Why Didn't James Potter's Sacrifice Protect Lily?

Please watch: "The Life Of Marius de Romanus (Vampire Chronicles)"
• Video -~-
The night Voldemort arrived at the potters home in Godrics Hollow and murdered James and Lily is not a tale that many who knew the couple would want to hear be told very often. However something that is quite puzzling is James Potter’s death. Harry was protected by Lily’s love for him, yet James Potter sacrificed himself for both Harry and Lily but nothing happened. No protective spell, no love sacrifice. So what happened? Why didn’t James sacrifice protect his family but Lily’s did? Find out in today’s video from Harry Potter Folklore.
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[@ziggy6141]

Answer: he couldn't choose. Voldemort gave Lilly the choice to die or live and she willingly died for Harry

[@nitinjain8837]

Even voldemort gave lily a choice.

[@ziggy6141]

@@nitinjain8837 yes because Snape asked him

[@kay-kayfamilyfriends1884]

Exactly

[@johan.ohgren]

I think it's because it takes a very special kind of love to make this magic work. Not just any parent would be able to it, even if they're a wizard.

[@noeltv3728]

@@johan.ohgren, Or maybe, besides love, the victim has to be a *blood-relative* in order for the sacrifice to work. As Harry's mother, Lily is directly related to him by blood. James is only related to Lily by marriage.

[@helloiamnotabot1845]

Snape: *asks voldemort to spare lily* Lily: *chooses death* Snape: *Suprised Pikachu face

[@walker4541]

HelloIAm NotABot lol I see it!

[@lilyevanspotter2428]

Poor Snape... He is a true hero

[@walker4541]

Lily Evans Potter yep the whole time he was blocking his mind so much to the point where Voldemort couldn’t tell he was betraying him the entire time from DAY 1

[@realszn]

Snape fell into a deep depression lasting his life. He had a really sad backstory, a kid who everyone hated and his only love dead.

[@EM18DAGOAT]

Wt

[@burhanuddinmaskawala187]

Is no one gonna talk about how Voldemort listend to Severus. He gave Lily Potter a choice because Snape pleaded with him for it

[@fatuusdottore]

So technically, Snape allowed the conditions for Harry to be saved to exist. Though he did also allow the conditions for him to be targeted. Oof.

[@aicarrie1]

I find it hard to believe that Voldemort would have let Lily live. He is a bad guy and bad guys always go back on their word.

[@jeepamir508]

@@aicarrie1, yet. He gave her the chance. Maybe he was bluffing, but still

[@muskanpandit6882]

And yet, do not forget peope, Snape only cared for lily. Even it the child could have died, he did not cared.

[@ezadatta8355]

@@muskanpandit6882 Snape has protected Harry almost as soon as he joined the school, He loved Lily but he protected Harry because James Potter had saved Snape's life once and he even tried to protect the Trio from Werewolf Lupin though ( It was Sirius Black who saved Snape and the Trio ). Snape tried his hardest but ended up dead from VOLDEMORT oops I said his name!!

[@tommarvoloriddle5056]

The difference was that James didn't have a choice. Lily could have chosen not to stand in Voldemort's way and let him kill Harry. Her choice was what lead to the protection.

[@ewaleokadia76]

As I recall reading in the books, James wasn't prepared for Voldemort's ambush and didn't even have his wand handy to stave off an attack. In other words, James wasn't expecting to be betrayed. Also, Voldemort chuckled to know that the Potters weren't expecting to see him and he saw that as an easy win for him.

[@Melendezzalexaa]

@Tom Marvolo Riddle Why would you kill Lily and James you’re evil

[@phantomlady3951]

Tom I love you!!!! 😍💚🐍

[@theroadtocosplayandcomicco5840]

QUIT ENTERING MY DREAMS

[@johan.ohgren]

@@ewaleokadia76 Voldemort had decided to kill James before he even arrived at Godrics Hollow and he had promised Snape to spare Lily. But Lily refused, and she was killed anyway. Lily chose to protect Harry with her life, that's why it's her protection and not James.

[@str791]

I reckon James's last words were *“So what if I’m wandless. I’ll just punch you in the bloody nose! Oh wait-“*

[@priyonkornayan2690]

Voldemort did have a nose then.....didn't he?

[@rookc.8875]

@Malay Ghosh I think you're using it wrong buddy

[@rosemarykothalawala2320]

@@priyonkornayan2690 well it is said that all the horrible things he did made him almost impossible to recognise (you know compared to the handsome boy he was), like his outside started to resemble his horrible inside (which is like a snake hence the cuts for nose) so maybe he looked like that then too. I'm not sure tho, i think about this a lot (and sorry if my spelling is wrong :D )

[@chloeadams5319]

XD

[@Bxll_Bxll]

i think he was going to say you have no nose!

