Harry meets Dumbledore for his next lesson. He confides in the Headmaster his suspicions about Draco, but Dumbledore seemingly dismisses them, leaving Harry resentful.

Dumbledore shows Harry a memory of Caractus Burke, one of the founders of Borgin and Burkes, which confirms that Merope ended up in London pregnant and desperate for money, leading to her selling Slytherin’s locket to Caractus Burke. Harry wonders why, despite being a witch, Merope didn’t use her magical powers to stay alive for her son’s sake; Dumbledore responds that she never had Lily’s courage, who gave up her life trying to save her son.

Dumbledore shows Harry one of his own memories in which he visits the orphanage where Voldemort grew up as Tom Riddle to deliver the latter’s acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Mrs. Cole, the matron, tells Dumbledore about Tom’s history: Merope arrived at the orphanage and died shortly after giving birth to her son, her only request being the boy be named Tom Marvolo Riddle. Tom is an odd boy, and although there have been no explicit instances of bullying others, nasty things happen to the children who cross him. Dumbledore asks to meet Tom. When he introduces himself, Tom is angry and incredulous, believing he will be taken to an asylum.