Over a decade passed between the end of Voldemort’s first rise to power and the beginning of his second reign of terror. Here’s everything the Dark Lord did during those many years in between.
As a young wizard, Tom Riddle did many dark and horrifying things—many of which are well documented. Then, as Voldemort, his actions became absolutely infamous within the wizarding world. Everyone knew his name—and feared speaking it aloud.
But after the Dark Lord disappeared in 1981, and before he officially returned in 1995, there is much mystery surrounding where he was and what he was doing.
Keep reading to find out what exactly happened to Voldemort in the decade that took place between his fall in the early ’80s and his triumphant return in the mid-90s.
A Timeline of Voldemort’s “Missing” Decade
Lord Voldemort from 1981 to 1989
After he disappeared on the night of October 31, 1981, in the wake of his failed attempt to murder a baby Harry Potter, not much is known about where he was or what he did. But what we do know is that Voldemort developed a close bond and relationship with Nagini, the serpent Maledictus.
Since Nagini was living in the forests of Albania during that time, it’s believed that there too resided the Dark Lord throughout the majority of the ’80s. Here he remained for years without a body, only able to survive due to the multiple Horcruxes that he had created during the 1970s.
Existing as neither a living creature nor a ghost, it’s rumoured that Voldemort would experiment on the local animals, trying to inhabit their bodies. Sadly, these hosts were unable to survive the experience of being possessed by the Dark Lord for very long and would quickly die.
Some believe, however, that since Nagini had the mind of a witch, she was able to withstand Voldemort’s presence within her body. This may actually account for the pair’s incredible bond.
Perhaps, the two were able to communicate with one another whenever Voldemort possessed her body—a theory made even more plausible by the fact that he could speak Parseltongue, the language of snakes.
The Dark Lord from 1990 to 1995
In 1990, a tragically optimistic Professor Quirrell came to the forests of Albania in search of first-hand experience with the Dark Arts.
The rumour goes that he was trying to find out what had happened to Voldemort, which he did. Sadly, this discovery is what eventually led to the Professor’s demise.
Upon finding Voldemort’s shadowy form in the jungle, Quirrell was quickly possessed by the Dark Lord. Voldemort then forced Quirrell to bring him back to the UK.
Right before Harry’s first year at Hogwarts in 1991, Voldemort had Quirrell attempt to steal the Philosopher’s Stone from Gringotts—but he failed. Quirrell was then defeated by Harry at Hogwarts later that school year.
Over the next few years, Voldemort committed more murders, including Bertha Jorkins, and began to rally his most trusted Death Eaters behind him. His murder of Bertha Jorkins enabled him to create another Horcrux of Nagini.
Voldemort then finally regained his body and officially began his second rise to power in 1995, at the end of the rigged Triwizard Tournament.
Did I miss any important milestones that took place between Voldemort’s two ascents to power? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
