The Dark Lord was one of the most powerful wizards of all time, and the first to make multiple Horcruxes. So, how did he not realize that he’d made Harry into one?

Horcruxes are, of course, one of the darkest bits of magic known to the wider wizarding world. In fact, they are considered to be so dark and dangerous that teaching on the subject has been banned at Hogwarts for years, with even the Restricted Section of the Library barely acknowledging their existence.

What’s a Horcrux and How Is It Made?

From what we know, a Horcrux is made by murdering an innocent victim without regret. This horrendous act allows the killer to rip a piece of their soul from their body and place it into an inanimate object or living host.

The theory is that if the killer were to die themselves, the Horcrux would survive, rendering that person immortal.

The actual ritual of creating a Horcrux is rather unknown.

Top 3 Reasons Voldemort Didn’t Realize Harry Was a Horcrux

1. Voldemort Didn’t Perform a Ritual

There are many theories abounding on the internet as to what the ritual of creating a Horcrux involves. But, regardless of exactly what takes place, the fact remains that there is a ritual. This is likely one of the main reasons that Voldemort never realized Harry was a Horcrux, since he never intentionally performed one.

2. There Was a Lack of Intent

When Voldemort inadvertently made Harry into a Horcrux he was simply intending to murder him. He was definitely NOT trying to make a Horcrux.

So, without the intention of creating a Horcrux and in the absence of the required ritual, why would Voldemort even consider that Harry had been made into a one?

3. Voldemort Was Blinded by Rage

In addition to the reasons above, Voldemort was also so driven by rage towards Harry that he was likely blinded to the idea. The fact that a baby and his mother’s self-sacrifice were able to defeat him was probably more than he could handle. So, perhaps, he refused to think about it.

Plus, how much more enraged would he have been if he’d realized that, in an attempt to kill Harry, he’d accidentally stored a piece of himself inside of the boy.

If Voldemort Didn’t Mean to Make a Horcrux, How’d It Happen?

There are a few different possible answers here. One theory regarding the ritual of making a Horcrux is that the killer must give up a piece of their own mortal body. Since Voldemort’s Killing Curse bounced back at him after Lily Potter sacrificed her own life for her son’s, it’s possible that the Dark Lord did lose a body part—or several—upon impact of the curse.

After all, what remained of Voldemort was only a shadow version of himself. Which stands to reason that his body was destroyed—giving up not just a part of himself, but his entire self. 

If we also consider that Voldemort murdered Lily without remorse, the result very well could’ve been—and, in actual fact, WAS—the accidental making of a Horcrux.