One wonders what's behind that. Though Harry's "I just know it's a bloke, I just know" seems rather sexist, too. Turns out Hermione is sort of right, but wrong on the essentials.

Hm, hadn't thought of that, but you're right - even though I think I speak for everyone when I say I sympathize more with Merope than with Tom Riddle Sr. He abuses his power against Muggles, like his mother, while being as heartless as his father (though that may be a bit unfair on Tom Sr., who after all we know very little about).