[@paulsimpson2129]

I love that James went to actually fight Voldemort physically. "Dark Lord or not, you can still catch these hands"

[@rajamustapha4514]

Voldemort Voldemort Voldemort know Voldemort Lord knows What time would you want me there was something your mom said that you have yaya main man that mata I don't know how much you mean yaya love you Lucky lucy month mother father mother and father Lily Allen said that I have been there before I go back to 😴 now baby yaya love you so much fun with us for yaya love you too babe and I'm sorry baby I just want to

[@bestkp912]

What are these strange runes?

[@Redrosewitch]

I don't doubt it for a moment. He had the seeker's reflex that Harry inherited.

[@taithangcong4704]

I just realized that Lily look exactly like Ginny

[@rohinipande8067]

I know right

[@sammaxudov1246]

Mommy issues)

[@Fietepower]

I think this was the reason, Harry married Ginny. Harry and Ginny look the same like James and Lily...

[@hannahgraceishere9952]

I've always wondered if the potters have something for red heads...

[@Fietepower]

@@hannahgraceishere9952 I think so😂🤣

[@anirudhvktakkar]

At King's Cross, Harry told Dumbledore that he meant to let Voldemort kill him, and Dumbledore replied: "And that, I think, will have made all the difference".

[@Taya-fq9bi]

Harry put a protective charm on every one voldemort also tried to kill molly after harry supposedly died tom riddle never learns from his mistakes lol

[@randycrawford1132]

Anyone who watched or read knows that James wasn’t given a choice to live, Lily was because Snape asked Voldemort to spare her if he could

[@francinephillips4976]

Meeee :3

[@HarryPotterFolklore]

harry wasn't given the choice to live either

[@CZghost]

@@HarryPotterFolklore But willingly came to Voldemort, defenseless, knowing he will die, and knowing it will end the war. He also told his friends to kill the snake, knowing he won't come back (well, he came after all). That was the only way to protect all his friends and members of Order and resistance and put an end to the war. Sacrifice himself. He knew Voldemort wouldn't give him chance to live. And he was prepared to die. And yes, I know you are the author. I just wanted to point this fact out, not only for you to remember, but for everyone else who might get confused on that.

[@bweakland2003]

@@HarryPotterFolklore Technically Harry was given The Choice. Voldemort said HBP660"i speak now, Harry Potter, directly to you. You have permitted your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait for one hour in the Forbidden Forest. If, at the end of that hour, you do not come to me, have not given yourself up, then battle recommences. This time, I shall enter the fray myself, Harry Potter, and I shall find you, and I shall punish every last man, woman and child who has tried to conceal you from me. One hour." Harry did not have to go meet Voldemort, he could have ran if he really wanted. But Harry chose to go meet Voldemort and willingly die so that it will destroy the Horcruxe that is in him. Because Harry knew that was the only way to finally kill Voldemort.

[@kaspiansea3997]

James had a choice,he yelled at Lili to take Harry and he said he would stall him.he could have just fled the house through the back door.

[@MovieFlame]

Amazing as always Dean! Your videos never disappoint!

[@HarryPotterFolklore]

thanks bro!

[@chrisannbowen2605]

I love your vids movie flame. Harry Potter folklore and MovieFlame are my favourite youtubers

[@anisaalija5825]

I love both of your videos!

[@justroxes2363]

Ur both My Fav Ytubers!! :D

[@sarahwilliamsnishimura6102]

@Brendan Warren same here

[@RK-zh1ib]

Also, Voldemort denied to Harry that Snape would truly betray him. This shows that Voldemort's respect for Snape is so high that he doesn't believe in any rumors or warnings that Snape might have actually betrayed Voldemort.

[@Starwarsdude8221991]

And this is why Neville could not be the chosen on as his parents would not be given the chance to live

[@pixiethecanary7666]

His parents are still alive,just extremely crippled

[@continuousself-improvement1879]

Neville's parents are still alive, they just went insane with the Cruciatus curse.

[@Chanel_babee]

@@continuousself-improvement1879 it’s really sad how Neville’s parents don’t recognize him

[@forzatoro161]

@@Chanel_babee yeah I feel bad

[@XiaoLynn]

Well if they couldn't recognize him they wouldn't be able to save him aswell.

[@tammydreamwriter2877]

I think there was also the idea that a mother would sacrifice herself for her son, as Tom Riddle’s mother never did.

[@hellosaytinbeats2716]

But i kindof think she did. She died giving birth to Tom Riddle.

