The Mysterious Wand and Spells Used in the Battle of Hogwarts: Harry Potter vs. Voldemort
When Harry Potter faces off against Voldemort in their final confrontation, the question of which wand and spell he ultimately uses to defeat the Dark Lord is a subject of endless curiosity and debate among fans of the Harry Potter series. This article delves into the finer details of the spells and wands that played a critical role in the climactic scenes of The Deathly Hallows.
The Role of the Elder Wand
The Elder Wand is perhaps the most significant wand in the Harry Potter series, and its role in the final battle is crucial. The Elder Wand, being one of the Deathly Hallows, has a unique ability to recognize its true master. Harry Potter, who came into it willingly, became its rightful owner, even though he initially did not realize it. This fact played a pivotal role in Voldemort's demise as the Elder Wand recognized that he was not its master, thus subverting Voldemort's deadly curse.
Expelliarmus vs. Avada Kedavra
Many readers might assume that Harry Potter used the Avada Kedavra spell to defeat Voldemort. However, this assumption is incorrect. In the final battle, Harry Potter used the Expelliarmus spell instead. What unfolded was a fascinating twist: when Voldemort cast his Killing Curse, the spell rebounded back to him and killed him. This clever narrative choice by J.K. Rowling was made to ensure that Harry Potter was not seen as a murderer, thus upholding his character's morally upright nature.
The intersection of spells—Expelliarmus and Avada Kedavra—is a meeting of the forces that determined Voldemort's fate. The Expelliarmus spell, meant to disarm, inadvertently caused the destruction of Voldemort's soul, while the Avada Kedavra curse rebounded and finished the job. This magical battle showcases both the power and the logic behind the spells used in the world of Harry Potter.
Harry Potter and the Rule of Law
It is important to remember that Voldemort’s death was a result of his own actions. The text explicitly states that Harry Potter did not kill Voldemort; rather, Voldemort killed himself. Harry Potter simply disrupted the devastating rebounding curse that would have killed him. This principle aligns with the themes of justice and non-violence running through the series.
The Involvement of Neville Longbottom
In the broader context of the final battle, it is worth noting that Neville Longbottom also had a hand in Voldemort’s ultimate downfall. According to the text, Neville killed Voldemort’s snake, Nagini, marking the final step in destroying one of the Horcruxes. As Nagini had been bonded to Voldemort, her death effectively severed the connection between the Dark Lord and his Horcrux, leading to his ultimate demise.
Wands and Spells: A Deeper Look
The wands and spells used by the characters in this pivotal scene are not extraneous details but are key elements that drive the plot forward. Harry Potter did not use a wand to kill Voldemort. Instead, the Elder Wand killed Voldemort as it is not bound to him anymore, and because the rebounding curse hit him. This meta-narrative aspect of wand ownership and mastery adds depth to the characters and the magical world.
Key Takeaways:
The Elder Wand recognized that Voldemort was not its master, leading to the killing curse rebounding back on him. The Expelliarmus spell disrupted the flow of the deadly curse, thus preventing Harry from being seen as a murderer. Neville Longbottom indirectly contributed to Voldemort's demise by killing Nagini, one of his Horcruxes.These intricacies of wand and spell usage in the Harry Potter universe highlight the importance of understanding the complex magic and moral choices that make the series so compelling.