Help me understand the importance of the prophecy, please

[Tim Regan]

No: HPFGUIDX 82103

Hi All,

> --- In HPforGrownups Dumbledad (me) wrote:
> 
> > My main problem is that it (the prophecy) appears really lame. 
It 
> doesn't tell anybody much that they didn't already know.
>  
> > Here it is again:
>  
> > 1) The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord 
approaches . . . 
> > 2) born to those who have thrice defied him, 
> > 3) born as the seventh month dies . . . and 

--- Then augustinapeach wrote:
> This is where I differ.  I think the prophecy has huge 
implications 
> for Voldemort.  For one thing, it tells him who he really has to 
> fear -- Harry.  

> His attention is focused on Dumbledore, and that's how Dumbledore 
> wants it.  As long as he can be a decoy, Harry will have time to 
> develop and learn and eventually to have the chance to carry out 
> his "mission."  That's why so much effort was put into protecting 
> the prophecy.

Your explanation does fit with Voldemort's attitude to Harry 
whenever they meet. But, before OotP commences, Voldemort already 
knows the first three clauses of the prophecy. From them he deduced 
that the one with the power to vanquish him is the baby Harry, and 
so sets off to kill him. He fails. He then tries three more times to 
kill Harry (though he's not aware of the attempt he made in CoS) and 
fails each time. So by the beginning of OotP he knows exactly 
who "the one" mentioned in the prophecy is. That's the reason I 
think that the additional clauses of the prophecy tell him so little 
that's new. Voldemort doesn't need to know that Harry is "the one", 
he needs to know how to kill Harry.

Cheers,

Dumbledad.