Such a haunting image of Voldemort's beginnings... It's truly horrible to imagine how his pining for immortality and finding the ways to achieve it had been born. But, somehow, I find your story to justify him (well, that was the point, wasn't it?) and mitigate somewhat the monster (which is now a questionable term) he became later.

What did Dumbledore say in the second book? That it isn't the skills but the choices that define a person? Perhaps, he said nothing of the like... can't remember. Anyway, death and bereavement afflicts people in different ways; for example, Snape was bitter and angry, Harry had a heroism complex (no matter what he himself thought) and Voldemort... well, he surpassed by far even the nasty git that was Snape, which is saying something. But he had every reason to. And you've managed to show that beautifully.

This was a very interesting, though not easily read story that blurred the clean-cut borders between good and evil, black and white. Thanks for sharing!

Wow wow wow...
I love it

its so sweet, what tom sees in the mirror

I loved it. I like the role that Tom's parents played in the story. I had a feeling that the wizards you were mentioning were Death Eaters. Good job!

Love the last paragraph (well, the whole thing really!) it sums up Tom's descent into Voldemort so well, and you managed to write him as dark but not truly evil, one of the most difficult tasks to achieve when writing Tom Riddle. Anywho, i've rambled enough. Long story cut short- i love this!

Ah, the parallels...

Nice little write, I'm surprised to find that I never wondered if Tom had a reason for everything he did. I think I assumed it was just the generic "I'm going to be evil and immortal" and because he wanted to purge wizard-kind of any outside influence.

It's always refreshing to see the story from Tom/Voldemort's eyes.Poor,Tom...all he wanted was his mother and someone who loved him..so sad.But I still like it!=^.^=

omg this is great

Your story is well-written and Tom Riddle is totally in character, coherent with canon. A sad story, because it tells us Tom made his choices in a conscious way. And it's strange to see Tom as mommy's little boy. Iliked it.

Simple amazing work, I only rec you on my LJ, and put your history on my faves!!=)
BRAVO!\o/

well u were right i did like it... no wait i didnt like it... i LOVED it!! OMG! it's like u know him personally! wow, it feels so real, i feel like this actually happened!! ADD TO FAVORITE LIST! ^_^

That was just awesome. It was great how there was such similarities between Tom and Harry, even how Dumbledore gave the same warning to him. And the development of the Death Eaters... wow. You know, I had always thought of the name Death Eaters as more.. thriving on the deaths of others.. But the idea of them being the destruction, prevention of death... thats a really intruiging idea.

Amazing.

I give you marshmellows.

Well written and very interesting.

One word is all I have. . .

Bravo.

that was sad :( But I liked it