Why Didn't Voldemort Become the Rightful Owner of the Elder Wand?

In the magical world of Harry Potter, the Elder Wand, also known as the Deathstick, holds a significant place due to its unbeatable and fickle nature. Ownership is transferred to whoever defeats the current owner, but the wand's true allegiance is determined by the circumstances of the defeat. This intricate system often leads to paradoxes, especially in the case of Voldemort. Here, we delve into why Voldemort failed to become the rightful owner of the Elder Wand when he believed he had killed Harry Potter.

Wand Allegiance

The Elder Wand’s allegiance does not simply transfer upon killing its previous owner. Instead, it recognizes the true master based on the circumstances of their defeat. In Harry Potter, this concept is illustrated through the character of Voldemort and Harry Potter. Voldemort had a firm belief that he controlled the Elder Wand after defeating Draco Malfoy, who disarmed Albus Dumbledore, but the wand's allegiance remained with Harry despite Voldemort's victory.

To understand this, we must differentiate between the concept of mastering a wand and killing a previous owner. Voldemort's victory over Draco Malfoy did not automatically make him the master of the Elder Wand. The wand's allegiance was not solely determined by the act of defeating its owner but by the circumstances surrounding that defeat.

Mastery of the Wand

The Elder Wand's previous master, Draco Malfoy, had disarmed Albus Dumbledore. In the story, it is established that Harry disarmed Draco earlier. This act did not just disarm Draco; it also made Harry the true master of the Elder Wand, unbeknownst to him. Thus, when Voldemort attempted to claim the wand, he did not actually gain its allegiance because Harry was not truly dead and the wand remained with him due to the earlier disarmament of Draco.

The Killing Curse

Adding complexity to the issue is the Killing Curse. When Voldemort used the Killing Curse on Harry, it did not result in Harry's traditional death. Instead, it transported him to a limbo-like state, where he encountered Dumbledore. Harry was not truly killed, and thus the wand did not recognize Voldemort as its new master based on the Killing Curse. The wand's allegiance remained with Harry because he had previously disarmed Draco Malfoy, making him the true master.

Summary

In essence, Voldemort did not become the rightful owner of the Elder Wand because Harry was not truly dead when Voldemort tried to claim the wand. The wand’s allegiance was with Harry due to the earlier disarmament of Draco Malfoy, which made Harry the true master of the wand. Understanding these nuances is crucial for comprehending the intricate magic and the history of the Elder Wand in the Harry Potter series.