Luna's father, Xenophilius Lovegood, betrayed Harry Potter because his daughter, Luna, had been taken hostage by Death Eaters, and he was desperately trying to secure her freedom and save her life.
A Father's Desperate Act
Xenophilius Lovegood's actions were driven by an overwhelming fear for his daughter's safety, rather than any malice or allegiance to Lord Voldemort. His loyalty was solely to Luna.
The Hostage Crisis
As the editor of The Quibbler, Xenophilius had openly expressed his support for Harry Potter and the fight against Voldemort, which put him directly in the Death Eaters' crosshairs. To punish him for his pro-Potter stance and to coerce him into revealing Harry's whereabouts, Luna Lovegood was taken hostage by the Death Eaters. This severe act of intimidation left Xenophilius terrified and vulnerable.
The Agonizing Choice
Faced with the imminent threat to Luna's life, Xenophilius was forced into an impossible situation. He was clearly distraught and desperate, which led him to make an awful decision: he attempted to trade Harry Potter for Luna's life. His primary motivation was the unconditional love for his child, making him willing to do anything to ensure her safe return.
His actions, while appearing to be a betrayal of Harry, were a direct consequence of the Death Eaters' manipulation and his profound love as a father under extreme duress.
Contextualizing Xenophilius's Motivation
- Parental Love: The most significant factor was his deep love for Luna. The prospect of losing her pushed him to extreme measures.
- Fear of Death Eaters: The Death Eaters were a formidable and merciless force. Xenophilius was visibly terrified of their power and their capacity to harm Luna.
- Pro-Potter Stance: His prior support for Harry and the truth made him a target, leading directly to Luna's abduction.
His "betrayal" was not ideologically motivated but a desperate, emotional plea to save his only child.
