The End By Assorted Plot Devices

[Josh Warren]

No: HPFGUIDX 110078

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Brenda" <luckdragon64 at y...> 
wrote:
> > Josh wrote:
> > I hate being repetitive, but unless you can justify the rest of 
> > the prophecy (i.e. why is Peter's death necessary to prevent the 
> > death of both Harry and LV? And if so, why must one of them kill 
> > him? And how does that require that Peter's death in a 
preventative 
> > role?)
>
> Luckdragon trying to put it all together:
> either (Harry or LV) must die at the hand of the other (Peter) for 
> neither (Harry or LV) can live while the other (Harry or LV) 
survives...

*rings the giant gong*

Prophesy is delivered in verbal form... there would be no way to 
deliniate between the two versions of "the other". That 'the' is 
mighty important, as it pins down an identity. It's not 'an-other'. 
The only way 'the other' could mean a third person if it is used in a 
proper noun sense, "the Other", which is somewhat possible... but 
then the second other would have to be so as well. Otherwise, 
different terminology would be required.

True prophesies don't have to be instantly obvious at the time they 
are given, but if they do not attempt to impart some kernal of 
knowledge, then they would be completely useless. 

This and the following is why I remain convinced that aside 
from "those" the prophesy refers to only two individuals. The One and 
the Dark Lord... either (which is singular) and the other... neither 
(also singular) and the other.

There is no way to construct the more popular 2-person reading the 
prophesy without the word 'other' except to get totally redundance, 
or use 'vice-versa'. However if a 3rd party were indicated, it would 
be indicated by using 'both', as the 'neither' wouldn't be required 
to keep it as a singular reference... as both would be doomed lest 
the Other were felled.

Josh