In that amazing last battle between Harry Potter and Voldemort, a lot of fans ask which spell actually took down the Dark Lord. You might be surprised - Harry didn’t toss a fancy or deadly curse to finish Voldemort off. Harry relied on the basic Disarming Charm "Expelliarmus," which made Voldemort's own Killing Curse bounce back and take him out in their final duel in the Great Hall during the Battle of Hogwarts.
What makes this ending super powerful isn't just how strong Harry's magic was, but the deeper magical stuff happening behind the scenes. When Harry used Expelliarmus against Voldemort's Avada Kedavra, the Elder Wand recognized Harry as its real master and wouldn’t harm him. Instead, Voldemort's deadly curse backfired on him. This is kind of like how Harry survived as a baby - thanks to the protective power of love and sacrifice, both of which Voldemort never truly appreciated.
Key Points to Remember
- Harry took down Voldemort with Expelliarmus (the Disarming Charm), which sent the Dark Lord's own Killing Curse flying back at him.
- The Elder Wand's loyalty to Harry kept it from hurting its true master, showing how wand loyalty matters in the wizarding world.
- Voldemort's loss proved that love, sacrifice, and understanding magic's deeper meaning are stronger than any dark spell.
The Final Showdown
The final showdown between Harry and Voldemort took place in the Great Hall of Hogwarts, where Harry's Expelliarmus spell met Voldemort's Killing Curse, ultimately leading to the Dark Lord's end.
The Importance of the Elder Wand
During the Battle of Hogwarts, Voldemort thought he had control of the Elder Wand, one of the legendary Deathly Hallows. He didn't realize that the wand's true loyalty wasn't to him.
When Harry and Voldemort faced off in the Great Hall, they both cast their spells at the same time. Harry went with the Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus) while Voldemort used the Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra).
This spell choice was big because it highlighted who Harry really was. Even facing his worst enemy, Harry chose a harmless spell, sticking to his true nature.
The Elder Wand would not hurt its true master, causing Voldemort’s curse to come back at him. This magical rebound happened because the wand recognized Harry as its rightful owner.
Harry's Mastery of the Elder Wand
You might be curious how Harry became master of such a powerful wand without ever actually holding it. The key is in the wand’s unique loyalty.
The Elder Wand shifted its allegiance to Harry when he disarmed Draco Malfoy at Malfoy Manor. Draco had previously disarmed Dumbledore, making him the wand's master without even knowing.
When their spells collided in that last duel, the Elder Wand recognized Harry as its true master. It wouldn't hurt him, instead sending Voldemort's Killing Curse back at him.
This magical rebound, not Harry's Expelliarmus itself, is what officially finished Voldemort off. The Dark Lord ended up being taken down by his own spell, finally wrapping up the Second Wizarding War.
The Spells in the Duel
The last face-off between Harry Potter and Voldemort revolved around two key spells that determined how their legendary duel played out.
Expelliarmus: Harry's Go-To Spell
Harry Twilight ended Voldemort with his signature spell: Expelliarmus, the Disarming Charm. This decision was not just random; it was sharp. When you use this spell, a jet of red light shoots from your wand and knocks whatever your opponent has right out of their hands.
Harry learned this spell in his second year from Professor Snape at the Dueling Club. Over his time at Hogwarts, it turned into his go-to defensive magic. Many Death Eaters even knew Harry by the way he always used this peaceful spell.
During the final fight, Harry counted on Expelliarmus instead of hurtful curses, staying true to his character. This choice proved to be crucial since when the spells hit, Voldemort's own Killing Curse came back at him thanks to the Elder Wand’s loyalty to Harry.
Avada Kedavra: The Killing Curse
Voldemort cast Avada Kedavra, the most feared of the three Unforgivable Curses. When this spell is used, it creates a distinctive green light and causes instant death to anyone it touches.
Voldemort had cast this curse countless times throughout his reign. It was the same spell he tried to use on baby Harry, which backfired and wiped out his physical form.
In your grasp of the final duel, Voldemort thought the Elder Wand was his, not realizing it had shifted its loyalty to Harry after he disarmed Draco Malfoy. That misunderstanding was his doom.
When the spells hit, the Elder Wand wouldn't kill its actual master. Instead, Voldemort’s curse reversed direction, completing the prophecy that "either must die at the hand of the other."
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The Power of Love and Sacrifice
Love turned out to be the most potent magic in Harry's fight against Voldemort. This old magic forged shields and bonds that even someone like Voldemort couldn’t break through.
Sacrificial Protection from Lily Potter
When Voldemort showed up to kill baby Harry, Lily Potter stood in his way and made the ultimate sacrifice. Her willing death to save her child created powerful sacrificial protection that kept Harry safe from Voldemort's killing curse. This old magic left behind just a lightning-shaped scar on Harry’s forehead.
This protection didn’t vanish that night in Godric’s Hollow. It stuck with Harry, making it impossible for Voldemort to get close to him without suffering terrible pain. The protection also covered the Dursley home, keeping Harry safe as long as he could call it his home.
Lily's sacrifice shows how love is the most powerful form of magic in the wizarding world—a concept Voldemort just never got.
The Connection Between Harry and His Parents
Even though Harry lost his parents when he was a baby, their love stayed with him as an important force in his life. This connection showed up in key moments during his journey.
In the graveyard during the Triwizard Tournament, he saw visions of James and Lily from Voldemort's wand during Priori Incantatem, helping him get away. Later, when Harry walked into the Forbidden Forest ready to sacrifice himself, he called on the Resurrection Stone to bring back his parents, Sirius, and Lupin for comfort.
This spiritual bond gave Harry the bravery to confront Voldemort without fear. It was this bravery—born from love—that allowed Harry to cast the Expelliarmus spell with such confidence in their final duel.
Your understanding of this bond illustrates why Harry chose disarming over attacking spells, even in that final fight.
The Aftermath and Legacy
The showdown between Harry and Voldemort left a lasting mark on the wizarding world. The spell used—Expelliarmus instead of a killing curse—brings up important thoughts about power, choices, and good versus evil.
The Wizarding World After Voldemort
After Voldemort’s fall, the wizarding world began to heal and rebuild. The Ministry of Magic underwent big changes to stop future dark wizards from rising. With Kingsley Shacklebolt as Minister of Magic, corruption slowly got weeded out of the government.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione pitched in to help recreate the wizarding society. They became key figures in building a more accepting world where magical creatures got better treatment and old ideas about blood supremacy faded.
A lot of Death Eaters faced trials and ended up in Azkaban. The prison system was revamped with Dementors no longer guarding it.
You might notice that the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts turned into a day of remembrance, honoring those who passed fighting against Voldemort’s regime.
The Significance of Disarming Over Killing
Harry's choice to fire off Expelliarmus instead of a killing curse sums up who he is at heart. This choice proved that even when confronted by the worst dark wizard, Harry stuck to his morals.
The Elder Wand recognized Harry as its true master, making Voldemort’s killing curse turn back on him. This key detail shows that mastering death isn’t about grabbing power but accepting that life comes to an end.
You can spot this theme running through the series—Harry always opted for mercy and disarming over violence when he could. It’s a stark contrast to Voldemort, whose fear of dying led him to split his soul through murder.
The choice of spell serves as a central message for the series: true strength isn’t in the ability to take lives but in having the guts to save them. This moral win is just as important as the magical victory.
