Why Did Lord Voldemort Choose Harry Potter as His Equal?

When discussing the characters from the Harry Potter series, one of the most intriguing questions revolves around Lord Voldemort's choice of Harry Potter as his equal. Many fans have pondered why Voldemort, who almost always kept his guesses and actions accurate, chose Harry over Neville Longbottom, despite both being key figures in a prophecy.

Understanding the Prophecy

To gain a deeper understanding of why Voldemort chose Harry, it's essential to revisit the prophecy made by Professor Sybil Trelawney. The prophecy can be found in the series and reads as follows:

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... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies....

In the prophecy, Voldemort is aware of only part of the information: 'the one who will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not.' This suggests that Voldemort knew Harry would be his equal, likely because Harry was also a half-blood—similar to Voldemort himself. However, he did not know about the part of the prophecy that would determine Harry's future power over him.

Voldemort's Understanding and Misunderstanding

Despite having accurate information about his weaknesses, Voldemort made a critical mistake in relying solely on the part of the prophecy that he knew. This indicates that he may not have fully comprehended or acted upon the full implications of the prophecy. Prophecies in the wizarding world are not always clearly defined and do not always predict specific outcomes. Instead, they often hold multiple interpretations that can lead to varying outcomes based on actions and circumstances. This serves as a reminder that even the most powerful and cunning individuals can be misled by incomplete information.

The Role of Half-Blood Status

Harry Potter's status as a half-blood played a significant role in Voldemort's decision. The fact that Harry shared Voldemort's magical heritage and his reputation as 'the boy who lived' made him a more threatening and appealing target. The term 'half-blood' in the wizarding world refers to individuals who have both magical and Muggle (non-magical) roots. This genetic background often imbues half-bloods with a unique blend of magical abilities and traits that can be both powerful and unpredictable.

Voldemort, being a half-blood himself, recognized this commonality and likely felt a certain affinity towards Harry, assuming that their shared background might predispose Harry to have similar strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, the prophecy's mention of power that Voldemort couldn't understand could have suggested that Harry might have a new or undiscovered magical ability—one that Voldemort’s knowledge or own power could not match.

Conclusion

The choice of Harry Potter as Voldemort's equal is a complex and multifaceted issue rooted in the partial information Voldemort had, the prophecy's many meanings, and the unique nature of half-blood status. The prophecy serves as both a guide and a stumbling block for Voldemort, highlighting the unpredictable nature of magic and the dangers of incomplete knowledge. This intricate web of factors makes the decision of Voldemort to choose Harry as his equal a pivotal moment in the series.