Tom Riddle

 Tom Riddle a.k.a Lord Voldemort

Biographical information

Full Name

Tom Marvolo Riddle

Namesake(s)

• Tom Riddle Senior

• Marvolo Gaunt

Birth

December 31, 1926, Wool's Orphanage, London

Death

May 2, 1998, Great Hall, Hogwarts Castle

Age

• 71 (in the 21st century) 

• 14 (in 20th century and back in time 19th century also)

Blood status

Half-blood

Marital status

Unmarried

Also known as

• Lord Voldemort (self-proclaimed title and chosen name)
• You-Know-Who (used by those who are too afraid or if it is too dangerous to refer to him by his chosen name)
• He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named (used along the same line as "You-Know-Who")
• The Dark Lord
• Your Lordship (used by Wormtail)
• Chief Death Eater (used by Lee Jordan) 
• Heir of Slytherin
• Thomas Riddle (used in the 19th century; fake name used as a cover-up) 

Title(s)

• Perfect

• Head Boy

• Dark Lord

Status

Deceased

Physical information

Species

Human

Gender

Male

Hair Color

• Bald (as Lord Voldemort)

• Black (as Tom Riddle)

Eye color

• Red (as Voldemort)

• Dark Brown (as Tom)

Skin color

• White (as Voldemort)

• Pale (as Tom)

Family information

Children

Delphini Riddle (daughter; due to love potion)

Parents

• Tom Riddle Senior ✝️ (father) 

• Merope Gaunt ✝️ (mother) 

Grandparents

• Thomas Riddle ✝️ (paternal grandfather) 

• Mary Riddle ✝️ (paternal grandmother) 

• Marvolo Gaunt ✝️ (maternal grandfather) 

• Unnamed maternal grandmother ✝️

Uncles/Aunts

• Morfin Gaunt ✝️ (maternal uncle) 

• Unknown Maternal Aunt ✝️

Great-aunts/uncles

• Ominis Gaunt (maternal great-uncle)

• Adrastos Gaunt (maternal great-uncle)

• One Unnamed Great-Aunt

Great-Great-aunts/uncles

Noctua Gaunt ✝️ (maternal great-great-aunt)

Ancestors

• Salazar Slytherin ✝️ (ancestor)

• Cadmus Peverell ✝️ (ancestor)

• Corvinus Gaunt ✝️ (antecedent)

Distant cousins

• James Potter ✝️ (a distant cousin)

• Harry Potter (distant cousin)

• Adrian Madden ✝️ (a distant cousin)

Relationships

Allies/Friends

• Death Eaters (trustful allies)

• Adrian Madden ✝️

Enemies

• Prof. Albus Dumbledore ✝️
• Ministry of Magic
• James and Lily Potter ✝️
• Harry Potter
• Order of the Phoenix
• Lauren Jones
• Sebastian Sallow
• Ominis Gaunt
• Imelda Reyes
• Prof. Phineas N. Black I ✝️
• Garreth Weasley
• Marvolo Gaunt ✝️

Magical characteristics

Boggart

His own lifeless body

Wand

• 13½", Yew, phoenix feather core

• 18", Elm, dragon heartstring (temporary)

• 15", Elder, Thestral tail hair core

Patronus

None (cannot cast a Patronus)

Affiliation

Occupation

• Hogwarts student (formerly)

• Assistant at Borgin and Burkes (formerly)

House

Slytherin 𓆗

Loyalty

• Death Eaters

• Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (formerly)

• Slytherin

• Slug Club

• British Ministry of Magic (formerly under his control)

• Borgin and Burkes

Tom Marvolo Riddle (December 31, 1926 – May 2, 1998), later known as Lord Voldemort, was a half-blood wizard considered the most powerful Dark Wizard ever. He was the son of wealthy Muggle Tom Riddle Sr., and witch Merope Gaunt, who died shortly after childbirth. He was the heir of Salazar Slytherin and was ordered to finish his work.

