Uncovering The Dark History of The First Wizarding War
Discover the origins of the Wizarding War and its conclusion in this insightful article Learn about the key players involved and the events that shaped the outcome of this legendary conflict
The world of Harry Potter may appear enchanting, but it is not necessarily a desirable destination, even for avid fans of the series. While magic and attending Hogwarts may seem appealing, the wizarding world is also plagued by evil and constant battles to ensure the safety of its inhabitants. When readers enter Harry's story, they are about to witness the onset of the second giant war, which follows closely on the heels of the first. The First Wizarding War is a pivotal moment in wizarding history, setting the stage for much of what occurs later in Harry's journey. Although the event is not thoroughly covered in the books, fragments of information relevant to the plot give insight into its significance and how it impacted the wizarding world moving forward.
When Did The First Wizarding War Take Place?
The First Wizarding War officially started in 1970 when Lord Voldemort openly declared himself and began committing acts of terror throughout Britain. Prior to this, he had been quietly amassing power and pursuing ways to cheat death. Despite being born to a Muggle father and a witch mother, Voldemort became one of the most powerful dark wizards in history, driven by a hunger for power and a desire to create a new world ruled by purebloods. His reign of terror targeted Muggle-borns and other "inferior" magical beings, and he created Horcruxes in a bid to evade death and maintain his grip on power.
Who Fought In The First Wizarding War?
Voldemort had a strong support system in his followers known as Death Eaters, who pledged their loyalty to him and acted on his commands. However, the good side also formed their own group, The Order of the Phoenix, to stand up against Voldemort's reign. Albus Dumbledore, being one of the few powerful wizards capable of opposing Voldemort, created this group to fight against the Death Eaters. The original Order consisted of many prominent wizards, including Dumbledore, Alastor Moody, Rubeus Hagrid, Severus Snape, Frank and Alice Longbottom, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and James and Lily Potter. Those who survived until the Second Wizarding War also became members of the second Order of the Phoenix.
The first war's conclusion was infamous in the wizarding community and sparked the events that take place in the Harry Potter series. Voldemort discovered a prophecy foretelling the emergence of a young wizard who would be his equal and ultimately lead to his downfall. The potential Chosen One candidates were Harry Potter, son of Lily and James Potter, and Neville Longbottom. However, Voldemort believed Harry to be the one due to their shared half-blood status. He vowed to kill the infant, and the Order of the Phoenix took all possible measures to protect the Potters.
The Potters were betrayed by Peter Pettigrew, who revealed their location to Voldemort after he was appointed as the Secret Keeper. On the night of October 31, 1981, Voldemort killed James and Lily Potter before turning his wand to their infant son, Harry. However, Lily's selfless sacrifice created a powerful protection that rebounded Voldemort's Killing Curse back to him, ultimately causing his downfall. This event marked the end of the First Wizarding War and earned Harry the title of "The Boy Who Lived". Although he played no active role in the defeat of Voldemort during the first war, the prophecy correctly predicted that he would ultimately be the one to vanquish the Dark Lord. And indeed, he fulfilled this destiny during the second war.
