The Enigma of Voldemort’s Awareness: How Did He Know Harry Had the Philosopher’s Stone?

In the climactic scene of the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Voldemort, through his underling Quirrell, seeks the Philosopher's Stone from Harry. The question arises: How did Voldemort know that Harry had the Stone in his pocket?

At the core of this mystery lies the complex relationship between Voldemort, Quirrell, and Harry. Voldemort is not a God but has a profound connection with the young wizard due to the prophecy that foretold these two would meet in the battle against each other. His interest in Harry extends back to their shared history, dating back to the night he attempted to kill Harry as an infant. Quirrell, who is possessed by Voldemort, is fully aware of this connection, as well as the importance of Harry in Voldemort's pursuit of the Stone.

Understanding Voldemort's Inference

Voldemort, through Quirrell, learns about Harry’s possession of the Philosopher's Stone through a combination of his understanding of the events leading up to that moment and direct telepathic communication. While it is not explicitly stated in the book or movie, it is widely believed that Voldemort has a mental connection to Harry, allowing him to read the young wizard’s thoughts and intentions. However, this mental link is not direct but rather a reflection of Voldemort’s deep interest and knowledge about Harry’s actions and motives.

Voldemort's Direct Knowledge Through Legilimency

Legilimency, a dark magic that allows the user to read or influence the thoughts of another, is a plausible explanation for Voldemort's awareness. In the book, it is mentioned that Voldemort used this ability to learn about Harry's possession of the Philosopher’s Stone. By using Legilimency, Voldemort discovered that Harry had the Stone and ordered Quirrell to seize it.

The Burning Skin Incarnation

When Quirrell attempts to touch Harry to retrieve the stone, his skin burns and blisters as a direct consequence of Voldemort's wrath. This physical reaction confirms that Voldemort is indeed aware of Harry’s possession, even though Harry is not directly aware of this fact. This confrontation emphasizes the power and intensity of Voldemort's connection to both Harry and the Philosopher's Stone.

Dumbledore's Enchantment and Voldemort's Bargain Failure

Harry, knowing the risks and the value of the Philosopher's Stone to Voldemort, realizes the importance of his mother's sacrifice. A protective enchantment placed by Dumbledore ensures that Harry alone can find the Stone, further preventing Voldemort from accessing it. When Voldemort attempts to bargain with Harry, demanding the Stone in exchange for the revival of his parents, Harry refuses, displaying his potential as a future champion against darkness.

The Riddle Game and Legilimency Revealed

An interesting aspect of Quirrell’s knowledge is the riddle game they play with Harry. Through a sequence of riddles, including the classic ones like the box and the fish, they attempt to uncover the location of the Philosopher’s Stone. However, when Harry asks the ultimate question about what is in his pocket, the answer becomes clear. Voldemort, or Quirrell, might have used Legilimency to read Harry’s body language and know the truth.

Whether through direct Legilimency, understanding of the events, or reading Harry’s body language, Voldemort knows that Harry’s possession of the Philosopher’s Stone is a critical factor in its retrieval. The depth of Voldemort's knowledge about Harry and the Philosopher's Stone underscores the complexity of the characters and the dark forces at play in the world of Harry Potter.