Powers/Skills

• Magical mastery: Even at a young age, Voldemort proved himself to be a precociously gifted magical prodigy, as he was able to utilize and control magic, without the use of a wand or even knowing the very existence of magic itself, to an unnaturally high level: he had the power to move objects with his mind, to communicate with and control animals, and even inflict harm on those who opposed or annoyed him, which left even Dumbledore astonished.[28] As a student of Hogwarts, Voldemort was acknowledged by Dumbledore as the most brilliant student in the school's history. As an adult, Voldemort's unimaginable power and skill were so great that he successfully terrorized all of Britain and defeated so many that he quickly earned the reputation as the most powerful and dangerous Dark wizard in history, surpassing even Gellert Grindelwald. He performed feats of magic thought impossible and his magical accomplishments eclipsed and dwarfed those of any dark wizard before him. Between his tremendous magical power and skill and profound capability for evil and destruction, Voldemort was thought to be unbeatable, with the only hope of wizarding Britain during his reign of terror, until the arrival of Harry Potter, being Albus Dumbledore. Because of this, Dumbledore was widely known as the only wizard Voldemort ever feared. Despite this, during their Duel in the Ministry Atrium, Voldemort could stand up to Dumbledore, although he was still ultimately held back and forced to flee. Possessing a profound amount of knowledge and understanding of magic, Voldemort had experimented. It pushed the boundaries of magic farther than they had ever been tried, and if he were to be granted a teaching position, he could teach students things that they could gain from no other wizard. Even Dumbledore himself acknowledged that Voldemort's knowledge of magic was more extensive than any wizard to have ever lived, with presumably only Dumbledore standing as his equal in terms of magical knowledge; additionally, Dumbledore admitted that even his most powerful protective spells and charms, which were further enhanced by the Elder Wand's legendary powers, could not effectively fight off Voldemort if the Dark Lord was ever at his full power. This degree of immense magical power and deadly skill, coupled with his blatant lack of morals, made him an extremely dangerous adversary. Voldemort's magical might and knowledge made him capable of overcoming almost any magical protection in his way, making extremely few safe from him, with not even the combined efforts of all the professors of Hogwarts holding Voldemort off for long. Notably, Dumbledore and Alastor Moody were the only single wizards capable of casting defense charms that could keep Voldemort at bay. In addition, although rarely applying this talent, Voldemort was as equally capable in protecting specific places magically as he was in breaking magical protections, as he set up many powerful wards on both the Horcrux Cave and Gaunt Shack to protect his Horcruxes, which were powerful enough to impress Dumbledore. Even though he managed to overcome them, the last and most powerful enchantments in the Horcrux Cave were powerful enough to block out even Dumbledore's magic. This was made even more impressive by the fact that Voldemort created the defenses around the Horcrux cave before 1979, when he was less than 55 years old, whereas Dumbledore was more than twice that age at 115 years old, two months before his 116th birthday.

• Control of underage magic: Even before being told that he was a wizard, or having any knowledge of magic or the wizarding world at all, the young Voldemort displayed an exceptional degree of control over his usage of underage magic, which he used to torment many of the other children at the orphanage. He was able to move objects with his mind, control animals to do his bidding, and even make bad things happen to those who annoyed him. Even Dumbledore commented that his powers were surprisingly well-developed for his young age and that his level of control over them had made him uneasy.

• Dark Arts: Voldemort was exceptionally skilled in the Dark Arts, widely considered to be the most powerful practitioner of the Dark Arts the world had ever known during his reign of terror. He had a masterful knowledge of the most arcane and complex magic that the wizard kind was capable of and could perform successfully, such as the ability to create Horcruxes and raise an army of Inferi using necromancy. Voldemort murdered enough people to create an entire army of Inferi to do his bidding, using the Inferi to guard the Cave's waters against those who sought to steal Slytherin's Locket (a Horcrux). He was notably highly accomplished in the use of all three Unforgivable Curses. Despite being weakened, Voldemort was still able to cast the Cruciatus Curse with enough strength to force Bertha Jorkins to regain the memories that were suppressed by a powerful Memory Charm cast by Bartemius Crouch Senior and an Imperius Curse strong enough to control the latter for half of a year, and although he eventually resisted, he became delirious from it. He had a particular affinity for the Killing Curse, having murdered enough people to create an entire army of Inferi, and was able to cast this curse effectively while still under-aged and using Morfin Gaunt's wand. Voldemort was also capable of developing extremely powerful dark charms: he placed a jinx on the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher after being refused the post by Dumbledore that would cause something terrible to happen to those who held the post within a year and was powerful enough that not even Dumbledore could lift it, and another on Marvolo Gaunt's Ring, to protect it after it had been made into a Horcrux so that it would kill anyone who touched it. The curse was so strong, that even Dumbledore could only contain the curse for some time, and Snape, a wizard of exceptional knowledge in countering curses, was only able to suppress the curse for a year. Voldemort was also capable of casting an extremely powerful spell that fired a bolt of blinding and explosive energy that could penetrate the extremely powerful defenses that shielded Hogwarts, which was strong enough to hold against the relentless attacks of his Death Eaters. He was also capable of using Dark Magic to protect the Cave, where he kept Slytherin's Locket, which included a spell that made it so the entrance could only be opened if blood were to be split, as well as another which prevented any attempt to magically summon the Horcrux, and finally, an enchantment on the Potion of Despair that not even Dumbledore was able to overcome. Voldemort was also very knowledgeable in the use of dark potions, having been aware of and able to instruct Peter Pettigrew into brewing the potion that resurrected him fully. He could even craft his own potions, having made the Emerald Potion, which could show the drinker their most hated fears, and also the Rudimentary Body Potion, which he taught Peter how to brew to allow him to regain a physical form, albeit a very small and weak one. Voldemort had the power to possess living creatures and gain complete control over their actions by doing so. While in his spectral form, this was the only remaining power he had access to until his body was restored. Since he told his Death Eaters that this was his only remaining power, he must have been able to use this power during at least the First Wizarding War. Once the possession is done, the victims will have no knowledge of what happened. This form of possession shortens the lifespan of the small animals he inhabits, and in terms of wizards, his face would appear on the back of their heads. In this case, it would seem that his possession is partial, as Quirrell had some (albeit little) control over his actions. It also shortened the host wizard's life, but he was able to extend it via unicorn blood and enhanced their magical abilities by combining their own innate powers with his weakened powers.[12] He was also able to possess Harry and presumably others in his physical form. It is unknown if this ability is unique to him, as he is the only one known to use it.

