The spell that ultimately killed Lord Voldemort at the end of the Harry Potter series was Expelliarmus, cast by Harry Potter himself. This may seem like an anticlimactic ending for such a powerful dark wizard, but Expelliarmus proved to be Voldemort’s undoing for several important reasons.
Why Expelliarmus?
Harry chose to use Expelliarmus against Voldemort for a few key reasons:
- It was the same spell Harry had used against Voldemort when their wands connected due to their shared cores back in the graveyard during the Triwizard Tournament. This created the effect of Priori Incantatem, allowing Harry to escape.
- Harry knew that Voldemort considered Expelliarmus a weak and foolish spell, so he wouldn’t expect Harry to use it against him in their final duel.
- By using Expelliarmus, Harry hoped to protect the Elder Wand’s allegiance so Voldemort couldn’t wield the Wand’s full power against him.
Harry’s hunch paid off – Voldemort was caught off guard when Harry used Expelliarmus, and the Elder Wand refused to fully harm its true master, backfiring on Voldemort and killing him.
The Significance of Expelliarmus
While Expelliarmus is a rather basic disarming charm taught to young Hogwarts students, its significance grew throughout the series as Harry’s signature spell and a symbol of his character:
Harry’s Signature Spell
Harry favorited and mastered Expelliarmus above more dangerous attack spells. This highlights his constant reluctance to inflict harm, only using magic to protect himself and disarm opponents rather than kill.
Harry’s Mastery
Harry used Expelliarmus to great effect against skilled adult wizards, even Voldemort himself, demonstrating his exemplary skills with the charm.
Contrast to Voldemort
Voldemort frequently underestimated Expelliarmus due to his arrogance and thirst for dangerous, destructive magic. Harry’s use of the charm emphasized his differences from Voldemort in temperament and values.
Protection Over Attack
Harry’s use of Expelliarmus reflected his commitment to disarm and contain dark forces, rather than destroy. This upheld his characterization as the reluctant hero who wants to stop violence, not propagate it.
The Duel in the Great Hall
In their final confrontation at Hogwarts, Harry and Voldemort dueled in the Great Hall, where Voldemort’s Killing Curse rebounded on him when met with Harry’s Expelliarmus. Some key details:
Wand Allegiance
Since Harry had successfully won the Elder Wand’s allegiance from Draco Malfoy earlier in the battle, the Elder Wand refused to kill its true master. This caused the Killing Curse to rebound onto Voldemort.
Sacrificial Protection
When Voldemort used Harry’s blood to regenerate his body, this extended Lily’s sacrificial protection over Harry to Voldemort’s body too. So Voldemort’s own Avada Kedavra curse killed him.
Horcruxes Destroyed
All of Voldemort’s Horcruxes had been systematically destroyed by Harry and his allies. With the Horcruxes gone, Voldemort was mortal and could finally be killed.
Voldemort’s Arrogance
Voldemort likely cast his curse in full confidence that the Elder Wand would obey him, not realizing Harry had won its allegiance. His arrogance was his downfall.
Why Expelliarmus Was the Perfect Choice
While Harry certainly could have used another spell or even physical combat to defeat Voldemort, his decision to disarm with Expelliarmus proved meaningful and poetic. Here’s why it was the perfect choice:
Showed Harry’s Character
Using Expelliarmus stayed true to Harry’s aversion to unnecessary violence and dark magic.
Established Wand Allegiance
Choosing the same spell that had connected their wands before allowed Harry to protect the Elder Wand’s allegiance.
Subverted Expectations
Defeating the darkest wizard of all time with a simple disarming charm no one saw coming made a strong statement.
Contrasted the Heroes and Villains
Harry’s Expelliarmus versus Voldemort’s Killing Curse visually highlighted the contrast between them.
Leveraged Voldemort’s Weaknesses
It played off Voldemort’s hubris and underestimation of supposedly “weak” magic against him.
Protected the Students
Using a non-lethal spell helped ensure the surrounding students wouldn’t get hurt.