[@sunbear9953]

HELLOSAYTIN Beats she could have used magic, then she would have stayed alive, but being heartbroken about the breakup with her love, Tom Riddle Sr., she swore to never use magic again. She hoped that her son would look like his father, otherwise, she had no love for him. Or maybe there was something like love, but not enough of it to make her stay and fight for her life and for her son, she preferred to keep her promise and die, or, maybe she was exhausted of being in poverty, but i doubt it is the latter

[@sai_Indurthi]

Well she died after she gave birth to him

[@sunbear9953]

She had the choice, just like Lily, but there were different options to choose from. Lily Potter could have stepped aside, let Voldemort kill her son, she could've survived by not trying to save her son. Or, she could have chosen death by sacrificing herself for the sake of her son, which is the option she chose. Merope Gaunt could have lived, by breaking the promise of never using magic, the thing Riddle Sr. hated the most, and she could've raised little Tom Riddle herself, by being there for her son (the point here is: if she lived, then she would've done more good for her son, than if she died, which she did). But, she chose death, not because she tried to help her son, but because of the promise made for the man, who didn't love her back. Her death is not a sacrifice. Voldemort's mother never tried to save her son from the cruel world, she chose death because of her grief and sadness (and a bit of selfishness) and maybe she didn't see any reasons to stay alive (her son wasn't a reason).

[@fatuusdottore]

He must have felt pretty awful tbh.

[@kyra1018]

“Okay, take Harry. There you are. Slap him with the killing curse. There, Mr. Dark Lord.”

[@drea409]

Love your username :)

[@sweeyangchen3710]

Lol

[@rayeannkemp9518]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@walker4541]

That’s not how it works there is 7 horcuxes of the dark lords soul which at the time all were safe and not destroyed meaning he could not die they do not call him the dark lord for absolutely no real reason he also drank unicorns blood etc.

[@otrera6175]

tyler jøseph’s hair but then she wouldn’t have anything to live for

[@skymalfoy6797]

People be talking about how Voldemort was being nice to Snape and listened about the not killing lilly ; also.....Voldemort kills Snape over a wand ;-;

[@aradsstates9584]

Skymalfoy voldy wanted to live forever 😂

[@user-lo4vg9wv4q]

𝕍𝕠𝕝𝕕𝕪'𝕤 𝕝𝕚𝕗𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕕 𝕦𝕡

[@lightshift3431]

This is what happens when you can't speak English.

[@butterflysnme724]

Every time she tells Harry that she loves him and Daddy loves him I bawl my eyes out! Every single time.

[@adrianrocha49]

It is very powerful, the part that made me tear up was when he explained that, "she had a choice, and she chose death in the hopes that it would protect Harry."

[@thomascole1200]

James leave a wond downstarts leave it there he forget James not think pick it up

[@AHufflepuffAndASwiftie]

I actually think that J.K. already answered that: Because she was given a CHOICE as weather to “step aside” or not. James was unfortunately did not have that choice. Simple as that. ;) Also, he fought back & Lily did not.

[@gracekim25]

Oh

[@neilforbes416]

"Whether", not "weather".

[@AHufflepuffAndASwiftie]

@@neilforbes416 Oh, yeah. I was typing on my phone & it must has auto-corrected wrong. Sorry. Thanks. :)

[@neilforbes416]

@@AHufflepuffAndASwiftie Basically you should use a proper computer keyboard. Mobile phones have a bad habit of trying to "predict" what you're trying to write, and often getting it wrong. At least, on a computer, you can control what you write and the most you'll get is a wriggly red line under the word(especially if you try to write the correct spelling of colour, with the 'u').

[@gidzmobug2323]

@@neilforbes416 Some of us are not on a computer at the time. BTW, "color" is spelled with a u in some areas of the world.

[@kelavatopg]

Last time I was early voldemort had 7 horcruxes

[@lordvoldemort1308]

I still do

[@Dkshddh]

@@lordvoldemort1308 AHHHHHHHHHHHH

[@kargs5krun]

Yep. And methinks Harry, was in essence, the 8th horcrux....though something more, since Volde "took a break/powder" (twice) after zapping Harry; both as an infant & as an adult. Am guessing it had something to do with having Harry's blood/DNA running through his dark veins, the 2nd time.

[@evelyn-bz7hv]

Lord Voldemort RUNNNNN AWAYYYYYYYYY

[@Fractal821]

Why should you be worrying about You-Know-Who? When you should be worrying about U-No-Poo? The constipation sensation that's sweeping the nation!

[@jayantyogii]

To be honest James protected Harry at every step with patronus. He lived inside harry. ALWAYS WITH HIM❤️🤗

[@kz1738]

If Lily had given up Harry, she would never forgive herself or Snape. Once she found out that Snape made the plea for her, she would be angry that he didn't try to save her son as well.

[@waynesmith3908]

Such a powerfully horrific scene, I cry every time I see it.

[@Cpre1111]

Me too. I don't particularly like James or Lily, but they died too tragically, horribly & too young. Its even worst when I think about Frank and Alice Longbottom. Tortured into insanity. The unbearable agony and sheer inhumanity to do something like that to anyone is horrific.

[@slytherinmarvel9489]

Let's just remember that Voldemort could have thrown harry out of the window. edit: tysm for the likes! OMG, 3K likes, tysm

[@danyala.1659]

My assumption is that wizards are stronger than muggles. In the fight scenes, Harry gets blasted into the concrete walls and walks it off...

