A/N: I apologize for the wait, and the out of order rotation. The research for this chapter took longer then I thought it would. As always, thank you for the R/Rs.


Chapter 14: Where It Began—The Life of Tom Marvolo Riddle

Harry, Ginny, and Sirius stepped out of the grate in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts. Dumbledore greeted them with a genteel smile that was met with a frown from Sirius. Dumbledore nodded as be motioned to the sofas by the fireplace. His Penceive was already sitting on the coffee table waiting for them. Harry and Ginny sat across from Sirius as Dumbledore took the armchair on the end. Dumbledore smiled slightly as he noticed Harry and Ginny's intertwined hands.

"Get started, Albus," Sirius groused. He was still rather unhappy with the old man.

"Of course," Albus nodded. "The Far Eastern people have a saying: 'To fight an enemy, you must know your enemy'. In this case, I have several memories from many different sources on Tom. From before he was born to when he virtually disappeared for a time and reemerged as Voldemort."

"I get it," Harry nodded. "Delve into memories that concern things about him and glean what we can."

"Exactly, Harry," Dumbledore smiled. "After we view these, we can discuss what each of us has seen and our perspective of the events that have led Tom to be how he is now."

"How many?" Sirius asked.

"I have twelve," Dumbledore answered. "I warn now, one is a lie, but it has context. I have recently received the true memory from this person."

"Who?" Sirius glared at him.

"Horace Slughorn," Dumbledore sighed. "I had to invoke Lily Potter's name and memory to get to the truth." This drew a glare from Harry. Dumbledore knew he was in for more "discussions" with Harry and his family for his admitted manipulation of Slughorn.

"Let's get this over with," grumped Ginny. Suddenly, the intense gaze Dumbledore felt was gone.

"I'll be right there with you, love," Harry looked at her. Ginny took a deep breath before nodding.

Dumbledore tapped the basin with his wand, motioning to it. "Shall we?"

"One thing before we do," Harry spoke up. He looked at Dumbledore with that intense glare again. "If it gets too much for Gin, we stop!"

"Of course, Harry," nodded Dumbledore as he swallowed hard.

They each nodded as they looked deep into the basin. Soon they were pulled into the memories a moment later.


As Harry and Ginny landed back on the sofa, Ginny turned her head burying it in Harry's shoulder. Harry held her tight, stroking her hair lovingly. Sirius looked over at them with concern as he landed on the other sofa. Harry shook his head slightly, telling Sirius Ginny needed a few minutes to collect herself after viewing the memories.

Harry could feel how disturbed the memories had made Ginny through the bond that was growing. Viewing how manipulative Tom was from such a young age had upset her greatly as her own memories flooded back from her first year. It was another ten minutes before Ginny looked up at Harry with a nod. She turned to face Sirius and Dumbledore.

"I have some of his memories still in me," Ginny told them quietly. Sirius looked at her with wide eyes. Dumbledore sighed gravely. "His younger years until he made the diary."

"I'm sorry, Red," Sirius managed as he stood. He wrapped Harry and Ginny in a hug before placing a kiss on each of their heads.

"I do not wish to upset you more…" Dumbledore started quietly, earning him a frown and hard look from Ginny. Harry glared at him. "I truly am sorry, but we need to discuss this."

Harry and Ginny turned to each other. They looked like they were silently talking by the looks on their faces. They nodded before turning back to the adults after Sirius had returned to his seat.

"Harry and I think we need one more perspective that…" Ginny started, turning to look at Harry.

"That has great observational skills," Harry finished with a nod.

"Who might this be?" asked Dumbledore with a knowing look. Sirius grinned with a nod.

"Hermione," Harry and Ginny answered together.

"One other thing, Professor," Ginny started. Dumbledore looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "How do Harry and I remove some memories so we can share them with my parents and certain brothers? They wanted to know what went on in the Chamber. To understand better how it changed me."

"I thought they might," Dumbledore nodded as he produced to glass vials. "Molly mentioned she wanted to know exactly what happened. I know it will be difficult for you, but concentrate on those memories you wish to share."

