How many people know the prophecy?

[Hitomi]

No: HPFGUIDX 90364

Aditya wrote:
Well, that would be true supposing that Neville's granny is aware 
of the prophecy. Not just that the prophecy exists but that also 
it's contents. And that Neville could be targeted.
 
So far, there has been no clear indication in the books that 
anyone apart from Dumbledore and now, Harry knows the prophecy. 
Yeah, it is true that it looked like the members of the Order of 
Phoenix know that there is a prophecy as do the Death Eaters but I 
wonder how many people know it in it's entriety?
 
Also if, the Order knows that Voldemort is after Harry because he 
is supposed to kill Voldemort, then how can they be ever so 
complacent about keeping Harry in the dark?
 
Hitomi:
Ohayo minna!  Personally, unless given more information, I've always 
assumed only DD, and now Harry, know of the full prophecy.  We know 
LV knows part of it, and we know the DE's know, if what Lucius said 
to Harry in the Prophecy Room is any indication, but I don't think 
the Order knows.  For an example, after Arthur was attacked, and the 
kids were using the Extendable Ears in St. Mungo's, Moody says 
something along the lines of "Well, yeah, we know there something's 
odd about about the Potter boy, no denying that."  And Molly, when 
Sirius wants to tell Harry what's been going on in the beginning, 
blatantly refuses to tell him anything, because DD said not to tell 
Harry anything he doesn't absolutely need to know.  She doesn't know 
why DD gave them these instructions, though.  We find out at the 
end, of course, but I don't DD ever told anyone of the prophecy.  I 
think he's probably been living with that burden for the last 
sixteen years.  Besides, McGonagall and apparently everyone else 
were clueless at the beginning of Book 1.

Also, DD probably didn't tell the Potters or Longbottoms.  He had 
Snape as a spy, and either Snape, or something else, tipped him off 
that LV was going after the Potters.  We know that from Book 1, 
because Lily and James had to go into hiding in the first place, 
because LV was after them.  DD was just probably waiting to see who 
LV would go after first, because he would have known it could have 
only been the Longbottoms' or Potters' son, Lily and Mrs. Longbottom 
would have had to have been pregnant at the time Trelawney gave the 
prophecy (summer of a little over sixteen years ago, and Harry and 
Neville turn sixteen in a month).  

I try to look at hearing the prophecy from DD's POV, and besides the 
fact it probably seemed a Godsend, he couldn't have known 
what "marking as his equal" meant.  We could've guessed LV would 
have to choose between the boys, and he would have know LV would go 
after whomever he thought "the One" to be, since LV was given 
knowledge of such a prophecy, and that would suddenly be his main 
threat.  And so, he goes after the Potters.  DD has assumed, as we 
are led to, that that designates Harry as "the One."  He fulfills 
the prophecy, there would have been no need to tell the Longbottoms 
or Gran.  Especially since LV pretty much ignores Neville's 
existence.  He always concentrates on Harry (for obvious reasons).  
Neville isn't in anymore danger than say, Luna Lovegood.

So, in summation, I don't think DD has told anyone, except for 
Harry.  And the people who keep the Prophecy Room might know, too.  
I don't think it really matters, though, because Harry will tell Ron 
and Hermione eventually, and everyone will have to know.  Besides 
which, if I were Harry, and they didn't let me into the Order next 
year, I would be rather miffed.  Considering he has more clause to 
be in it than anyone, besides perhaps DD.  Just my thoughts, at any 
rate.

Oh, and I have a theory on Harry and Neville.  I don't think Neville 
is "the One," wouldn't make as much sense, but has anyone read 
the "Alvin Maker" series by Card?  It's an American fantasy series, 
and Alvin is the seventh son of a seventh son, making him "the One" 
of this series.  But his little brother, Calvin (yes, I know, 
redundant), is the eighth son, obviously, but the first son was dead 
at the time of his birth, so Calvin is sort of a seventh son of a 
seventh son, but really the eighth.  Anyway, it has given him powers 
similar to his older brother, but not on the same level.  Maybe that 
is how Neville will be (without Calvin's personality, ugh).  Just 
something to think about.

'Kay I'm done :)

~ Hitomi, who like Julie, wants to know what is up with the gum 
wrappers, and how many Neville has