Lord Voldemort

image=This fan-made poster for the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire movie pictures Lord Voldemort (played by Ralph Fiennes) when he has returned to power. It is not yet known what Voldemort will actually look like in the film, although a swedish newspaper recently showed a picture showing Voldemort which they claimed was from the movie. See more here.

His downfall

On October 31, 1981, Voldemort arrived at the home of James and Lily Potter, prominent members of the Order of the Phoenix, in Godric's Hollow. James Potter was killed in the confrontation, and Lily sacrificed her own life to save her son. This act of love granted Harry an unexplained charm of protection, which foiled Voldemort's attempt to use Avada Kedavra, the killing curse, on the baby.

Related Topics:
October 31 - 1981 - James - Lily Potter - Order of the Phoenix - Godric's Hollow - Avada Kedavra

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The one-year-old Harry became the first and only known survivor of the Avada Kedavra curse, with only a scar in the shape of a lightning bolt on his forehead. The spell somehow backfired on Voldemort, reducing him to a barely-alive shell of his former self. He was only able to survive because he had previously split his soul into pieces, five of which were imbued into objects known as Horcruxes, enabling Voldemort to defy death as long as these objects were extant. Voldemort fled, and virtually disappeared for over a decade.

Related Topics:
Lightning - Soul - Horcrux

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The protective charm bestowed on Harry by his mother's loving sacrifice afforded him a lingering protection against direct attacks by Voldemort. This charm was kept active as long as he had a home among Lily's blood relatives. For this reason, Albus Dumbledore took the rescued baby Harry and left him in the indifferent and even neglectful care of his aunt and uncle, the Muggles Vernon and Petunia Dursley.

Related Topics:
Muggle - Vernon - Petunia Dursley

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The news of Voldemort's downfall spread fast through the wizarding community. Without his personal power to back them up, many of his supporters defected or gave themselves up. A few attempted to find him, but were unsuccessful. Overnight, Harry became a celebrity, christened "The Boy Who Lived." Many Death Eaters were captured and sent to Azkaban prison.

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