Ginny gulped as she closed her eyes. Dumbledore placed his wand on her temple, drawing out a long silvery thread. After tapping it into one of the vials, he turned to Harry repeating the process. With a nod, Dumbledore placed a stopper on each. He waved his wand over them, a label appearing on both.

"Now, which of these should…?" Dumbledore started as he turned to Sirius.

"Not my choice," Sirius ground out. "They are the ones this affects more than anyone. It's their choice which ones Hermione sees."

"Your first meeting," Ginny nodded. "The family history isn't as important for her to know."

"Borgin and Burkes. The first one, with his mother. We can explain who people are," Harry nodded. "Then the elf of…"

"Wait! That locket! I've seen it before!" Ginny half-shouted as she sat up quickly. "It was at Grimmauld Place!"

"Are you sure?" asked Sirius as he stood.

"Positive," Ginny nodded. "I found it in the Trophy Room when we were cleaning the house last summer."

"Sirius…" Dumbledore started but stopped as he was speared with three glares. He raised his hand quickly in surrender.

"I'll send Hermione through," Sirius nodded as he started to turn. "I'll grab Bill and Remus and check the house. Even if I have to ask Kreacher about it."

"Sirius," Dumbledore stood walking to his desk quickly. He pulled a small box out of one of the drawers. "Take this. It will contain the Dark energy around it."

"Is that where you put Rowena's diadem?" Harry asked.

"Yes," Dumbledore answered.

"Thanks," Sirius nodded as he took the box as he left.

"Which others?" Dumbledore asked as he started to separate the memories after he returned to his armchair. Harry and Ginny sat thoughtfully for a few moments.

"The two from Slughorn," Harry answered. "That should give her enough to see any patterns and make some conclusions."

"Agreed," nodded Dumbledore. He glanced at Harry and Ginny. There was a look in their eyes of waiting, wanting him to challenge their choices. After the last few weeks of tongue lashings, he had received from Molly and Marlene, let alone Sirius and Ginny, Dumbledore knew not to push his luck. The last thing he wanted was to add another dressing down by Ginny and an even worse one from Harry. He knew that would come, eventually, but Albus really wanted to avoid it for now.


Hermione was sitting on the sofa at the Burrow reading her assignment from Bill in A Beginners Guide to Curse-Breaking. She was so enthralled in the chapter on ward runes, the fireplace bursting into green flames startled her. Hermione squeaked out a gasp as Sirius stepped through. One look at her breathing hard and the book that had just flown from her hands sent Sirius into a fit of giggles.

"What did you do now?" Marlene frowned at Sirius as she walked into the sitting room.

"He scared the life out of me," Hermione complained.

"Your…the one…that…was…" Sirius tried to get out through his laughter, "too…focused…"

"Ignore him," Marlene sighed with a frown. "Where's Harry and Ginny?"

"They want Hermione's perspective on things," Sirius finally breathed out. "Bill and Remus still here?"

"What?" Marlene asked confused. "Why…?"

"They want her input on…things," Sirius answered with a significant look.

"They want my…?" Hermione blinked.

"Yeah," Sirius nodded. "Go grab some note-taking stuff and head over to Hogwarts."

"Alright," Hermione grinned as she ran for the stairs.

"I think you made her day," Marlene suggested as she crossed her arms.

"Bill and Remus?" Sirius asked again.

"They're outside with the boys doing tactics," Marlene answered. "Why?"

"We may be lucky in the hunt department," Sirius told her vaguely as he kissed her cheek on his way to the door.

"Sirius!" Marlene hollered after him.

"Not here," he paused to look back at her before going out the back door.

"Is Sirius not coming with me?" Hermione asked from the foot of the stairs.

"No," Marlene frowned slightly. "He has something else to take care of."

"Oh…alright," Hermione nodded slightly uncertain.

"You'll find out at Hogwarts," Marlene assured her. "Get going. Harry and Ginny are waiting on you."

"Right," Hermione nodded. She threw some Floo Powder into the fireplace. She stepped into the green flames to feel a spinning sensation. Hermione stepped out of the grate in the Head Office to Harry, Ginny, and Dumbledore staring at her. "Um…hi."

