Neville and the Prophecy (Was Re: A litte more on the Prophecy)

[Richard]

No: HPFGUIDX 82235

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "kneazle255" <kneazle255 at y...> 
wrote:
> adsong16 wrote: 
> <snip>
> > It seems to me that this proves that Harry is indeed destined, as 
the 
> prophecy tells us, to vanquish the Dark Lord. How he's going to do 
> that, who will help him, and whether or not he will survive the 
> encounter, remains to be seen.
> 
> On the other hand, I also want to join the Neville Still Has Some 
> Part To Play In This gang. But that is another story... <
> 
> 
> Kneazle255:
> 
> Reading your post it struck me that Neville touches the Prophecy in 
> the MoM without going crazy. The only two people to handle it are 
> Harry and Neville, I think.
> 
> I am not sure if once a prophecy globe is removed from the room 
> anyone can then handle it or not. But Neville is the only one who 
> does, besides Harry.
> 
> COuld the Prophecy *STILL* apply to both equally?

Richard here:

I think you have forgotten or misinterpreted some of the text 
regarding the prophecies, as well as some discussions.

It is the Ministry (in the person of some official) that places the 
prophecy in the sphere, and that upon the shelf ... THEN places a 
charm on it that keeps others from tampering.  It is the Ministry's 
protection of the prophecy, not the prophecy itself, that determines 
who may handle it and who may not.

Once Harry or Voldemort takes the prophecy from its place in the hall 
of prophecy, anyone can touch it.  Harry doesn't have to GIVE it to 
anyone, as seen by the attempts to Accio it from his possession.  
(Would Bellatrix really have tried this if she knew it would drive 
her mad?  I think she is crazy enough to, but don't believe this is 
what would have happened.)

Now, the prophecy COULD still refer to Neville, but there is at least 
one major step that Voldemort must take in order for it to apply.  
Voldemort must in some manner mark Neville as his equal.  I don't see 
that happening, though.  If Voldemort were to come across Neville in 
some manner, he would likely just kill him without thought, or have 
one of the Death Eaters do it ... most likely the latter.  Neville 
has been improving, but I don't see him being so improved as to stand 
up effectively against such odds alone.

True, Neville could be in company with others, but he sure didn't 
fare well in the Battle of the Ministry.  Harry, on the other hand, 
has the brother to Voldemort's wand, and he has now survived multiple 
attacks by Voldemort and his followers.  So, the odds-on bet is that 
Harry is the one, and JKR would have to do some real fancy pen-work 
in order to pull off a believable "it's really Neville" twist.


Richard