Severus Snape was the individual who betrayed the 7 Potters operation to Lord Voldemort.
Understanding the Betrayal
The betrayal of the Seven Potters operation is a pivotal moment in the Wizarding War, directly leading to a deadly confrontation between the Order of the Phoenix and Lord Voldemort's forces. This event highlights the complex loyalties and crucial information leaks that permeated the conflict.
Snape's Role in the Leak
Severus Snape, despite appearing to be a loyal Death Eater to Voldemort, was secretly working as a double agent for Albus Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix. However, in the context of the Seven Potters, Snape provided critical intelligence to Voldemort. It was Snape who informed Voldemort that Harry Potter was being transferred earlier than anticipated, effectively making him the betrayer of the operation. This information allowed Voldemort and his Death Eaters to lie in wait, ambush the convoy, and attempt to capture Harry.
The Seven Potters Operation
The "Seven Potters" was a highly risky and ingenious plan devised by the Order of the Phoenix to safely transport Harry Potter from the Dursleys' home to The Burrow. The strategy involved six of Harry's friends and allies (Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Fleur Delacour, and Mundungus Fletcher) taking Polyjuice Potion to transform into decoys, each looking exactly like Harry. The real Harry would then be escorted by Mad-Eye Moody, with all seven "Potters" departing simultaneously in different directions, hoping to confuse any waiting Death Eaters.
- Objective: Ensure Harry Potter's safe transfer.
- Method: Six decoys using Polyjuice Potion to impersonate Harry.
- Escorts: Members of the Order of the Phoenix and close allies.
- Key Flaw: Voldemort was alerted to the timing of the transfer.
Consequences of the Betrayal
The information provided by Snape allowed Voldemort to position his forces strategically. While the overall plan of decoys did create confusion, it also resulted in significant casualties and close calls for the Order members.
- Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody's Death: Moody, escorting the real Harry Potter, was killed by Voldemort himself after being disarmed and falling from the sky.
- George Weasley's Injury: George lost an ear to a Sectumsempra curse, later revealed to have been cast by Severus Snape, though aimed at a pursuing Death Eater. This specific act further complicates Snape's loyalty and actions.
- Narrow Escapes: Many members of the Order, including Harry himself, narrowly escaped capture or death.
Why Snape Betrayed?
Snape's actions in betraying the specific timing of the transfer were part of a larger, incredibly complex, and dangerous strategy orchestrated with Dumbledore. His ultimate goal, in adherence to Dumbledore's plan, was to maintain Voldemort's trust as a loyal Death Eater. This deep cover was crucial for Snape to feed Voldemort carefully curated information, protect Harry when possible, and ultimately contribute to Voldemort's downfall. His betrayal of the Seven Potters, while leading to tragic consequences, was a calculated risk to solidify his position and ensure his ability to execute Dumbledore's grander scheme.
For more details on Snape's motivations and his role as a double agent, see the Harry Potter Wiki on Severus Snape.
Key Players in the Event
To clarify the roles of various characters during this critical event, here is a brief overview:
| Character | Role in Seven Potters Operation | Action/Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Potter | The real target, disguised. | Escorted by Mad-Eye Moody; narrowly escaped. |
| Severus Snape | The betrayer (information provider). | Alerted Voldemort to the transfer's early timing. |
| Lord Voldemort | The primary antagonist. | Led the attack, killed Mad-Eye Moody. |
| Alastor Moody | Escorted the real Harry. | Killed by Voldemort during the ambush. |
| George Weasley | Decoy Harry. | Seriously injured, lost an ear. |
| Order of Phoenix | Organizers and participants. | Suffered casualties but largely achieved transfer. |
This event remains a testament to the high stakes and constant danger faced by the protagonists in their fight against Voldemort.
