The Elder Wand Mystery: Unraveling the Truth Behind Voldemort and Dumbledore's Fears

Introduction

The Elder Wand, one of the three Deathly Hallows in the Harry Potter series, has been a central element in the plot, driving many of the conflicts and mysterious events. However, despite the significance of the wand, questions persist, especially regarding the motivations and fears of the characters. This article delves into a particular misconception--Voldemort and Dumbledore's fear of Snape, and the truth about the Elder Wand's allegiance.

Why Were Voldemort and Dumbledore Afraid of Snape?

The misunderstanding regarding the Elder Wand's allegiance has led to a common misconception that Voldemort and Dumbledore had concerns about Snape. However, a close examination of the Harry Potter series reveals that these fears were unfounded.

Ownership and Allegiance

Contrary to popular belief, Snape never had the Elder Wand. The wand was originally crafted by Gregorovich the wandmaker for Gellert Grindelwald, who later stole it from him. After Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald, he indeed took possession of the wand. Dr. Rowling herself explains that Dumbledore had the Elder Wand after a successful duel with Grindelwald.

Bruce McLaren, a prominent Harry Potter critic, points out that the wand's allegiance shifted throughout the series. It first passed to Draco Malfoy when he disarmed Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. However, this allegiance was short-lived, as Draco himself was disarmed by Harry Potter in Malfoy Manor, rendering Draco's brief mastery invalid. From this point onward, the wand, by its own logic, aligned with Harry Potter.

The Killing Curse and the Tragedy of Snape

Another point of confusion is the idea that Snape killed Dumbledore with the Killing Curse, thus making him the master of the Elder Wand. Unfortunately, Snape did kill Dumbledore, but the circumstances were far more complicated:

The Timing: Despite using the Killing Curse, the wand's allegiance does not automatically change hands with the kill. According to the wand's rule, a person can obtain its allegiance only if they force their opponent to drop the wand, as Draco did in the case of Dumbledore. Draco's Mastery: Since Draco was the last person to disarm Dumbledore, the Elder Wand's allegiance remained with Draco. When Snape killed Dumbledore with the Killing Curse, it did not make Snape the master of the wand, as the wand's logic is based on relinquishment of the wand.

In reality, the wand was finally weaponized by Voldemort, who also stole it from Dumbledore's tomb after the wand maker Gregorovich. Consequently, Voldemort became the true master of the Elder Wand, at least according to the wizarding logic that governed the wand's allegiance up to that point.

Conclusion

The Elder Wand mystery is a significant aspect of the Harry Potter series, and a clear understanding of its workings can help dispel misconceptions regarding the fears and actions of Dumbledore, Voldemort, and Snape. Therefore, reading the original works, as Rowling encourages, is essential for a truly enriched understanding of the narrative and its subtexts.

References

Bruce McLaren. 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'. Bloomsbury, 2002.