by DrT - Sahits

Chapter VI
The last three weeks of term went past fast for Harry. When the story of Tom Riddle came out in
The Quibbler, there was something of an uproar. Luna had found a few photos in the library of Tom
Riddle while at school, while Mr. Lovegood had found a few images of 'Lord Voldemort' during the
period where he was preaching his hatred more directly to Pure-Blood groups in the late 1950s
through the very early 1970s. There was also an image of Riddle from a Daily Prophet photo that
showed many of the merchants of Knockturn Alley at a meeting to oppose proposed regulations on
artifacts in 1948, and even a grainy image of Riddle in the crowd of an anti-Muggle rally in Vienna
in the early 1950s.
The images showed the progressive dehumanization of Riddle -- Tom Riddle, Riddle the Head Boy
with one Horcrux, and how Voldemort looked with three, four, and five, although the article did not
speculate on what 'dehumanizing Dark rituals' Riddle had subjected himself to. There was
documentation of Riddle's background, and it was clear from the article that Riddle's blood-status
had not mattered to his followers in the 1940s through the early 1970s; what had mattered was his
descent from Salazar Slytherin and his advocacy of Pure-Blood culture and hatred of the Muggle
world. Several flyers and reprints of early speeches and pamphlets reminded people that they had
known all along who Voldemort was, they just had not cared, as he had served as a rallying point
for those who loved the Pure-Blood agenda, and for those who disliked it and who could then point
at Voldemort as the extreme version and condemn it.
The article was more discreet when talking about the Death Eaters -- who might have been
condemned unfairly, who might have gotten off claiming Imperius, who might have been never
suspected were all mentioned as categories and in general, but not named, other than Sirius Black,
whose case was stated to be 'confusing' and whose conviction 'was of doubtful legality'.
Voldemort's fate was also debated. That he had been defeated by The-Boy-Who-Lived was clear,
but no body had been found. The choices seemed to be that Voldemort had lost his power or even
his magic and was no longer a threat, or that he might yet stage a comeback.
On the personal front, Harry and his friends made great strides the hour after dinner Monday
through Thursday each of those three weeks, as they practiced dancing. Ron was not overly-pleased
that Neville had asked Ginny. Harry had made the suggestion early (Neville was thrilled by the
idea, and Ginny wanted to go the Ball), and had cast protective charms on Ginny's feet the first few
nights. By the end of term, Neville had enough confidence and skill that Ginny no longer needed
the charms.
Harry and Hermione made every dance meeting, and made Ron go as well. While Hermione had, at
least for the moment, given up nagging Harry about anything, she continued to have a go at Ron
about homework and the dance practices. Harry made certain Ron arrived to them at least somewhat
cheery, although that took walking a delicate line of encouraging Ron to enjoy holding a girl he was
becoming more attracted to and denying that Neville was having anywhere near as good a time
holding Ginny.
Ginny and Marietta, both very impressed with the dedication of their partners, were actually starting
to feel some genuine affection for them. Harry and Hermione were already far past that stage of
course, and Cedric and Cho (who were also present every night) were not far behind Harry and
Hermione.
Meanwhile Justin was a very confused young man. Luna was unlike anyone he had ever thought of
meeting. She was also nice, smart, and considerate, as well as very pretty and rather sweet. He was