Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Chapter 36 Quotes

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Chapter 36 Quotes

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Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Lord Voldemort

Quote 4

"Is it love again?" said Voldemort, his snake's face jeering. "Dumbledore's favorite solution, love, which he claimed conquered death, though love did not stop him falling from the tower and breaking like an old waxwork? Love, which did not prevent me from stamping out your Mudblood mother like a cockroach, Potter – and nobody seems to love you enough to run forward this time and take my curse. So what will stop you from dying now when I strike?" (36.102)

After all these years, Voldemort still hasn't learned his lesson – love does matter, and it is a kind of power he'll never be able to master. Love as a motivation is what has undone him; we've seen it in everyone who's betrayed the Dark Lord, like Snape and Narcissa; people can't help but love, and it's the most powerful force in the world.

Harry Potter

Quote 5

"So it all comes down to this, doesn't it?" whispered Harry. "Does the wand in your hand know its last master was Disarmed? Because if it does… I am the true master of the Elder Wand."

A red-gold glow burst suddenly across the enchanted sky above them as an edge of dazzling sun appeared over the sill of the nearest window. The light hit both of their faces at the same time, so that Voldemort's was suddenly a flaming blur. Harry heard the high voice shriek as he too yelled his best hope to the heavens, pointing Draco's wand:

"Avada Kedavra!" "Expelliarmus!" (36.118-121)

Harry stays true to himself all the way to the end – he recognizes his own identity as the master of the Hallows, and pulls out his signature spell to prove it. Voldemort's own actions are classic Voldy; he thinks he can just blast Harry away and solve all his problems, but this single-minded attitude fails him here. (Hasn't he yet learned he can't use that spell on Harry, by the way? Sheesh.)

"I'm putting the Elder Wand," he told Dumbledore, who was watching him with enormous affection and admiration, "back where it came from. It can stay there. If I die a natural death like Ignotus, its power will be broken, won't it? The previous master will never have to be defeated. That'll be the end of it.

Dumbledore nodded. They smiled at each other.

"Are you sure?" said Ron. There was the faintest trace of longing in his voice as he looked at the Elder Wand.

"I think Harry's right," said Hermione quietly.

"That wand's more trouble than it's worth," said Harry. "And quite honestly… I've had enough trouble for a lifetime." (36.147-150)

Harry shows true power of a sort here – the ability to say "no" to having too much power, if that makes sense. His decision to break the pattern of the Elder Wand and to lay it to rest again in Dumbledore's tomb proves his worthiness in ever possessing the Hallows; he knew when to use them, and when to stop.