The Prophecy __( was: The Isolated Headmaster)

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 163601

--- , "justcarol67" <justcarol67 at ...> wrote:
>
> ...total snippage...
> 
> Carol, unsure whether Snape knows the rest of the 
> Prophecy but convinced that his advice is perfectly 
> sound (and constitutes solid evidence of his continuing
> loyalty to the now-dead DD)
>

bboyminn:

Since Snape has been discussed a lot recently, the Prophecy
and 'who knows what' has also been discussed. I have
mentioned this before, so it's nothing new, but I think
Dumbledore discussed the Prophecy with lots of people and
/in general/ told them what it said and what it meant, but
I don't think he has actually quoted it to anyone but
Harry.

It seems reasonable that there are people at the Ministry
who know /about/ the prophecy. I think that is how 
Dumbledore convinced them to put the extra monitoring on
Privet Drive. I also think that is how Dumbledore arranges
special treatment from the Ministry for Harry (cars and 
such).

But to know /about/ the Prophecy, to have had it explained
in variying degrees to varying people is quite different 
than hearing a direct quote.

Dumbledore, just as Ender, Bean, Atremis Fowl, and other 
heroes and commanders, operates on a a strict 'needs to 
know basis'. No reasonable and effective commander could
do otherwise. Oh yes, there are many people who think they
want to know, there are many who think they should know, 
but there are very few who really need to know. This is
not gossip over tea, this is the fate of the Wizard World
at stake, and 'loose lips sink ships'.

That's part of Dumbledore's dilemma; 'it's lonely at the
top'. He has no equal, either socially, intellectually,
or militarily. He carries the burden of destiny alone,
just as Harry does. He keeps his own council because to 
do otherwise is to introduce grave risk into the equation.

I'm sure Dumbledore would love to sit down to tea with
McGonnagall or Snape and tell them everything. It would 
be a relief to not have to carry that burden alone. It
would be a immense relief if he could pass the knowledge
and responsibility for choices off on to other people, but
he can't; the risk is too high. If he tells someone and 
they let bits and pieces slip, and someone else puts those
bit and pieces together, the the Grand Plan is blown; the
game is lost.

So, Dumbledore carries his knowledge alone. He makes the
decisions alone. And rise or fall, fly or crash, he excepts
the responsibility alone. It's a terrible burden, but it
is the burden that all men in Dumbledore's position must
bear.

As to the Prophey, I believe Dumbledore has given various
people various explanations based on his own opinion of 
their 'need to know'. But he hasn't revealed the actual
Prophecy to anyone other than Harry. I suspect, perhaps,
not even Lily and James or Neville's parents knew it in
detail. I think Dumbledore explained it and they trusted
his explanation.

Just a thought.

Steve/bboyminn