Why Did Voldemort Live?

[thyladyanwyn]

No: HPFGUIDX 129008

When Voldemort killed James and Lily, he didn't kill Harry.  Instead, 
the curse backfired onto him.  Why was he left alive after such a 
powerful curse?  What about it left not only the scar on Harry's 
forehead, but didn't kill Voldemort?  Voldemort said in the graveyard 
he did not know about the ancient magic that protected Harry at the 
time but will be prepared for it (the next time they meet?)  If he 
was not prepared for the ancient magic and was acting with the same 
knowledge and curse, it seems to me that he would have died when it 
backfired and did not kill Harry.  

I think we will learn more in Books VI and VII.  JKR herself has 
stated that we should be asking ourselves why Voldemort lived and not 
why Harry lived (or didn't die).  

She also stated that Harry's having Lily's eyes will be key 
information in the upcoming writings.  I don't remember reading 
anything about Lily's eyes having any sort of power in the previous 
books though.



~~ Lady Anwyn