[@iMajoraGaming]

Neville was literally dropped as a child out of a window and bounced lmao

[@manalisovani6083]

He hated muggles and throwing out the window would be a muggle thing to do, he wanted to kill him using his magical powers and he hadn't imagined that it would ever fail him

[@alexfisher6668]

Danyal A. It’s a muggle

[@SR-wi2hf]

Oh yeah way easier

[@paulaharrisbaca4851]

Gotta add that Voldemort intended to give Lily to Snape as a "prize" after he had eliminated James and the kid. Snape might've wished it at the time, but he never dreamed that Lily would sacrifice herself to save the "brat". I almost forgot about that bit. And you're right. James never intended on having anyone die. For that matter, maybe he had no clue that Voldemort was after anything but eliminating the members of the Order.

[@luyvichheka6568]

I just realized that James Potter wears the same circle glasses as harrry

[@tapuchris3329]

Could you do a video on what Voldemort's life would be like if his mom had chosen to live?

[@Sharon-pb7so]

I don't think she chose to die, she just died right after Tom was born and they couldn't save her. We could guess WHY she died. I'll say exsanguination....she bled to death.

[@tapuchris3329]

@@Sharon-pb7so ah ok. Well, it's just my opinion though.

[@thegoatoverlord1067]

Or maybe if Tom Riddle sr after stoped taking love potion loved her?

[@tapuchris3329]

@@thegoatoverlord1067 that also sounds good

[@puppypotter27]

So I want to know something: if Harry saw his mom die, shouldn’t he see thestrals? Or was he just too young to comprehend what he saw so he wasn’t able to see them?

[@windhelmguard5295]

while harry is shown to be awake in the movies, harry is never stated to have been awake at the time in the books, so for all we know he could have been asleep OR he simply wasn't looking in lillys direction when she was hit by the curse.

[@Stardust31]

i think you have to be old enough to understand death, Harry was just a baby at that time so he didn't understand the concept of death, But when he saw sirius die, that's the first time he truly saw and understood death, and what it feels like to lose someone, This is just my theory, feel free to correct me!

[@windhelmguard5295]

@@Stardust31 harry was able to see the thestrals before sirius died. witnessing the murder of cederic allowed harry to see them.

[@Stardust31]

@@windhelmguard5295 Oh yeah itotally Forgot about that! Thanks!

[@puppypotter27]

@Windhelm Guard but I remember something (I forget which book) but it said Harry saw a flash of green light, and then his mom collapsed, and he was waiting for her to pop up but she didn’t. I still think he was too young to understand, but still.

[@Melendezzalexaa]

Rest In Peace Lily and James Potter. 😔😭

[@alexamelendez5898]

Hermonie Jean Granger Weasley it was sooo sad 😭 when I read the books I legit cried

[@gilikostman1804]

Yes

[@lilyevanspotter2428]

We are still in your heart ❤️💕

[@dontmindme9687]

I Know James Is Good Now...But I Still Hate Him Because He Bully Snape, Snape Didn't Even Do Anything....And Snape Want Them To Survive But Snape Chooses Lily To Survive..Because Snape Love Lily

[@lilyevanspotter2428]

@•Jaida Salem• Always

[@Cpre1111]

I always just assumed that Lily invoked Old Magic, and that it was the Blood connection of Petunia sealing the magic that expanded Harry's protection. But this explanation never explained why Harry survived in Book 7 & everyone else was protected. Thanks for the video. Great explanation.

[@CyrilYoutube]

Nobody was protected, there is absolutly no mention of that in the book. I don't know why peoples are saying that. He only survive because of his horcruxe state.

[@burukify8270]

I know I’m late but the reason is that when he left Petunias house, his protection was gone and then Voldemort could kill him, even though he couldn’t because of the horcrux stuff. Then when he decided to die and let Voldemort kill him, others were protected because he did the same thing his mother did

[@igi5791]

oversimplified: james tried to fight back, unlike lilly

[@ewaleokadia76]

No, James did not. When Voldemort approached the Potters' hiding place, he chuckled to know that James was totally unprepared for his coming and didn't have his wand handy at the time. It is in the book. Therefore, James died pretty quickly.

[@igi5791]

@@ewaleokadia76 kinda true but, james was not given a choice, which is an important factor. he may not have had his wand but he certainly tried to stop voldemort.

[@Boppo_Jr]

@@igi5791 Lily tried to stop him too though.

[@huma19]

Innit

[@kengang1352]

If Lilly didnt there would be no harry potter

[@Shaden0040]

Also Voldemort was going to let Lily live for the sake of Severus, if she chose to live.

[@zerszo]

If I was Lily, I would have done the same thing.

[@beza1716]

Even harry’s children ARE called”James” “lily” potter and they look the same too

[@fatuusdottore]

But they’re siblings so it’s kinda weird lmao.

