Voldemort was primarily scared of the first part of a prophecy that foretold the birth of an individual with the power to vanquish him. This prophecy directly threatened his quest for immortality and absolute power.
The Prophecy's Origin and Content
The prophecy Voldemort feared was made by Professor Sybill Trelawney, Divination teacher at Hogwarts, during an interview with Albus Dumbledore for the teaching position. It was a genuine prophecy, given in a trance-like state, a rare occurrence for Trelawney.
The full prophecy stated:
"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… and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not… and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…"
What Voldemort Knew (and What He Didn't)
A crucial detail is that Voldemort did not hear the entire prophecy. He only knew the first part, which was relayed to him by his Death Eater, Severus Snape, who overheard part of the conversation between Dumbledore and Trelawney.
| Aspect of Prophecy | Voldemort's Knowledge | Actual Prophecy Text (Known Part) | Actual Prophecy Text (Unknown Part to Voldemort) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Known Part | Yes | "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…” | N/A |
| Unknown Part | No | N/A | "...and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not… and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…" |
Voldemort was solely aware of the lines: "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…” He did not know the latter, critical part that specified "neither can live while the other survives." This missing information significantly influenced his actions and ultimate downfall.
Voldemort's Fear and Interpretation
Voldemort's greatest fear was death, which he had gone to extreme lengths to circumvent through Horcruxes. The prophecy directly threatened his immortality by predicting an individual with the specific "power to vanquish" him. This was terrifying for someone who believed himself invincible.
Upon learning the first part of the prophecy, Voldemort identified two potential candidates who fit the description:
- Harry Potter: Born to James and Lily Potter, who had defied Voldemort three times, and born at the end of July.
- Neville Longbottom: Born to Frank and Alice Longbottom, who also defied Voldemort three times, and born at the end of July.
Voldemort, driven by his own prejudices and a belief that a half-blood like Harry would be a greater threat due to his shared heritage (like Voldemort himself), chose to target Harry. By attempting to murder the infant Harry, Voldemort inadvertently fulfilled another part of the prophecy – he "marked him as his equal." This act not only failed but rebounded, tearing Voldemort's soul and inadvertently imbuing Harry with a piece of his own magic, granting Harry a "power the Dark Lord knows not."
The Prophecy's Broader Impact
The prophecy acted as a catalyst for the entire conflict between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort. It set in motion the events that led to the death of Harry's parents, his survival, and his ultimate destiny as the "Chosen One." Had Voldemort known the full prophecy, particularly the line about "neither can live while the other survives," he might have acted differently, perhaps choosing to avoid Harry altogether rather than attempting to eliminate him and inadvertently linking their fates.
