======Mrs. Cole======
=====Introduction=====
Mrs. Cole was a [[Muggle]] and the matron of the [[London]] [[orphanage]] where [[Tom Marvolo Riddle]] was raised. Her sole appearance is in a [[memory]] [[Albus Dumbledore]] shows to [[Harry Potter]]. Her account of [[Riddle]]'s childhood provides crucial insight into the early development of the boy who would become [[Lord Voldemort]], revealing his nascent cruelty, isolation, and unusual abilities long before he attended [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]].
=====Biography=====
Mrs. Cole was working at the [[orphanage]] on New Year's Eve when a young witch named [[Merope Gaunt]] stumbled to their door. Mrs. Cole attended to [[Merope]], who gave birth to a son within the hour and died shortly after. Before passing, [[Merope]] instructed Mrs. Cole that the baby was to be named //Tom// for his father and //Marvolo// for his grandfather. Mrs. Cole dutifully named the boy [[Tom Marvolo Riddle]].
She described [[Riddle]] as a strange child from the start; he rarely cried as a baby and, as he grew older, frightening incidents began to occur around him. Though she could never prove his involvement, she shared several stories with [[Albus Dumbledore]] when he visited in the 1930s to offer [[Tom Riddle]] a place at [[Hogwarts]]. These incidents included:
  * [[Billy Stubbs]]'s [[rabbit]] was found hanged from the rafters after an argument with [[Riddle]].
  * [[Amy Benson]] and [[Dennis Bishop]] were left terrified and refusing to speak after [[Riddle]] lured them into a [[cave]] during a summer trip.
When [[Dumbledore]] visited, Mrs. Cole was initially suspicious, believing he was from a lunatic asylum or there to complain about [[Riddle]]. Worn down by the summer heat and a "spot of gin," she was quickly won over by [[Dumbledore]]'s polite demeanour and his magical refilling of her gin bottle. She then provided him with her full account of [[Riddle]]'s strange and troubling childhood, expressing her relief that [[Riddle]] was finally leaving the [[orphanage]], as he frightened both her and the other children. She also showed [[Dumbledore]] a box of items [[Riddle]] had stolen from other orphans, which included a yo-yo, a silver thimble, and a tarnished mouth organ.
=====Physical Appearance and Personality=====
Mrs. Cole is described in [[Dumbledore]]'s [[memory]] as a "thin and harassed-looking" woman with a "sharp-featured face."
Her personality is that of a stern, no-nonsense caretaker who is nonetheless overwhelmed by her charge, [[Tom Riddle]]. She attempts to be firm with [[Dumbledore]] upon his arrival but is easily flustered. She has a fondness for gin, which she drinks to cope with the stresses of her job. While she tries to present a professional facade, she is clearly frightened by [[Riddle]]'s unnatural behaviour and is perceptive enough to know he is behind the "nasty incidents" at the [[orphanage]], even without proof. She is ultimately relieved to have him taken off her hands.
=====Magical Abilities and Skills=====
As a [[Muggle]], Mrs. Cole possessed no magical abilities. However, she was a direct witness to nascent, uncontrolled [[magic]] from a young [[Tom Riddle]] and later to a controlled piece of [[magic]] from [[Albus Dumbledore]] when he refilled her gin bottle.
=====Possessions=====
  * **Box of Stolen Items:** Mrs. Cole kept a cardboard box containing objects [[Tom Riddle]] had stolen from his fellow orphans. This collection of "trophies," which included a yo-yo, a silver thimble, and a mouth organ, served as early evidence of [[Riddle]]'s compulsion to collect souvenirs from his victims, a precursor to his creation of [[Horcruxes]].
=====Relationships=====
  * **[[Tom Marvolo Riddle]]**: As his primary caregiver for eleven years, Mrs. Cole's relationship with [[Riddle]] was defined by fear and suspicion. She found him deeply unsettling and was aware of his cruelty towards other children. She made no attempt to hide her relief when [[Dumbledore]] came to take him away.
  * **[[Albus Dumbledore]]**: Mrs. Cole was initially wary of [[Dumbledore]], but his calm and courteous manner, combined with the magical refilling of her gin, quickly earned her trust. She became a cooperative and vital source of information about [[Voldemort]]'s youth.
  * **[[Merope Gaunt]]**: Mrs. Cole was the last person to speak with [[Merope Gaunt]]. She acted as a midwife of sorts during [[Tom Riddle]]'s birth and fulfilled [[Merope]]'s dying wish regarding her son's name.
=====Etymology=====
The surname **Cole** is a common English name, likely derived from the Old English "col," meaning "coal" or "charcoal." This plain, earthy name reinforces her status as a [[Muggle]] and grounds the grim reality of the [[orphanage]] in a mundane, non-magical context, providing a stark contrast to the magical world [[Tom Riddle]] was about to enter.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
In the film adaptation of //[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]//, Mrs. Cole is portrayed by actress Amelda Brown. The scene in which she meets [[Dumbledore]] is largely faithful to the book, though condensed for time. (film)