That was a very good write-up, you are a SUPER dedicated potter fan.


I bow to you

Also, as im am bowing,

Have you noticed how many loose ends are dangling over the furnace?? I mean seriously! JK rowling has left us chomping on her arms for that next book to be released and my question is, do you yourself, believe EVERY end will be tied up?? Or do you think JKR will leave us guessing, and writing over 1,000,000 fan fics?

No. That would be, "Neither can live while either survives." “Neither can live while both survive.” merely requires one to die, but permits both.

Yes the grammar is terrible, but that's what prophecy is like when you try to make it into a poem. Like Dobby or Yoda the author fears the story won't hold the reader's attention and so has to add gimmicky phrases. Not nessasay from my point of view.

That is what it says. "Neither can live while the other survives," just worded differently.

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“Neither can live while both survive.”

Rowling would never be that blatantly obvious with anything.

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merely requires one to die, but permits both.

Because of the round about language, it's stating that in order for the prophecy to be fulfilled, both must die. If it is indeed only talking about two people (which, obviously, I think it isn't), it's saying that neither (meaning either or) can live while the other (meaning, in the "2" theory, either or) can survive. So yes, if one were to come out the victor, he would have to die anyway to fulfill the prophecy according to the language. It doesn't make a load of sense which is why I'm convinced that "the other" is a reference to a third person as opposed the opponent in a duel of two.

Wow, thats an amazing theory, and I think its really believable.
I always knew there was something more to the propecy, and to Snape.
Ive always been confused about what side Snape was on.. but after reading your theory Im thinking he's part of the good side.
One thing that does still confuse me is why Snape killed Dumbledore. Sure, it could be part of a plan from Dumbledore, but how would it help Harry overall?

So, I was just wandering how Snape killing Dumbledore comes into your theory...

Now, this is a most interesting theory! I like the idea of Snape being a good guy and the hero, but really hate the idea of him dying at the end. Still, I can definitely see something like this as a possibility, especially since J.K. Rowling has already alluded to the redemption of a character. (Though I suppose Pettigrew could be the one being redeemed, somehow I just don't see it, though. Pettigrew is nothing more than the form he has chosen for his animagus - a rat. If anyone disagrees, I would love to hear that theory, too!) I really like the way you articulate your thoughts and voice your opinion. Most definitelly, your degree did not go wasted! Thank you for opening our eyes to this possiiblity.

Er, excuse me, but it is worded differently because they are different words with different meanings.

"Neither can live while the other survives." means the other must die. For Harry to live the other, Volemort must die. For Voldemort to live the other, Harry must die.

"Neither can live while either survives." Harry’s own survival would kill him or Volemort’s own survival would kill his evil self. In both cases just by living you die. That’s what you’re saying and it doesn’t make any freaking sense which why Rowling said it the way she did. In plain English, “It isn’t possible for both to live.” But that’s not very poetic.

Jeff raises his hand to the heavens calling on his ancestores for strength, them stomps away muttering.

I think that it must of taken you ages to come up with this theory!!!
or you pay super super super close attention when you read!!!

It's definitely a well thought out theory and i have to say that i like it so much better than the "Harry dies" theory.

Yours makes alot of sense!
I can actually see this one happening!

Well done!!!!!

Very interesting theory and I do believe it is quite possible! But let's not forget, Neville was born the same day Harry was! Wouldn't this mean he could possibly have a part in the prophecy too? He could be the third party you're speaking about....and about the redmption, since everyone thinks he's a frady-cat even though his parents were amazing aurors, he could redeem himself by defeating the Dark Lord...


It would be very interesting if you share your thoughts about that....

Your theory may be correct. It is very possible that the other referred to in the prophecy is a third party. I realize that I may be ridiculed and demeaned again, but I'm not too sure that this refers to Snape. Although not necessary for your theory, we don't know for sure Snape was present at the Potter's that fateful night, but we do know that Lily was. Lily did not have to die, but if she hadn't, Harry would not have survived. Her death protected Harry, and thus made the AK rebound to LV and vanquish him. If she was the other referred to in the prophecy, her death validated that portion of the Prophecy.

Thank you! Actually, if you want to believe it or not, this theory required little to no thought on my part. It just kind of came to me and when I started writing it out, it just flowed and the pieces put themselves into place. I kind of had that trigger that snowballed in my head and that's what I came up with!

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Neville was born the same day Harry was! Wouldn't this mean he could possibly have a part in the prophecy too?

