genealogy of Harry Potter:

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 88428

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Kelly Penn <hermione978 at y...> 
wrote:
> Geoff:
> > I think the question of who can touch the prophecy refers to
> > the /initial/ picking up and not later. Voldemort has been 
thwarted
> > because he tried to get it via someone else; this failed because 
of
> > the protection so he lured Harry to the MoM for that purpose. He
> > could have got it himself but this would have confirmed that he 
had
> > returned.


Hermione978:
> Yes, he did try to use Neville to get the prophecy, but if you re-
read 
> the last part of O of P CAREFULLY Dumbledore tells Harry that the 
prophecy could most likely be him, but maybe not which is where 
Neville Longbottom 
> comes in.  This is a definite clue and unexpected thing in JKR's 
writing. 
> It is worth noting.   

Geoff:
I think you may have misunderstood my earlier comment. I wasn't 
referring to Neville when I said "via someone else".

Voldermort's name was on the prophecy as well as Harry's so he could 
have got it for himself. However, if he had appeared in the 
Department, it would have made it crystal clear that he was back; 
but, by not taking this line and by working covertly, he was able to 
allow Fudge to continue to undermine Harry and Dumbledore by refusing 
to believe their story.

It woudl seem though that he attempted to get someone else to get the 
prophecy.. Bode, it would seem. I couldn't locate the passage the 
other morning but I think the relevant bit is:

"Beyond the chair, in a pool of light cast upon the floor by the 
candles, knelt a man in black robes.
'I have been badly advised, it seems' said Harry in a high, cold 
voice that pulsed with anger.
'Master, I crave your pardon,' croaked the man kneeling on the floor. 
The back of his g=head glimmered in the candlelight. He seemed to be 
trembling.
'I do not blame you, Rookwood,' said Harry in that cold, cruel voice.
He relinquished his grip on the chair and walked round it, closer to 
the man cowering on the floor until he stood directly over him in the 
darkness looking down from a far greater height than usual.
'You are sure of your facts, Rookwood?' asked Harry.
'Yes, my Lord, yes.. I used to work in the Department after -  after 
all.'
'Avery told me Bode would be able to remove it.'
'Bode could never have taken it , Master.... Bode would have known 
that he could not....'!
(OOTP "Seen and Unforeseen" pp.515/16 UK edition)

So, he had to try to get Harry to obtain it. Once it had been 
removed, once the intial removal form the shelf was achieved, then 
anyone could take it - Lucius Malfoy or Bellatrix - and pass it on.