Sybill Trelawney's predictions

"I must warn you at the outset that if you do not have the Sight, there is very little I will be able to teach you. Books can take you only so far in this field..."

- Sybill Trelawney's introduction to new divination students in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Sybill Trelawney's prophecies refers to the two prophecies and the many predictions Sybill made over the course of the books. A lot of these prophecies and predictions came true, however big and small. Her most famous prophecy was the one she made about the defeat of Lord Voldemort by Harry Potter's hand. Not everything she said came true, or could come true, but many of them did.

Background
Sybill Trelawney was a Seer who taught Divination at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Sybill was a descendent of the renowned Seer Cassandra Trelawney and was the first in her family to possess the gift of the Inner Eye since Cassandra. Sybill struggled to find work based on her ancestry because she believed her employers did not treat her right as a true Seer. Eventually, Sybill started to make false predictions and in 1980, she arranged a meeting with Albus Dumbledore at the Hog's Head in the hope of acquiring the position of the Divination professor at Hogwarts School. Dumbledore agreed to meet with her because of the ancestry but was left disappointed when she shows no sign of Cassandra's skills. Dumbledore kindly declined Sybill's offer but she then went into a trance and gave her first prophecy.

Prophecies
A prophecy is usually given by a Seer involuntarily in a trance like state. They speak in a different voice and don’t seem to remember the event taking place. They will be left exhausted with Sybill Trelawney merely thinking that she had dozed off. A prophecy may be placed into spun-glass objects such as a ball which is known as a Prophecy Record. They should then be put in the Hall of Prophecy in the Department of Mysteries, which is a room in the Ministry of Magic. They would be named and protected with a number of anti-theft spells to keep them safe. One of these spells induces madness. Only those who the prophecy refers to have the authority to move them, but once they have, the prophecy can be stolen without any consequences. Sybill Trelawney made two prophecies over the course of the books, both of which came true.

The First Prophecy
"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... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."

- Sybill Trelawney goes into a trance and gives her first prophecy to Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape

In 1980, Sybill Trelawney gave her first prophecy. She spoke of the defeat of Lord Voldemort. She made her prophecy in the presence of both Albus Dumbledore and the Death Eater Severus Snape who was eavesdropping at the door. Knowing he would tell Lord Voldemort, Dumbledore then hired Trelawney in the hope of protecting her. This prediction did come true as Voldemort marked Harry Potter as his equal and this ultimately led to his defeat twice. The first in October 1981 and the second in May 1998.

The Second Prophecy
"It will happen tonight. The Dark Lord lies alone and friendless, abandoned by his followers. His servant has been chained these twelve years. Tonight, before midnight... the servant will break free and set out to rejoin his master. The Dark Lord will rise again with his servant's aid, greater and more terrible than ever he was. Tonight... before midnight... the servant... will set out... to rejoin... his master..."

- Sybil Trelawney’s prediction to Harry Potter

The second prophecy is the next big prediction that Sybill made in a trance about Lord Voldemort. She made the prophecy to Harry Potter. The prophecy came true. Lord Voldemort has been alone for the last twelve years and since his followers have abandoned him by choosing to believe he has died, he is friendless. When the prophecy was made, Harry assumes that the servant who has been chained for twelve years is Sirius Black. However, it actually refers to Peter Pettigrew who has had to stay in his Patronus form for twelve years to keep up the appearance of his apparent death. Later that day, Harry, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley discovered the truth and in a series of events, Peter did break free and set out to find Lord Voldemort. The following year, Peter did indeed help Voldemort to rise again when he helped set up the potion which gave Voldemort a physical form again. Voldemort did become greater and more terrible than before, and this was set in motion that very night in 1994 before midnight when Sybill gave this prophecy.

Ironically, when Sybill is told by Harry that she has made this prophecy, she doesn’t remember it and says she would never have made up something as “far fetched” as that. She merely thinks that she dozed off, instead of going into a trance.

Predictions
A prediction is something someone makes consciously. They may either “see” something or deduce something from a medium such as palmistry or tasseography. They do this using what Sybill Trelawney calls the Sight, or the Inner Eye. Sybill made many predictions, a lot of which did come true. However, many of them could have easily been deduced without the “Inner Eye”. This is comprehensive look at every prediction and whether it can be counted as a true prediction.

