Chapter 1: The Riddle House

The Riddle House stood on a hill in the small village of Little Hangleton. It was a big, dark, and old house. People in the village often talked about it. Many years ago, the Riddle family—a rich man, his wife, and their son—lived there. But one morning, the whole family was found dead in their dining room.

The police came and searched the house, but they couldn’t find any marks or wounds on the bodies. The Riddles looked like they had died of fear. The police were very confused.

The only suspect was their gardener, Frank Bryce, who lived in a small cottage near the house.

Frank Bryce was an old man who had worked for the Riddles for many years. He was a quiet person and didn’t have many friends. People thought he was a little strange because he liked to be alone.

When the police asked Frank questions, he said he didn’t hurt the Riddles. He told them he saw a young man near the house that night, but no one believed him. After the police let him go, people in the village still thought he was guilty.

Years passed, and the Riddle House stayed empty. No one wanted to live there because it felt scary.

Frank Bryce still looked after the house. One night, he saw a light in the upstairs window.

Frank (to himself): “Who’s in there? No one’s supposed to be in that house.”

He took his lantern and walked to the house. The door was open, so he went inside quietly.

Frank walked upstairs and heard voices coming from a room. He peeked through the keyhole and saw two men sitting by a fireplace.

One was short and had a nervous voice. The other man sat in a large chair. Frank couldn’t see his face, but he had a cold, high-pitched voice.

Wormtail (nervously): “My Lord, are you sure it’s safe here?”

Voldemort (coldly): “I told you, Wormtail, no one comes to this house.”

Frank’s heart raced. He knew something was wrong.

Wormtail (worried): “But, my Lord, the boy—Harry Potter—is still alive. What if he—”

Voldemort (angrily): “Enough! I have a plan. The boy will not escape me this time.”

Frank’s hands shook. These men were talking about killing someone!

Frank stepped back, but the floor creaked under his foot. The voices stopped.

Voldemort (coldly): “Did you hear that?”

Wormtail ran to the door and opened it. Frank froze.

Wormtail (pointing): “There’s a man here!”

Frank tried to run, but Wormtail pulled him into the room. Frank looked at the chair and saw something horrible—a dark shape with red eyes.

Voldemort (softly): “An old man. He heard everything.”

Frank (bravely): “I’ll tell the police about you!”

Voldemort (laughing): “You think Muggles can stop me? Foolish man.”

Frank shouted, but Voldemort raised his wand.

Voldemort (coldly): “Avada Kedavra!”

A green light flashed, and Frank fell to the floor.

Voldemort turned back to Wormtail.

Voldemort (angrily): “Now, we must continue. Everything must be ready for the Quidditch World Cup. The boy will come, and then we’ll trap him.”

Wormtail nodded nervously.

Wormtail (whispering): “Yes, my Lord.”

Far away, Harry Potter woke up in his bedroom at the Dursleys’ house. His scar was burning, and he felt scared.

Harry (thinking): “What was that dream? It felt so real.”

Harry touched his scar and sat in the dark, wondering if Voldemort was back.