Absolutely. But if you follow the reading the way I have it interpreted for my theory, Voldemort marked this "other" as an equal (whether you believe it's Harry's scar or the Dark Mark). Neville doesn't have a mark that we know about. It could mean a mark as in a mark for death but I think it's more of a reference to a tangible mark than anything else. Also, with the way the entire series has been set up, we have a handful of main, very prominent characters--Harry, Ron, Hermione, Snape, Dumbledore, Voldemort (whether spoken about or present, he's the reason the series exists). Those characters are the main attraction, the main center of action throughout the whole of the series. To have a seconadry character come in and do the task that the readers and the protagonist have been set up tot fulfill from the very beginning is a huge copout and very much a cheat. To turn around in the final book and say, oh, by the way, Neville's the Chosen One, not Harry, so ignore the last 6 years/books, would make a few people hot under the collar. Considering Rowling has made it clear that Neville is coming into his own magically, I don't doubt that he'll have a hand in the downfall of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. They are the reason why he's lcking parents as well, especially Bellatrix. But I don't think he'll have too much of a hand in the prophecy.

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If she was the other referred to in the prophecy, her death validated that portion of the Prophecy.

According to the Prophecy, if you read it as per my theory, he marked the Other has his equal and the Other had powers that he (Voldemort) knew not. Lily was never marked physically that we know of (although I have no doubt she was marked for death), and Voldemort was well aware of her powers because he tried to recruit her to be a Death Eater. The way I see it, in any respect, Lily isn't part of the prophecy itself. Also, it's a reference to 'him,' 'mark him as an equal,' not her. The wizarding world is a very patriarchal society in that men very much carry out the heavy duty weight of the story which is why I'm interested to see McG play a role in the final book.

I think we need to look at the information that we're given and how it's given to us. I think everything we need regarding horcruxes and what's going to happen with whom in the final book is already in place in the previous six. Sure we'll get more information about Snape but the final book in a series is not when you're thrown curveballs. The definites are already in place (Harry as the Chosen One, etc.) but I think a lot of people try to reach for intangible evidence to fulfill the 'what-ifs' that are floating around in their heads. I believe we've already been presented with the horcruxes in the books, we know what they are, we know which side Snape is really on (I think Rowling wants us to read betweent he lines). I'm looking at it from a writing perspective and what makes sense in writing itself and to throw something like Neville is really the Chosen One and will kill Voldemort, ir James is really Draco's father just isn't going to happen in the final book. She has too many loose ends left open from the series to open up new wounds.

I really can't wait for the book to see how your theory holds up. The more I have read it the more stock I place in it. It will interesting to see what happens!

I knew that! This was an awesome theory, I sent it to my mom! She's a big HP fan, not a fanatic like me, but we can't all be perfect! I hope you write more articles on this, you're good at getting your point across and making it so other people can read and understand it!

Katie

Wow,


I can see what you mean now,it was a little confusing I must admit
I hope this theory is close to what happens in the 7th film

First of all, let me say this is a wonderfully thought out theory. I know that that 7th book has been released and all but there is still so much of your theory that applies. You have a brillant mind and I really enjoyed reading your theory.

I never thought of this in this way. I always figured that Hermione was able to figure this out because she was so intelligent. However, it is very true that wizards and witches have no logic because they are able to do so much with/through magic where muggles have to think things through. Thank you for opening my eyes to that one.

Your statements about Harry only being seventeen and always having the help from other sources is absolutely true. It is even evident in the 7th book. He definately has the help and friendship of Ron and Hermione from the first day of school. Dumbledore is/was/has primed Harry from the beginning to battle each battle. He sets Harry up for each task, I think. I also believe that all of this building up each year helps to prepare him for his final battle in book 7. Harry has had a lot of help in many forms in each book but he has grown as a wizard throughout the books.

He does not have to fight this battle on his own. He receives help from all the people that have helped him since book one. You definately pegged that one completely. All of their help allows him to finish the battle in the end. Again...he does not win on his own but with the help of the others.

Your theory that Snape will be the one to defeat Voldemort was not completely true but Snape had so much to do with the final downfall. In a way he did defeat V in a way. He gives Harry all of the missing information that he needs to take the final steps to his "death".

I also loved the twist that JKR put in making Snape truly a good person under all of the loathing that Harry has put us up to in all of the books. It is just like her and her writing style to save his redemption to very close to the end.

Again, I tip my hat to you for a wonderfully thought out and explained theory. Your degree was definately not in vain or a waste. You are an extremely intellgent person.