Half Blood Prince-rumors and facts - Book 6: HP & the Half-Blood Prince

Half Blood Prince-rumors and facts

Book 6: HP & the Half-Blood Prince Forum

Pages:  1Original Forum    Popular Forums    Search

Posted by: fuscia

From the J.K. Rowling site.

Harry does not stand trial in this book. He leaves Privet drive this time for a "more pleasant" reason.

There will be no Luna/Neville romance in the book.

The Lestrange's were not sent after Neville. They were sent after his parents.

The OOP communicates using "nothing but a wand". "You saw the Orders method of communication in use even before you knew about the existance of the Order; it was employed by an Order member."

Reply To this Message

Posted by: fuscia

So who was the member using the wand?

Reply To this Message

Posted by: adityamahesh

Good question. Let me guess, who in the story owns a wand? Everybody!!! What a dumb spoiler. It is not even worth calling a spoiler.

My guess is Lupin.

M.

Reply To this Message

Posted by: fuscia

It is vague, but I want to know who gave it away. Which member? Dang it, now I have to read them all again. *stomps off to get a book

Reply To this Message

Posted by: gaboman

It is interesting... she did say we've seen it being used, which means that they were actually communicating before our very eyes, and we didn't know it!


I'm thinking perhaps it was Mr Weasley though. No real reason why I would think so, I just do. So, did he do anything special with his wand?

Reply To this Message

Posted by: fuscia

I don't know who it was yet. We should divide up the books. I get so mad when she leaves a clue like this. I must find out!

Reply To this Message

Posted by: gaboman

I told you, it was Mr Weasley I don't have any proof yet, but just work off my assumption, because I'm always right almost half the time.

Reply To this Message

Posted by: fuscia

quote:
From the FAQ page of the official J.K. Rowling web site:

What is the significance of Neville being the other boy to whom the prophecy might have referred?

Finally, I am answering the poll question! I am sorry it has taken so long, but let me start by saying how glad I am that this was the question that received the most votes, because this was the one that I most wanted to answer. Some of you might not like what I am going to say -- but I'll address that issue at the end of my response!

To recap: Neville was born on the 30th of July, the day before Harry, so he too was born 'as the seventh month dies'. His parents, who were both famous Aurors, had 'thrice defied' Voldemort, just as Lily and James had. Voldemort was therefore presented with the choice of two baby boys to whom the prophecy might apply. However, he did not entirely realise what the implications of attacking them might be, because he had not heard the entire prophecy. As Dumbledore says:

'He [the eavesdropper] only heard the beginning, the part foretelling the birth of a boy in July to parents who had thrice defied Voldemort. Consequently, he could not warn his master that to attack you would be to risk transferring power to you.'

In effect, the prophecy gave Voldemort the choice of two candidates for his possible nemesis. In choosing which boy to murder, he was also (without realising it) choosing which boy to anoint as the Chosen One -- to give him tools no other wizard possessed -- the scar and the ability it conferred, a magical window into Voldemort's mind.

So what would have happened if Voldemort had decided that the pure-blood, not the half-blood, was the bigger threat? What would have happened if he had attacked Neville instead? Harry wonders this during the course of 'Half-Blood Prince' and concludes, rightly, that the answer hinges on whether or not one of Neville's parents would have been able, or prepared, to die for their son in the way that Lily died for Harry. If they hadn't, Neville would have been killed outright. Had Frank or Alice thrown themselves in front of Neville, however, the killing curse would have rebounded just as it did in Harry's case, and Neville would have been the one who survived with the lightning scar. What would this have meant? Would a Neville bearing the lightning scar have been as successful at evading Voldemort as Harry has been? Would Neville have had the qualities that have enabled Harry to remain strong and sane throughout all of his many ordeals? Although Dumbledore does not say as much, he does not believe so: he believes Voldemort did indeed choose the boy most likely to be able to topple him, for Harry's survival has not depended wholly or even mainly upon his scar.

So where does this leave Neville, the boy who was so nearly King? Well, it does not give him either hidden powers or a mysterious destiny. He remains a 'normal' wizarding boy, albeit one with a past, in its way, as tragic as Harry's. As you saw in 'Order of the Phoenix,' however, Neville is not without his own latent strengths. It remains to be seen how he will feel if he ever finds out how close he came to being the Chosen One.

Some of you, who have been convinced that the prophecy marked Neville, in some mystical fashion, for a fate intertwined with Harry's, may find this answer rather dull. Yet I was making what I felt was a significant point about Harry and Voldemort, and about prophecies themselves, in showing Neville as the also-ran. If neither boy was 'pre-ordained' before Voldemort's attack to become his possible vanquisher, then the prophecy (like the one the witches make to Macbeth, if anyone has read the play of the same name) becomes the catalyst for a situation that would never have occurred if it had not been made. Harry is propelled into a terrifying position he might never have sought, while Neville remains the tantalising 'might-have-been'. Destiny is a name often given in retrospect to choices that had dramatic consequences.

Of course, none of this should be taken to mean that Neville does not have a significant part to play in the last two novels, or the fight against Voldemort. As for the prophecy itself, it remains ambiguous, not only to readers, but to my characters. Prophecies (think of Nostradamus!) are usually open to many different interpretations. That is both their strength and their weakness.



Reply To this Message

Posted by: gaboman

Ooooh interesting. I like the last part... Prophecies are open to many different interpretations... I feel there's something hidden in the prophecy we're missing

Reply To this Message

Posted by: fuscia

OH I think she means that this part is where she is going to stick it to us "and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives "

Reply To this Message

Posted by: gaboman

Yes, but that makes no sense, because both of them are alive... right.... er... right?

Reply To this Message

Posted by: flying panda

quote:
from Fuscias 1st post
The OOP communicates using "nothing but a wand". "You saw the Orders method of communication in use even before you knew about the existance of the Order; it was employed by an Order member.


I just heard we would find out more about how the Order comunicated ... not more information like they use there wands ...
Reply To this Message

Posted by: fuscia

I hope we find out more. I want to know everything.

Reply To this Message

Posted by: flying panda

aparently we wont need a prequal when its all done, we will find out everything about the past, about what happened before harrys birth etc

Reply To this Message

Posted by: flying panda

oh and the rerason about Voldes birth that made him turn out evil

Reply To this Message

Posted by: adityamahesh

There better not be another prophecy about Voldemort being born, or a prophecy about the One who will bring balance to the wand or something like that.

M.

Reply To this Message

Posted by: fuscia

I think another prophecy would short circut old Trewalney.

Reply To this Message

Posted by: flying panda

we know Trewalney has only ever had 2 prophecies, the one about Voldy and Harry, and the one Harry whitnessed

Reply To this Message

Posted by: adityamahesh

But who says there aren't other sears, I mean, seers?

M.

Reply To this Message

Posted by: fuscia

I am sure there are. Just don't tell Professor T.

Reply To this Message

Posted by: flying panda

well we know there are more, look at all those prophercies in the MoM

Reply To this Message

Pages:  1 Free Forums    Chat Forum

Book 6: HP & the Half-Blood Prince Forum: Half Blood Prince-rumors and facts

Forum Forum Forum