Lily Potter ’s sacrifice was what save babyHarry Potterfrom being kill by Lord Voldemort , but why did n’t James Potter ’s forfeiture save her and Harry ? Back in 1997 , J.K. Rowling introduced lector to the Wizarding World in her unveiling novelHarry Potter and the Philosopher ’s Stone , the first entering in a serial of seven Christian Bible that followed the story of “ The Boy Who Lived ” and his battle against Lord Voldemort , the darkest sorcerer of all . Voldemort had dangerous plans for the Muggle and Wizarding Worlds , as well as a personal blood feud against Harry Potter .

Voldemort wanted to be the most powerful wizard and also an immortal one , but due to his grievous idea and plan , many wizards tried to stop him , with most of them have tragical last . Due to a prophecy that spoke of a boy who would stop him , Voldemort set out to kill Harry Potter when he was a baby , but this did n’t go as planned for him . Voldemort killed Harry ’s parents , butthe Killing Curserebounded when cast on Harry and kill Voldemort ’s physical structure , and it take him many years to get his body and full superpower back . Harry Potter famously last Voldemort ’s plan of attack due to his female parent ’s sacrifice , which raise the question of why James Potter ’s end did n’t save up Lily and Harry , and it ’s all because it was n’t the case of ritual killing needed for the protective cover appeal .

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Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley looking at a crystal ball in Harry Potter.

How Sacrificial Protection Works In The Wizarding World

Sacrificial protection is an ancient , powerful , and long - lasting charm in theHarry Potteruniverse that happens when one person sacrifices their own like volitionally and out of pure dearest to save the life of one or more people – as such , it ’s regard by many as “ the ultimate protection ” . This is exactly what Lily Potter did when Lord Voldemort get at Godric ’s Hollow withthe design of killing baby Harry Potter . Voldemort first toss off James Potter , and when he baffle to Lily and Harry , he gave Lily the chance to mistreat aside as he promised Severus Snape he would n’t shoot down her unless she got in his room , which she did . Lily ’s witting refusal and willingness to break down to protect her Word made mode for sacrificial protection , and so Voldemort could n’t kill Harry Potter , give him only with a lightning - shaped scar on his frontal bone .

Now , this has made the consultation interrogation why James Potter ’s expiry did n’t protect his kin , and the answer is bare : he was determined to fight Voldemort , know well that he could be kill , and the Dark Lord never asked him to step apart . Although James Potter definitely sacrificed his sprightliness trying to keep his kinsfolk safe , the key here is that he was n’t given a selection to live , unlike what happen with Lily , and have the choice to be but the victim consciously and willingly choosing destruction is what makes sacrificial protective cover chance .

How Lily’s Sacrifice Continued To Protect Harry Potter

Lily ’s sacrifice not only saved Harry Potter on that tragic dark , but it continue to protect him for many , many geezerhood . After the forfeit , the protection lived on in the donee ’s veins , and in Harry ’s case , it continued to protect him even when his blood was used to bestow Voldemort back . This ended up unintentionally tethering Harry Potter to life , allow the young maven tosurvive being hit by the Killing Curse a 2nd time , as regard inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows . Because of all this , it ’s mentioned many clip throughout theHarry Potterbooks and picture show that Lily ’s forfeit made path for the most powerful conjuration there could be , so much so that it continue to protectHarry Potterhis whole spirit .

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