Marking as an Equal

[kneazle255]

No: HPFGUIDX 82311


HG writes:

What I see as more likely is that Harry was "marked as an equal" in 
the graveyard scene, when Voldemort was mocking Harry, forcing him to 
go through the motions of a duel.  In that scene, even though it was 
all in ridicule, Voldemort did indeed mark Harry as an equal.  And so 
in light of that, I can see where Kneazle can speculate that 
Voldemort would do the same with Neville; and thus the terms of the 
prophecy could still just as likely apply to Neville.

Kneazle responds:

Yes, good show HG!

In The GoF scene, Voldemort goes thru the motions of a formal duel, 
even if it is in jest. A duel is, almost by definition, a fight 
between equals. Voldemort bows to Harry and makes Harry bow to him.

The prophecy doesn't say Voldemort has to mean it seriously. The 
prophecy doesn't necessarily describe intent, just an act.

As far as marking Harry as an equal in 1981, I don't see how what was 
an unplanned occurrence (V didn't want it to happen and Lily didn't 
know what she was doing) marks Harry as an equal.

If I try to shoot a rabid dog and the gun misfires and hurts me and 
simply scars the dog, I have certainly not mark the dog as an equal. 
That's an accident.

On to Neville. I have been saying that neither Harry nor Neville has 
been completely excluded. The biggest differnce is the marking 
criterion. And V could still do that.