Blaise.

"Yeah, she's an Assistant Healer under Madam Pomfrey," said Harry.

"Why didn't she go back to Saint Mungo's?" asked Tracy.

"Fudge ruined her family with the board. The board sent a long letter apologizing for their actions. 'A very long letter.' She refused to return on the grounds they were wrongful terminated her and her mother," said Harry.

"Fudge is an idiot. Why would anyone keep him in office?" said Blaise.

"Because he was a pawn. He took out anyone's rival as long as they supported him. He was nothing but a pawn to those who control him," said Harry.

"Are you really quitting Quidditch?" asked Blaise.

"I don't see the reason why this year. I got enough on my plate without mad Dark Lord's trying to kill me," said Harry.

"He's been sighted!" shouted Seamus as he runs down the Gryffindor table, throwing down a copy of the Daily Prophet.

"Duskwood?" said Granger looking at the Prophet.

"Look at the Dark Lord," said Seamus.

"No one's ever taken a picture of him before," said Dean.

"Never, why would he reveal himself now?" said Seamus.

"He looks different from the Ministry," said Granger.

"The Dark Lord has been known to undergo countless dark rituals. He must have gone under another during the summer," said Seamus.

Ron Weasley was surprisingly silent on the whole matter. He silently got up and walked out of the Great Hall.

Harry watches Ron leaves the Great Hall without saying anything.

As he suspected, Ron's silence on Harry's rise as a Dark Lord. He hasn't made one comment regarding Harry as a Dark Lord in training.

Harry would have half suspected Ron had grown up and shown some levels of maturity.

If it wasn't for the fact, he had followed Ron Weasley into a Death Eater inauguration.

Ron Weasley, he could understand, but Ginny Weasley's reasons were a mystery.

Harry was going to have to look into learning Legilimency.

Harry said nothing more as he returns his attention to his meal.

"Will he come here?" said a Slytherin fourth year.

"Don't be stupid. Hogwarts is too well defended for him to attack this castle. We got Dumbledore!" said a Slytherin fifth year.

"Don't be too sure," said Harry.

"What do you mean?" said a third year.

"Voldemort,"

People shudder upon hearing the Dark Lord's name.

Harry sighs.

"He's always had his eye upon Hogwarts. Hogwart's has been the only place that's ever felt like a home to him. He has always sought to return and rule this school and turn it into his Dark Fortress. Dumbledore's presence kept him at bay for years," said Harry.

"How do you know that?" asked the seventh year.

"You would learn a few things from a manic who killed your parents and is hunting you," said Harry.

No one said anything as Harry gets up from his seat as his plate vanishes. Harry walks out of the hall and thinking carefully about how to handle the invaders inside the school.

Killing the students would draw up too much suspicion.

Furthermore, he didn't know what their aim was at the moment.

He was sure one or two at the most would kill Albus Dumbledore. Though that happen was very slim as Dumbledore rarely was seen other than at mealtimes.

Harry also suspects Dumbledore wasn't in the castle as he used to be. In fact, Harry was certain Dumbledore's visit last Saturday was the first time he was in his office since the Welcome Feast.

Voldemort's activities were become harder to predict. Harry really needed a spy in Voldemort's camp.

Harry sits down in the Room of Requirements and starts writing down what he knew.

'Tom Marvolo Riddle'

It was clear that Merope Gaunt named her son after his father and grandfather.

The Guant's had squandered their entire fortune over the centuries, being more productive to protect their heirlooms then ensure they left something for future generations.

The centuries of inbreeding, marrying their own cousins. The Guant's no doubt suffered from mental disorders. Morvin was clearly insane. Chasing muggles with a knife and casting hexes at them.

Marvolo Gaunt clearly took pride in his bloodline heritage, believing it made him superior to other wizards. Even when it was he that stood at the bottom of the wizarding society.

Merope clearly had her own issues. A witch who lacked confidence and under an abusive father and brother.

Harry didn't blame her for escaping when she did. He would have escaped too. Harry did remind himself he did escape his aunt and uncle's house.

Harry and Lily spent a lot of time together. Rumors quickly flew around Hogwarts that they were dating.

Veronica Gorloisen came on Saturday and began to instruct them on dueling skills. Teaching them how to block spells that were considered unblockable.

Three weeks later, Harry and Lily were back in Dumbledore's office after he called them again.

"Where you been, Professor?" asked Harry.

"What you mean?" said Professor Dumbledore.

"You haven't been in the castle since the Welcome Feast. I'm sure our last meeting with you was the last time you've been in the castle," said Lily.

Dumbledore stares at them before he smiles at them.

"Very observant," said Dumbledore.

"Where you been going?" asked Harry.

"You will know in due time, you see… I have been retracing the footsteps of Lord Voldemort. Trying to find what he's been doing in the past. You will find very little evidence to understand the secrets of the Dark Lord truly. Now, do you remember where we left off?"

"Marvolo and Morfin were sent to Azkaban on assaulting a Ministry Official, with Morfin being sentence longer given his assault on Tom Riddle," said Lily.

"Correct, and Merope?"

"Tom Riddle divorce her and return to his family, leaving Merope on her own, with a child on the way," said Harry.

"That's right," said Dumbledore as he brings his pensive around.

"There is a short memory I want you to see," said Dumbledore.

