Ancient Magic (was, A new Lily theory)

[kangasboy]

No: HPFGUIDX 42062

I always interpreted the "ancient magic" alluded to in HP as 
referring to the most basic primeval  forces from which all magic 
stems. Ancient magic could be connected to power of the Heir of 
Slytherin (and any other heirs out there), plus it could be 
responsible for magical abilities that cannot be learnt (eg 
Divination). I believe it to be "pure" magic, in that it is 
incorruptible; which is why Voldemort can't use it, and has been 
thwarted by it.

Voldemort probably believes that he has links to the ancient 
magic, due to his being the heir of Slytherin and all, but his own 
evil prevents him  from being able to comprehend it. Seeing as 
spells do not discriminate between users, it would seem these 
"structured" spells are simply offshoots from the source (ie, the 
ancient magic), and can be corrupted by the intent of the caster, 
due to the fact that they lie so far from the heart of "ancient" 
magic. Voldemort has mastered this lesser, although still 
powerful branch of magic, but is yet able 

It makes sense for ancient magic to be rooted in emotion; when 
young wizards display the unfocused magic before they get to 
Hogwarts, they occur at times of great emotion, be it anger (aunt 
Marge), fear (Neville's bouncing) or something else. That would 
qualify love, as arguably the most powerful human emotion, as 
having the greates magical effect. With this theory, if Lily's love is 
what is responsible for Harry's protection, it can't involve a 
ritual/charm/spell, because this would be corrupting the ancient 
magic she was invoking.
This creates two possible reasons as to how Lily protected 
Harry:
1)Lily was, somehow, a particularly powerful magical being, and 
her death meant that Harry was protected while other victims of 
the AK weren't.
2) Lily's sacrifice, as a symbol of pure love, was enough to 
protect Harry. Harry being an innocent as well would've played in 
his favour. I like the idea that Lily sacrificed herself without any 
knowledge of what she was doing, as this would mean that her 
acts were completely free of any magical influence; that she 
sacrificed herself purely out of not only love, but also hope as 
well. The importance of hope has not been mentioned very often 
(as far as I know), however it seems that Voldemort's power was 
compounded byt the fact that people didn't know how to stop 
him. So many people diead and disappeared, and given that the 
AK is unblockable, any resistance must have been seen by 
many to have been futile. Combined with the lack of trust within 
the community, it is obvious that there was virtually no hope at 
all, except in Dumbeldore. Lily did not stop trying to protect Harry; 
in fact, she pleaded with a powerful wizard who killed without 
mercy, in the hope that she could somehow save her son. Maybe 
she was hoping that she was delaying Voldemort enough for 
help to arrive. Anyway, if she died based partly on her hope, this 
combined with the love woudl've provided a force which was 
directly opposed to Voldemort and his actions.

This theory stemmed from Dumbledore's statement at the end of 
PS. His insistence that it was love, rather than magic, that saved 
and protected Harry, indicates that there are things more 
powerful than the magic that is used by wizards. My personal 
opinion is that Lily's sacrifice would be belittled if it is revealed 
that it was performed consciously as part of a spell; it lessens 
the purity of her actions. It seems that Dumbledore is the only 
person who is fully aware of the power of the "ancient magic", 
with its roots in human emotions. My prediction is that Voldemort 
will be defeated by an aspect of this magic, after he has grown 
more aware of its power and importance.

Sorry, that was longer than intended,
Roo