In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (also known as Philosopher's Stone), Lord Voldemort is the one consuming unicorn blood. He does so through Professor Quirrell, who is unknowingly serving as his host.
The Dark Lord's Desperate Act
Lord Voldemort, in his greatly weakened state after his first attempt to kill Harry Potter, was reduced to a parasitic existence. To sustain his almost-life, he attached himself to Professor Quirrell during his travels. It was during this period that Voldemort, desperate for survival and a means to regain his former power, resorted to drinking unicorn blood. This act was a self-serving solution that tragically harmed the magical world around him, specifically by defiling a pure and innocent creature.
The unicorn blood provided a temporary, albeit horrific, sustenance. It allowed Voldemort to cling to existence and regain a semblance of strength, but it was not a satisfying solution because it could not fully bring him back to life or restore him to his true form. It merely prolonged his agonizing, cursed half-life.
Why Unicorn Blood?
Unicorn blood is a powerful, yet forbidden, magical substance.
- Healing Properties: It can save a person from certain death, even if they are gravely injured.
- Dark Consequences: Drinking the blood of a unicorn curses the consumer with a half-life, a miserable existence where they have "slain something pure and defenseless to save yourself." This is particularly fitting for Voldemort, whose life was already steeped in darkness.
Professor Quirrell's Unwitting Role
Professor Quirrell, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, became Voldemort's unwilling and unwitting accomplice. Voldemort inhabited Quirrell's body, and it was through Quirrell that he directed the consumption of unicorn blood in the Forbidden Forest. Quirrell's body wasted away under the strain of hosting the Dark Lord, and his turban concealed Voldemort's face on the back of his head.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| **Who Consumed It** | Lord Voldemort (through Professor Quirrell) |
| **Why** | To sustain his "almost-life" and regain strength after his defeat by Harry Potter. |
| **Effect** | Temporary survival, but resulted in a cursed, half-life. It could not fully restore him. |
| **Moral Implication** | Slaughtering a pure creature for selfish gain, bringing a curse upon the consumer. |
| **Location** | The Forbidden Forest, Hogwarts Grounds. |
The Aftermath and Consequences
The act of consuming unicorn blood highlights Voldemort's ruthlessness and his willingness to commit any atrocity for his own survival and power. It also sets up a crucial confrontation where Harry Potter, protected by his mother's love, encounters Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest, preventing him from harming another unicorn. This event serves as an early indicator of the profound evil Harry must eventually face.
For more details on unicorn blood and its magical properties, you can refer to sources like the Harry Potter Wiki on Unicorn Blood.