[@dontmindme9687]

What Child Name Lily And James...Is It The First Boy And The Little Girl?

[@timax4114]

@Greesys i think James is the first child.

[@guineapiggaming4648]

@@dontmindme9687 there a literal copy of james and lily potter (harrys parents)

[@lalehalavinejad5769]

Personally, I think that another reason why Voldemort killed James was because snape had perhaps told him how arrogant he thought James was🤔

[@precillamascarenhas3360]

Lol snape has a heart

[@reamaelobrigo4923]

I think that snape talking about James would make him look pathetic in Voldy's eyes, and since Snape is prideful, i think it's a no Just my thought tho.

[@Johan92Johansson]

James fight Voldemort Lilly didn't do anything to stop Voldemort from killing her instead of her child, she did the opposite she asked him to kill her rather than the child. That how the protection worked. Just like when Harry let Voldemort kill him in the forrest to save hes friends.

[@Tasha9315]

No, James wasn't given a chance to step aside while Lily.

[@Johan92Johansson]

Tasha9313 James did tell Lilly to run with Harry when he tried to set Voldemort back. The key is that James did fight for he’s life and Lilly did not. She did not trie to save herself she pledged to Voldemort that he should kill her and let Harry live sacrifice herself “without” a fight James did also sacrifice himself but with a fight.

[@Tasha9315]

@@Johan92Johansson The main point is that Lily was given a choice while James wasn't. James wasn't fighting for his life. He was fighting for his wife and son to escape. He said he'd hold Voldermort off which could merely mean he'd do all he can to hold him off long enough for them to escape. He probably knew the result would be his death. I'm sure if Voldermort gave him a chance to live, he wouldn't say "Okay, I want to live, go kill my wife and child". I'm sure he would also be willing to die to protect them.

[@michaelfireheart8300]

@@Tasha9315 I'm pretty sure it's just a plothole or J.K. just thought a mother's love is powerful and a father's love isn't powerful.

[@Tasha9315]

@@michaelfireheart8300 No, she clearly said it's because Lily was given a choice while James wasn't.

[@jarredjacob2244]

James didn’t have a choice, lily did.

[@medichampion328]

Voldemort: Stand aside, you silly girl. Lily: OK, then. *stands aside* Voldemort: Thank you, that wasn't hard now, was it? *Voldemort raises his wand about to kill Harry* *Lily grabs a brick and smashes Voldemort's skull in from behind*

[@ismata3274]

Why didn't she bring a gun to the safehouse though? I mean......

[@ismata3274]

@Bree Serrano nor my countryman have "random" guns sitting around. Not an American here. But if one has a murderer maniac after them, no matter if they had a wand or not, if one is a mudblood and grown up as a Muggle to boot, one would, you know, first think of obtaining a gun before thinking "I will use my wand, if it doesn't work, I will sacrifice my body as a shield". They weren't blind, they knew they were being targeted. Plenty of time to think coolly with sound mind. Unless Brits rather die than use a gun to save their families? I Highly Doubt that. Parents are parents and will be parents......

[@Graceluvbug37]

@@ismata3274 they're wizards, why would they use muggle items?

[@ismata3274]

@@Graceluvbug37 🤨🤨🤨😶😶😶😑😑😑 One of "them" is a muggle born........😑😑😑. The MOM to boot!!! Her first instinct should have been hoard any and all attack possibilities. Corner the kitten and see them turn to a lion and such, add parental literally instincts to it, there should have been a shitshow there. Add voldyboy s supreme derision and according ignorance towards muggle craftsmanship, there could have been various mudtraps😉😁 abound to hold or distract to attack magically, or literally kill him outright.

[@sanjivekumarkhadka832]

@@ismata3274 no actually lilly is a wizard

[@babsgrayson8432]

"If I don't have a wand, I'll just punch your nose. Oh wait." - James Potter's last words

[@chloeadams5319]

I’m dyin XD

[@prujckn2586]

I just started the vid but, correct me if I'm wrong, the reason James' sacrifice didn't have any protection is because he wasn't given a choice to live. Lily was.

[@hawamohamed8624]

Harry wasn't given a choice in the forbidden forest but his sacrifice worked for everyone in the wizarding world

[@alexandrabuss7948]

@@hawamohamed8624, but he was given a choice to not sacrifice himself. Voldemort says to Hogwarts that they should give Harry to him and Harry willingly gave himself up, he went even when his peers asked him to stay and fight alongside with them.

[@noeltv3728]

Or maybe, besides love, the victim has to be a *blood-relative* in order for the sacrifice to work. As Harry's mother, Lily is directly related to him by blood. James is only related to Lily by marriage.

[@prujckn2586]

@@hawamohamed8624 he was given a choice. To die for his friends or his friends for him.

[@prujckn2586]

@@noeltv3728 that doesn't really make sense my dude. Love is love. Plus Harry isn't related to those that were at Hogwarts during the battle. Yet they were protected because of his sacrifice.