The Symbolic Meaning
Beyond just being Harry’s signature spell, Expelliarmus taking down Voldemort held symbolic meaning as well:
Good Triumphs Over Evil
Despite Voldemort’s powerful dark magic, he was defeated by very simple, non-violent defensive magic representing good.
Love Over Hate
Harry’s use of the spell reflected his capacity to love and resolve conflicts without violence, contrasted to Voldemort’s hatred.
Underestimation of the Weak
Expelliarmus showed that powers perceived as “weaker” can still overcome dangerous magic when applied wisely.
The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword
Wits, skill, and cleverness can outdo brute force. Harry beat Voldemort through shrewd strategy, not dueling power.
Morality Over Ambition
Harry’s restraint and morality prevailed over Voldemort’s unbridled power hunger and lack of conscience.
How the Books Foreshadowed Expelliarmus as the Final Spell
J.K. Rowling subtly planted clues throughout the series hinting that Expelliarmus would be the spell to topple Voldemort:
Harry’s Consistent Use of Expelliarmus
Harry used Expelliarmus constantly against Voldemort and his Death Eaters throughout the books, even in intense, dangerous situations.
The Priori Incantatem Effect
When Harry and Voldemort’s wands connected in Goblet of Fire, the reverse spell effect highlighted Expelliarmus as a potent weapon against Voldemort.
Disarming Draco to Win the Elder Wand
By disarming Draco with Expelliarmus, Harry became the Elder Wand’s master without realizing it, sealing Voldemort’s fate.
Snape’s Lessons on Spell Origins
Snape’s lectures about spell creation foreshadowed Expelliarmus being pivotal – it draws power from the wizard’s strengths and core character.
Voldemort’s Underestimation
Voldemort consistently underestimated ancient magic and powers he considered weaker throughout the series, including Expelliarmus.
The Effect of Voldemort’s Death
Voldemort’s death at the hands of Expelliarmus had profound effects on the wizarding world:
End of the Second Wizarding War
Voldemort’s death marked the end of the Second Wizarding War and ended his authoritarian control of the Ministry of Magic.
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Death Eater controlled government | Peaceful society |
| Muggle persecution | Muggle protection laws |
| Dark magic usage | Defensive magic focus |
Harry’s Legend and Influence
Harry became a living legend for vanquishing Voldemort, with his strength of character influencing the new post-war generation.
Reign of the Malfoys Ended
With Voldemort gone, the Malfoy family lost its power and prestige. Lucius was imprisoned while Draco reformed his views.
Snape’s Reputation Restored
Harry shared Snape’s memories, revealing his secret allegiance to Dumbledore and restoration as a heroic figure.
Death Eater Imprisonments
Many surviving Death Eaters were rounded up and imprisoned in Azkaban following Voldemort’s downfall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common reader questions about the spell that killed Voldemort:
Could another spell have killed Voldemort?
Yes, other spells may have been able to kill Voldemort, but Expelliarmus worked perfectly given the circumstances.
Why didn’t Avada Kedavra work on Harry?
Lily’s sacrificial protection imbued in Harry’s blood plus the Elder Wand’s allegiance to Harry caused the Killing Curse to backfire.
Did Voldemort’s Horcruxes make him immortal?
The Horcruxes rendered Voldemort impossible to kill unless they were destroyed first, which Harry and friends accomplished.
Could Harry have killed Voldemort with the Elder Wand?
Yes, but he chose not to. Harry deliberately used Expelliarmus to defeat Voldemort without murder.
Why didn’t Voldemort realize Harry was the Elder Wand’s master?
Voldemort’s arrogance made him assume he knew all the Wand’s secrets. He underestimated Harry until the end.
Conclusion
While Expelliarmus is ostensibly a simple disarming charm, Harry Potter turned it into his signature spell and used it masterfully against Voldemort when no other magic could. Its defeat of the darkest wizard of all time despite his powerful dark magic made Expelliarmus a surprising and poetic ending to the series that highlighted the power of love, morality, and character over hate, violence, and arrogance.