"What do you mean by 'your past'? Can you tell me?" Dudley continued writing, and to appear very eager, he even sped up his writing, poking holes through the diary's paper.
After writing these words, Dudley suddenly found it amusing. He never imagined he'd be chatting so casually with Voldemort. Those who didn't know might think they were old friends of many years.
"Of course I can," Voldemort replied.
"This is about the opening of the Chamber fifty years ago!"
Dudley immediately wrote: "I'm at Hogwarts right now. Something terrible has happened here. The legendary Chamber has been opened, and many people have been attacked."
The diary paused for a moment, then a large section of text appeared.
It roughly described some events from fifty years ago, but didn't directly reveal the Chamber's secrets.
Dudley narrowed his eyes, wondering if Voldemort had discovered something and chosen to conceal it.
Just as Dudley was considering how to continue his fabrication, text appeared on the diary again.
"If you're willing, I can take you to see for yourself!"
"Words cannot accurately describe the situation at that time. I can show you my memories."
Dudley smiled coldly.
Show me memories? This diary isn't as simple as just memories!
Whilst thinking this, Dudley wrote "Yes".
Instantly, the notebook before him seemed blown by a strong wind. The pages rustled and turned, quickly stopping at a page in mid-June.
Next, bright images gradually emerged on the paper, like a small screen displayed before Dudley's eyes.
Dudley leant closer and immediately felt a pulling force, as if it wanted to swallow Dudley whole.
Dudley tensed. After a moment's thought, he didn't block this pulling force.
At the same time, he borrowed the power of the mysterious space to change his appearance, transforming into Harry's likeness.
Hum!
Dudley was completely absorbed into the diary, but he could still sense the outside world's existence. As long as he wanted, he could return to that mysterious space at any time—the diary couldn't prevent his actions.
Looking around, Dudley found himself in Dumbledore's office.
However, the person sitting behind the desk wasn't the familiar Headmaster Dumbledore but another withered old man.
Dudley immediately realised this was a previous Hogwarts Headmaster Armando Dippet.
Dudley knew this was the scene presented to him by Voldemort's soul, like a video recording. He couldn't affect anything here—he could only observe.
Soon, knocking came from outside the door.
"Come in," the headmaster said.
A moment later, a boy around sixteen years old walked in, removing his pointed hat. A silver prefect badge gleamed on his chest.
He was tall with an upright posture, jet-black hair, and a handsome, striking appearance.
Looking at this person, Dudley found it hard to connect this Voldemort with the previous noseless, terrifying figure.
This wasn't even a difference in beauty and ugliness, but the distinction between human and monster.
I suddenly understand why Dumbledore said Voldemort was very charismatic and skilled at using his advantages to control others, luring them down evil paths.
Of course—if Voldemort at Hogwarts had been that noseless, death-like appearance, few people would've been willing to follow him then.
Tom and the headmaster discussed matters about the Chamber, nothing significant.
However, Dudley did discover some details about Voldemort here—for instance, he was mixed-blood, the name Tom came from his Muggle father, his middle name was Marvolo from his grandfather, and his mother was a witch who died in childbirth.
The information seemed trivial now, but Dudley knew such details might prove valuable later.
Especially since this concerned Voldemort's true identity.
Events progressed quickly. Headmaster Dippet told Tom that because of the death incident, Hogwarts might be closed.
This was unacceptable to Tom. For him, Hogwarts closing meant returning to the orphanage, so after leaving the headmaster's office, he began thinking about how to resolve this matter.
Looks like he's contemplating how to catch that person, but actually he's thinking about how to frame someone else, Dudley thought, watching Tom Riddle.
Voldemort turned a corner and encountered someone.
"Dumbledore..."
Seeing the young Dumbledore, Dudley tensed slightly.
He watched Dumbledore converse with Tom. From their words and actions, Dumbledore seemed somewhat suspicious of Tom.
Does the Dumbledore of this time know that the student before him will become the most terrifying Dark Lord in the magical world? The thought struck Dudley as he watched the scene unfold.
After parting with Dumbledore, Tom began his framing plan. The subsequent scenes matched Dudley's expectations exactly—Tom successfully framed Hagrid for opening the Chamber, whilst he himself received Hogwarts' Special Services to the School Award for this incident.
Hum!
The surrounding memories began collapsing. Dudley felt his body rapidly ascending, and before long, he returned to the palace.
"This is the complete secret about the Chamber! It was Rubeus Hagrid who opened the Chamber."
Text appeared again.
After a moment's thought, Dudley wrote with the quill: "I see. Thank you for your memories—they showed me the truth from fifty years ago."
"About the Chamber, do you know any other information?"
"For instance, where is the Chamber's entrance?"
Dudley pressed on.
After a pause, Voldemort's writing appeared: "After Hagrid was taken away, the Chamber was never opened again."
"No one knows where the Chamber's entrance is, but based on my speculation, there are several suspicious locations."
"I can take you to these suspicious places to investigate, if you're willing."
Dudley smiled slightly.
"Of course I'm willing."
After a while, Voldemort said, "When the time comes, I'll need to attach my memories to your body. I hope you don't mind."
"No problem. As long as we can find the Chamber, I can accept anything," Dudley immediately answered.
"Thank you for your trust, Harry. You're truly a good student."
"Hogwarts will certainly be proud of you! You'll soon become the hero who resolves this crisis. You'll receive Hogwarts' Special Services Award and be displayed in the trophy room for all future students to admire."
Dudley smiled. "Yes, I'm already looking forward to receiving the Special Services Award!"