What Caused Voldemort to Become an Evil Person? Could Hogwarts Have Made Him a Hero?

It is a widely debated topic in the Harry Potter fandom: Why did Lord Voldemort turn from a boy with a famous scar into a blind zealot bent on destruction? In this article, we will explore the factors that led to his malevolent personality, focusing on the specific conditions at Hogwarts and his psychological background. We will also discuss whether there could have been an alternative path for him to become a hero.

Early Life and Trauma

Voldemort's journey to evil was undoubtedly influenced by his early life. Raised in a hateful and hurtful environment, his circumstances set a dark precedent. Ordinarily, his haven from such negativity would have been his time at Hogwarts, the magical school where he had the opportunity to learn, grow, and perhaps even find a community. However, his upbringing was marred by betrayal and vengeance. Unlike Harry, who sought to forgive and move forward, Voldemort's mindset was "revenge is best."

After learning he could use magic, Voldemort's thirst for revenge intensified, fueled by his belief that he could hurt people and get away with it. This false sense of superiority led him to despise those who were not exactly like him. At Hogwarts, the idea of Slytherin superiority was well ingrained. Being a muggleborn, Voldemort experienced abysmal treatment from his predominantly pureblood housemates and lack of support from his head of house. His anger began to encompass all wizards and witches, and to protect himself from official retribution, he mastered the art of lying and ingratiated himself with the teachers.

Slytherin and the Legacy of Salazar Slytherin

The legacy of Salazar Slytherin further impacted Voldemort's character. The house of Slytherin was already known for being full of blood purists, elitists, and bad people. The combination of this reputation and Voldemort's own tainted lineage led to an environment where young, impressionable students were easily influenced. The school's structure, with little intervention from the staff, allowed the natural progression of his malevolent traits. This is a serious flaw with Hogwarts, and the tragedy of Slytherin House is evident in many young students' stories, including Voldemort's.

Additionally, Voldemort's belief in his own blood purity and the legacy of his ancestor contributed to his malice. He was a very skilled wizard and a fantastic student, making it easy for him to manipulate his classmates and teachers. Such successes likely further fueled his belief in his superiority and his enmity towards those he considered inferior.

Could Hogwarts Have Made Him a Hero?

Could Hogwarts have turned Voldemort into a hero? Not likely. However, certain changes could have made him a more functional and productive member of society. For instance, a significant amount of therapy or counseling could have provided him with the tools to process his traumatic experiences. Sadly, such help was not available in the context of late-20th and early-21st century Britain, and the wizarding world's early depictions in the Harry Potter series do not provide much insight into mental health services.

An advertisement in the films mentions wizarding psychotherapists, but this is specifically for counseling portraits and is debatable as to its canon status. Nevertheless, it is heavily implied that Voldemort's lack of love and connection would have made it challenging for him to achieve a happy and fulfilled life without such support. This underscores the importance of support systems and mental health resources, which Voldemort lacked.

To conclude, Voldemort's trajectory towards evil was shaped by a combination of psychological trauma, environmental influences, and a lack of supportive structure. The reality is harsh, and it does not absolve him of his sins. Yet, it highlights the importance of understanding and supporting individuals who may be at risk for developing problematic behaviors. Young Tom simply got dealt a bad hand, and the Hogwarts environment did not provide the necessary support to help him on a different path.