Tom's early childhood: a painful, lonely existence
Tom Riddle knew he was the odd one out. Other children would receive visits from family members, but he never had any visitors. It had been about ten years since a heavily-pregnant Merope Gaunt showed up on the steps of Wool's Orphanage. There, she had given birth to Tom Marvolo Riddle, and then passed away.
Tom was given Room 27 at the orphanage. The room was the only place he felt safe. The other children made fun of him for the fact that he knew nothing about his family or had anyone who cared for him. Tom was jealous of the fact that many of the visitors would leave gifts for the other children, while he received no visitors or gifts from anyone. It seemed like nobody cared that he even existed.
He discovered he had a secret ability. If anyone annoyed him, he could make the offending party experience horrible pain just by imagining it happening. He also had the power of telekinesis, and could make objects move simply by willing them. Later on, he found that he could make animals do his bidding at will, and also understand the language of snakes.
Tom hated the dingy orphanage and the other children who inhabited it. He occasionally used his secret powers to steal their gifts and hide them in his cupboard like trophies. Once, another boy tried to pick a fight with him. The next morning, the other boy's rabbit was found hanging from the rafters. Nobody could explain how it happened.
During the summer, the children were taken on excursions on rare occasions. One trip was to the White Cliffs of Devonshire. During that trip, Tom and two others, Dennis Bishop and Amy Benson became separated from the main group. A search was called and the three were found near the mouth of a cave. Amy and Dennis looked to be shell-shocked, but would not speak about what had happened.
In early 1937, a stranger showed up at Wool's Orphanage wishing to speak to Tom Riddle. This amazed Mrs Cole, as she had never known that Tom had any relatives or friends all his life. The visitor claimed to be a teacher at a school known as Hogwarts. Tom had a place reserved for him since birth at Hogwarts.
Tom was given Room 27 at the orphanage. The room was the only place he felt safe. The other children made fun of him for the fact that he knew nothing about his family or had anyone who cared for him. Tom was jealous of the fact that many of the visitors would leave gifts for the other children, while he received no visitors or gifts from anyone. It seemed like nobody cared that he even existed.
He discovered he had a secret ability. If anyone annoyed him, he could make the offending party experience horrible pain just by imagining it happening. He also had the power of telekinesis, and could make objects move simply by willing them. Later on, he found that he could make animals do his bidding at will, and also understand the language of snakes.
Tom hated the dingy orphanage and the other children who inhabited it. He occasionally used his secret powers to steal their gifts and hide them in his cupboard like trophies. Once, another boy tried to pick a fight with him. The next morning, the other boy's rabbit was found hanging from the rafters. Nobody could explain how it happened.
During the summer, the children were taken on excursions on rare occasions. One trip was to the White Cliffs of Devonshire. During that trip, Tom and two others, Dennis Bishop and Amy Benson became separated from the main group. A search was called and the three were found near the mouth of a cave. Amy and Dennis looked to be shell-shocked, but would not speak about what had happened.
In early 1937, a stranger showed up at Wool's Orphanage wishing to speak to Tom Riddle. This amazed Mrs Cole, as she had never known that Tom had any relatives or friends all his life. The visitor claimed to be a teacher at a school known as Hogwarts. Tom had a place reserved for him since birth at Hogwarts.