[@kamalaAlankar]

What ever happens, family is family. GOSH I LOVE THIS VIDEO

[@Maya_-ol1fr]

Another reason could be that James was never asked to stand aside but Lilly stood like a barrier between Voldemort and Harry Evan after being asked several times

[@paspharo]

I somewhat recently started watching this channel. I've been binge watching. I'm addicted. I need more.

[@crazymink2134]

Every new video you come out with I question everything about this series. It’s amazing how in depth it goes. Every time I think I know something I watch your videos and then get a whole new outcome. You should do a video series of what you would do at hogwarts throughout your 7 years. What clubs you’d be apart of which classes you’d excel or fail at. What you think you’d get on your O.W.L and N.E.W. T. What your profession would be in the wickr don’t world. Would you have studied at a different magical school? What pet would you bring? Would you be pure half or muggle.. that would be such an interesting series.

[@artemis1629]

Lily was given a choice, live or die, James, however, wouldn't get a choice or chance

[@draganapetrovic3178]

I always wondered about this! Thank you for making this video! 😁

[@richashree2753]

It doesn't matter how many times I have read the books...james and Lily's death is still the thing that breaks my heart into pieces.

[@samuelvine]

There's one thing I think is missing from this explanation. I have no doubt that it's accurate, I just feel it's missing one detail. Time. Time to actually say the words and convey the emotion of that sacrifice. The oldest magics often come from the heart and I believe it is no accident that Lily's repeated words of "Mamma loves you" are so prevalently shown. I think that James' sacrifice gave Lily time to convey that magical emotion to Harry which started the protections around him, her willing sacrifice as you explained finished the deal.

[@celtictarotreadings333]

Snape watching this and thinking I should have just asked him to spare potter then both lily and harry would have lived......

[@platonwii5006]

No, Voldemort has to kill Harry as he was the one who would vanquish the Dark Lord

[@WithoutaLight]

that's exactly what I thought immediately :D

[@omaralfar1666]

6:15 It's kinda hard to believe that Tom was 54 when he tried to kill Harry 8:15 OMG HARRY IS SO FRICKIN' ADORABLE!

[@dhavalp22]

Dumbledore and grindlewald fought arouth in their 60s......:( That was the one of the greatest duel in magic community.

[@dhavalp22]

Most of the magicians live around on an average 100 to 150 years

[@andjua2012]

What if it was a mix of James and Lilly's sacrifice that had a stronger protection for Harry?

[@xyamazing2725]

no your wrong they forgot to say that you need to sacrifice your life for love AND be built different james was not built different lily was also to not die you need to be a different breed lily wasnt harry was

[@racheldevito]

I think that's a good point. I think maybe their sacrifices worked together, but ultimately Lily's sacrifice was the one to protect harry because she was given a choice

[@Crazy.Girl_2023]

No because lily was basically stronger than James and she is sort of like hermione. Plus she got a choice to either live or die thx to snape but no thx to snape he killed Harry's parents!

[@kaspiansea3997]

James had a choice, he chose to fight and yelled at Lili to take Harry and run.

[@chloeadams5319]

EXACTLY

[@sifilore9462]

I thought Lily invoked an ancient power that was long forgotten but available to learn in order protect Harry but James had no knowledge.

[@martavdz4972]

Nope :-) In that scenario, you would lose the similarity with Harry's sacrifice during the Battle of Hogwarts and also, basically the point of all good fantasy literature - selfless love and sacrifice for others without even knowing whether it will be 100% successful or not. The message that you should make certain decisions purely out of the conviction that selfless love is the most important thing in the world. It's called values. You get that in Lord of the Rings, the Chronicles of Narnia and J.K. continued that tradition :-)

[@fatuusdottore]

I mean, love, lol. Maybe James’ love wasn’t as pure.

[@Whitneypyant]

No. Snape asked Voldemort to spare Lily so she was given a choice. She chooses to die to protect Harry. James was never offered that choice.

[@cindystarling7401]

Definitely awesome and very interesting and informative love these

[@brandonsmith4361]

This is fantastic I will enjoy your videos a lot

[@GrassLion85]

Great video Dean! I have never actually considered why James' sacrifice didn't save Lily, cool idea :)

[@amyl5386]

Hey! I love your KZbin videos! Would you be able to do one on what Severus Snapes life would have been like if voldemort didn't go after Lily and James, for instance if he would have held his allegiance to voldemort?

[@chaeliazyeditz]

is it me or lilly looks like the whitch in Narnia

[@wht-rabt-obj]

I have wondered this...and this explains it perfectly. Thanks!

[@Kirsten_is_cursed10]

I feel like we sorted this out many years ago...

[@pansyparkinson2231]

Kirsten S. I don’t

[@caitlinn603]

Do you have a podcast? If not you really should consider it. 🙂

[@corysmith4347]

Cait Rose yes!!

