Dumbledore's History With Voldemort Explained

The First Wizarding War takes place 25 years after the Global Wizarding War – this time with Lord Voldemort as the dark wizard at the helm but again with Albus Dumbledore leading the charge against evil.

After years of social conflict in the wizarding world, in 1970 Voldemort and his Death Eaters openly commit acts of terrorism around Great Britain. Building on the social unrest, Voldemort declares himself the Dark Lord and leads a campaign of violence and prejudice against all those who aren't pure-bloods. Despite the efforts put forth by the Ministry of Magic and the Dumbledore-founded Order of the Phoenix, Voldemort's power multiplies, and the wizarding world is plagued by constant terror.

At the war's climax, Dumbledore instructs Order members Lily and James Potter to go into hiding with their infant son. While the Potters are in hiding, Voldemort learns of a prophecy that foretells his death at the hands of a wizard born at the end of July. Thanks to his knowledge of the Order members and information gleaned from Severus Snape, Voldemort assumes the prophecy speaks of the newborn Harry Potter. When the Potters' longtime friend Peter Pettigrew betrays them, the Dark Lord travels there to kill Harry.

When Lily refuses to step aside and let Voldemort kill her son, he kills her. However, her sacrifice activates a powerful protective spell rooted in love, and Voldemort's killing curse rebounds and kills the Dark Lord. But with so many Horcruxes out there, it is only a matter of time before Voldemort returns.