Harry Potter: 10 Most Underrated Chapters
4. The Secret Riddle – The Half-Blood Prince
Chapter Synopsis: Dumbledore shows Harry his first meeting with Voldemort via the Pensieve.
Voldemort’s past is one of the strongest parts of The Half-Blood Prince. And in ‘The Secret Riddle’, Rowling treats fans to Dumbledore’s first interaction with his arch-nemesis.
The orphan Tom Riddle is a tall, good-looking boy who does not take kindly to the Hogwarts headmaster – he’s convinced Dumbledore has come from the asylum to take him away. But the moment he learns he’s a wizard, Riddle’s attitude changes completely.
Far from disbelieving Dumbledore, Riddle loves the idea that he’s special. Indeed, he’s egotistical from the outset. He rejects Dumbledore’s offer to accompany him to Diagon Alley and snatches a fresh bag of coins without thanking the headmaster.
There are also clear similarities between the young Tom Riddle and the legendary villain he eventually becomes. He’s independent, friendless, spiteful, and has a magpie-like tendency to collect trophies in the wake of his wrongdoings.