Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Voldemort believed that the Elder Wand's loyalty belonged to the most powerful wizard who possessed it. Since Snape had killed Dumbledore (who was the last recognized master of the wand), Voldemort thought killing Snape would make him the wand's true master. However, Voldemort was mistaken, the wand's allegiance had actually passed to Draco Malfoy when Draco disarmed Dumbledore at the Astronomy Tower, not to Snape.

Earlier, Ollivander had warned Harry that Draco's wand had switched its allegiance to Harry after being disarmed, establishing the rules of wand ownership.

When Voldemort attacked baby Harry with the Killing Curse in Godric's Hollow, the spell backfired and destroyed Voldemort's physical body. However, the intense dark magic from the rebounding curse accidentally tore a fragment of Voldemort's soul and attached it to the only living thing nearby, Harry himself. This made Harry an unintentional Horcrux, unknowingly carrying a piece of Voldemort's soul for seventeen years.

Dumbledore had suspected this since Harry's first year, which is why he was so protective and never told Harry the truth until the final moments.

Snape had been deeply in love with Lily Evans since childhood, even though they eventually went to different houses at Hogwarts, Lily to Gryffindor and Snape to Slytherin. Despite their parting, Snape's love for her never faded. When Voldemort marked Harry for death to eliminate the prophecy's threat, Snape begged Voldemort to spare Lily. After she died protecting Harry, Snape devoted his entire life to protecting her son, working as a double agent for Dumbledore while secretly hating Harry because he resembled James.

The doe-shaped Patronus that guided Harry to the sword of Gryffindor in the frozen lake was revealed to be Snape's, a sign of his enduring love for Lily.

Harry realized he was a Horcrux, carrying a fragment of Voldemort's soul. To destroy that piece of Voldemort inside him, Harry had to die. He also understood that Voldemort's Killing Curse would destroy the Horcrux but not kill him, as it had already once before when Voldemort's soul was too damaged. Harry chose to walk to his death to give his friends a chance to destroy the remaining Horcrux (Nagini) while Voldemort was distracted.

Dumbledore's original plan involved Harry sacrificing himself willingly, just as his mother had sacrificed herself for him.

When Voldemort cast the Killing Curse on Harry, it destroyed the piece of Voldemort's soul that had been attached to Harry since infancy, the unintentional Horcrux. Because Harry did not fight back and went willingly to his death, the sacrifice his mother made years ago still protected him. Harry was not truly killed; he entered a limbo state where Dumbledore's spirit explained what happened, then allowed Harry to return to the living world.

This mirrors the first Killing Curse when Harry was a baby, the same spell backfired because of Lily's sacrifice.

Griphook agreed to help Harry break into Bellatrix's vault in exchange for the Sword of Gryffindor, which could heal goblin-kind. However, once the Horcrux was retrieved, Griphook became greedy and took the sword while leaving Harry, Ron, and Hermione trapped by the vault's security. Goblins and wizards have a long history of distrust, and Griphook saw an opportunity to take valuable magical artifacts for his people rather than honor their bargain.

Harry's vision during the escape showed Voldemort killing goblins, including Griphook, suggesting the betrayal would have dire consequences regardless.

The Elder Wand's loyalty belongs to whoever disarms its last owner. Dumbledore was its master until Draco Malfoy disarmed him at the Astronomy Tower. Even though Dumbledore died from Snape's curse, the wand's allegiance had already switched to Draco. When Harry disarmed Draco at Malfoy Manor (using Draco's own wand), the Elder Wand's loyalty transferred to Harry. This is why it worked for Harry during the final battle, even though Voldemort never understood this rule.

Ollivander had explained to Harry that Draco's wand had changed allegiance to Harry after being disarmed, foreshadowing the Elder Wand's behavior.

Nagini was the final Horcrux protecting Voldemort. Until all Horcruxes were destroyed, Voldemort could not be killed. While Harry was presumed dead in the Forbidden Forest, Neville retrieved the Sword of Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat and killed Nagini with it, destroying the last Horcrux. This act was crucial because it finally made Voldemort mortal and vulnerable to the Killing Curse that Harry would cast moments later.

Harry had discovered Nagini was a Horcrux when he looked into Voldemort's mind and saw him keeping the snake close.

Harry's refusal to kill is central to his character. Even at the climactic moment, Harry cast the Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus) rather than attack Voldemort with intent to kill. When Voldemort cast his own Killing Curse, it rebounded off Harry's spell and struck Voldemort. This fulfilled the prophecy that 'neither can live while the other survives', but in Harry's interpretation, he offered Voldemort a chance to repent. The curse backfired because Harry was the true master of the Elder Wand, not because of raw power.

Harry had consistently used Expelliarmus throughout the series, even against dark wizards, showing his commitment to non-lethal defense.

Dumbledore and Snape had a secret agreement. Dumbledore was already dying from the cursed ring and had only a year left to live. To protect Snape's position as a double agent within Voldemort's ranks, Dumbledore planned his own death to be at Snape's hands rather than letting Voldemort kill him and possibly suspect betrayal. This also made Snape appear loyal to Voldemort, allowing him to continue feeding information to the Order of the Phoenix.

Dumbledore's weakened state throughout the year, his blackened hand, and his willingness to let Snape into his final moments all hinted at this arrangement.

Bellatrix was about to kill Ginny Weasley, Molly's daughter. In a fit of maternal fury, Molly confronted Bellatrix and cast a curse that struck her down. This was significant because Bellatrix was one of Voldemort's most dangerous Death Eaters, and the scene represented the power of a mother's love protecting her child against pure evil. The movie emphasizes that love and protection are stronger than dark magic.

This moment fulfilled the theme that love is the most powerful magic, established since the first book with Lily's sacrifice.

Harry refused to wield the Elder Wand's power, believing that possessing such an invincible weapon would corrupt its owner, just as it had corrupted previous masters like Grindelwald and Voldemort. Instead of keeping it as a trophy of his victory, Harry snapped the wand and threw it into a chasm, ensuring no one could ever use it again. This act symbolized his rejection of power for its own sake and his belief that true strength comes from within.

This mirrors Dumbledore's family history with the wand and the lesson that the desire for power corrupts.

Fred was killed during the chaotic battle at Hogwarts when an explosion, likely caused by Death Eater curses, occurred near him. His death was sudden and random, reflecting the brutal reality of war where even heroes can fall without warning. The loss was devastating to the Weasley family and represented the high cost of fighting against Voldemort's forces.

Earlier moments showed Fred and Percy reconciling just before the battle, making his death even more poignant.

When Harry was hit by Voldemort's Killing Curse, he entered a state of limbo, a space between life and death. There, Dumbledore's spirit appeared to explain what had happened: Harry was not dead because the piece of Voldemort's soul inside him had been destroyed. Dumbledore also gave Harry a choice: to board a train going 'on' (death) or to return and finish the fight. This scene provided closure on Harry and Dumbledore's relationship.

Dumbledore had promised to 'show Harry all the answers' when they met again, foreshadowing this meeting.