Power the Dark Lord Knows Not.

[greenfirespike]

No: HPFGUIDX 128159


 Eustace_Scrubb says:
<snip>
> As GEO pointed out in another post, the question JKR says we 
> should ask is "Why did Voldemort survive?" not "Why did Harry 
> survive?"
> 
> And your conclusion, "LV casts the AK on himself," I would 
> guess is why JKR is telling us to ask why LV survived that 
> encounter.  If an AK rebounded on him, why didn't he die?

Greenfirespike says:

There is a length of time (although I am not sure exactly how long) 
between when LV hears about "the prophecy," and his attack in 
Godric's Hollow.  LV probably didn't just hear about the prophecy 
and charge on the attack.  In fact, several events must occur prior to LV's attack on the Potter family.  

First, LV must figure out who all of the wizarding community has 
recently had a child, and if the child's parents have thrice defied 
the Dark Lord.  Second, LV must decide that it is Harry and not 
Neville who the prophecy is talking about.  Third, somehow, word 
gets to the OP that LV is looking for the Potters, and they are sent into hiding.  Fourth, LV receives information from PP of where the Potters are hiding, and makes his attack.  (Sadly, there is little canon information suggesting how much time elapsed between these events.)

All the while LV must be worried about his newborn rival.  I am sure 
he decided that he is going to have to take certain steps (certain 
dark magic steps I'm sure) to help him prepare for any encounter he 
may have with Harry. 

It seems unlikely that LV felt that he would be able to track down 
the Potters and destroy baby!Harry well before the boy grew to an 
adult wizard.  PP giving LV the whereabouts of the Potters was 
probably a stroke of luck.  In fact, JKR's question itself implies 
that LV felt the need to take precautionary steps to prepare for 
his upcoming fight with Harry.  

I believe that LV was surprised when PP showed up knowing where the 
Potters were hiding.  This supports my idea that LV attacked Harry 
in haste, wishing to act immediately on difficult to obtain 
information.  LV's hasty attack in Gordic's Hollow against 
baby!Harry may be one reason why he didn't expect the love shield 
to protect Harry.  LV likely assumed that because he had dispatched with the Lily and James, that killing baby!Harry would be easy.  

Just MO.  

Greenfirespike