Lord Voldemort was officially killed by his own rebounded Killing Curse, a direct consequence of the Elder Wand's unbreakable loyalty to its true master, Harry Potter.
The final confrontation between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort at the Battle of Hogwarts marked the definitive end for the Dark Lord. Despite Voldemort's intention to kill Harry using the Elder Wand, the most powerful wand in existence, the wand itself refused to harm its rightful owner.
The Mechanism of Voldemort's Demise
Voldemort's end was a culmination of several key factors, revolving around the intricate magic of wand allegiance and Harry Potter's mastery over the Elder Wand.
The Elder Wand's Allegiance
Unknown to Voldemort, Harry Potter had become the true master of the Elder Wand. Draco Malfoy had disarmed Albus Dumbledore, thus winning the Elder Wand's allegiance. Harry, in turn, had disarmed Draco Malfoy, making him the wand's master. When Voldemort cast the Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) using the Elder Wand against Harry, who simultaneously cast a Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus), the wand recognized its true master. It would not kill Harry.
Instead, the Elder Wand's magic, loyal to Harry, turned Voldemort's own powerful curse back upon him. With all of his Horcruxes destroyed, Voldemort was mortal and vulnerable, leading to his final, irreversible death.
Key Elements of the Final Duel
The table below summarizes the critical actions and their outcomes during the decisive moment of Voldemort's defeat:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Voldemort's Action | Cast the Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) with the Elder Wand, aiming to kill Harry Potter. |
| Harry's Action | Cast a Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus) with Draco Malfoy's wand, aiming to disarm Voldemort. |
| Elder Wand's Loyalty | The Elder Wand refused to kill Harry, its rightful master, and instead reflected Voldemort's own spell. |
| Prerequisite for Death | All of Voldemort's Horcruxes had already been destroyed, making him fully mortal and vulnerable to the rebounded curse. |
| Outcome | The Killing Curse rebounded, striking Voldemort and leading to his instant and permanent death. |
Harry Potter's Indirect Role
While Harry Potter did not directly cast a killing spell at Voldemort, his actions and unique status as the Elder Wand's master were undeniably the cause of Voldemort's demise. His decision to meet Voldemort in a final, public duel, armed with the knowledge of the wand's allegiance, forced the situation that led to the Dark Lord's end. This confrontation solidified Harry's role not just as the "Boy Who Lived," but as the individual whose courage and understanding of deep magic brought an end to the reign of terror.
For more information on the legendary wand, visit the Wizarding World's guide to the Elder Wand.
