Maybe I'm not advancing anything new here, but I really don't believe Harry will actually kill Lord Voldemort. There are several reasons why, but the primary reason has mainly to do with things we learn in the Half Blood Prince.

We find out from Slughorn, that murder tears the soul. Of course we find out that Voldemort planned on tearing his soul into 7 pieces.

Dumbledore also says something to Harry during one of their lessons stressing the value of Harry's pure, untarnished, whole, soul.

I also want to stress how that theme is accentuated in The Prizoner of Azkaban when Harry stops Sirius and Lupin from killing Peter Pettigrew.

Keep in mind the prophecy. It doesn't say anything about either one of them killing each other either. It just says that neither can live while the other does (or whatever).

Of course Harry will destroy the horcruxes (with the help of Ron and Hermione or whomever) and directly confront Voldemort, but I can't imagine Harry avada kedavring Voldemort in the last chapter of the book. I suspect Snape or Pettigrew will actually murder Voldemort.

Yeah that's true and agree with your reasoning but i think Harry will kill Voldemort or at least make him realize as Dumbledore said 'there are worse things than death'. I don't believe Harry will use the avada kedavara on Voldeort but think he has the ability to kill Voldemort once and for all. Whether it is by the Veil, a huge elephant falling on his head or what i think Harry can and probably will do it. I dont see pettigrew doing it but posssibly Snape and I like that theory. In the end though I really think Harry will be the one to finish the Dark Lord because he said he wanted to and Dumbledore never told him that was wrong.

Plus didn't the prophecy say that one had to die at the hands of the other or something?

The prophecy just says something like that they couldn't both live while the other is alive. It doesn't say anything about either one killing the other. You must also remember what Dumbledore said about Voldemort putting too much into the prophecy. It's all about choices according to Voldemort. Again I agree that Harry has all the resolve in the world to kill old Voldemort, I"m just saying that I thnk someone else will do it. But I mean if Harry defends himself and that leads to Voldemort's death, I guess his soul could stay whole that way too. Either way, the book is going to be amazing.

I've thought about this theory for a while, but I have come to the conclusion that either Harry will kill Voldy or Voldy will kill Harry. Before, I thought it likely because DD says there are things much worse than death (and that is a main theme repeated a bizzilion times in the series) and that Harry would "defeat" Voldy. The prophecy, however, makes that very hard to occur, though, as referenced above me.

"But he will have power the Dark Lord knows not
And either must die at the hand of the other
For neither can live while the other survives"

That makes me feel that if Harry isn't going to kill Voldy, Voldy will definitely find a way to kill Harry. It is a very good theory, though.

Thoughts?

CRW

i don't think harry will because he isn't the murdering type. i think that he will convince voldy into something and voldy will kill himself.

That's a good idea and all, but I don't understand it 100%. I mean, let's put this in perspective: even though Harry is a really talented wizard and all of that good stuff, he is limited in his knowledge, after all. Voldemort is much cleverer, and he can preform legitimance and is the most accomplished.... I don't think Harry has much of a chance of fooling him into anything.

It is a good idea, though; I just don't see how.

Thoughts?

CRW

I think they are saying that Voldemort will be redeemed in some way. NEVER! There is nothing to redeem, he has always been pure evil, he won't kill himself or anything. Someone will get him, Dumbledore said that every tyrant fears someone rising out of the opressesed and challenging them. Voldy'll get it, and it might possibly be one of the most satisfying things ever.

The prophecy says
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."
(OP, pg. 841).
If so facto Harry will kill LV but i do not believe that his soul will be split bcus hes not killing in cold blood hes killing for love. To save all of those that he loves.

Let's examine the meaning of two words that define the prophecy:
Vanish-to conquer or subdue by superior force, as in battle. Also to overcome or over power.
Survives- to remain alive or in existence.

I believe that Harry will not "kill" LV. Harry is the one with the power to vanquish LV which means that he can overpower conquer or subdue him with the superior force of love. Harry will not kill LV but his LOVE will.

Perhaps there isn't the soul splitting issue with Harry killing LV, perhaps it's in pure self defense? I mean Harry inadvertantly killed Professor Quirrell didn't he? Perhaps the line is drawn at cold blooded murder, but I think about Dumbledore saying that Voldemort sets store by the prohecy. He also said that Harry didn't have to do anything. I would like to think that Harry can get away without killing anyone, but realistically LV won't really give him that much of a choice does he?

Ur right harry doesnt have to do nything but n hbp i believe it is when dumbledore is talking to harry its pretty much said that harry wont stop until lv is stopped n i think the only way to stop him is to kill him wat else would make him stop, really?

Hold your ponies people!

If Harry kills Voldy, Harry will not have created a horcrux! Killing ripps the soul; it doesn't make horcruxes. You have to have a dark art charm to actually incase the torn portion! So no, Harry will not create horcruxes, even if and when he kills Voldy. The entire thing is that his soul is untarnished and whole!

As for this post:

Let's examine the meaning of two words that define the prophecy:
Vanish-to conquer or subdue by superior force, as in battle. Also to overcome or over power.
Survives- to remain alive or in existence.