"Hey, Hermy," Harry grinned. Ginny frowned, swatting his arm.

"Welcome, Miss Granger," Dumbledore nodded. He motioned to the sofa across from Harry and Ginny. "If you'll have a seat, we shall let you know what we require of you."

Hermione still looked uncertain as she hesitated.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Hermione, sit. You're here to be fresh eyes and use your excellent observational skills, and this is part of the research you already started for us."

Hermione sat, looking curiously at the Penceive.

"This is like a Muggle VCR for memories," Harry pointed to the stone basin on the table between them. Harry turned to Dumbledore. "Can it be paused from inside?"

"Yes, I can do that."

"Good," Harry nodded. "If Hermione says stop, you pause it."

"Of course."

"These are memories that deal with Tom's origin and his plans," Ginny took over. "Look for patterns, places, things we may have missed by paying too much attention to the people and events."

"Wait," Hermione looked confused. "Tom as in Tom Riddle?"

"Tom Marvolo Riddle is who became Voldemort," Dumbledore answered. Hermione looked between them with a knowing look to Harry and Ginny.

"One other thing," Harry broke in. Hermione shook off her shock as she focused on Harry. "One of the memories is a lie, but the true memory is after."

"Alright," Hermione nodded. "What about the other people? Who will they be?"

"We'll explain more as we go," Harry nodded. Hermione nodded as they prepared to enter the Penceive.

They appeared in a shop Hermione didn't know. She asked who the young woman was that was standing at the counter. Harry answered her with the name Merope Gaunt. Still puzzled, Ginny told her it was Tom's mother. Hermione schooled her shock as she started writing her notes. She called for a stop, rewind, and replay of the shopkeeper and Merope's conversation three times. Each time focusing on a different element of it. When she was satisfied with her notes, Hermione nodded for them to move on.

Hermione looked around the small room of the orphanage as a younger Dumbledore spoke with a very young Tom Riddle. She listened intently to the conversation, scribbling notes. Something caught her eye. "Pause!"

Dumbledore waved his wand, the scene freezing in place. Hermione walked over to the small desk in the corner. She jotted down more notes as she looked at the things on the desk and the window sill. She turned nodding to continue. It was only a few minutes more before Hermione called for a stop again. She wrote more notes on the things found in Riddle's cupboard. Again, Hermione nodded for them to continue.

Harry and Ginny both noticed Hermione gritting her teeth as the memory of the house-elf began to play. Three more times Hermione called for a stop. Each time she seemed to focus on a different section of the memory. In each, she was writing notes furiously, nodding for the memory to start again. Harry recognized her thoughtful look as Hermione had examined the trophy case in the corner. Hermione looked at her notes with a critical eye before nodding for them to continue.

"This is the lie, Hermione," Harry told her as they landed in a section of Hogwarts.

Hermione merely nodded as she started writing. She called for a pause shortly after the memory began. Ginny could almost see the wheels and gears moving at their top speed as Hermione considered her notes before adding more. Hermione glanced around as the fog of the lie descended then lifted. She only nodded, making not of it.

"This one's the truth, Hermione," Ginny told her as the memory shifted back to the beginning.

Hermione listened closely, having Dumbledore pause and restart a few times as Slughorn told Riddle what he knew. As Riddle asked about the number of times a soul could be split Hermione called for a pause. She feverishly looked over her notes again. Harry and Ginny exchanged a look, knowing Hermione was on to something. Harry glanced at Dumbledore. The old man had a grin on his face.

"I believe Miss Granger has found something even I have missed," he whispered to Harry and Ginny.

"Oh, I know she has," Ginny grinned smugly at Dumbledore.

Soon the memory ended. Hermione nodded that she was finished with her notes. Dumbledore ended the session with a wave of his wand, returning them all to his office.

"Herm…" Harry started but was stopped as Hermione raised her hand.

