Why did Voldemort wait so long?

[MrNipha]

No: HPFGUIDX 71560

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Kathryn Cawte" <kcawte at b...>
wrote:
>  
> 
>  
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "eay50" <rioandem at h...> wrote:
> > Okay, this just occurred to me...
> > 
> 
> > BUT Harry was born on July 31 and Voldemort came to Godric's 
> Hollow 
> > on October 31. What took him so long????? If he knew about the 
> > prediction and he knew where the Potters were, I can't imagine 
> that 
> > he would wait for 3 months to try to kill the only wizard with
the 
> > power to defeat him.
> >  
>  
>  Me -
> 
> I realise this actually makes the delay worse but Harry was born on
July
> 31st *1980* and the attack was on October 31st *1981*
> 
> Voldemort didn't wait three months - he waited 15
> 
> K

We have seen in several separate cases that Voldemort is very patient,
and picks his opportunities carefully.

Book 1:  Even though he knows that Quirrell will not last long with
him possessing Quirell (as evidenced by Quirrell needing to drink
unicorn's blood more than once to be able to carry Voldemort), he
waits the entire school year, gathering information about the
protections guarding the Sorceror's Stone, and waiting until
Dumbledore is away from Hogwarts to make his move on the Stone.

Book 4:  Even though Harry is one of the most inaccessible wizards to
use in his revival potion, he wants to use Harry, so he waits
patiently to manuever Harry into a position that Harry can be whisked
away for a long time without being missed, and to be in danger so that
Harry's death would not be questioned too hard.

Whomever the wizard or witch was that informed Voldemort of the
prophesy, would have told him that Dumbledore knew about the prophesy.
As the "only wizard he ever feared" knew he would be after Harry
and/or Neville, he was patient.  As it turns out, Harry's parents
going into hiding to protect their son gave Voldemort an opportunity
that he seized upon quickly -- away from Dumbledore, presumed safe,
the perfect opportunity to strike.

Voldemort would have probably waited for years for an opportunity if
Wormtail hadn't been made Secret Keeper.

MrNipha