I believe that Harry will not "kill" LV. Harry is the one with the power to vanquish LV which means that he can overpower conquer or subdue him with the superior force of love. Harry will not kill LV but his LOVE will.

Nonon! The word "vanquish" is also put together with

"And either must die at the hand of the other"

in the prophecy! Someone has to die here, so that means that vanquish has to mean death...... it's a clever thought and all, but saying Harry won't kill Voldy or viseversa simply isn't right according to the prophecy.

Does anyone get what I am saying!?! Thoughts?

CRW

I think that it is extremely complicated to figure out what will happen. I don't think that vanquish means kill, but at the same time they can not both live. The part of this that I have the hardest time figuring out is if Harry is to come out triumphant and VD dead, then Harry would have to kill him. But, how could harry do this? Do you guys really thing that Harry is capable to murder? From what we know about the killing curse you really have to enjoy killing to use it, so would Harry really be able to use the spell? I definitly think that Harry being able to love is going to come into play. In OotP when DD tells VD that there are things worse than death, I think that was a prediction. Thought?

The Avada Kedavra curse isn't the only way to die and I just don't see Harry doing it that way. Im' sure in the magic world there are plenty of ways to kill someone, we'll certainly find out though, it's very exciting.

In all fairness, it isn't the only way to kill, but I don't think that is the point. Harry will kill Voldy somehow or viseversa. Avada Kedabra seems the most obvious because it is the killing curse and everything, but if it was another way it would still mean that Harry was killing him. The only alternate solution would be for Voldy to kill himself somehow or Harry to. No one else can do it because of the prophecy.....

It is a very interesting idea! I cannot wait till' book 7! Ahh!
Thoughts?

CRW

from what i've read, im convinced that harry IS going to be the one. he might not use avada kedavra, but their are "other ways of destroying a man" as DD says in OOTP. so he could destroy all the horcruxes..then perhaps even use godrics sword to destroy him, as his wand wouldnt work because his and voldemorts are "brothers". or i could be completely wrong

classicalravenclawwriter thank you for saying that someone had to die i thought i made that clear when i copy n pasted the prophecy strait from the book right up there but for some reason people want to believe that harry will never kill. people its gna happen n the battle will be spectacular and unlike one uv read about so far. you are going to see the two most powerful wizards ever (i really think lv is extremely powerful n hp will become an equal to him n a duel) and i dont think they will use wands to do magic.

I don't think anybody ever said that someone WASN'T going to die (voldy), but it's the method. Voldemort HAS to go, there is no reforming him, there is no question he will die, the method is what we are discussing. I'm just saying i wouldn't be surprised if Harry doesn't "pull the trigger" even though essentially by destroying the remaing horcruxes, Voldemort would essentially be dying at Harry's hand (Before the destruction of Voldemort's body, Harry would've been directly responsibe for the destruction of 5/7 of Voldemort's soul). Again The prophecy is just made up of words, Harry doesn't HAVE to do anything. Again, I wouldn't be surprised if Harry pushes Voldemort in the veil or they die simultaneously or whatever, but I just have a nagging suspicion that perhaps Harry won't have to kill and for Voldemort to die. But what do I know? I haven't read the book yet and due to unfortunate circumstances I won't actually be able to read it until July 26- Needless to say I won't even go near a computer for fear of finding out what has happened.

I just wanted to second what sfingers07 was saying.. At least, I wasn't trying to imply that no one was going to die. I do believe he VD will die and Harry will be involved, I just don't think that he will use the avada kedavara. I didn't think about Godric's sword though or the veil...but good thoughts since we know that VD and HP can't use their wands against each other. What other ways are there to VD to die? Anyone?

harry will. harry isn't a dark wizard, but nearly everyone in the wizarding world hates Voldemort and wouldn't hate it if he died. The Order would if they got the chance. I think what Albus meant by stressing that it is important to keep a whole soul is that he didn't want harry to start liking killing...Not that harry evr would. Also when they are in the weasley's broomshed, harry says something like if he dies he'll take as many death eaters as possible and possibly even voldemort and albus says that he spoke just like a son of lily and james and godson of sirius and that he'd take his hat off to him and blah blah blah...you know how it goes.

If Ollivander is working for Voldemort like expected then I don't think the wands will be a problem. I could easily see maybe a Dementor giving Voldemort the Kiss and kind of illustrating to Voldemort that there are worse things then death because he'd still be alive but would have no soul, or I could also see Voldemort dying from Sectumsempra, if Snape didn't arrive when he did I don't doubt that Draco would die

umm ok lemme make this clear...just because avada kadavra is the only spell that was specificaly created to cause death...that does not by any circumstances mean that it is the only method of killing someone...perhaps he uses a levitating charm and levitates a spike through voldemorts brain or something i dunno...point is even if he doesnt use avada kadavra doesnt mean he wont kill him <not to mention that when professor mcgonagal was hit by 4 (or was it 5?) stunning charms,madam pmfrey wasnt sure that she would live...so if 5 does that to an older (yet still vital and strong) person...then what of 10,20,even thirty stunners to a younger even more powerful person?im sure at the very least,there would be perminant damage.>


