* The Prophecy: The prophecy about "the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord" was ambiguous. It stated that "neither can live while the other survives," but it didn't specify *how* one would die. This ambiguity allowed for a different interpretation: one could choose to sacrifice themselves for the other.
* The Horcrux: Voldemort inadvertently created a Horcrux in Harry when he attacked him as a baby. This piece of his soul was residing within Harry, making him a target for Voldemort's killing curse.
* Harry's Sacrifice: When Voldemort aimed the killing curse at Harry, it destroyed the Horcrux within him, thus fulfilling the prophecy in a way Voldemort never intended. Instead of killing Harry, the curse merely released the piece of Voldemort's soul that resided in him.
* Lily's Sacrifice: Lily Potter's love for her son created a powerful protective shield. Voldemort's killing curse rebounded on him, shattering his body and leaving him in a weakened state. This was due to his own choice to kill Harry, even after Lily's sacrifice.
* The Elder Wand: Voldemort had taken ownership of the Elder Wand, but Harry had unknowingly become its true master by disarming Draco Malfoy, who had disarmed Dumbledore. The wand refused to kill its master, meaning it could not kill Harry.
In short, Harry survives because:
* He unknowingly becomes a Horcrux.
* He sacrifices himself, fulfilling the prophecy in a way Voldemort didn't anticipate.
* Lily's love creates a protective shield that rebounds the killing curse.
* The Elder Wand, under Harry's ownership, refuses to kill him.
These elements combine to create a powerful moment of sacrifice and redemption, defying Voldemort's intentions and paving the way for a new era of peace.