Hermione started tearing the pages out of her notebook and sorting them on the table. Dumbledore moved the Penceive for her to have more room. After Hermione had the pages laid out the way she wanted them, she stood looking over each of her eight sets of notes. She grouped five sets on one side of the table with two sets off to the other side. With a small nod to herself, she looked up at the expectant looks of the others.

"Sir, I don't how you missed some of this, it's rather obvious in all five of those memories," Hermione frowned at Dumbledore.

"I must confess, I have missed a great many things over my long life," he admitted lowering his head.

Ginny was about to speak, but Harry stopped her with a hand on her arm. "Not the time, love."

"We will revisit that comment another day," Ginny glared at Dumbledore. The old man looked up at Ginny with a visible gulp. She held her glare on him for a few more seconds as Dumbledore paled, before turning back to Hermione with a softer look. "You were saying?"

"Right," Hermione nodded. "There are three patterns in each memory. These are the eight subsets of everything. These five over here are the first pattern which is the number seven. It's everywhere."

"Seven makes sense," Dumbledore rubbed his chin. "And so does three."

"Exactly," Hermione agreed. "The two most powerful numbers in Magic. There are three sets of seven in each memory we viewed. They all involved these three things: The Founders, the number seven, and places of significance to Tom."

"He was obsessed with the Founders," Ginny nodded in agreement. Harry looked at her. Something Hermione didn't know passed between them as Ginny gave Harry a frown and nod.

"Your theory on the Horcruxes, Hermione?" Harry asked with a pointed look.

"The diary was a test to see if he could it properly," Hermione began. "The next three were the ring he was wearing. It is one of two things that remained from Salazar Slytherin. The locket is the other."

"How did you…?" Dumbledore asked startled.

"I've seen my fair share of pictures, Professor," Hermione frowned at him. "The Cup of Hufflepuff was obviously next."

"That's two of the four," Harry nodded. "What about Gryffindor and Ravenclaw? Did they have any relics left?"

"The only two things from Gryffindor are over there," Hermione pointed. "His hat and the Sword."

"I can honestly say," Dumbledore began, "neither are a Horcrux."

"And Ravenclaw?" Ginny asked, almost as if ignoring Dumbledore.

"Her diadem and her golden quill," Hermione answered. "But both have been missing for centuries. Was there a timeframe that he was missing, that he could have been searching for those, Professor?"

"Yes…"

"And he was required to commit a murder to make a Horcrux?" asked Hermione quickly as she looked over her notes.

"Yes…"

"My guess is he would have used killing you to make one, Harry," Hermione looked pointing to her forehead.

Harry didn't have a chance to respond as the fireplace burst into green flames. Sirius, Remus, Bill, and Marlene stepped through the grate in quick succession. Sirius raised an eyebrow and glanced at Hermione. Harry nodded.

"We got the locket," Sirius informed them as Marlene walked over to Harry and Ginny. She hugged both as she whispered quietly to them. They nodded before Sirius continued. "I take it you made progress?"

"Yes, we did," Ginny frowned at Dumbledore. "And added more for another time."

"Um…" Hermione called for attention. "What if the object is still at your parents' house, Harry? Has anyone ever searched there for it?"

"No," Sirius answered. "The only one that can open the property for that is Harry."

"May I propose…" Dumbledore started, only to be speared with several glares.

"No, you may not!" snapped Marlene.

"Remus, take Hermione back to the Burrow," Sirius nodded. "The rest of us are going to Godric's Hollow."

"Hermione," Harry called before she went through the floo. She turned. "Add all this to your research for us."

Hermione nodded before disappearing in green flames.


Harry and Sirius appeared on an old dirty back road on the edge of an old village. Ginny and Marlene appeared seconds later followed by Bill and Dumbledore. Harry looked around as Ginny slipped her arm around him. He knew Ginny could feel his nervous trepidation of being in the place he had lost so much. They started walking toward the center of the village in silence. He gulped as he noticed the little church with a cemetery beside it as they neared the main street. Ginny squeezed him a little tighter as Sirius and Marlene wrapped their arms around them.

"Are…" Harry choked as he stopped, staring at the gate.