The Deaths of Students
"Then you should know, Potter, that Sybill Trelawney has predicted the death of one student a year since she arrived at this school. None of them has died yet. Seeing death omens is her favourite way of greeting a new class. If it were not for the fact that I never speak ill of my colleagues –"

- Professor McGonagall about Sybill Trelawney

While teaching at Hogwarts, Sybill predicted the deaths of many students every year. It bemused her students who never took her very seriously. It also became something the other professors thought was ridiculous, such as Professor McGonagall who told the students there was nothing to worry about. However, a case can be made that Sybill was making sense. She predicted the death of Harry Potter many times which did come to be when he allowed Lord Voldemort to kill him in May 1998. She deduced this in several ways, the first being because his tea leaves took the form of The Grim and the second being through palmistry because his hand had a short life line. A case can also be made that the other students also eventually died in the Second Wizarding War. So, this can be counted as true. So, The Grim and any other reference to Harry's death, can be counted as true.

However, Sybill later took back the prophecy of Harry's death when Harry gave an interview to The Quibbler in the Order of the Phoenix. She instead says that Harry would have a long life, would have twelve children and that he would become Minister for Magic. This prediction can be considered false, since it is very likely Sybill changed her story because she feared people was perceive her to be mean by readers of the interview. But it is worth noting Harry did eventually get to have a long life but he does not have twelve children and is unlikely too. Whether he becomes Minster for Magic remains to be seen. But this second prediction should not be taken as a serious prediction from Sybill because it is likely she didn't take it seriously herself at the time.

The Grim
"The Grim, my dear, the Grim!’ cried Professor Trelawney, who looked shocked that Harry hadn’t understood. ‘The giant, spectral dog that haunts churchyards! My dear boy, it is an omen – the worst omen – of death!"

- Sybill explains the meaning of The Grim to Harry Potter

The Grim refers to both death of Harry Potter and the return of Sirius Black. It is mentioned several times throughout the Prisoner of Azkaban.

In his first Divination lesson, Sybill has Harry and her other students read tea leaves. When Sybill looks into Harry's cup, she deduces many things. The first thing she sees is a falcon which she says means he has deadly enemy. This obviously means Lord Voldemort. Hermione Granger points out everyone knows that. She then sees a club which means he will be attacked. This can be seen as true, since he is obviously attacked many times. Later in that same year alone, he is attacked by Dementors and a werewolf. Sybill then sees a skull which she says means there is great danger in his path. This is true for the same reason as the club. The Death Eaters symbol is also a skull. She then screams and says she now sees The Grim, which is an omen of death. The Grim is the form of a spectral dog. She predicts Harry's death. Harry did face his death in The Battle of Hogwarts.

However, Sybill did not see at the time the connection to Sirius Black. Sirius Black's Patronus was a big, black dog. Spectral could also be used to describe Sirius' appearance. Perhaps The Grim was also a foreshadowing of Harry meeting Sirius by the end of the school year. Closer to this meeting, Trelawney says in another lesson ''"it is here, plainer than ever before... my dear, stalking towards you, growing ever closer... the (Grim)". ''This is further proof that The Grim also meant Sirius Black himself. These predictions can be counted as true.

Neville's Grandmother
"You, boy,’ she said suddenly to Neville, who almost toppled off his pouffe, ‘is your grandmother well?’ ‘I think so,’ said Neville tremulously. ‘I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you, dear,’ said Professor Trelawney, the firelight glinting on her long emerald earrings."

- Sybill’s warning to Neville about Augusta Longbottom

Sybill told Neville Longbottom in a Divination lesson that he shouldn't be so sure that his grandmother is well. However, the health of his grandmother is never mentioned again in the book and she was still well by the events of the fifth book when she is mentioned. She also appeared well a day earlier, when she waved Neville off to school at King's Cross Station. It is possible that his grandmother may have had the flu or something along those lines at but it is never confirmed.

Parvati's warning
"By the way, my dear,’ she shot suddenly at Parvati Patil, ‘beware a red-haired man."

- Sybill’s warning to Parvati Patil

Sybill told Parvati Patil in a Divination lesson that she should beware of a red haired man. It is possible that she was referring to the way Ronald Weasley treated her sister in the fourth book when he invited her to the Yule Ball. However, it makes no sense why she would tell Parvati this and not Padma Patil. It is possible Sybill confused Parvati for Padma, since they are identical twins but it is also possible J K Rowling had intended to make Parvati be Ron's date to the Yule Ball and Padma be Harry's date. So, this cannot be proved as a true prediction.

The Flu
"Unfortunately, classes will be disrupted in February by a nasty bout of flu. Imyself will lose my voice."

- Sybill's warning to her students in their first lesson

Sybill predicted in a Divination lesson that her classes would be disrupted by the flu in February and that she would lose her voice. However, the book never says anything to suggest this actually happened, so it cannot be confirmed as a true prophecy.

The Loss of a Student
"And around Easter, one of our number will leave us for ever."

