Minerva’s a bit of a surprise, but I think Phineas Nigellus edges her out for me. He’s not even alive when Tom Riddle is, let alone during the existence of Voldemort. Where would he pick up the “Dark Lord” terminology? Is this a title that predates Voldemort and implies some membership in a long history of “dark lords”?

Personally, as a Tom/Voldemort author, I don’t like the title. The HP series is always weakest to me when it tries to engage in a mystical lore for its magic, whether that’s something like the character of Death creating the deathly hallows or the concept of “dark magic” as anything other than a political distinction.\

Thanks for the roundup! This is super interesting.