The Enigma of the Lost Prophecy in Harry Potter
Uncover the origins and significance of the Lost Prophecy in Harry Potter Discover its contents and understand why it holds such paramount importance
Article Key Points
The Lost Prophecy in Harry Potter reveals Voldemort's motivations for trying to kill Harry as a baby and foreshadows Harry's defeat of the Dark Lord.
Sybil Trelawney, a notorious Seer, made the Prophecy prior to Harry's birth. According to the Prophecy, the individual capable of defeating the Dark Lord would be born in late July to parents who had defied Voldemort on three separate occasions. Although both Harry and Neville Longbottom matched these criteria, Voldemort decided to attribute the Prophecy to Harry.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix introduced the pivotal concept of the 'Lost Prophecy', which later became the focal point of the entire franchise. In the climactic Battle of the Department of Mysteries, the Death Eaters strive to obtain the Prophecy in order to present it to their master, Lord Voldemort. Within the pages of Order of the Phoenix, Harry directly questions the Death Eaters regarding the significance of the Prophecy. It is during this intense exchange that Lucius Malfoy, one of Voldemort's devoted followers, cryptically remarks, "Have you ever pondered why the Dark Lord tried to kill you as an infant?" This crucial interaction serves as Harry's initial realization of the profound importance of the Prophecy.
Undoubtedly, the Lost Prophecy serves as a revelation of Voldemort's motives behind his attempted murder of Harry as a mere baby, while simultaneously casting a foreboding shadow over the Dark Lord's eventual downfall at the hands of Harry Potter. Yet, ardent fans of the Harry Potter series have perpetually harbored curiosity surrounding the precise contents of the Prophecy and the reasoning behind its exceptional significance.
Where Did the Prophecy Originate From?
The Prophecy, as explained by Dumbledore, was made just before Harry's birth. In "Order of the Phoenix," Dumbledore reveals that it was Sybil Trelawney who made the famous Prophecy. Fans of Harry Potter may recall that Trelawney was a renowned Seer, possessing the ability to glimpse into the future. Trelawney was first introduced in "Prisoner of Azkaban," where she served as the Divination Professor at Hogwarts, much to Hermione Granger's annoyance. When Trelawney's character was initially introduced, no one anticipated the significant role she would play in the series.
Dumbledore informs Harry that he first heard the Prophecy while meeting with Sybil Trelawney at the Hog's Head Inn. The Headmaster had visited her for a job interview at Hogwarts, never anticipating the weight and significance of the Prophecy he would hear.
What Does the Lost Prophecy State?
Unfortunately, due to the unsavory individuals that frequent the Hog's Head Inn, it was inevitable that a disaster would occur. The Prophecy made by Trelawney was overheard by a Death Eater who promptly informed Lord Voldemort. However, the eavesdropper did not wait to hear the entire contents of the Prophecy, which ultimately led to Voldemort's initial defeat when he tried to kill Harry Potter.
In the Department of Mysteries, Harry is first introduced to the Prophecy in the movie. However, unlike the book, the orb containing a duplicate of the Prophecy shatters before Harry can comprehend its message. It is only after the tragic demise of Sirius that Dumbledore reveals to Harry the renowned prophecy made by Trelawney. The book provides a detailed account of the complete Prophecy.
The Dark Lord's ultimate foe is approaching. This chosen one will be born to parents who have defied the Dark Lord thrice, as the seventh month comes to an end. The Dark Lord will acknowledge this individual as his equal, yet the chosen one possesses a power that the Dark Lord does not comprehend. Ultimately, one of them must perish at the hands of the other, as their coexistence is impossible. The individual destined to defeat the Dark Lord will enter the world as the seventh month concludes.
