As pointed out above, there's a real life history of people hating what they are. Voldemort probably figures: "If I get enough power, it won't matter what my blood is."
And it worked. Voldemort was clever and persuasive enough to get pureblooded and powerful people from families like the Malfoys and the Blacks. So the guy knows his shit.
He was also able to keep himself alive for ten years without a human body. Then another three years drifting. Even before they realised he was back, the Death Eaters were frightened enough of Voldemort to apparate to the graveyard.
If you really think about it, Voldemort has only been defeated by Harry twice: Halloween, 1981 and in the Graveyard. The second time wasn't so much a "defeat" as Harry got away.
Philosopher's Stone: I chalk this up to Quirrell's mistake. Voldemort was *not* in control of what Quirrell did and there was also the matter of the ancient magic. Chamber of Secrets: Tom Riddle ISN'T Voldemort, despite claims. Tom Riddle is a sixteen-year-old boy with the skills of a sixteen-year-old. Prisoner of Azkaban: Not present Goblet of Fire: Priori Incantato is to blame. Order of the Phoenix: Dumbledore intervened
As far as I'm concerned, Harry Potter is only alive because of dumb luck. I don't think we've really gotten to see Voldemort really pull out all the stops.
Even if he's not that strong of a wizard, Voldemort's strength isn't that. It's gathering and swaying followers. He's got a dozen Death Eaters we know of who are willing to DIE for him and his cause. To me, that shows a lot of power.
From what I can see, Voldemort's main problem is his overconfidence. He always figures he can take out Harry because he is older and more experience. But because of the prophecy, he's always going to fail.
Lucius Malfoy is great, but he's never going to be as powerful as Voldemort unless he's willing to lose the respectable public face. Maybe now that he's spent some time in Azkaban he'll have the stones.
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As pointed out above, there's a real life history of people hating what they are. Voldemort probably figures: "If I get enough power, it won't matter what my blood is."
And it worked. Voldemort was clever and persuasive enough to get pureblooded and powerful people from families like the Malfoys and the Blacks. So the guy knows his shit.
He was also able to keep himself alive for ten years without a human body. Then another three years drifting. Even before they realised he was back, the Death Eaters were frightened enough of Voldemort to apparate to the graveyard.
If you really think about it, Voldemort has only been defeated by Harry twice: Halloween, 1981 and in the Graveyard. The second time wasn't so much a "defeat" as Harry got away.
Philosopher's Stone: I chalk this up to Quirrell's mistake. Voldemort was *not* in control of what Quirrell did and there was also the matter of the ancient magic.
Chamber of Secrets: Tom Riddle ISN'T Voldemort, despite claims. Tom Riddle is a sixteen-year-old boy with the skills of a sixteen-year-old.
Prisoner of Azkaban: Not present
Goblet of Fire: Priori Incantato is to blame.
Order of the Phoenix: Dumbledore intervened
As far as I'm concerned, Harry Potter is only alive because of dumb luck. I don't think we've really gotten to see Voldemort really pull out all the stops.
Even if he's not that strong of a wizard, Voldemort's strength isn't that. It's gathering and swaying followers. He's got a dozen Death Eaters we know of who are willing to DIE for him and his cause. To me, that shows a lot of power.
From what I can see, Voldemort's main problem is his overconfidence. He always figures he can take out Harry because he is older and more experience. But because of the prophecy, he's always going to fail.
Lucius Malfoy is great, but he's never going to be as powerful as Voldemort unless he's willing to lose the respectable public face. Maybe now that he's spent some time in Azkaban he'll have the stones.