Of Souls and Death - Dumbledore's Intent

[William Bernard]

No: HPFGUIDX 148926

  <snip>
  PJ:
  > Since ST only knows what's going on around her before and 
  > after a trance she'd either have to have been going into it 
  > or coming out of it when Snape came into the room.  

  <snip>

  Miles:
  <snip>
  > ... and I always like to present my theory that knowing the 
  > entire prophecy, but telling LV only the first part of it is 
  > the reason for DD's trust in Snape. 
  <snip>
  > But I do not agree that Dumbledore told Harry a lie here:
  >
  > "(Snape) ... heard the first half of Professor Trelawney's 
  > prophecy. ... he hastened to tell his master what he had 
  > heard..." (HBP 25)
  >
  > Did Dumbledore tell Harry that Snape did NOT hear the second 
  > part? He made Harry think, but he didn't say so. So if the 
  > theory mentioned above (ignoring the boos of the crowd) is 
  > true, he didn't lie.


  Bill Here:
  There might be another explanation here. It could be that DD's explanation that Snape only heard the first part is correct. He has also said that the eavesdropper was overpowered and expelled from the Hog's Head. Suppose, in the middle of the prophecy, Snape was found and confronted by Aberforth. Assuming Aberforth is a wizard, he might have stunned him. Perhaps he grabbed him and they were wrestling outside the door. DD would hear the struggle, but listen to the whole prophecy. Then he would open the door, and ST, coming out of her trance, would see Snape. ST makes no mention of Aberforth, but does not say that Snape is alone either. 
  So it seems possible that Snape could be present at the end of the prophecy, but not have heard it all, because he was being ejected from the tavern at the time.

  Bill