Department of Mysteries Prophecies - Smashing Orbs

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 125411


> 
> bboyminn:
--- 
> Remember Harry's earlier description (in narative) of what he saw in
> the Hall of Prophecies; rows and rows of glass orbs, some shining
> bright, other dull and dark as burnt-out lightbulbs. I'm guessing 
that
> the 'burnt-out' orbs are prophecies that have expired. That is, they
> have been fulfilled, and are no longer relevant; therefore, they 
are dark.
-- 
> I think this is one of those times when we need to use external
> analysis. The reason for having the prophecies break is for the 
author
> to introduce the concept of what happens when they break, so that
> later when Harry/Neville break Harry's prophecy, we will understand
> what is happening, and know (or at least think) that in the chaos, 
the
> Prophecy will /play/ unheard.

Finwitch:

I think you're right about the fulfilled vs. still active prophecy. 
As the prophecy Harry got wasn't dark, it's still active. (It won't 
be fulfilled until either Harry or Voldemort is dead, I 
suppose. 'Either must die at the hand of the other...')

No one (except maybe Neville who was right next to it, and Neville 
was the other possible prophecy-boy, so it's only fair he heard it, 
too, isn't it?) appears to have paid attention to it at the time, 
with all that fighting going on... However, it's entirely possible 
for a DE (or a DA-member or those of the Order who were there, but 
particularly Neville) to use a Pensieve to hear the smashed Prophecy. 
Or to witness Harry pointing his wand at Bellatrix and saying Crucio 
with no effect...

Finwitch