The Scale of Things

[lupinesque]

No: HPFGUIDX 43291

Chris wrote:

> We know that Voldemort is the most powerful wizard - aside perhaps 
from
> Dumbledore - in the Wizarding World, but on what scale does he 
operate?  Is
> he
> leading an effective rebellion, such as Oliver Cromwell did, or is 
he just a
> super-powered terrorist?  People in the books were talking about 
him wanting
> to
> take over the Wizarding World, but can he do that.  If there are 
0.2 million
> wizards, he's out numbered heavily and all they have to do is gather
> together
> at a safe place and crush him.  Can anyone explain these 
contradictions.

I'm of the opinion that the previous "Voldemort War" was indeed more 
like a terrorist operation than either a successful rebellion or an 
all-out war, and for now, his return seems to be on the same model:  
a few dozen devoted followers at most, other sympathizers out in the 
WW at first, but not a widespread or popular movement by any means.

However, even if this is right, being outnumbered doesn't mean being 
less dangerous.  Voldemort has powers (think: weapons) that no one 
else possesses, possibly not even Dumbledore.  And he has powers that 
Dumbledore may have but wouldn't use, according to PS/SS 1.  It's 
rather like one person crouched in his hideout with a working neutron 
bomb--there could be any number of people allied against him, but 
numbers don't give them much of an advantage since he has the power 
to kill them all with the flick of a switch, and they can't use the 
same weapon against him without wreaking unacceptable damage.

We don't know much about Voldemort's powers--I'm sure we'll learn, 
and also learn how they can be overcome--but we know enough about 
magic in JKR's universe to imagine that magical powers may not be so 
easily overcome that an army even of millions can necessarily defeat 
one man.

Amy Z