Lord Voldemort. Why is there such fear in this one simple name? Who was and is Lord Voldemort? What did he do? Where did he come from? These questions and more will be answered in the following pages. Everything you wanted to know about the Dark Lord will be answered.

The Beginning. Always a suitable place to start. Tom Marvolo Riddle was just a boy, an ordinary child, or so everyone thought. Born to muggle Tom Riddle and his wife a witch, Tom Riddle quickly found himself orphaned. His father abandoned him at birth upon discovering what his wife and son was. His mother died giving birth to him. A tragic beginning to a life that could have been full of promise.

Tom Riddle learned the hard way how to stay ahead in life. The only things he had going for him were his charming good looks, quick wit, and intelligence. It seemed he would succeed, and then his future came calling.

Dear Mr. Riddle,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Deputy Headmaster

Tom Riddle entered Hogwarts with what could have been a fresh start. Sorted into Slytherin, he spent much of his time working towards what would be the title of Prefect and eventually Head Boy. He was suave, charming, well liked. He was the poor wizard that had lost both his parents, and for thus had received some pity. Of course, not everyone fell for this act.

In Riddle�s fifth year he opened the Chamber of Secrets. What is the Chamber of Secrets? The history was only a myth. Hogwarts was formed over 1000 years ago by the four greatest wizards and witches of the time. Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazaar Slytherin. After a few years, Slytherin and Gryffindor began to disagree over the admittance of muggle children. Eventually Slytherin left the school, but not before building a secret chamber under the castle. The Chamber was to be sealed until his heir came to Hogwarts. Once opened the Chamber would rid Hogwarts of all those not worthy of studying magic, non-purebloods. Inside the Chamber was a monster that only the heir could control.

Riddle opened the Chamber and unleashed a Basilisk, a large snake that has a deadly stare. Riddle was a parselmouth. With the ability to speak to snakes he was able to open the secret chamber and control the basilisk within. Riddle caused the death of one student; a young girl named Myrtle died in the very bathroom she had fled to as a sanctuary. So shaken, Professor Dippett felt he had to close down the school. This was an unexpected turn for Riddle. He had hoped to stay at Hogwarts over the summer, rather than return to the Orphanage. With the school�s future in jeopardy, Riddle was forced to close the Chamber and bring to Dippett a scapegoat. He found that scapegoat in young Rubeus Hagrid. Who better to blame for setting loose a wild monster than a boy who knowingly harbored dangerous creatures in the past. Rubeus Hagrid was expelled from Hogwarts, but Transfiguration Professor Albus Dumbledore knew the truth. Dumbledore was able to keep Hagrid involved with Hogwarts, but the Heir of Slytherin got away.

After graduating Hogwarts, Riddle disappeared and ventured all over strange and dark lands. It was only Professor Dumbledore who recognized Riddle when he resurfaced as Lord Voldemort. Voldemort was hardly recognizable as the Head Boy Tom Riddle. Only those who knew him intimately would have been able to sense the change. This is where Voldemort�s reign began.

Voldemort gained followers, he called them his Death Eaters. Together they rampaged the land, killing muggles, and witches and wizards that wouldn�t join the Dark Side. They created a symbol, a Dark Mark, that consisted of a green skull. Innocent witches and wizards would come home to find the Dark Mark floating above their house. Knowing that when they went inside they would be greeted by death. The Giants and Dementors joined with Voldemort as his power grew. All appeared to be lost. Fear controlled the land. The only safe place in the world was Hogwarts. The only man Voldemort ever feared controlled that safe haven. With Dumbledore in charge, no harm would ever come to any that sought shelter with him.

Voldemort began to lose some power as key Death Eaters changed allegiances and became spies for the Ministry. The ministry was soon able to learn who potential targets were and what upcoming disasters were planned. Families went into hiding, people feared to leave their homes. Then came the end of Voldemort.

Lily and James Potter were two of the most loyal friends of Professor Dumbledore. Learning that their safety was now in jeopardy they fled into hiding. Their best friend Sirius Black was appointed Secret-keeper and swore his dying allegiance to protect them. For unknown reasons Black asked Peter Pettigrew to be the Potter�s secret-keeper. Black was not to know that Pettigrew was working alongside the Dark Lord. Shortly after going into hiding, Lord Voldemort arrived at the Potter�s home in Godric Hollow. He killed James Potter and went after young Harry next. Lily Potter refused to allow Voldemort near Harry, who was only a one-year-old baby at the time. In rage, Voldemort killed Lily and aimed his wand at Harry. Saying the incantation, �Avada Kedavra�, Voldemort intended to kill the child. But this is not what happened. The curse rebounded off young Harry and hit Voldemort nearly killing him. For thirteen years Voldemort was not heard from again.

Peace reigned and young Harry Potter was orphaned and sent to live with a muggle family. Not many understood how Voldemort had died that night, nor why. It would only be thirteen years later that some questions would finally be answered.

What was Voldemort�s downfall? Lily Potter. She had given her life to save her son, and that act left Harry with a protection that no curse could break. Voldemort lived as a parasite, off one body to another until an opportunity arose offering him a chance to regain his body.

This chance was the Sorcerer's Stone that was safely hidden in Hogwarts. Using Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher Professor Quirrell, Voldemort went after the stone. Yet his attempt at immortality was thwarted by his downfall Harry Potter. Harry was able to sense that Voldemort was at the school. The night Voldemort tried to kill Potter he left a lightning shaped scar on his forehead. This scar acted as a warning system for Potter, alerting him that danger and Voldemort was near. Discovering Voldemort in the Chamber that contained the Sorcerer�s Stone Harry took a stance against him. Using the Mirror of Erised, Voldemort was able to force Potter to get the Stone for him. Voldemort tried to sway Potter with images of his family, but Potter would not be convinced. In a final, desperate attempt to gain possession of the Stone, Voldemort grabbed Harry. Yet the touch was too much for Voldemort to bear. His mother�s love still ran through him and offered him protection from Voldemort.

Voldemort finally made his return three years later. Having one of his Death Eaters pose as Professor Moody, he was able to get Potter entered into the Triwizard tournament. Using the Triwizard Cup as a portkey, Voldemort was able to transfer Potter, and unintentionally Cedric Diggory, to the location of Voldemort�s father�s remains. Using an ancient potion involving the bones of his father, the blood of his ally given willingly, and the blood of an enemy taken forcibly, he was able to finally gain a body. he attempted to kill Potter then, but Potter was able to grab the portkey and the lifeless Cedric Diggory, and return to Hogwarts.

Voldemort has regained his powers. Troubling times lay ahead for those opposed to him. he must act quicker this time though, as his enemies will surely know his plans. So why does that name strike terror into our hearts? Because we are his enemies. We stand against his murderous and dark ways. He wishes to eradicate us, one by one.