[HPforGrownups] Harry's blood in Voldemort

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 2489

Caius Marcius wrote:

> >   Jim said - "I think, though, that *somehow* Voldemort made his ultimate
> mistake when he took Harry's blood.
>
> This is directly stated in HP-GF, p. 8-9.  Apparently any opponent of Voldy
> would suffice to restore his corporeal state; but the V-man insists that it
> has to be Harry (unwisely confident in his ability to defeat him).

His insistence on Harry, for whatever reason, does not constitute a direct
statement that this is an ultimate mistake on his part. Think about it---why
would Voldemort directly state that this is his ultimate mistake? All he says is
that he has his reasons for using the boy. I think those reasons have to do with
removing whatever protection Lily imparted, by incorporating part of Harry into
himself, and thereby coming to share part of whatever makes Harry a threat to
him. I think his ultimate mistake is rather underestimating Harry himself; were
Harry a lesser opponent, Voldemort's strategy of taking his blood might well be
effective.Are their destinies bound together now?

> Definitely - but they always have been (see Tom Riddle's speech in HP-CS, p.
> 317).  This is, IMO, the reason for Dumbledore's "gleam of triumph" (p. 696,
> HP-GF) - Voldy has unwisely chosen to mix his blood with HP, which can only
> lead to his demise (see what Dumbledore has to say about HP's mercy toward
> Wormtail in HP-PA, p. 426-27)

Again, I think you jump to conclusions. It will most probably lead to his
demise, but I don't think it could *only* do so. I think Dumbledore's gleam is
because the taking of Harry's blood opens the door of possibility. But it is
merely a flash, of "something like triumph," gone very quickly, and Dumbledore
then looks older and wearier than Harry's seen him---implying that there's still
quite a struggle yet to come.

--Amanda