Why Dumbledore?

[Alz]

OK, further to post I just made - another question ...

Why did Dumbledore, as a Professor visit Riddle in the Orphanage?
Why wasn't it Dippet - the Headmaster at the time?
Is there a reason Dumbledore wanted to make the acquaintance and not the Headmaster of the time?

He obviously thought and planned it - he penned the letter to the Orphanage himself as he told Mrs Cole he has arranged to visit.
I just wonder what was Dumbledore's vested interest in the young Riddle.

[Fortescue]

I guess the question would be did Dumbledore all ready know that Tom Riddle was the last decendant of Slytherin? The Hogwarts book keeps track of the birth of all those with magic power so why would it not know that Tom Riddle was related to the Gaunts, who were known as the last decendants of Slytherin?

I think Dumbledore knew who Riddle was related to before he went to the interview at the orphanage and did so to see what kind of a boy Riddle was considering he grew up in a nonmagical environment. From the little bit we ever heard of Dippet, he didn't seem to be a very observant headmaster.

[kaz]

I agree Fort, and that was the point I was going to make. From what we have heard of Dippet, he wasn't as intune with his students as Dumbledore was. I'd say DD was maybe even instructed to go to the orphanage on Dippets behalf- I wonder how much Dippet knew about Voldy?

[halliemei]

I tend to wonder if Dumbledore was the Deputy Headmaster at the time, like McGonagall is now. She seems responsible for maintaining the student list and letters. Even in PS/SS, she was the one who signed the letter informing Harry he'd been accepted. We also learn that they dispatch "someone" to explain what to do. We might assume that the Deputy Headmaster/Headmistress has that job, or that he/she assigns it out.

[kaz]

Well done halliemei! I think you are spot on there!

[kashlie]

i agree, halliemei!
also, with Riddle being in an orphanage, he would need someone to see him, as they couldn't very well explain the situation to the muggles there!!

[Alz]

It was made quite clear that Dumbledore's role at the time was Transfiguration Professor - never once mentioned he was deputy.

Forte raised a point I really liked and was going to raise a thread on - what initially sparked Dumbledore's interest in the boy?
We know that all magical folk are signed up to Hogwarts as soon as they are born - but was there really any evidence to support it isnt just a name?
I wonder too if a students parents are also recorded - and stretching that would it have the mothers maiden name as well?
I cant help but feel Dumbledore knew he needed to make that visit - that he knew more about 'Riddle' than what we know - and I still cant help but feel it was something to do with Grindelwald but we have discussions on this elsewhere!
I think if Dumbledore was deputy etc then I can see him doing the intro - but notice it wasnt him that went to see Harry right from the bat - he may have been head by then but this was the boy he placed on a doorstep all those years before.
Nope - there is a reason Dumbledore got in early - I tell ya!

[Aeon1006]

It is possilbe that it would normally fall with in the buties of the Deputy Head to meet with and/or explain about the letter from Hogwarts. In Harry's Case Dumbledore may have wanted Hadgrid to go for extra protection (He sent Hagrid in HBP for the extra protection of the Weasleys and Harry.) It is also shown that Mcgonnall was waiting for Dumbledore when he left Harry on the Durleys Door Step (and even objected to it at first). In this case it is possible that at teh time the Riddle was starting at Hogwarts the Dumbledore was either the Deputy or that the least a Head of House (most likey Gryffindore) and it feel to him to meet with and asses Riddle. It is also shown that Hogwarts has a fund to asist in less fortunate Wizards and Witches so they could attend. And it might be in teh deputies job to admin that fund.

[Fortescue]

We know that all magical folk are signed up to Hogwarts as soon as they are born - but was there really any evidence to support it isnt just a name?
I wonder too if a students parents are also recorded - and stretching that would it have the mothers maiden name as well?



Another thing that might have raised Dumbledore's eyebrows a bit would have been if the book does record the names of the families, sort of like wizard geneology, Dumbledore would surely notice that Tom Riddle was the last of kin to the Gaunts, and I'd assume that none of the Gaunts attended Hogwarts even if they did receive a letter. They didn't seem to be civilized enought to have ever gone to boarding school and their refusal to attend Hogwarts would have been a bit obvious as to what type of wizards they were.

[kashlie]

If Dumbledore did know of Riddle's parentage, then he would have known he was the heir of Slytherin and hence he would have known that Riddle was opening the Chamber of Secrets during his time at Hogwarts.
We aren't actually told that DD was deputy are we? But we can assume it was a natural progression to becoming headmaster. Although I am wondering how long that he was deputy for if that is the case. If he was deputy when Riddle began at Hogwarts, that is the 7 years he was there, then at some point over the next 40 years until Harry was born, he became Headmaster. Was he headmaster when James and Lily went to Hogwarts? As sad as this may seem, I can't remember!! :o

[Alz]

I'll go back to my post above - it is never stated that Dumbledore was more than Transfiguration professor at the time!
I would have thought if he was more - JKR would have said so because it would have had no bearing on the story.
Nope - I come to another point - another thought process - he was deep in it with Grindelwald at the time - I wonder - just maybe if he found or heard or seen Grindlewald trying to track the Gaunts ... the heirs of Slytherin would possess some pretty important trinkets.
I dont think Dumbledore made aqaintence based on him being Deputy - because it has never been stated that he was!
He had a reason for that visit.