With each new book in the series, we learn more about Harry Potter, the boy who lived. In those early years, close friends of the Potters share their stories with Harry. The introduction of Sirius Black in the third book takes the story a step further. Harry soon learns the details leading up to and immediately after the death of his parents. Still, it’s not until those later books that Dumbledore reveals the truth. He shares what drove Voldemort to destroy Harry and his parents.
We as readers follow along with Harry’s journey learning, as he does, what happened on that dark night. As I read through the beginning of The Sorcerer’s Stone, I realized that most of the Wizarding World is clueless. They don’t have the details we received. I wondered how much they really knew about Harry’s connection to Voldemort.
For the average wizard, what really happened 10 years ago?
What They Did Know
1. Voldemort is gone and Harry is the reason why
We know from the celebrations in the very first chapter that wizards knew Voldemort was gone. They also knew that Harry was the reason why.
It’s Vernon Dursley who first learns about Voldemort’s death after running into a wizard. He understood, though, little of what the wizard had to say. But, the celebration of wizards everywhere suggests they knew enough. With McGonagall and Dumbledore’s arrival, we learn more about the fate of the Potters. McGonagall remarks at Harry’s impending fame further proving the point. She even suggest a Harry Potter Day will soon exist.
A few short years later, and Hagrid introduces Harry to the Wizarding World. He brings Harry to the Leaky Cauldron on their way to Diagon Alley. Harry’s met with immediate recognition. Even Olivander connects the dots. We can assume that the average wizard was well aware of Harry’s connection to Voldemort’s death.
2. Harry goes to live with muggles
The average wizard must know that Harry lived with muggles. It isn’t discussed in those early chapters or when Harry encounters fellow students. Fred and George never ask where Harry has been all these years. Malfoy only encourages Harry to stay away from the Weasleys. There’s not much mention of him being in hiding, so it appears to be some type of open secret among wizards.
Dedalus had some interaction with Harry before, but he’s not your average wizard. We learn later on of his involvement with the Order of the Phoenix.
3. Harry has a lightning-shaped scar
The wizards in the Leaky Caldron may or may not see the scar. They recognize him by sight suggesting that his appearance wasn’t exactly kept a secret. Olivander too recognizes Harry with no reference to a scar from the author. Maybe rumors spread of Harry’s arrival to Diagon Alley? Harry’s bangs often covered his forehead hiding his famous scar.
Fred and George are the first to recognize Harry because of the scar. Word spreads from there. Ron asks to see it while Malfoy eventually comes looking for the great Harry Potter.
With all this in mind, how did they know what Harry looked like? Did those at the Leaky Cauldron guess because he was with Hagrid?
And, how did they know about the scar? We can assume that only McGonagall, Dumbledore, and Hagrid saw Harry after the attack. I don’t see Dumbledore parading him around to everyone. They alone would know about the scar. We could have another information leak from our beloved Hagrid. But, Harry does mention strange people greeting him in the streets. Perhaps those that saw him on rare occasions shared the info with rest of the community.
The average wizard couldn’t recognize Harry Potter at first but could piece it together given enough context.
What They Didn’t Know
1. Why Voldemort attacked the Potters
We as leaders learn about the prophecy. We know that it drove Voldemort to the Potters’ that fateful night. We also know that by doing so, Voldemort fulfilled the prophecy creating a connection between him and Harry. This information, though, is privy to us readers and members of the Order of the Phoenix. Harry, Hermione, and Ron alone know the more specific details.
So, what did the wizarding community think happened? With Voldemort killing so many people, they must assume the Potters were next on his list. They probably guessed at their connection to Dumbledore as well.
Still, why would Voldemort attack a child? I would have questions about that. Was that a common trend in his attacks? Was Harry the first or only the last child attacked? Since this is a children’s book, I don’t expect answers. If you’re considering the community’s perspective, though, these are tough questions to consider.
2. How Harry survived the killing curse
This is the biggest question among wizards. Harry survived a curse that no one in recorded history had survived. What did that mean? Professor Moody (or Barty Crouch, Jr. in disguise) reminds readers of this fact in The Goblet of Fire.
The average wizard guesses there’s something special about Harry Potter. He must be stronger than Voldemort to repel him even as a child. He may even be the most powerful wizard yet to live. When he starts speaking in parseltongue in The Prisoner of Azkaban, they’re quick to assume he’s the powerful heir to Slytherin. Harry continues to defy Voldemort in the following years confirming their assumption.
3. The full consequences behind Voldemort’s attempt and Harry’s survival
The Wizarding World knew Voldemort was gone and Harry had lived, but that was it. They never learned about horcruxes or the connection between Harry and Voldemort. This connection becomes an invaluable resource to Harry later on. Most of the Wizarding World will remain blind to these details.
4. If Voldemort is gone for good
From Hagrid’s retelling, we learn wizards have two main thoughts about Voldemort. Either he did die that night and will never return, or he went into hiding. Hagrid remains skeptical of Voldemort’s demise. This is insightful for Hagrid. He may have spent enough time with Dumbledore to have some doubts. He may also remember the young Tom Riddle and what he’s capable of. Regardless, I’m impressed.
A majority of wizards believe Voldemort is long gone. While we read Voldemort’s name in those early pages, it’s often in reference to the death of Harry’s parents. They have little fear that he’ll return. In The Chamber of Secrets, Lucius gives away a valuable piece of Voldemort’s property suggesting that even his followers doubt his return.
When Voldemort reappears in The Goblet of Fire, Fudge launches an all-out attack against the truth. He refuses to acknowledge Voldemort’s existence. He spends the summer sowing doubt into the community. Most wizards follow Fudge because it’s better than the thought of Voldemort’s return.
Dumbledore, of course, knew of this possibility and prepared for it. Voldemort’s most loyal followers maintained hope as well. They even tortured the Longbottoms to find Voldemort. There was little these death eaters could do, though, locked up in Azkaban.
It’s no surprise, then, that Harry’s arrival into the Wizarding World comes with awe, concern, and a few questions. Despite his celebrity status, people still want answers to the events 10 years ago.
In the early books, Voldemort is a very unhappy memory. His return, though, prompts wizards to ask questions. Cedric’s dad, Fudge, and Crouch prefer to blame Harry and his poor reputation. While we readers are privy to the secrets of Harry’s life, many wizards can only guess at the events of that night and the role they play in the years to follow.
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