Harry Potter is ultimately responsible for the death of Lord Voldemort. During their final confrontation, Harry, as the true master of the Elder Wand, caused Voldemort's own deadly curse to rebound upon him.
The Final Duel: Harry Potter vs. Lord Voldemort
The epic saga of Harry Potter culminated in a definitive showdown between Harry and Lord Voldemort at Hogwarts Castle. This confrontation was not merely a clash of spells but a battle influenced by complex magical allegiances and ancient magic, particularly regarding the Elder Wand.
The Elder Wand's True Master
For a significant period leading up to the final battle, Lord Voldemort believed himself to be the rightful owner of the Elder Wand, one of the most powerful wands ever created. However, he had mistakenly acquired it after the wand's previous wielder, Severus Snape, was killed. The wand's allegiance, unbeknownst to Voldemort, had actually shifted to Harry Potter when Harry disarmed Draco Malfoy, who had previously disarmed Albus Dumbledore (the Elder Wand's true master before Malfoy).
Harry knew he was the Elder Wand's true master as he faced Voldemort. This crucial understanding of wand lore was key to Voldemort's demise.
The Rebound of the Killing Curse
In their final, desperate duel, Lord Voldemort cast the Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) at Harry Potter. At the same moment, Harry responded by casting the Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus).
Here's a breakdown of what transpired:
- Harry's Allegiance: The Elder Wand, which Voldemort was holding, recognized Harry Potter as its legitimate master.
- Wand's Refusal: Because of this unbreakable allegiance, the Elder Wand refused to harm its true owner.
- Expelliarmus's Power: When Harry cast Expelliarmus, it was directed at the wand in Voldemort's hand. The Elder Wand, acknowledging Harry's command, effectively sided with him.
- Curse Rebounds: As the Killing Curse left Voldemort's wand and collided with Harry, the Elder Wand's refusal to harm Harry, combined with Harry's disarming spell, caused Voldemort's own curse to rebound. The curse ricocheted off Harry, ejecting the Elder Wand from Voldemort's hand and into Harry's as it fatally struck Lord Voldemort.
This powerful magical phenomenon resulted in Voldemort's own ultimate destruction, marking the definitive end of the Second Wizarding War. The death of Voldemort was a direct consequence of Harry's profound understanding of wand allegiance and his courageous actions in the face of absolute evil.
For more details on the final battle and the Elder Wand, you can refer to the Harry Potter Wiki on Lord Voldemort and the Elder Wand's history.
Key Roles in Voldemort's Defeat
The table below summarizes the critical elements leading to Voldemort's final defeat:
| Key Element | Role in Voldemort's Demise |
|---|---|
| Harry Potter | The true master of the Elder Wand; cast Expelliarmus, compelling the wand to reject Voldemort's command and causing his curse to rebound. |
| Lord Voldemort | Wielder of the Elder Wand, but not its true master; his own Killing Curse backfired due to the wand's allegiance to Harry. |
| Elder Wand | Refused to harm its true master (Harry Potter), effectively betraying Voldemort in the crucial moment and rebounding his spell. |
| Expelliarmus | The specific charm cast by Harry, which, combined with the Elder Wand's allegiance, initiated the rebound of Voldemort's curse. |
| Killing Curse | Voldemort's own signature spell (Avada Kedavra) that ultimately led to his demise when it rebounded off Harry Potter. |