• Dueling: Voldemort was a duelist of immense, nearly unparalleled skill, with his only rival being Dumbledore. His abilities were so great that he was capable of matching Minerva McGonagall, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Horace Slughorn (who were masterful duelists themselves) simultaneously and overpowering each of them, despite being incapable of harming them lethally due to Harry's sacrificial protection. He was also able to easily overpower many other prodigious witches and wizards, such as the extremely skilled Amelia Bones, and later also murdered the extremely powerful ex-Auror, Alastor Moody. Voldemort's duelling style was, ironically, much like Dumbledore's in its unpredictability: he could instinctively switch styles in the blink of an eye, and was extremely aggressive, using powerful Dark magic to overwhelm his opponents. Apparently, he only chose to face opponents whom he saw as worthy adversaries. Voldemort's duelling skills were even great enough that he was able to stay in combat and hold his own against the Elder Wand-wielding Albus Dumbledore (who wasn't even fighting to kill), although he was steadily being held back and was eventually forced to abandon his effort and flee. He was the only known wizard in history to face Dumbledore and avoid defeat or capture. Although Harry Potter defeated Voldemort, it was only because he had mastered the Elder Wand, and Voldemort was using it at the time against Harry.

• Charisma and manipulation: Tom was a highly charismatic and confident individual, which not only impressed his fellow students but allowed him to sway and manipulate his professors. He was capable of convincing his professor, Horace Slughorn to tell him about Horcruxes.

• Potions: Voldemort was exceptionally knowledgeable of potions, as he was aware of an advanced dark Regeneration potion that could resurrect him to full power and corporeal form, which he successfully guided Pettigrew into brewing, allowing him to regain a corporeal body and full power. He possessed such incredible talents and skills in potions that he was capable of inventing advanced potions, such as the Emerald Potion (or the Drink of Despair), which he used to protect Salazar Slytherin's Locket within the Horcrux cave and would show those who drank it visions of the thing they fear the most and the Rudimentary body potion, which he instructed Peter into brewing to enable him to assume an extremely weak, barely-alive physical form. He also utilized poison very effectively, having spilled a little-known one into Hepzibah Smith's evening cocoa to kill her, and making it appear as though the house elf Hokey mistook the poison as sugar instead.

• Alchemy: Voldemort learned the ancient art and science of Alchemy, to the point where he was confident that if he was able to steal the Philosopher's Stone, he would be able to not only use it to produce the Elixir of Life but also manipulate the process of doing so in a manner that would allow him to 'create a body of [his] own' for his mangled soul to inhabit, thus restoring himself.[12] Dumbledore also seemed to believe that Voldemort would certainly be capable of creating his own Philosopher's Stone, but chose not to because he would find the dependence on the stone to be intolerable.

• Charms: Voldemort was extremely skillful with charms, as he was able to cast a Disillusionment Charm so powerful that it hid him from his own eyes, a very advanced level of magic. He also easily used the Summoning Charm the Sorting Hat from many floors above to punish Neville for opposing him, and then setting it alight with the Fire-Making Spell, and beforehand effortlessly disarming him with the Disarming Charm. He could effortlessly levitate objects out of the way, blast down doors, and break locks. He effortlessly levitated the body of Charity Burbage with the charm Mobilicorpus in Malfoy Manor whilst torturing her there. He was capable of performing an incredibly flawless spell to create fabricated memories in his victims, having used the spell twice in his lifetime: first on the House-elf Hokey after having murdered Hepzibah Smith, to falsely implicate her for the crime, and again on his uncle Morfin Gaunt to frame him for the Murder of the Riddle family, both crimes he committed. He was effortlessly capable of casting a powerful Shield Charm, allowing him to deflect spells and magical assaults instantly. Before the Battle of Hogwarts, he amplified his voice to a significant volume so all of Hogwarts could hear him deliver his ultimatum with the Amplifying Charm, that his voice even sounded as if it was coming from the castle walls. He also performed an outstandingly powerful Silencing Charm on the defenders of Hogwarts during the final half of the Battle of Hogwarts to silence all of them, after he had supposedly killed Harry Potter, in a blinding flash of white light, showing his skills in charm work to be exceptional..

