How did Voldemort actually die?

I’ve been thinking about this, and the explanations we’re given don’t quite add up.

First, they say Harry is the master of the Elder Wand because he disarmed Malfoy. But here’s the thing — Malfoy wasn’t even holding the Elder Wand at the time. He was holding his own wand. So how does that work exactly? That connection feels like a bit of a stretch.

Then there’s the idea that the Killing Curse rebounded because the Elder Wand wouldn’t kill its true master. But if that’s the case, why wouldn’t the wand just refuse to cast the spell at all? Why would it rebound instead of simply malfunctioning? A rebound makes it look like Harry has some kind of protective magic strong enough to reflect Avada Kedavra, which raises even more questions.

I’d love to hear what you all think. Am I missing something, or is this one of those things we’re just supposed to accept and move on?

  • threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.worksMEnglish
    9·
    1 month ago

    A rebound makes it look like Harry has some kind of protective magic strong enough to reflect Avada Kedavra, which raises even more questions.

    As many questions as Avada Kedavra rebounding raises, I still think it is the best explanation.

    There were several factors at play:

    • As you point out, Harry could have been master of the Elder Wand via disarming Draco, but that connection does feel like a bit of a stretch.
    • Lily was given the chance to step aside, but chose to stand her ground despite being unable to defend herself. Dumbledore states that this act protected Harry and Dursleys (via Lily’s sister Petunia) until Harry comes of age at 17.
    • At the end of GoF, Voldemort used Harry’s blood to create a new body for himself. Dumbledore later implies that this act gave Harry the option to not die when the pseudo-horcrux within him was destroyed.
    • Harry walked willingly into the forest to what he assumed would be his death by the hand of Voldemort. Harry later implies that this act protects all survivors of the BoH from Voldemort. (“none of the spells you put on them are binding”)

    Which exact combination of these factors granted Harry protection against an “Avada Kedavra cast by Voldemort with the Elder Wand” is not clear, but I think there’s more to it than just Harry being “Master of the Elder Wand”.

    • tug7503@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      3·
      1 month ago

      At the end of GoF, Voldemort used Harry’s blood to create a new body for himself. Dumbledore later implies that this act gave Harry the option to not die when the pseudo-horcrux within him was destroyed.

      I think this reason is the most logical. But that would make Harry invincible to Voldemort, because Harry will never die as long as Voldemort lives, which seems… not a very well-constructed plot, like Harry can never die from Voldemort’s magic from the start, which makes all his struggles in vain.

      Harry later implies that this act protects all survivors of the BoH from Voldemort.

      Other reasons all have their loopholes. Harry’s sacrifice might be able to protect his allies just like the same magic Lily bestowed upon Harry, but I don’t think Harry’s sacrifice can protect himself from the Killing Curse.

      I think letting the spell bounce back when Voldemort tries to kill Ginny would make more sense.