why did voldemort kill harry potter's parents

Ah, now we're plunging into the deep heart of 'Harry Potter', aren't we? It's nothing too complicated, really. Voldemort, or 'He Who Must Not Be Named', killed Harry's parents, Lily and James Potter, because of a prophecy he heard.

According to the prophecy, a boy born at the end of July, to parents who had defied Voldemort three times, could eventually bring about his downfall. This could refer to two boys: Neville Longbottom and our beloved Harry Potter. Sadly, Voldemort chose the latter because he identified more with Harry, who, like him, was a half-blood wizard.

Now here's where it gets a bit emotional. When Voldemort arrived at the Potters' house in Godric’s Hollow, he intended to kill only Harry, not his parents. However, Lily and James, being absolutely wonderful parents, put up a fight. James unfortunately fell to Voldemort’s wand. When Lily was given the chance to step aside but refused to out of love for her son, she too, was killed. In doing so, she unwittingly cast an ancient protection spell on Harry through her sacrifice, granting him powerful protection against Voldemort’s curse.

To sum it up, it was Voldemort’s fear, resulting from the prophecy, that led to the tragic murder of Lily and James Potter. It's bitter irony in its purest form. A prophecy hinting at his downfall drove him to actions that directly led to it - attempted murder of a baby who survived and returned to vanquish him. Oh, the cruel twist! But that's what makes 'Harry Potter' such a compelling saga, I suppose.

Voldemort killed Harry Potter's parents because of a prophecy. The prophecy said a boy born at the end of July to parents who had defied Voldemort three times would have the power to vanquish him. Voldemort thought this boy was Harry. Since Harry's parents, James and Lily, would surely protect their son, Voldemort had to kill them to get to Harry. Also, he respected their skills and saw them as a threat.