Why is everyone so convinced the prophecy is correct?

arrowsmithbt arrowsmithbt at btconnect.com
Sat Oct 4 15:37:40 UTC 2003


No: HPFGUIDX 82267

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "kneazle255" <kneazle255 at y...> wrote:
> 
> Kneazle responds: 
> 
> Apologies, Kneasy, for missing some of the conslusions in your posts. 
> But I don't think I am simply retreading old ground. I hope I am 
> tilting at another windmill altogether.

Kneasy:
Apologies not necessary. Please don't  think I was having a go at you;
it was at a much more generalised moan at a failing that we're all 
guilty of.

> 
>Kneazle> 
> To summarize where I am now--I am not convinced that Neville has been 
> entirely excluded from fulfilling the prophecy. 
> 
> There are four criteria to be the 'other' in the prophecy:
> 
> 1. Boy born in the 7th month
> 2. Parents who have thrice defied the Dark Lord
> 3. Have a power the dark lord knows not
> 4. Acknowledged as the Dark Lord's equal
> 
> Neville:
> 
> 1. Born in the 7th month (YES)
> 2. Parent who have thrice defied the Dark Lord (YES)
> 3. Have a power the dark lord know not (YES. Faith love, loyalty, 
> etc. See my post 82241)
> 4. Acknowledged as the Dark Lord's equal (I think this is a low 
> hurdle. See my #82240)
>

Kneasy:
I  agree that Neville can't be ruled out entirely, but you've raised
points that have been the causes of intense discussions before; and 
not just from my posts. They also apply to Neville.

What proof is there that Harry is Voldys equal?
Very little. When we look at his escapades so  far he seems to fall 
over Voldy before he realises what's happening. 

Additionally, his escapes seem to rely on factors outside his control.
Quirrell crumbling; Fawkes and a fangfully lucky guess in CoS; 
conflicting wands in GoF; Dumbledore on OoP.
None of it is intentional; none of it is Harry exercising magical power
by choice. What he is is bloody lucky. 

If he were Voldy's equal, it would have been evident in the final 
showdown in the Ministry. But until DD came along, Voldy was wiping 
the floor  with him. A few more minutes and we'd have had Dead!Harry. 
The future may be different, but just at the moment he cannot be 
considered Voldys equal.

The power the Dark Lord knows not.
This really is a can of worms.
Lots of posters will tell you they know exactly what this power is; it's
love or friendship or self sacrifice or steadfastness or, or...
We're all  guessing on that one. Me, I haven't the slightest idea; I know
what I hope it isn't, because I  would hate to end the series drowning 
in romanticised slush. But that's not up to me, it's JKRs call. I have a
feeling, maybe more of a hope, that this power may not be such an 
obvious charateristic as many think. Therefore, I'm sceptical about
theories that rely on an unknown.

 Kneazle:
> In the MoM scene in OoTP, I see JKR either: 
> 
> --providing direct evidence of this by having Neville touch a 
> prophecy that should have driven him crazy. (Less possible because of 
> the canon several people have referenced.)
> OR
> -- foreshadowing and simulataneously being indirect about Neville's 
> importance to the meta-plot. (Very likely, at least to me.)
> 

Kneasy:
You may be right, but I read it a different way.
I don't think the MoM scene was about prophecies; yes, there was an
indication that Neville is about to find his feet; but mostly I think it was
about Harry and Sirius. About loss and it's effect. With the added
frisson that Sirius may have been zapped by his own side. Plus a 
chance for Dumbledore to put on his caring face, beat his breast, 
cry "Mea culpa!" and give an exposition and justification of his actions 
to date. The effect that this has on Harry is the key to the next book,
if  my hunches are accurate. Oh, there'll have been clues in there that
I've missed, but you have to go with your own reading of it, don't you?  







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