Did Tom Riddle Open the Chamber of Secrets While at Hogwarts?
Yes, Tom Riddle did indeed open the Chamber of Secrets during his time at Hogwarts. This significant event took place during his fifth year, which corresponds to Harry Potter and the first years of Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Specifically, Riddle opened the Chamber in 1942, approximately 50 years before the events depicted in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which occurred in 1992-1993.
The Timing and Circumstances
Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione, found themselves facing the Chamber of Secrets during their second year at Hogwarts, making the events of the original story highly significant and complex. Tom Riddle, better known as Lord Voldemort to many, was 16 years old and a fifth-year student at the time he opened the Chamber in 1942. This action led to the expulsion of Hagrid and the subsequent series of events that left the school in turmoil.
Previous Engagements with the Chamber
Beyond Tom Riddle, the Chamber of Secrets has a dark and complicated history. Corvinus Gaunt, a descendant of Salazar Slytherin, also interfered with the Chamber in the 18th century. This period was marked by a proposal to install an elaborate plumbing system at Hogwarts Castle, which threatened the secrecy of the Chamber's entrance. As a descendant of Slytherin, Corvinus Gaunt knew the location of the entrance and had concealed it behind plumbing fixtures and a sink, which today is a part of the Moaning Myrtle bathroom.
In his endeavor to protect the entrance, Corvinus Gaunt safeguarded the Chamber, ensuring that only those who knew the secret could access it. This history makes it clear that the Chamber has not been an isolated incident of evil, but rather a recurring issue throughout the history of Hogwarts.
Further Evidence and the Gaunt Family
While Tom Riddle is surely the earliest known instance of the Chamber's opening, according to Pottermore, there is evidence that suggests the Chamber was opened previously by members of the Gaunt family. The basilisk, a massive and deadly snake that resides in the Chamber, had to be placed there and must have been brought back out after performing its grotesque tasks. This necessitates the presence of someone knowledgeable about the Chamber's nature and structure, supporting the idea that the Gaunts might have been involved in earlier openings.
Other Known Instances
Beyond Tom Riddle and Corvinus Gaunt, the Chamber of Secrets has been opened on at least one more notable occasion, namely by Lord Voldemort himself. The events that led to his possession of Ginny Weasley further cement his involvement, though the specific circumstances leading to her possession are different from Riddle's original act. The involvement of Ginny, while notable, is a separate and distinct case due to the nature of the possession.
Tom Riddle's opening of the Chamber of Secrets represents a pivotal moment in the rich history of Hogwarts, one that set the stage for the subsequent series of events narrated in the Harry Potter series. His actions during his time at Hogwarts have left an indelible mark on the magical world and continue to be studied by enthusiasts and scholars alike.