Readers -

first of all, thank you for choosing 'What You Need to Know About You-Know-Who.' It is essential that we as a population remain informed of where we come from, including even those darkest moments of our wizarding history - that is to say, the Wizarding Wars that came about from the dark influence of 'You-Know-Who.' Before I begin, I would like to point out that all of the research in this book has been done by myself and therefore (because I am human) there is a margin for error. If you have a correction or clarification, then, please inform me.

All important dates and names in this book will be bolded, although I would like to make clear the point that it is not the dates that should stand out but instead their implications. While a general knowledge of our history in specificity is important, what is even more so is the understanding of how said history has and continues to effect us today. Because of the recent nature of this topic, the echoes of the Wizarding Wars are still felt strongly today and will likely continue to do so for some time.

Because there is some controversy even now over the naming conventions of this dark wizard, I would like to make one point clear now. For the purpose of this book I will refer to 'You-Know-Who' as Tom Riddle or Lord Voldemort, depending on when appropriate. I understand that this is a sensitive topic for some, but I ask that you bear with me as it is in the interest of time and correctness that he be referred to as such. With that, on to the topic of Tom Marvolo Riddle, known to many as the darkest wizard of all time.

- E. Lamarck