[@ITZ.URGIRLNIMA]

Yessss! And use our comments for ideas!

[@rayeannkemp9518]

No podcast for deaf people! It's sound right? Talking? We use our hands and need our own channel! Deaf Potter lovers!

[@rayeannkemp9518]

I remember asking this! Can't remember when. Thank you!

[@ealacoyle6758]

Very good explanation I really liked it

[@puppypotter27]

I wanna know how Team Starkid was able to predict HP and the Cursed Child 😂

[@pansyparkinson2231]

Me too

[@puppypotter27]

lol I'm actually a Ravenclaw too

[@Catherine.Dorian.]

I always assumed James died down in the first floor while Lily had run to Harry. I assumed that a spell had to be close to one another and Lily literally did it inches away from Harry thus her sacrifice would be like a shield cause onto him

[@oceansea8111]

Wow! Thanks for telling! I really have a question of this, now I know it! Thanks!

[@aligekido1507]

Great video good job

[@CloserFlame]

Voldemort: I'm gonna kill a baby Harry: dew it

[@briesullivan883]

I always figured that James didn’t have time to cast the Love Charm.

[@mabelreid4223]

GREAT VIDEO!!👍

[@leebaraquia7570]

Mayghashhhhh tysm i have been thinking about this for yearsssss

[@allamerican9421]

James dies, Lilly most affected xDDDD

[@gforceneonaxetake2345]

I just realised lily potter as an adult in that one clip where lily is holding baby harry lily looks like jennifer aniston

[@prince_of_summer]

Dude, you've done great job. :)

[@jameswilson3370]

Props on the visuals.

[@Sabbats-martyr]

I would have loved to see James vs voldemort

[@artemis1629]

this was actually a question I pondered on for a while ever since I finished the series

[@ElsaBorzoi]

Yours is the most brilliant channel here.

[@tylersmith9465]

Great job 👍

[@morgansun3249]

Lol if I was the author of Harry Potter my answer would be “idk why, just cause” 😂😂😅

[@lyndseycasey8624]

Thanks for making this video, I've always wondered why James's sacrifice didn't work, I don't know why I didn't think of this as it's explained in the Deathly Hallows hah

[@randycrawford1132]

ElyssaLovesDogs rl Anyone who watched or read knows that James wasn’t given a choice to live, Lily was because Snape asked Voldemort to spare her if he could

[@ginantsfan5]

Most awesome vid!!!!!!

[@DC-MarvelGirl1997]

I answered this question on my own channel as well. I always somehow felt that the reason why James's sacrifice didn't work because it takes two people, a father and a mother, to create life, and their love was completed by the birth of their son. For the full sacrifice to work, it had to be the two parents who brought their baby into the world; it had to be the both of them, especially since James had no other living family.

[@jordanklap9685]

Why didn’t he just turn into a stag and surprise Voldemort lol

[@patsamsungj4199]

Omg true

[@pcrassen4975]

They could've even disapparated. James had his wand in the room cuz he was playing with Harry when they realized voldemort arrived. The moment they realized it they could've just grabbed eachother and poofed away, Voldemort would've probably just gotten inside the house by the time they did. The Potter fortune is in gringots, and every other item they own is redundant when you have a psycho coming to kill your 1 year old. Tldr: they were too gryffindor for their own good.

[@dr.s.somola5939]

@@pcrassen4975 but they could not because of the fidilius charm there is something like that in the books

[@youtubelife921]

Prem Ksh lilly probably would’ve had time to jump out of a window or something and disapparate with Harry

[@dr.s.somola5939]

@@youtubelife921 and not get hurt how is it possible also you can die if the killing curse hits even from a distance everything happened for the best

[@seangere9698]

This is something I have been wondering myself for a long time.

[@lacyinmon1004]

I have wondered about that several times while reading the books

[@Chanel_babee]

Same

[@AdilKhan-vn2xj]

Great vid 6:37 lol I literally laughed so loudly my family stared at me really weird

[@jamiegjesdal7463]

just wondering where that scene was taken from bcs ive never seen it in any of the movies o_0

[@letsomethingshine]

A piece of Voldie's soul broke off when he killed his idol's (Snape's) poon.

[@theoboyle8478]

Almost 400k we’ve come a long way

[@ForeverWinterandHope]

Awesome sauce!

[@kelvinbremont1341]

This is just powerful and beautiful!! Truly! 🙌🙌 And can you please please tell me where the scenes from 4:54 and so on are from?

[@Lodomodom]

When you turn 17 the protection wears off

[@celestialbutterfly]

I have a different theory as to what saved Harry that fateful night. My theory is that the sacrifice of both James and Lily was needed to protect baby Harry from Voldemort's killing curse. As that they most likely performed some sort of ritual of protection by scrafice.

