Trelawney's First Interview

[karlii26]

No: HPFGUIDX 169114

I'd like to bring up a couple of points for Chapter 25.

First, I agree with everyone, that Dumbledore did not think he'd 
hear anything substantive in this interview.  In fact, he seemed 
inclined to dismiss it out-of-hand.  Given this, I wonder why he 
even gave an interview?  Probably to satisfy some requirement of the 
Governor's, in order to drop the subject from the curriculum.

In any case, we have two divergent descriptions of what happened to 
the alleged eavesdropper.  In OotP, chapter 37, we are told that the 
eavesdropper heard the first part about the baby born at the end of 
July, to parents who thrice defied Voldemort.  Then that 
eavesdropper was thrown from the building.

Later, in HBP, we see that Sibyll saw the uncouth barman (Aberforth, 
I presume)standing at the door with Snape.  She "can't help but 
think" that he was after 'interview tips'.  This smacks stongly of 
memory modification.  

Dumbledore tells Harry that he was never a very good Occlumens.  
Then he tells Harry that of course, Severus was in the employ of the 
Dark Lord when he heard the prophecy, and of course, he would run to 
tell him.

Given that Voldemort can see into Harry's mind, even if he hasn't 
seemed to over the sixth year, it makes sense the Dumbledore still 
works to protect Snape.  

No where does Dumbledore state that Severus heard the first part of 
the prophecy at the Hog's Head, at the time it was made.  

The whole 'pushing and thrusting' scuffle sounds staged to me.  
Trelawney's take on the mannerisms of herself and Sev, sounds 
reversed to me.  She seems pushy, Snape seems reserved.  

There is more than meets the eye about this.  I also expect that 
Dumbledore and Snape have some sort of vow or bond between them.  I 
don't think that Dumbledore is allowed to speak clearly on what 
makes him trust Snape so strongly.

It strikes me also, given the way Dumbledore has with words, that it 
isn't a lie to say Snape was in LV's employ at the time.  
Technically, he still IS in his employ.  It does not state that 
Snape was "loyal" to Voldemort, merely that he was in his employ.

If Dumbledore sent Snape off with a bit of prophecy, to try to gain 
some advantage in the war, well, maybe we'll find that out in a few 
days, when bk7, comes out.  

As that time approaches, I think this is a topic worth revisiting, 
and will help us find some truths, even if we won't know what those 
are until July.  (now isn't THAT an interesting twist?)

karlii