• Apparition: Voldemort was exceptionally proficient in Apparition, and could apparate with pinpoint accuracy even when locked in combat, using this ability to dodge and evade spells when duelling Dumbledore. Voldemort was also able to apparate silently, something that only he and Dumbledore were reputed to be able to do.

• Occlumency and Legilimency: Voldemort was exceptionally adept and gifted in the use of both Occlumency and Legilimency, being able to effectively shield his mind and penetrate the minds of others. He was particularly talented and skilled in Legilimency, and as an adult, Snape claimed he was the most accomplished Legilimens the world had ever seen. His frighteningly exceptional prowess in Legilimency allowed Voldemort to delve and peer deep into the minds of others without needing to say the incantation or use his wand, seeing their deepest thoughts, and he could even use Legilimency to influence the minds that he invaded. Severus Snape has stated that Voldemort could not only read, but also control and unhinge the minds of others, often enjoying invading the minds of others, creating lifelike visions designed to torture them into madness (such as the one he sent to Harry Potter in 1996), and only killing them 'after extracting the last exquisite ounce of agony', when he had them begging for death. He was also able to use Legilimency to briefly possess Harry, even though he had already regained a physical body, which caused Harry so much pain that he even begged for death. Hence, Voldemort could almost always tell when someone was lying. However, when Narcissa Malfoy lied that Harry Potter was dead, Voldemort notably believed her.[34] The most remarkable part about this skill was that he seemed to have already been able to consciously use it while he was still a child in the orphanage. Extremely few people were skilled enough in Occlumency to shield themselves from him. Severus Snape, Albus Dumbledore, Gellert Grindelwald, and also possibly Narcissa Malfoy were notably the only known ones able to block out Voldemort's Legilimency using Occlumency. Additionally, Harry Potter, despite his link to Voldemort's mind, discovered that he could block Voldemort's intrusions into his mind by feeling love, as direct contact with Harry's mind while he was feeling love was excruciatingly painful for Voldemort with his maimed and diminished soul.[31] Using his mastery of Occlumency, Voldemort was able to block his connection to Harry, preventing him from seeing what he is doing, although it could be broken through when Voldemort was angered enough, which became increasingly so due to Voldemort's volatile temper rising from the exhaustive search for the Elder Wand and the destruction of his Horcruxes. While it's unknown if Severus Snape or Albus Dumbledore ever attempted Legilimency on him, neither would likely be able to penetrate his mind despite being skilled Legilimens themselves. Dumbledore also feared that Voldemort could use Legilimency on Draco Malfoy to discover any potential confrontation over the young man's mission despite Draco learning Occlumency, suggesting Voldemort's skills were able to penetrate Occlumency if the target is not strong enough.

• Parseltongue: Voldemort was a Parselmouth, a trait he inherited from his ancestor, Salazar Slytherin, the magical ability to communicate with snakes.[6][28] It seems that most of his Gaunt ancestors (even his mother, grandfather, and uncle) inherited this highly unusual trait; such traits are commonly passed down through families through inbreeding, a practice employed by the Gaunt family.[28] This ability was one that he favored immensely, as he was extremely capable of communicating with the Serpent of Slytherin[6] and his loyal pet snake and Horcrux Nagini, commanding them to commit horrific actions in his various diabolical plots.

• Immortality: Voldemort is the only Dark Wizard who was known to have created more than one Horcrux. These Horcruxes were his school diary, the Marvolo Gaunt's Ring, Ravenclaw's Diadem, Hufflepuff's Cup, Slytherin's Locket, Nagini, and Harry Potter himself. As long as these Horcruxes remained active, Voldemort was immortal and undying, even by magic as powerful as the Killing Curse.

Quotes

"I'm glad I avoided trouble - Sharp certainly seemed upset

with you."

— Tom Riddle to Lauren about Sharp's attention.

"The Basilisk!!" 

— Tom Riddle to Ancient Trio after letting Basilisk go.

"She was the victim of her own greed."

— Tom Riddle about Imelda Reyes.

"I'd like to see you try!"

— Tom Riddle to Lauren.

"She's certainly difficult!"

— Tom Riddle to Sebastian about Lauren.

"You should have worked it out on your own."

— Tom Riddle to Lauren.

"Extortionist. Holding my diary hostage."

— Tom Riddle to Lauren after she stole his diary.