How is Ginny the heir of Slytherin?

Answered by Jason Smith

Ginny Weasley being the “Heir of Slytherin” is a concept that stems from the events in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, specifically in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” In the story, Ginny becomes possessed by a piece of Lord Voldemort’s soul that was embedded in Tom Riddle’s diary, making her the conduit for his actions. While Ginny herself is not the true heir, she becomes a vessel for the heir’s power and influence.

To understand how Ginny became the “Heir of Slytherin,” we need to delve into the events leading up to her possession. In the Chamber of Secrets, Tom Riddle’s diary is manipulated by Voldemort to act as a Horcrux, containing a piece of his soul. The diary falls into the hands of Ginny Weasley, who unknowingly becomes infatuated with its mysterious allure.

Ginny begins to confide in the diary, pouring her deepest secrets and fears into its pages. Unbeknownst to her, Tom Riddle’s soul fragment within the diary gains strength and manipulates her emotions, gradually taking control of her actions. This possession allows the diary, and by extension, Tom Riddle, to exert influence over Ginny.

Under Tom Riddle’s control, Ginny is compelled to carry out his bidding. He coerces her into committing various acts, such as opening the Chamber of Secrets and releasing the ancient monster within – the Basilisk. As the heir’s vessel, Ginny is forced to carry out these actions as a means of purging those who do not possess “pure-blood” wizarding heritage, echoing the twisted ideology of Salazar Slytherin.

One of the key tasks given to Ginny by Tom Riddle is the killing of Hagrid’s roosters. This is because the crowing of roosters is fatal to Basilisks, and by eliminating them, Tom ensures the serpent can roam freely within Hogwarts without being hindered. Ginny, under the control of the diary, carries out this gruesome task, further demonstrating her connection to the Chamber of Secrets and her role as the apparent “Heir of Slytherin.”

It is important to note that Ginny herself is not the true heir, but rather a victim of manipulation and possession. She is a pawn in Tom Riddle’s plan to reopen the Chamber of Secrets and unleash chaos upon Hogwarts. Ginny’s vulnerability and innocence make her an easy target for Tom Riddle’s influence, highlighting the power of the diary as a tool of manipulation.

Ginny Weasley is not the true heir of Slytherin but becomes the vessel for Tom Riddle’s influence and power due to her possession of his Horcrux diary. Through manipulation and control, Ginny is forced to carry out the tasks set by Tom Riddle, including the killing of Hagrid’s roosters. Her role as the “Heir of Slytherin” is a tragic consequence of her unwitting involvement with the dark magic contained within the diary.