[HPforGrownups] Trelawney's Predictions

[Margaret Dean]

No: HPFGUIDX 33541

lotusmoondragon at aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 1/13/2002 3:17:07 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> mrgrrrargh at aol.com writes:
> 
> > What
> > better cover for a gifted seer than that of one who has made two correct
> > predictions.
> 
> You know, I kind of think that Dumbeldore's comment about the "two correct
> predictions" is an exaggeration. Like when your mother tells you that she's
> told you a "million" times to clean your room.
> 
> The reason I say this is that I'm currently reading PoA again, and I just
> finished the "Talons and Tealeaves" chapter. She said quite a few things
> that actually happened. Neville's teacup, for instance. And I happen to
> think she is correct in her prediction to Lavender, even though the wording
> leaves something to be desired.

Ah, but Dumbledore didn't say "correct predictions."  He said
"genuine predictions" -- by which I think he means actual
instances of the Sight coming upon Trelawney.  It's fairly
obvious even to Harry how different this is from the usual run of
Trelawney's predictions.

A prediction can perfectly well be correct without being
"genuine" in that sense; by coincidence, by good guessing, by
cleverly vague wording, all the stock-in-trade of the
fortune-teller.

I'm with the camp that holds that Trelawney's actual Sight is
fitful and uncontrollable, but that she's a past master at
plausible fakery.


--Margaret Dean
  <margdean at erols.com>