The Harry Potter franchise has shown that evil could come in all forms. While characters like Dolores Umbridge used her power to instill fear into her subordinates, others like Bellatrix Lestrange preferred magic as a form of torture. But there were others that had other means of showing how evil they were, and rarely did it ever involve magic. A great example of this was Gellert Grindelwald, who often used people as pawns for a larger scheme that left him mostly disconnected from the crime itself. But Lord Voldemort was potentially the most adept at using his natural powers that weren't magic.

Betrayal was a common theme throughout the Harry Potter franchise, even before the first novel's events. The betrayal of Lilly and James Potter might've been the most famous and tragic, but it was far from the last. Voldemort was one to see people as pawns, similar to Grindelwald, but rather than play a long game, he cared more for instant gratification. As a result, he would employ other methods he had cultivated and enact them without having to utter a spell, as his greatest ability had nothing to do with magic.

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Voldemort's Real Harry Potter Power Came From His Words

Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort looking intently in Harry Potter.

Voldemort spent much of his life cultivating an identity that matched his true intentions. While Horcruxes were used to split his soul, his body also underwent many physical changes. His relationship with dark magic and willingness to let it corrupt him made his body much more snake-like. But these changes were used to create a terrifying identity even before he spoke. To make matters worse, his mercilessness and willingness to kill further backed up his image, as he was now someone who wouldn't be challenged. Worse than that, those that did wouldn't stand a chance, as he was a capable wizard.

As a result of the identity he had created, Voldemort gained a knack for coercing people to do what he wanted. While his actions would often turn some into loyal followers, he was also one to sway the intentions of good people. Similar coercion was likely how others like Mundungus were so easily swayed, especially since he was already a self-serving wizard. Nevertheless, one should look no further than the saddest betrayal of the Second Wizarding War to figure out the mystery of Voldemort's powers of persuasion.

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Voldemort's Coercion Led to a Dangerous Betrayal in Harry Potter

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Xenophilius Lovegood was the father of Luna Lovegood and an ally to Harry Potter's cause against the Death Eaters and Voldemort. However, having a daughter, he could only do so much to support the cause without endangering her. Sadly, this didn't keep Luna safe, and eventually, she was taken by Death Eaters. That was enough to force Xenophilius to work, temporarily, to entrap Harry and his friends for the Death Eaters. However, he also knew this might've been the best way to save his daughter. Though he wasn't an enemy, Xenophilius still felt immense guilt from the action and even lost his home during Harry, Ron and Hermione's snatching.

The betrayal was perhaps the most tragic of the Second Wizarding War and proved that anyone could be swayed to work for Voldemort with the right push. As for Xenophilius, while he did get his daughter back, it also led to Hermione's torture and the death of Dobby. These losses were sure to leave a mark on his soul and leave him with immense regret for what he felt he had to do. But even scarier than that, it proved that even without lifting a wand, Voldemort was capable of enjoying the suffering of others by simply using the right words and leverage.