Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
memory. But this was not Voldemort’s first choice of job. Hardly anyone
knew of it at the time — I was one of the few in whom the then headmaster
confided — but Voldemort first approached Professor Dippet and asked
whether he could remain at Hogwarts as a teacher.”
“He wanted to stay here? Why?” asked Harry, more amazed still.
“I believe he had several reasons, though he confided none of them to
Professor Dippet,” said Dumbledore. “Firstly, and very importantly, Voldemort
was, I believe, more attached to this school than he has ever been to a
person. Hogwarts was where he had been happiest; the first and only place
he had felt at home.”
Harry felt slightly uncomfortable at these words, for this was exactly how
he felt about Hogwarts too.
“Secondly, the castle is a stronghold of ancient magic. Undoubtedly Voldemort
had penetrated many more of its secrets than most of the students
who pass through the place, but he may have felt that there were still mysteries
to unravel, stores of magic to tap.
“And thirdly, as a teacher, he would have had great power and influence
over young witches and wizards. Perhaps he had gained the idea from Professor
Slughorn, the teacher with whom he was on best terms, who had
demonstrated how influential a role a teacher can play. I do not imagine for
an instant that Voldemort envisaged spending the rest of his life at Hogwarts,
but I do think that he saw it as a useful recruiting ground, and a place
where he might begin to build himself an army.”
“But he didn’t get the job, sir?”
“No, he did not. Professor Dippet told him that he was too young at eighteen,
but invited him to reapply in a few years, if he still wished to teach.”
“How did you feel about that, sir?” asked Harry hesitantly.
“Deeply uneasy,” said Dumbledore. “I had advised Armando against the
appointment — I did not give the reasons I have given you, for Professor
Dippet was very fond of Voldemort and convinced of his honesty. But I did
not want Lord Voldemort back at this school, and especially not in a posi-
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