Voldemort's intense obsession with eliminating Harry Potter originated primarily from a partially heard prophecy, which he mistakenly interpreted as a direct declaration that Harry was destined to destroy him. This profound misinterpretation fueled his relentless pursuit to eradicate Harry, initially as a baby, to prevent this perceived threat from ever materializing.
The Ominous Prophecy and Its Misinterpretation
The true genesis of Voldemort's fixation lies in the prophecy made by Sybill Trelawney to Albus Dumbledore. Voldemort's spy, Severus Snape, only overheard a crucial portion of this prophecy:
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies..."
Based on this limited information, Voldemort concluded that Harry Potter, born to Lily and James Potter who had indeed defied him three times, was the subject. He believed this meant Harry was inherently fated to bring about his downfall. Driven by this fear and a desire to preemptively neutralize any potential threat, he resolved to find and kill Harry while the child was still an infant, presumably not yet powerful enough to pose a significant danger.
Voldemort's Deep-Seated Fear of Mortality and Defeat
Lord Voldemort, who meticulously sought immortality through Horcruxes and saw himself as invincible, found the idea of someone, especially a mere child, being destined to destroy him utterly intolerable. This prophecy played directly into his greatest fear: death and powerlessness.
- Erosion of Invincibility: Harry represented the antithesis of everything Voldemort stood for – a symbol of his vulnerability and the one person prophesied to challenge his absolute power.
- Paranoia and Control: Voldemort's desire for total control meant he could not tolerate any external force, let alone fate, dictating his demise. Eliminating Harry was an attempt to defy destiny itself.
The Night Harry Survived: Godric's Hollow
The infamous night at Godric's Hollow solidified Voldemort's obsession. When he attempted to kill baby Harry, Lily Potter's self-sacrificing love created a powerful protective charm. This magical shield caused Voldemort's own Killing Curse to rebound, destroying his physical body and leaving him a mere wraith.
| Event | Impact on Voldemort | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Prophecy Hearing | Convinced Harry was destined to destroy him. | Initiated his first attempt on Harry's life. |
| Lily's Sacrifice | Caused his Killing Curse to rebound, destroying him. | Created an unbreakable magical bond with Harry. |
| Harry's Survival | Left him vulnerable and powerless. | Made Harry the "Boy Who Lived," a living legend. |
Harry's miraculous survival not only foiled Voldemort's plan but also marked him as the only person in history to withstand the Killing Curse. This turned Harry into a living testament to Voldemort's greatest failure, a constant, unbearable reminder of his defeat and the night his power was broken.
Harry: The Symbol of Voldemort's Downfall
From that night forward, Harry became more than just a prophecy subject; he was a profound personal affront to Voldemort.
- The Mark of Failure: The lightning bolt scar on Harry's forehead was a visible emblem of Voldemort's inability to kill him, a permanent reminder of his undoing.
- A Horcrux Connection: Unbeknownst to Voldemort, a piece of his soul latched onto Harry that night, inadvertently making Harry a Horcrux. This created a unique, if unwanted, connection that deepened their intertwined destinies and allowed Voldemort to sense Harry's presence.
- Restoring Dominance: For Voldemort, killing Harry wasn't just about fulfilling the prophecy or preventing his demise; it was about reclaiming his lost power, erasing the stain of his greatest defeat, and reasserting his absolute dominance over the wizarding world. Until Harry was gone, Voldemort could never truly believe himself safe or all-powerful.
The unrelenting desire to eliminate Harry was thus a complex blend of fear, vengeance, and a twisted need to prove his supremacy over both magic and destiny itself.
