[HPforGrownups] CHAPTER DISCUSSIONS: Chapter Thirty seven - The lost prophecy

[Janet Anderson]

No: HPFGUIDX 124149

>1. Do you think we will ever meet Phineas again? What do you think
>about the possibility of the network of portraits playing even
>larger role in the later battles?

Probably so.  I think the portraits are already part of Dumbledore's 
information network, and also part of Hogwarts' defenses.  Of course, there 
may be another side to such a network: Suppose other portraits, with 
different loyalties, have the same abilities and access, even to Hogwarts 
...

>2. Harry blames himself for Sirius's death. Do you?

In common with several other people on this list, I blame only two people 
for Sirius's death: Bellatrix (directly) and Voldemort (indirectly).


>3. Dumbledore is sure that Harry IS the person the prophecy talks
>about. Are you?

I think he probably is, but I suspect there will continue to be misdirection 
on that subject.  And I wonder if Neville knows about the prophecy (or if 
his grandmother does).

>4. Harry complains to Dumbledore that Occlumency lessons were
>weakening him. Dumbledore replies with his usual vow of trust for
>Snape. Do you trust Snape?

I trust Dumbledore, and therefore I trust Snape to be loyal to Dumbledore 
and the Side of Good.

>5.  Dumbledore blames himself for Sirius death. Do you?

See answer to question 2 above.

>6. Voldemort did not choose the pureblood wizard like
>Neville "which, according to his creed, is the only kind of wizard
>worth being or knowing."
>Does this quote make a difference in your view on whether Voldemort
>himself is sufficiently interested in promoting "purebloodism" or
>just in grabbing power, no matter who helps him achieve it?

I think he definitely values and espouses the "pureblood" ideology, but I 
also think he'll grab power anywhere it is to be found -- after all, he'll 
work with giants, not to mention Dementors, and negotiate with goblins.

>7.  Do you agree with the possibility that Neville may turn out to
>be the real prophecy child?

I don't really think so, but I think that possibility will be very much on 
the table in future books.

>8. Do you think that there is a possibility that the prophecy does
>not speak about either Harry or Neville? Can you offer completely
>new and unexpected interpretation of it?

Using the information we have now, I can't think of anything. :)

>9. Dumbledore tells us that Sibyll is the great granddaughter of
>Cassandra Trelawney. As we know from mythology, nobody believed
>Cassandra's predictions which turned out to be true. Do you think
>that JKR is hinting that Sibyll is a more gifted seer that
>Dumbledore thinks? Do you think that there is more to Sibyll than
>meets the eye?

Yes, although probably not much. I think Hermione is right and her 
Divination courses are a load of dingo's kidneys, but I also think one thing 
Sibyll says is true -- you can't learn or control the gift of prophecy.  
Dumbledore keeps her around not only to protect her from Voldemort et al, 
but in case, completely involuntarily and without conscious knowledge, she 
produces more true prophecies.

>10.  Who is the infamous eavesdropper?

One can only guess:  Mundungus Fletcher?  A portrait on the wall of the 
Hog's Head?  McGonagall in cat form?

>11. Dumbledore tells Harry, "In the end, it mattered not that you
>could not close your mind.  It was your heart that saved you."  Does
>this mean that occlumency lessons were unnecessary in the first
>place? Was Dumbledore aware that Harry has plenty of that power in
>that room BEFORE possession occurred?

I have no idea.

>12.  Do you think that this chapter was well done "plot wise"? I

It was certainly powerfully written.  As an expository "getting us all up to 
speed" chapter, it was pretty good.

>13. We see Dumbledore crying in this chapter for the first time in
>the books. Despite the fact that a similar question was already
>posted couple of days ago,(message 123486) I decided not to delete
>mine. What did you feel when you read about Dumbledore's tear?

I was crying right along with him through most of the chapter.



Janet Anderson