"Yes, they are, pup," Sirius swallowed. "If we had more time today…"

"We'll come back in a few days or so," Marlene soothed. "This will be hard enough, no need to add to it today."

"But no matter what we find in the cottage, just know that the three of us here for you, pup," Sirius nodded.

"Make that four of us," Bill placed a hand on Harry's shoulder from behind.

"Thanks," croaked Harry as he turned into Ginny's hair. Ginny felt him breathe in deeply, relaxing slightly.

"Ready, love?" Ginny asked as she stroked his cheek. She could feel that he didn't trust his voice. Harry nodded and Sirius motioned for them to continue.

Dumbledore led the way down the cobblestone street to the town square. Harry looked up at an old war memorial from the second World War. It seemed to shimmer with a light blue glow as they drew closer. Suddenly, the war memorial was gone, replaced with a statue of his parents holding a baby that he guessed was him.

He felt numb. Ginny kissed his cheek to remind him she was there and that was the only thing that kept him grounded at the moment.

Harry turned with a slightly pained look and she wrapped him in a tight hug again. A small pulse of Magic emitted from them as they shared that tender moment.

Sirius tapped Harry on the shoulder lightly. He gave Harry a weak knowing smile. Marlene stepped closer to Harry's other side as she and Ginny gently guided Harry away from the statue.

Sirius noticed Dumbledore start to open his mouth as they started walking again. He narrowed his eyes at the old man, daring him to speak. Sirius knew if he didn't keep the old fool from speaking, he would receive a good dressing down about respecting this place, and Sirius would explode on him if the old man said one word.

If he didn't erupt on Dumbledore, then Ginny sure as Merlin would. Bill stepped between the two men, but Sirius noticed the angry look on Bill's face as the younger man turned to glare at the Headmaster. Dumbledore wisely said nothing, closing his mouth, only motioning for them to continue.

They continued down the lane turning onto an overgrown cul-de-sac on the far edge of the village. There was only one house on the street, or what was left of it anyways. Harry stopped, staring at what was once his home for the first time he could remember.

The faded blue paint on the upper part of the cottage was peeling in places. The stonework that covered the bottom half was dusty and clumped with dried mud where the ivy hadn't covered it yet. The hedges were unkempt, growing wildly. The grass of the small lawn was almost knee-high from neglect.

The front door still hung open leaning out, with only its bottom hinge intact, but a shimmer indicated a charm was in place to keep out any unwanted guests. The left side of the house, though faded, was still whole. The right side, however, was in shambles. Half of the roof was collapsed into the room below it. The front wall fully gone with nothing but a giant hole facing out.

Sirius dropped to his knees as his emotions he had been holding in the entire evening shattered and overwhelmed him. Marlene knelt beside him, hugging him. Bill took Marlene's place beside Harry quickly.

Ginny just pulled Harry closer in her arms, making sure her hair was close to his nose. She felt his tears on her shoulders and a flood of sadness through their bond.

She sent back all the love and comfort she could to him as she held him closer. Ginny looked over at her brother with a grateful smile. Bill gave her a sad understanding smile in return.

Harry took a deep breath, inhaling Ginny's scent. He nuzzled her neck as he calmed slightly. Bill was suddenly pushed away as another pulse erupted from them. Bill staggered slightly from the force of the push but remained standing.

Bill glanced at Sirius and Marlene as they looked up after the pulse washed over them. Bill turned to see Dumbledore on his backside. He chuckled lightly to himself as he realized the brunt of the pulse had been sent the Headmaster's way.

"You ready for this, pup?" Sirius asked quietly after he and Marlene had stood.

"As long as I have Gin close, I can do this," Harry took another deep breath.

"You know you're stuck with me for the rest of our lives, right?" Ginny raised an eyebrow.

"Sounds like a little piece of heaven always beside me," Harry smiled slightly.

"Sweet talker," Ginny grinned at him.

"Come on, lovebirds," Sirius rolled his eyes at them.

They approached the waist-high gate slowly. Harry held out his hand, placing it on the pole. The light blue shimmer enveloped his hand.

