======The Riddle House======
=====Location Information=====
  * **Type:** Residence, Temporary [[Death Eater]] Headquarters
  * **Location:** On a hill overlooking the village of [[Little Hangleton]], England
  * **Owner/Residents:**
    * Formerly: The [[Riddle Family]] ([[Thomas Riddle]], [[Mary Riddle]], [[Tom Riddle Sr.]])
    * Temporarily: [[Lord Voldemort]], [[Peter Pettigrew]], [[Nagini]]
    * Groundskeeper: [[Frank Bryce]]
  * **Key Features:** A large, once-grand manor that had fallen into a state of severe disrepair; covered in ivy; located in a commanding position on a hillside overlooking its village.
=====Description and History=====
The [[Riddle House]] was a large, square mansion that was, for many years, the finest house in the village of [[Little Hangleton]]. It was the home of the wealthy [[Muggle]] [[Riddle Family]], who were unpopular with the other villagers due to their snobbish and aloof nature.
In the summer of 1943, a sixteen-year-old [[Tom Marvolo Riddle]] travelled to [[Little Hangleton]] to seek out his maternal family, the [[Gaunt Family|Gaunts]]. After learning the story of his heritage from his uncle, [[Morfin Gaunt]], he proceeded to the [[Riddle House]]. There, he used the [[Killing Curse]] to murder his father, [[Tom Riddle Sr.]], and his paternal grandparents, [[Thomas Riddle]] and [[Mary Riddle]]. By altering Morfin's memory, [[Tom Riddle]] framed his uncle for the crimes, leaving [[Morfin Gaunt]] to be sentenced to [[Azkaban]] for life.
Following the triple murder, the [[Riddle House]] was sold and passed through a succession of owners, but none ever stayed for long. It was eventually abandoned and fell into a state of dereliction. By the 1990s, the house was damp, dark, and neglected, with boarded-up or broken windows, peeling paint, and a roof with missing tiles. It was considered "creepy" by the local villagers, and boys would sometimes break in on a dare. The only person who cared for the property was the Riddles' former gardener, [[Frank Bryce]], an elderly [[World War II]] veteran who lived in a cottage on the grounds.
=====Role in the Story=====
The [[Riddle House]] serves as a critical location at the beginning of //Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//. In August 1994, [[Lord Voldemort]], in his weak, rudimentary physical form, used the abandoned house as his secret headquarters. He was cared for by his servant, [[Peter Pettigrew]], and was accompanied by his snake, [[Nagini]], who was also a [[Horcrux]].
From this base, [[Voldemort]] and [[Pettigrew]] planned the final stages leading to the Dark Lord's restoration to a full body. They discussed the recent murder of [[Ministry of Magic]] employee [[Bertha Jorkins]], who had provided them with crucial information, and their plot to capture [[Harry Potter]] and use him in a dark magical ritual.
Their plans were overheard by the gardener, [[Frank Bryce]], who, upon seeing a light in the supposedly empty house, crept inside to investigate. When [[Frank Bryce]] was discovered eavesdropping, [[Lord Voldemort]] murdered him with the [[Killing Curse]]. [[Harry Potter]] witnessed this entire event in a vivid dream from hundreds of miles away at the [[Dursleys' house|Dursleys']], the pain in his [[scar]] waking him. This event marks the first appearance of [[Lord Voldemort]] in the series' present-day timeline and establishes the immediate threat he poses, setting the stage for the book's central conflict.
=====Known Areas Within=====
  * **Upstairs Drawing Room:** This was the main room used by [[Voldemort]] and [[Pettigrew]] during their stay. It featured a fireplace and a high-backed armchair where [[Voldemort]] sat, concealed from the doorway. [[Frank Bryce]] overheard their conversation while standing in the hall outside this room.
  * **Entrance Hall:** Described as large and echoing, with a dusty, threadbare rug. [[Frank Bryce]] entered the house through this hall.
  * **Kitchen:** A large, dark room that smelled of decay and dampness. It had a bare stone floor and a scullery attached. [[Frank Bryce]] passed through it to reach the staircase.
  * **Grounds:** The house was set in extensive grounds which included a small cottage where [[Frank Bryce]] lived. The grounds overlooked [[Little Hangleton]]'s church and the graveyard where [[Voldemort]]'s father and grandparents were buried, the future site of his rebirth.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//, the [[Riddle House]] is depicted as a grand, Gothic-style manor. The opening scene, which shows [[Frank Bryce]]'s investigation and subsequent murder, is a faithful adaptation of the first chapter of the book (film).