Literature
Why Didnt Harry Die When Voldemort Attacked Him in the Forbidden Forest?
Why Didn't Harry Die When Voldemort Attacked Him in the Forbidden Forest?
Among the most intriguing and complex moments in the Harry Potter series is the encounter between Harry and Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest during The Deathly Hallows. Many fans have wondered why Harry didn't just die when Voldemort's killing curse struck him. In this article, we'll explore the intricate details of the reasons behind Harry's survival.
The Making of Horcruxes and Their Role in Harry’s Survival
Throughout his dark journey, Voldemort created six Horcruxes, each made by splitting his soul into seven parts. The Horcruxes were objects created from a part of Voldemort's soul, and each one contained a piece of his identity. However, this wasn't his ultimate goal. Voldemort intended to create six Horcruxes plus one fragment left in his body, as seven is the most magically powerful number.
A Sixth Inadvertent Horcrux and Lily's Prophesy
By the time Voldemort attacked Harry, he had already killed six people to create six Horcruxes, and he had a fragment of his soul left in his body. When Voldemort killed James and Lily and attempted to kill their baby son, he inadvertently created a seventh Horcrux—a small, miserable piece of his soul that was attached to Harry. This action further confirmed the prophecy made by Voldemort and Dumbledore, which predicted that the boy who lived would defeat the Dark Lord.
The Unstable Fragment and Harry's Protection
Although Harry was technically protected by the Horcrux, Voldemort's spell rebounded due to the unstable nature of the seventh Horcrux. Lily's sacrifice, known as the blood protection, saved Harry from the killing curse. Lily placed herself between Voldemort and Harry, resulting in the curse rebounding. When the spell rebounded, it injured Voldemort and destroyed the Horcrux, but Voldemort survived because of the other six fragments of his soul.
The Role of the Elder Wand and Other Factors
Upon his resurrection, Voldemort believed that possessing the Elder Wand would grant him eternal life, but he failed to understand the true nature of the wand. The Elder Wand would only work for its true master, which at the time was Draco Malfoy, not Voldemort. The killing curse Voldemort shot at Harry was not as lethal as he thought because he was not the true master of the Elder Wand.
Harry's Unsplit Soul and Protection
Another crucial factor in Harry's survival is the fact that his soul was never split. Unlike Voldemort, whose soul was divided into multiple pieces through the creation of Horcruxes, Harry's soul remained whole. This means that even if Voldemort attempted to kill Harry with the Elder Wand, the curse would not have been able to destroy Harry's soul due to his unsplit nature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Harry's survival when Voldemort attacked him in the Forbidden Forest is a result of a complex mix of magical elements, including Horcruxes, the blood protection created by Lily, and the misunderstanding of the Elder Wand's power. It is a perfect example of J.K. Rowling's intricate and deeply layered storytelling that fans have come to love.