This implies that Voldemort's equal would be born in late July and have parents who have already stood against Voldemort three times. This individual would be known as the "Chosen One" and possess the capability to vanquish Voldemort, given the prophecy's statement about their coexistence. As avid Harry Potter enthusiasts may recall, Harry was born on July 31st and his parents were dedicated members of the Order of the Phoenix, an organization openly opposing Lord Voldemort. Consequently, Harry assumes he is the subject of the Prophecy, but Dumbledore corrects him:
Sibyll's prophecy could have been relevant to two wizard boys. They were both born in late July of that particular year and had parents who were part of the Order of the Phoenix. It is worth noting that both sets of parents had narrowly escaped Voldemort on three separate occasions. One of these boys was Harry, and the other was Neville Longbottom.
Similar to Harry, Neville Longbottom was also born at the end of July, and his parents were brave members of the Order of the Phoenix as well. The Prophecy could have been applicable to either of these boys. However, Voldemort chose to focus on Harry. When Harry questions why he was selected, Dumbledore reveals that Voldemort believed Harry posed the greatest threat to him. Dumbledore proceeds to highlight an important aspect of Voldemort's decision:
Notice this, Harry. He intentionally chose a half-blood, like himself, instead of a pureblood, which is the only type of wizard he believed to be worthy. Before even meeting you, he already saw himself reflected in you.
Neville came from a pure-blooded wizarding background, with both his parents belonging to wizarding families. In contrast, Harry was a half-blood because his mother, being Muggle-born, was the first witch in her lineage. Interestingly, Voldemort, despite preaching the superiority of pure-bloods, was actually a half-blood. This fact, which he despised about himself, is why Dumbledore believes he targeted Harry instead of Neville, ultimately making him the infamous "Chosen One". The Chosen One would have the potential to either defeat the Dark Lord or be defeated by him, according to the Prophecy. It is arguable that the Prophecy is the most pivotal element in the narrative of Harry Potter.
Harry Potter | Neville Longbottom |
|---|---|
Born 31st July | Born 30th July |
Half-Blood | Pure-Blood |
Parents were killed by Voldemort | Parents were tortured by Death Eaters |
Why Is The Prophecy So Important?
Upon finding out about the Prophecy, Voldemort becomes convinced that the Chosen One will ultimately lead to his downfall. As a result, Voldemort sets his sights on Harry and his family on the fateful Halloween night of 1981. After discovering the location of the Potter family, Voldemort ruthlessly murders Lily and James Potter. However, his effort to eliminate Harry with the infamous Killing Curse drastically backfires, resulting in the demise of Voldemort while simultaneously sparing Harry's life. The Prophecy portrays the Chosen One as Voldemort's 'equal', thus unraveling why the Dark Lord's attempt to eliminate the young infant proved fruitless.
The events of Harry Potter would never have taken place if Voldemort had been unaware of Trelawney's Prophecy. The Prophecy serves as the central theme of the series and leads to the ultimate battle between Harry and Voldemort in the Deathly Hallows. The well-known phrase from the Prophecy, "Neither can live while the other survives," means that Harry was destined to defeat Voldemort from the beginning.
The famous Battle of Hogwarts ultimately brings the Prophecy to realization. In the Deathly Hallows, Harry successfully defeats Voldemort, putting an end to his terror. Interestingly, Neville Longbottom also plays a crucial role in fulfilling the Prophecy. During the Battle of Hogwarts, Neville famously kills Nagini, Voldemort's final Horcrux, which removes Voldemort's immortality and allows Harry to kill him. Neville's involvement highlights his significance in the franchise, as the Prophecy is fulfilled by both him and Harry. Trelawney's prediction not only sets the events of Harry Potter in motion but also brings them to a close, underscoring its importance.
Harry Potter
Created by J.K. RowlingFirst Film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneLatest Film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part TwoWhere to watch HBO Max
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I find the Lost Prophecy in Harry Potter to be a fascinating and intriguing concept. It adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to the story, and it's interesting to see how it all unfolds. I also think it's a great way to show how powerful Voldemort is, and how far he's willing to go to achieve his goals.
Overall, I think the Lost Prophecy is a great addition to the Harry Potter series, and it's something that I'll always remember.