and besides its not like harry hasnt performed unforgivable curses before right...crucio a couple times and attemp avada kadavra on snape if i remember correctly...dont think at the last second harry would wimp out or anything

and also i believe that the only time your soul is torn is when you kill,simply to kill...and also if you kill someone who doesnt deserve it <either or i suppose>...harry killing voldemort is beyond a good thing,and i dont think that it will tear his soul...or if the other half of my theory is right then it still means that harry wouldnt have his soul torn because voldemort definatly is not innocent,he definatly deserves it,and the world will be a better place without him


but i do agree that the prophecy is worded a bit...funny,too me it sounds like niether should even be alive right now seeing as they are both alive <in other words,either ARE living while BOTH survive>

and other ppl make a good point...ive heared it theorized that the prophecy doesnt necisarily means that they will kill eachother,simply that niether will truely experience life until the other is dead

I understand you with that. If murdering tears the soul in two, then that means that if Harry killed Voldemort, then his soul would be torn into two. If people had murdered others before then how come they don't have horcruxes either?

Yay! I've been looking for this topic! It is true! How can Harry kill Voldemort when he can't do a full torturing curse on?... no wait, I should not spoil this... on Big Bad. You should get my drift. How could he??! He is too (not saying this as a bad thing)LOVING! I think one of Voldemort's Death Eaters will kill him (perferebly Wormtail or Snape).

I must completely agree, I cant see Harry killing anyone, and thats the part that worries me into think Harry MIGHT die.

But I also agree I lean moer toward Snape or Pettigrew or someone who isnt the trio, but has had contact with Voldemort to kill him.

I don't think Harry will use the Killing Curse. I just don't see it in Harry's character to kill someone. I believe Snape will kill LV or if Harry does kill LV, it won't be by the killing curse. Harry will use the Sectumsempra.

We know one thing for sure " the power the dark lord doesnt know about" is Harry ability to love and you know what? I watched Spiderman 3 and a weird idea came to my mind..what if Harry simply forgived voldemort and that will tear him apart from inside and kill him cause no one ever felt pitty for him

I hope it wont end this way but what if?

a whole bunch of you guys are getting confused between murdering and killing. your soul only splits if you murder. killing is would be in a fair fight. muder is when you kill someone in cold blood or some one who is helpless. killing LV would not be murder so his soul would not split.

These are very good points. I'm also sure that Harry will die, in the seventh book(well Ithink he should), and that's why I think that someone else kills Voldemort, because Harry died, I mean who else is there

There have been a few theories of why Harry dies in the seventh book, like a few people believe he's a horcrux, which i thin kwould make sence because he'd have to sacrifce himself for the horcrux to be destroyed, which would leave Ron, Hermione, or someone else to kill Voldemort

In a different but somewhat same topic, I don't think Snape would kill Lord Voldemort, I mena why would he. I don't think that Pettigrew would kill him either, but I do think that Pettigrew debt to Harry will play a very important part in the seventh book

I don't think will kill Voldemort or anyone else for the matter of fact. Harry couldn't even use the Cruciatus Curse properly. And he had the chance twice. You would think that all the hatred that rose in him when Snape killed Dumbledore would allow him to use it on Snape. And if he can't use the Cruciatus Curse, how man he use Avada Kedavra. And I think that Harry using Avada Kedavra will be a horrible way for him to finish Voldemort. I would be very disappointed.

I don't think anyone else can kill Voldemort. I don't think Dumbledore couldn't have either. The prophecy said that the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the 7th month ends. So no one but Harry has the power to kill LV.

I don't think that Harry will be able to kill LV for many reasons, some mentioned and some not:

• Harry did not have enough hate or desire to see Bellatrix tortured even immediately after she "killed" Sirius. You'd think if he would be able to do it, it would have been then, before he had a chance to calm down.
• Snape told Harry "No unforgivable curses for you Potter," as he ran from Hogwarts at the end of HBP.
• Harry went through a lot to keep Sirius and Lupin from becoming murderers when he saved Wormtail.
• The recurrent theme that "There are things worse than death." Even LV said that he would have preferred his mortal self to the "Vapormort" form that he was trapped in for 13 years.

I agree with huskerfan9287 who suggested that Dementors may have something to do with the end.

• Dementors, as we are told, are blind. They don't care who they go after as long as they get what they want.
• Harry has been producing a powerful patronus since his third year.
• It is unlikely that LV has a truly "happy" memory strong enough to hold a patronus against a major dementor attack.
• Harry is full of Love, and Loving memories which make his patronus strong. A power that the dark lord knows not.

I think that Harry, Ron and Hermione will destroy all of the horcruxes, and that LV will call the dementors to go after Harry but they will wind up getting him instead.

That is a good point. Patronuses you would think would be very difficult for LV to perform. I bet he has some pretty happy memories from Hogwarts that may work for him though. I'm also not so sure a dementor would go after him. I mean like we all know they're blind so would they really go after someone where they could only feel a seventh of a soul? Would they even be able to feel that? There is so little soul left I just don't know what they would suck out of him. I still like the theory though if that is overlooked