[HPforGrownups] Loss of power theory (was Harry's Special Powers)

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 10278

Hi --

Kimberly wrote:

> I started with the most common theory as to why Voldemort wanted Harry
> dead - that there was a prophecy or something that Harry would bring
> about Voldemort's downfall.  If that turns out to be untrue, then my
> theory doesn't really work.
>
> First, I found Voldemort's description from ps/ss of what his life had
> been like since his fall in chapter 17:
>
> "See what I have become?" the face said.  "Mere shadow and vapor... I
> have form only when I can share another's body..."
>
> Now let me quote Firenze from ps/ss chapter 15, The Forbidden Forest:
>
> "The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive, even if you are an inch
> from death, but at a terrible price.  You have slain something pure
> and defenseless to save yourself, and you will have but a half-life, a
> cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips."
>
> So what if it's as simple as Voldemort loosing his power because of
> that?  Harry was a pure, defenseless infant.  Now the fact that Harry
> didn't actually die might mess things up, but I figure it's still ok
> because Voldemort *did* perform the killing curse.  Of course that may
> just be me trying to plug up holes in my theory...
> What do you guys think?

Kimberly -- I'm not sure I follow your theory.  Are you saying that
Voldemort lost his power because he drank unicorn blood?  There was
something about the curse rebounding off Harry that caused Voldemort to
lose his power in the first place.  He became "mere shadow & vapor" but
managed to gain some strength some 10 years later because Quirrell was
able to obtain unicorn blood to strengthen him.  It was my impression that
he was very helpless & powerless until Quirrell started obtaining unicorn
blood to strengthen him (in other words, he wasn't much more than a shell
until meeting up with Quirrell).

Hmmm ... maybe I'm just not following your theory.

Penny