The prophecy could have applied to both Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom, but Lord Voldemort's actions ultimately designated Harry Potter as the primary subject.
Who Was the Subject of the Prophecy: Harry Potter or Neville Longbottom?
The famous prophecy made by Sybill Trelawney could have referred to either Harry Potter or Neville Longbottom, as both boys fit the initial criteria. However, it was Lord Voldemort's own choice to act upon the prophecy by targeting Harry that made him the Chosen One.
Unpacking the Prophecy: "The One With the Power to Vanquish the Dark Lord"
The prophecy, delivered to Albus Dumbledore by Professor Sybill Trelawney, stated:
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives..."
This enigmatic verse set the stage for the defining conflict of the wizarding world.
The Two Potential Candidates
Both Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom met key conditions of the prophecy, making them equally plausible candidates initially.
Harry Potter
- Birth Date: Born on July 31st (as the seventh month dies).
- Parents' Defiance: His parents, James and Lily Potter, had indeed "thrice defied" Voldemort during the First Wizarding War.
- Blood Status: Harry was a half-blood, having a Muggle-born mother.
Neville Longbottom
- Birth Date: Born on July 30th (also as the seventh month dies).
- Parents' Defiance: His parents, Frank and Alice Longbottom, were highly respected Aurors who had also "thrice defied" Voldemort.
- Blood Status: Neville was a pure-blood.
Voldemort's Decisive Choice
Despite the ambiguity, it was Voldemort's decision that applied the prophecy to Harry. As the reference indicates, the Prophecy could have been referencing either of the two boys, but Voldemort decided to apply the Prophecy to Harry.
Voldemort chose Harry for several reasons:
- Shared Blood Status: Voldemort himself was a half-blood. He saw a parallel in Harry's similar heritage, believing that by striking down a half-blood, he would further prove his superiority and purify the magical world. He likely underestimated or dismissed Neville because of his pure-blood status, perceiving him as less of a threat.
- Personal Connection: By targeting Harry, Voldemort inadvertently "marked him as his equal," fulfilling another line of the prophecy. His attack left Harry with the lightning bolt scar, which became a physical manifestation of this mark.
- The Power He Knows Not: Voldemort's attempt to kill Harry led to Lily Potter's sacrifice, imbuing Harry with ancient magic – the "power the Dark Lord knows not" – in the form of protective love.
Key Distinctions and Outcomes
| Feature | Harry Potter | Neville Longbottom |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Date | July 31st | July 30th |
| Parents' Defiance | James & Lily Potter (defied Voldemort thrice) | Frank & Alice Longbottom (defied Voldemort thrice) |
| Blood Status | Half-blood | Pure-blood |
| Voldemort's Choice | Targeted by Voldemort | Not directly targeted by Voldemort |
| "Marked as his equal" | Yes, via the scar and the shared fate | No |
| "Power he knows not" | Yes, Lily's sacrificial love | No |
While Harry became the primary subject, Neville's role was undeniably crucial. He developed into a courageous leader within Dumbledore's Army and ultimately destroyed the final Horcrux, Nagini, with the Sword of Gryffindor, playing an instrumental part in Voldemort's downfall. This demonstrated that even though Voldemort's choice defined Harry's destiny, Neville still embodied the spirit of resistance and bravery the prophecy represented.
The Prophecy's True Fulfillment
By choosing to target Harry, Voldemort created his own worst enemy. His fear of the prophecy led him to brand Harry as his equal, give him the power of sacrificial love, and ultimately ensure that "neither can live while the other survives." Harry fulfilled the prophecy not just through his defeat of Voldemort, but through the very circumstances set in motion by Voldemort's initial, defining choice.
