Why Did Voldemort Choose Harry Potter Over Neville Longbottom?
The magical battle between Lord Voldemort and Harry Potter captivated audiences around the world, but one critical question remains: Why did Voldemort choose Harry Potter over his established rival, Neville Longbottom? This choice was influenced by a variety of factors, including prophecy, personal vendetta, and the symbolic themes present throughout the Harry Potter series.
The Prophecy
The decision by Voldemort to target Harry Potter was primarily rooted in a prophecy made by Sybill Trelawney. According to the prophecy, a child born at the end of July would have the power to defeat Voldemort. Both Harry and Neville were born in late July 1980; however, Voldemort only learned of the prophecy's existence after it was partially revealed to him. This led him to target Harry, the more prominent of the two.
Voldemort's Fear of Harry
Voldemort's fear of Harry was not merely based on the prophecy but also on the possibility of Harry becoming his equal and a direct rival. In an attempt to kill Harry, Voldemort inadvertently created a powerful connection between them. This connection was further solidified by the fact that Harry's mother, Lily Potter, sacrificed herself to protect her child. This act created a powerful protective magic, which Voldemort did not anticipate. This ultimately contributed to Voldemort's downfall and solidified the idea that Harry was destined to confront him.
Symbolic Choice
The choice of Harry over Neville can also be seen as a thematic element in the story. Harry represents hope, love, and the power of sacrifice, while Neville embodies the potential for growth and bravery despite early struggles. Voldemort's choice highlights the contrast between his own values and those of the protagonists, emphasizing the importance of goodness and heroism over darker traits.
Parental Protection and Defiance
Both Harry and Neville were born to parents who had defied Voldemort three times: Harry to Lily Potter and James Potter, and Neville to Frank Longbottom and Alice Longbottom. These parents were active members of the Order of the Phoenix, and their defiance against Voldemort was a significant factor in Voldemort's targeting of Harry.
While no other children born at the right time had parents who had defied Voldemort three times, and no muggleborns could qualify based on the second point, it remains unclear if Voldemort chose Harry over Neville or if he simply targeted the Potters first. If Voldemort did choose Harry, it might have been because Harry is a half-blood, making him more similar to Voldemort than Neville, a pure-blood.
Exploring Character Comparisons
Rowling crafted the characters of Harry Potter, Voldemort, and Snape such that they serve as three sides of a coin: all half-bloods, raised in the muggle world, and from abusive homes. Despite their similar childhoods, they all turned out differently. While Voldemort became an evil genocidal maniac, Harry became a hero and savior, and Snape was somewhere in between, ultimately neither good nor evil. This comparison highlights the idea that it is our choices, not the situations we find ourselves in, that define us.
Rowling's choice to have Voldemort target the half-blood Harry over the pure-blood Neville underscores the clear contrasts in their fates: Harry, despite the challenges of his life, chose the path of good and heroism, while Voldemort chose a path of villainy. This serves to remind readers that even in the face of significant adversity, one can still make choices that lead to a positive outcome.
Thus, the choice of Harry Potter over Neville Longbottom was not random but the result of a deliberate decision driven by prophecy, fear, and symbolic representation. This choice adds depth to the narrative and invites readers to reflect on the power of choice and the importance of moral fiber in the face of adversity.