[@maraudentium2607]

But Harry didn’t perform a ritual to protect the people in Hogwarts during the final battle...he was given a choice and he sacrificed himself, same as Lily, and Voldemort’s magic didn’t work again.

[@nikstar6970]

He didn't give James the choice. He asked Lily to step aside and she DIDN'T. Therefore she willingly gave her life when she didn't have to.

[@lunarxluv3432]

Voldy: MOVE LILY POTTER! Lily: no! Voldy: so you have chosen... Death. aVaDA kEdAvrA

[@oldmangranny5oldmangranny56]

Should have stunned Lily.

[@globey1]

Voldemort: move out the way! Lily: Noooooooooo! Voldemort: so you have chosen DEATH!? ArVadA KeDavrA

[@rajamustapha4514]

Voldemort Voldemort know what killing killing what was that what you mean your gonna have the money for us yaya love you Lucky lucy month mother father mother and father Lily

[@raghashunmugasundaram6664]

Harry: now you've chosen death!!

[@mireille916]

The topic I haven’t even thought about but I am extremely interested 😍

[@rugbynut5536]

Intent James faced him with the intent to duel Voldemort but forgot his wand

[@seangere9698]

I do have a question myself. What happened to Lilly's parents? Why couldn't Harry have gone and lived with them? Why did it have to be Petunia?

[@solen5529]

they died shortly after James & Lily's wedding

[@pitaariel1920]

Maybe they were too old to take care for their grandchildren. Dumbledore may have think that Petunia was a nice person. After all she wrote him a letter trying to get into Howarts. Little did he know about the bitter, nasty woman she became.

[@CZghost]

@@pitaariel1920 I think he knew that Petunia became bitter. After all, McGonagall has watched them, probably due to Dumbledore's orders. However it was answered many times, and even confirmed by Rowling herself, that it was the only place Harry could stay at in order to keep the protection linger on, because Petunia was the only family member that shared the blood of his mother (after all, she was her sister). Even grandparents lived and were able to raise Harry, he couldn't stay with them, because it was Lily who sacrified herself in order to protect Harry. I guess that Harry could stay with her parents, but I don't think that they were (a) - alive, or (b) - interested to raise their orphaned grandson. After all, we have not much information about what went on with Lily's parents during that time. They very much might have moved on, forget about their daughter (after all, wizarding world is a completely isolated society, if Muggles have a child that turns out to be magical, they pretty much can do nothing about it, that child is basically out of their lives from now on, and the day the child turns 17, very much out of age, adult, they are out of their parents lives completely - if they wish to meet their parents, they can - but I guess that Lily didn't actually visit them so much and because Lily and James were at hiding, they had pretty much tied hands in terms of visits), or they simply died (due to age, or they were killed by Voldemort or his followers). From this reason, Privet Drive nr.4 could be the only place Harry could call his home. Dumbledore might thought that Petunia might feel remorse and raise Harry like her own son, paying tribute to her sister. He was wrong and even wrote a Howler to Petunia, feeling angry that they didn't follow his letter he gave them the night he brought Harry to their house. In the end, Petunia actually did pay some tribute to her sister, though it wasn't in the books specifically (movies showed nice hint actually, though it was only in a deleted scene, part of bonus materials on DVD and Blu-ray releases). Dudley made up with Harry (and it was even shot for the film, though the scene ended up deleted, parts of it made it to the final cut, but the actual dialog between Harry and Dudley was cut out), and Vernon actually didn't say anything, so we don't know exactly if he had actually admitted the fact he became part of really important events. Well, we do know that Harry and Dudley occassionally went to hang out with their children once in times, although that was when they were both adult and had their own lives anyway, independent on their parents.

[@KazzleTheDazzle]

Marek Poláček I loved this, but (just a suggestion, don’t take it harshly) Lily’s parents died right after her wedding. Not sure you needed to say all that, (once again I still loved it

[@seangere9698]

@@KazzleTheDazzle That's right I did read something like that at some point. Maybe on the original Pottermore, can't remember as it's been years sense then. I wonder what from as they would only be in their late 50's to mid 60's at that point. Let alone both of them dying at the same time just like James'. Way too convenient for me to believe. And what about and brothers or sisters to Lilly's parents? Considering they would've been born during the baby boom and most family's had 2 through 4 children at that time. Having only one at that time was very unusual. Just saying. JKR does a lot of that kind of stuff after the fact just so she can try to fill in things she over looked or went against what was newly written.

[@wellingtonaviationchannel634]

Funny I was watching this in class w subtitles and at 7:15 or so on the left it was just HE HE HE

[@nedstarks4142]

Instead of complaining about how movies and tv shows are not completely like the books, you could make KZbin videos explaining certain events to help people understand what isn't explained in the movies or show. Great content.

[@Jay-Da-Giant]

Hey Dean, great video. BTW, where did get this footage of this Harry Potter fan film where both Lily and James die? The fan film footage starts here at 4:53