We know Voldemort tried to off a seemingly harmless boy, Harry Potter – harmless because Harry was, of course, only a baby at the time. And Voldemort didn’t mind taking out a few extras along the way.
But oddly enough, he had a soft spot for witches and wizards, not wanting to kill them unless he deemed it necessary. So why on earth did he off Harry’s parents when James Potter was a pure-blood wizard, something he actually respected?
Well, Voldemort had his sights set on Harry thanks to a prophecy that warned of a little tyke capable of ruining Voldy’s plans. Convinced Harry was the pint-sized nemesis in question, he had no qualms about taking out his parents, who happened to be in the way.
How did Harry’s parents get entangled in this magical soap opera of war, and what was Voldemort’s twisted logic behind sending them to their doom? Keep reading for all the juicy details of Lily and James’ unfortunate finale.
Table of Contents
- Why did Voldemort want to kill Harry Potter?
- Why did Voldemort kill Lily and James Potter?
- Who were James and Lily Potter?
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Why did Voldemort want to kill Harry Potter?
It all started with an unexpected prophecy during Professor Trelawney’s Hogwarts job interview. That’s one way to prove you’re fit for a position!
The prophecy went something like this:
“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 …”
This cryptic message could’ve applied to any kiddo born at that time to Voldemort-fighting parents. But how did ol’ Voldy get wind of the prophecy? Enter Severus Snape, Voldemort’s loyal spy at the time, who spilled the beans while eavesdropping on Dumbledore.
Harry was considered a half-blood since his mother was born to Muggle parents. Despite being a half-blood himself as well, Voldemort was on a mission to rid the wizarding world of others like him. Taking out James Potter wasn’t part of the plan, but he tried to protect his son when Voldemort attacked – giving Voldemort no choice.
Later, we learn that Snape was head over heels for Lily Potter. Desperate to protect the Potters, he pledged loyalty to Dumbledore in exchange for their safety – something he couldn’t ask of Voldemort.
Unfortunately, Peter Pettigrew, the ultimate frenemy, played a pivotal role in the Potters’ demise. He ratted them out (pun intended), and Voldemort found them in Godric’s Hollow, sealing their fate.
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Why did Voldemort kill Lily and James Potter?
Why did Voldemort kill Lily and James Potter, you ask? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because it’s storytime!
Voldemort tried to off baby Harry, but when Lily sacrificed herself like a magical mama bear, Voldy’s curse rebounded and only gave Harry a trendy lightning-bolt scar. Talk about a major backfire.
When Voldemort tried to use the unforgivable Avada Kedavra on little Harry, Lily used the ultimate mom move: love. That’s right, her love acted as a magical force field between Harry and the curse. Voldemort didn’t see it coming because, let’s face it, love just wasn’t his thing.
Voldemort actually didn’t want to kill Harry’s parents, but Lily and James were stubborn, refusing to let Voldy get to their baby boy. They were both Gryffindor students at Hogwarts and members of the Order of the Phoenix, so you could say they had a habit of standing up to dark forces.
James Potter, a pure-blood born in England, had quite the Hogwarts experience, with friends like Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew. As for Severus Snape, well, let’s just say they weren’t exactly BFFs. Snape still tried to protect Harry for the sake of his beloved Lily, even though she chose James as her partner.
The night Voldemort visited the Potter family, James tried to buy time for his wife and son but forgot his wand. Oops! Voldemort killed him with a quick killing curse.
The Potters went into hiding after a prophecy was made about Voldemort and baby Harry. Betrayed by Pettigrew, they were found and killed by Voldemort on Halloween. Spooky, huh?
Lily and James defied Voldemort three times, which might have been what the prophecy referred to (assuming it was about Harry and not Neville). They placed the Fidelius Charm on their home in Godric’s Hollow to hide, but their so-called friend Peter Pettigrew, aka the world’s worst Secret-Keeper, spilled the beans to Voldemort.
When Lily sacrificed herself, Harry was marked with her love’s protection. Voldemort’s Killing Curse backfired, temporarily defeating him and leaving Harry unharmed except for that cool scar. And so, the “Boy Who Lived” was born, kicking off the magical saga we all know and love.
Lily’s muggle-born status didn’t stop Voldemort from wanting her as a Death Eater, proving that she was one powerful witch. Her talents in Potion-making and ability to conjure a corporeal doe Patronus, which paired nicely with her husband’s Patronus, were just some of the magical skills that made her a force to be reckoned with.
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Who were James and Lily Potter?
Ah, James and Lily Potter, the legendary couple of the wizarding world! Grab your popcorn, sit back, and let me regale you with the magical tale of these two lovebirds.
James Potter, the pure-blood prankster, strutted into Hogwarts with his untamed hair and a knack for trouble. It didn’t take long for him to form the Marauders with his partners in crime: Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew. The group was notorious for their mischief, giving Hogwarts professors quite the headache.
Lily Evans, a bright and feisty muggle-born, also entered the hallowed halls of Hogwarts. Initially, she wasn’t too keen on James and his shenanigans. But as they say, opposites attract! James eventually charmed Lily with his bravery, loyalty, and ever-so-slightly inflated ego.
The unlikely duo became Hogwarts’ power couple. James, quite the Quidditch enthusiast, was a Seeker who caught the Snitch and Lily’s heart. Meanwhile, Lily whipped up potions like nobody’s business and aced all of her wizarding exams.
After graduating, they joined the Order of the Phoenix, a rebellious group determined to put an end to Voldemort’s sinister reign. They had their adorable son, Harry, and lived in their cozy cottage in Godric’s Hollow. The family was like a magical fairy tale, complete with epic battles, secret hideouts, and plenty of love.
Unfortunately, they were betrayed by their so-called friend Peter Pettigrew. On a dark Halloween night, Voldemort struck, and Lily and James valiantly sacrificed themselves for their baby boy.
They may be gone, but their legacy lives on in the “Boy Who Lived.” As their story is retold with laughter and tears, the memory of James and Lily Potter continues to enchant the wizarding world.
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Jack is an avid anime enthusiast with a passion for all things Japanese culture. He spends his days watching the latest series, reading manga, and discussing the merits of his favorite characters with his friends. When he's not writing (or debating) about manga and anime, Jack can be found playing video games or practicing Ju-Jitsu. Despite his nerdy interests, Jack is confident and outgoing. He's always eager to share his enthusiasm with others.