The Prophesy

[ohneill_2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 111570

nailteacher wrote:
 
> Ok, so upon closer examination of the last line of the Prophesy, it 
> could be interpreted that the "other" is a third party, and either 
> Harry or Voldemort must die at the hand of the Third party (other) 
> for neither Harry nor Voldemort can live while the third pary 
(other) 
> survives. Could this third party be the Half-Blood Prince?

Now Cory:

Different versions of this theory have been discussed at length on 
here before.  However, there is one thing I don't quite understand: 
assuming "the other" is a third party, wouldn't the last line imply 
that *both* Harry and Voldemort must die?  For if "neither" can live 
while the other survives, that would indicate that both must die, 
right?

In the end, I think the real answer is that the prophecy must refer 
to Harry and Voldemort, and no third party.  Otherwise, it is 
internally inconsistent.  If we assume that "the other" is a third 
party, then "either must die at the hand of the other" implies that 
only one of the two must die, but "neither can live while the other 
survives" implies that *both* must die.  

On the other hand, if we assume that it refers to Harry and Voldemort 
only, then the language fits: one of them must die at the hand of the 
other, for neither can live while the other survives.

(Of course, I'm ignoring the possibility that it might not refer to 
Harry at all...hmm.)

--Cory