They see a man talking to a customer to a young man.

"I remember that day very well. A young witch came in, heavily pregnant with no gold. She was desperate, need food as she was expecting soon. She handed me the only thing worth of any value; a locket. She claimed it was her last family heirloom that once belonged to Salazar Slytherin. I get all sorts of stories like that. This was Merlin's favorite robes… or this was Rowena Ravenclaw's personal journal. After I tested the necklace, sure enough… it was the real deal. It had Slytherin's engraving and everything. Offered her Ten Galleons… she took it at once. She didn't know how to bargain or knew that locket was worth a thousand pounds of gold," said the man.

"Who was that?" asked Lily.

"Caractacus Burke, a businessman, known for swindling his customers," said Dumbledore.

"He only gave her… ten galleons?" said Harry.

"Do you pity her, Harry?" asked Dumbledore.

"Why would she become that desperate to sell the last heirloom of Salazar Slytherin?" asked Lily.

"There is no other memory of Merope Gaunt other than I what I showed you."

"It is my belief, Merope had ceased using magic once her husband left her," said Dumbledore.

"She abandon magic?" said Lily.

"She could have used magic to save herself and her son," said Harry.

"You are forgetting Harry, Merope Gaunt did not have the same strength your mother had," said Dumbledore.

Harry falls silent as he looks at Dumbledore.

"Your mother had a choice that night, Harry. To step aside and flee… or to stand and protect you. Knowing that she would never be at your side. That took courage Merope Gaunt never knew to face death. Merope Gaunt was abused by her father and brother and could never truly manifest her magical gifts. When Tom Riddle, the man of her dreams, abandons her, Merope Gaunt was faced with a dark choice, and she did not have the inner strength your mother had. The only thing that kept her going was her son, and that only wasn't enough to save her."

Dumbledore grabs a vial and places it in the pensive.

"This is my memory, on the day I met young Tom Riddle. I think you will find this memory most interesting," said Dumbledore.

Harry and Lily enter the memory to see a much younger Albus Dumbledore. This younger Albus Dumbledore had nicer hair and was much handsome.

The year was 1938, as Dumbledore walks into the London Orphanage.

Harry and Lily stare, looking at Albus Dumbledore in front of him.

"Interesting, don't you think?" said Professor Dumbledore.

"That was young Tom Riddle? That was Voldemort?" breathe Lily.

"Indeed, most interesting," said Dumbledore.

"He lost himself when he spoke to you," said Harry.

"Indeed," said Dumbledore.

"You notice several things that Tom Riddle was strange and different. Even when he was a baby, he learned how to control and manipulate others to his will and benefit. Taking things that didn't belong to him. Trophies, if you will," said Dumbledore.

"He was also quick to please you," said Harry.

Dumbledore looks at Harry carefully.

"He wanted to impress you when he couldn't intimidate you. When you walked out when he said he could speak to snakes. He wanted the acknowledgment that he had some great future ahead of him," said Harry.

"Very well thought out, Harry," said Professor Dumbledore.

"Yes, Tom Riddle believed himself to be different from others. You saw how he hated the name 'Tom,' believing it was beneath him as it was too common. You also saw Tom Riddle dismiss my company and preferred to shop at Diagon Alley alone. Voldemort of today is the same way. You will hear many Death Eaters claim they alone understand him, that they are close to him. They are deluded. Voldemort never had, nor ever wanted a friend. He operates alone, trusting only in himself. Everyone around him is expendable before him. They are merely instruments whom he discards at will," said Dumbledore.

"So most of his followers only follow him out of fear," said Lily.

"Yes. Remember, not everyone is brave or dares to resist the Dark Lord's will. Many are faced with a choice, stand tall… or survive," said Dumbledore.

"He's nothing like Grindelwald," said Harry.

Harry has read Grindelwald: Rise and Fall that told Grindelwald's beliefs and the things he did. Grindelwald admits to the crimes he committed. He regrets the loss of life, but he fought to secure and protect the wizarding world from the barbaric muggles.

There were many things that Harry hated Grindelwald did, as they were monstrous.

At the same time, Harry could also understand why Grindelwald did the things he did. Grindelwald did the things he did to safeguard the wizarding world's future.

"Indeed," said Dumbledore.

"Grindelwald didn't do what he did because he enjoyed the carnage. He did it to become the monster to build a better future. Sometimes, the greatest of heroes are those who walk the dark path to forge a better future for others," said Dumbledore.

"A personal sacrifice," said Lily.

"Voldemort, on the other hand, cares for nothing or anyone. He is the type of person who would enjoy watching the world burn," said Dumbledore.

"He's obsessed with Immorality. That's why he tried to steal the Sorcerer's Stone," said Harry.

"Yes," said Dumbledore softly.

"As you heard, Voldemort believed his father was the wizard, and his mother wasn't, all because she had died," said Dumbledore.

Dumbledore looks at the night sky, frowning.

"That's all for tonight. Reflect on what you've learned and understood the Voldemort you saw as a child is the same as the one who has risen," said Dumbledore.

"Sir, can I ask one more question," said Harry.

Dumbledore looks at Harry.

"Did you know?" asked Harry.

"Did I know that I had just met the darkest Dark Lord in our history? No," said Dumbledore.