[HPforGrownups] What did Voldemort do that was so great?

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 41692

Cathubodva wrote:

> On the whole, although I think we mean different things by it, I
> agree with Jenny that Voldemort isn't great.  Unless new information
> comes to light that makes the Reign of Terror a lot more terrible,
> I'll be forced to assume that Ollivander was only trying to spook
> Harry, and his words bore little resemblance to the truth.

I don't know about Ollivander--I think there's something more to him than
meets the eye.  Harry is, generally speaking, a good judge of character
(okay, so he hates Snape, but he WAS a DE after all, and who would suspect
Quirrell or fake Moody?) and he instantly disliked him.  I think he'll come
back into the picture in the future.  But how?  Is he a secret DE?  Is there
a lower status of Voldemort supporters, not quite DE's, but supporters none
the less?

As for Voldemort's greatness, great sure isn't the word for that.  Living
when the AK bounced off Harry wasn't quite great either--it's not like he
was expecting it.  I imagine the only reason he vaporized instead of died is
because the effect of AK was worn down.  It's not as if an AK had ever
bounced off anyone before, so there's nothing to compare it to.

Richelle