The Fallout of Voldemort's Victory: Revisiting the Battle of Hogwarts
Overview
In the Harry Potter universe as we know it, Voldemort's defeat at the Battle of Hogwarts marked the start of 25 years of peace. But imagine a world where Voldemort emerged victorious. What would have been the immediate and long-term consequences of such a scenario?
A Short-Lived Victory
With Voldemort's army defeated and fewer Horcruxes remaining, the fall of such a powerful dark wizard seemed imminent. However, the true nature of his rule would be marked by fear and a lack of control.
Voldemort's Reign of Fear - In a weakened state, Voldemort's followers, mostly ambitious Slytherins, initiated a period of utmost fear and oppression. The 'Horcrux secret' becoming widely known was the breaking point, leading to betrayal among his own ranks.
Disintegration of Voldemort's Support System
The Death Eaters, despite their efforts, would face several challenges that would ultimately lead to their downfall:
Conflict with Muggles - The wizarding world's need for support from Muggle-borns and Muggle enthusiasts, like Arthur Weasley, made any war against Muggles a losing proposition. Death Eaters' rejection of Muggle-borns would backfire, leading to an alliance between Muggles and magical beings.
New Fronts of Conflict
Given the longstanding enmity and fear of magical creatures, any strategy involving them would likely fail. Here are a few key points:
War with Magical Creatures - The Death Eaters' rejection of magical creatures would be their undoing. Vampires and werewolves, previously shunned, would turn on Death Eaters. Additionally, Dementors, who are notoriously difficult to control and are largely unresponsive to dark magic, would pose an ongoing challenge.
Centaurs and Goblins - Centaurs may drive another uprising, and goblins, long forgotten, would seize the opportunity to assert their dominance. The Goblin uprising stems from longstanding grievances and a battle lost years ago, where goblins were manipulated by Voldemort into betraying their kind.
House Elves and Magic Wielded Unlawfully - House elves, previously content with their servitude, began to rebel during the battle. The use of Apparition, a risky and unpredictable form of magical travel, by Death Eaters, might have caused further disarray. In contrast, House-elves' version of Apparition, while still limited, provided them with a means to communicate and organize without diverting wizard power.
The Inevitable Decline
Similar to the determination of the Allies in World War 2, the eventual realization that Voldemort could no longer win the wizarding war would have been evident after the Battle of Gringotts. The secret that Horcruxes were known became too widely known to keep any repressive regime in place.
Conclusion - The immediate aftermath of Voldemort's supposed victory would lead to a chaotic and rapidly deteriorating situation, leading to the gradual collapse of his regime. The resistance, bolstered by the revelation of his defeat, would eventually prevail, ensuring a return to a more peaceful and just society.
Keywords: Harry Potter, Voldemort, Battle of Hogwarts
Related Reading:
The Harry Potter Series Pottermore - The Official Harry Potter Site Goodreads: Harry Potter (Book 1)