"I give permission to these people with me to enter," Harry spoke. He glanced at Dumbledore before adding quickly, "while I'm with them."

A small hum sounded as the shimmer spread over all of them. With another deep breath, Harry opened the gate, entering the property. Ginny walked with him, still clinging to his side to give him the strength he needed to search the house. After they had gone into the cottage, Harry watched as Sirius walked over to the bottom of the stares with Marlene. Sirius knelt, touching the floor.

"Is this…?" Marlene choked out. Sirius nodded.

Harry didn't need to ask. He knew that was the place Sirius had found his father that long-ago Halloween. Ginny's arm tightened around his waist. He never realized how hard this was going to be, not just for him, but for Sirius and Marlene as well. They had been his parents' friends. Harry turned his head to Ginny's hair, breathing deeply.

"What's that?" Bill pointed into the sitting room.

Harry and Ginny looked to where he was pointing as Bill walked over to the fireplace. A wand lay in front of it, just out of sight in the shadows. Bill reached down to pick it up, only to have sparks crackle around the wand. He pulled his hand back quickly as he yelped in pain.

"You alright, Bill?" Ginny asked as her brother shook his hand with a grimace on his face.

"Yeah. Merlin, that hurt," Bill grunted. "You might be able to pick it up, Harry, but not any of us."

Harry held out his hand, casting a silent, wandless Summoning Charm. The wand shot across the room into his outstretched hand.

"Show-off," Bill complained. "I think that might be…"

"Your dad's wand," Sirius finished for him with a nod.

Harry swallowed a little before placing the wand in his pocket. "I'll put in the Vault later."

"Let's head upstairs," Marlene suggested.

Harry stepped forward but stopped where Sirius had knelt. He leaned down running his hand over the carpet before standing again. Ginny nodded as she guided him up the stairs.

That the landing, the hall split two ways with three doors on the whole floor. To the left, Harry could tell was what was his parents' bedroom. The light blue shimmer was covering that side of the house, keeping it protected. To the right was the nursery, his room. Sirius placed a hand on his shoulder.

"If you open the ward, Marley and me will get the photo albums and some other stuff from their room," Sirius whispered to him. "You don't have to go in there. I know this is hard enough for you. And you don't need to speak to the wards, just think the names."

"That way it keeps the old man out?" asked Harry. Sirius nodded.

Harry touched the wall by the shimmer. He closed his eyes, thinking Sirius and Marlene's names. As Harry opened his eyes, he saw the shimmer surround Sirius and Marlene. Sirius nodded again before he and Marlene set off to that side of the house. Harry noticed the frown on Dumbledore's face as his god-parent walked down the hall. Harry huff before turning to Bill with a motion to lead the way to the nursery.

Bill nodded once. He entered the room with his wand drawn, running scans as he walked. He turned back to Harry and Ginny as they approach the doorway.

"No signs of a Horcrux," Bill shook his head. "There's a wand signature over by the cot, but I'm not touching it."

"Chicken," Ginny teased. She looked at Harry, who gave her a nod. Ginny held out her hand casting the Summoning Spell wordlessly and wandless. The wand jumped into her hand, but no shock followed.

"The wards must recognize your bond," Bill sighed. He turned scanning for anything that was not supposed to be in the house. "Aha!"

Bill went over to the corner to lift a small rune-covered box the length of a long quill. He opened the box. "It's the Quill," he confirmed.

"I'll take to the Governors for safekeeping," Sirius told him from the doorway.

"Now, Sirius, I…" Dumbledore started.

"No," Sirius glared. "It goes to the Governors."

"Harry," Marlene spoke softly. "We shrank the albums and other things, but we thought you might want to see this one."

"That was taken just after your first birthday," Sirius gulped.

Harry took the rich brown picture frame Marlene held out to him. He looked down to see his parents waving at him. Harry choked back a sob as his knees gave out. Ginny knelt with him, hugging him as close as she could as Harry hugged the picture to his chest as the tears fell freely. Sirius and Marlene joined them as Bill stood over them, keeping an eye on the Headmaster.