How did Tom Riddle survive?
Emily Sparks
Updated on May 29, 2026
The diary of Tom Riddle was a horcrux, so the Tom Riddle we see at the end is the fragment of Voldemort's soul from that horcrux. He uses a spell of some kind of trade Ginny's life for his own, allowing him to return to a solid body.
Can Tom Riddle be saved?
Yes, his upbringing wasn't great, but not all kids who go to orphanages grow up to be evil mass murderers. I think had there been strong intervention early on, perhaps he could have been saved. But by the time Dumbledore came to invite him to Hogwarts he was already on that path.Why was Tom Riddle in the chamber?
Tom Riddle (a.k.a The Heir of Slytherin)He learned about the Chamber of Secrets and Slytherin's heir, and found out, by 1943, that he himself was a direct descendant of Slytherin, and he plotted to purge the school of Muggle-borns, and others unworthy of the gift of magic.