Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince point of discussion (Spoilers)

[mrtauntaun]

Right, but did Neville take it off the stand in the book? I don't recall, it's been awhile since I've read it.

 

[kingpaul]

Right, but did Neville take it off the stand in the book? I don't recall, it's been awhile since I've read it.

I'm pretty sure that, in the book, Harry picked it up. It broke, IIRC, when Harry was helping Neville on the stairs.

 

[Elf Witch]

I really think the prophecy is now about Harry because of Voldemort's actions he made the prophecy about Harry.

Before Voldemort attacked Harry it could have been about either Harry or Neville.

I think if Voldemort had chosen Neville the books would have been called Neville Longbottom and the Sorceror Stone.

I don't see JK Rowling pulling this after all this time and seven books suddendly saying oh Harry you are not the one it is up to Neville to handle Voldemort. That would be a real bad ideaI think it would piss off most of your readers.

As a reader I would feel cheated to suddenly have it be about Neville.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I wonder if in retrospect those people that thought Neville was actually the prophecy boy are going to lumped in the same "delusional" category that the folks that thought Ron and Hermione would never hook up were placed.

I'm sure that you don't mean it, but this sounds rather rude towards those people in this thread who do hope for a larger role for Neville.

Even if reporting how you think 'those other people' might respond, be careful!

Thanks

 

[Randolpho]

Not quite. Anyone can find the prophecy, but only the principals involved can remove it from the stand without insanity setting in. As Harry was able to remove it freely, then he is clearly the subject.

Don't read too far into that. If Mistwell is correct (and I'm not saying he is) the prophecy could still be about Neville even though Harry can pick it up.

The spell that prevents any but the particulars from picking up the prophecy is not part of the prophecy itself but part of a secondary spell cast over either the entire room or the individual prophecy globes. It's plausible that the spell associated the prophecy with Harry incorrectly, either because that's what the caster thought or because that's what was written on the plaque.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

In either case, Harry is Schrodinger's Cat and Voldemort opened the box.

 

[Tiberius]

Don't read too far into that. If Mistwell is correct (and I'm not saying he is) the prophecy could still be about Neville even though Harry can pick it up.

I feel secure in my interpretation, as both Dumbledore and Rawling have said the prophecy's about Harry.

 

[Randolpho]

I feel secure in my interpretation, as both Dumbledore and Rawling have said the prophecy's about Harry.

Oh, I agree.

 

[WayneLigon]

Having stayed away from both spoilers and most speculation discussions, my idea is this: Harry, Voldemort and Neville form a triangle. The prophecy seems to apply equally well to either Harry or Neville. So my take is that two must die; Voldemort and one of the boys. Now, I'd hate for Harry to die but at the same time... it might be a good thing. Neville is shaken out of the stifling personality that his grandmother seems to have forced him in to and becomes much more dynamic and outgoing, determined to follow in Harry's steps and become a great Auror like his parents.

 

[Hijinks]

I don't see JK Rowling pulling this after all this time and seven books suddendly saying oh Harry you are not the one it is up to Neville to handle Voldemort. That would be a real bad ideaI think it would piss off most of your readers.

I agree ~ however I do think Neville has a greater role than he has had thus far. She's been hinting at it for a long time now; it wouldn't come as a complete shock.

I believe that Neville will have a very important part to play ~ without him, Harry won't be able to defeat Voldy ~ he will do something, perhaps sacrifice himself, to help Harry do it. I would hate to see Neville go (and my husband is prepared to hear "noooooooooo!" from the reading room) but am almost expecting it.