The foggy future

[Steve Bates]

No: HPFGUIDX 497

All this about fortunetellers reminds me of some thoughts I have had 
for awhile on Professor Trelawney.  I personally don't think she is a 
crackpot at all.  My reasoning is this.  It's been said time and time 
again that fortunetelling is a very imprecise type of magic, and so I 
don't think it is really much "practical" use.  Think of the Oracle 
in the Matrix; she knew Neo was the One, but couldn't tell him 
because telling him would have ruined his being the One.  I think 
Rawling has the same philosophy: it really won't help to know the 
future because the knowledge one has of the future will change the 
future. I think Trelawney is very in touch with the universe.  This 
connection with the universe is almost a religious experience for 
her, a sort of meditation.  Her ability to see the future as a result 
is only a side effect.  But pragmatic people like McGonagall and 
Hermione try to shoehorn Trelawney's gift into utilitarian ends, and 
it is their improper perspective that makes Trelawney look like a 
charlatan.
Dumbledore said that Trelawney had only ever made two correct 
prophecies, but she is continually making smaller, vague predictions 
that usually come roughly true.  Examples include Neville's teacup 
and Lavender's rabbit.  As for Hermione leaving the class; she 
obviously had some idea something of the sort was going to happen but 
probably didn't know the specifics or the person involved.  She can't 
see into the future precisely all the time.  But she has a hazy idea, 
and that is the best we can expect of her in strictly practical 
terms.