- Sybill says she thinks someone will leave by the end of spring

It was said by Sybill in a Divination lesson that one of her students would be leaving the class forever at Easter. Easter takes place in spring which is when Hermione Granger stormed out her lesson and never returned. When this happened, Lavender remembered the prediction and was deeply impressed. Sybill then claimed that she even knew back then it would be Hermione who would leave but that she had hoped she might have mistaken the Signs. She tells everyone how the Inner Eye can be a burden. This can be counted as a true prediction but whether she really knew it would be Hermione remains doubtful.

The Sixteenth of October
"Thank you, my dear. Incidentally, that thing you are dreading – it will happen on Friday the sixteenth of October."

- Sybill's warning to Lavender Brown

Sybill told Lavender Brown that the thing she was dreading would happen on October 16th. This came true because on that date, Lavender received a letter telling her that her pet rabbit had been killed by a fox. Even though Sybill was vague about what Lavender was dreading, Lavender did say that she was "obviously dreading him dying." This can be counted as a true prediction.

The Pink and Blue Cup
""Oh and dear" ” she caught Neville by the arm as he made to stand up “after you've broken your first cup, would you be so kind as to select one of the blue patterned ones? I'm rather attached to the pink.""

- Sybill’s prediction to Neville Longbottom

Neville Longbottom is told by Sybill that he would break a pink cup first and asked him to use a blue cup instead after this happens. She says is too attached to the pink ones. Neville did break the pink cup and then broke the blue cup too. She knew he would not only break the first cup, but a second cup too, which is why she made him use a blue cup instead. This can be counted as a true prediction.

Being Late
"Oh, and dear –’ she pointed at Neville, ‘you’ll be late next time, so mind you work extra hard to catch up."

- Sybill's warning to Neville Longbottom

Neville Longbottom is also told by Sybill that he would be late to the next lesson and asks him to work extra hard to keep up. The book does not mention the next lesson and whether Neville was ever late to one, so this cannot confirmed to be a true prophecy.

Professor Lupin
"If you must know, Minerva, I have seen that poor Professor Lupin will not be with us for very long. He seems aware, himself, that his time is short. He positively fled when I offered to crystal-gaze for him –"

- Sybill tries to make out she does see the future when Professor McGonagall doubted her

Sybill says at Christmas dinner that she does not think Professor Lupin will be with them much longer. This is true, since he leaves the school at the end of the year. An argument can be made that this prediction is not a result of her gift. It is very well known that no Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher stays more than a year because of a curse which was supposedly put on the post. She also mentions he seems to think his time with them is short too, so it is possible he may have said something along those lines to her which is what gave her the idea. She also says this after Professor McGonagall doubts her gift because Sybill asked where Lupin was since he was not at the dinner. McGonagall thinks that she should have already known because she has the gift, so Sybill may have made the above comment to try and prove she does have the gift. She claims that she only asked the question because she doesn't want to "parade the fact that one is All-Knowing" and that she frequently acts as though is not possessed of the Inner Eye, so as not make others nervous. Because of this, the prediction cannot be taken seriously as a true prophecy made by Sybill.

"I dare not, Headmaster! If I join the table, we shall be thirteen! Nothing could be more unlucky! Never forget that when thirteen dine together, the first to rise will be the first to die!"

- Sybill to Professor Dumbledore when he offers her a chair at the table

She also notes there will be 13 guests at the table if she sits with them. She says the first to rise will be the first to die. Since the first to die at the table was Dumbledore, but Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were the first to rise, this should only be understood as a superstition. However, there is another way of looking at it. Sybill asks Harry and Ron who went to stand up first. They didn’t know, but if it was Harry, it should be noted he died first out of the two.

The Final Exam
"I have decided to introduce the crystal ball a little earlier than I had planned,’ said Professor Trelawney, seating herself with her back to the fire and gazing around. ‘The fates have informed me that your examination in June will concern the Orb, and I am anxious to give you sufficient practice."

- Sybill claims she knows what the exam will be about even though she sets the exam

Sybill tells her students that she predicts their final exam will be about the crystal ball. This comes true but as Hermione points out, Sybill herself sets the exam so she could have made up the prediction to make herself look more authentic.

The final exam is taken with each student sitting with Professor Trelawney one by one. The other students have to wait outside for their turn. When Neville is taking the final exam, he is told by Sybill that the crystal ball has told her if he tells the other students what she asks him, he will have a horrible accident. Since this warning stops Neville from telling the others, there is no way of proving this was ever a true prediction, but it is possible that she did see this happening and stopped it.

Midwinter
"Born under — what, sorry?” said Harry. “Saturn, dear, the planet Saturn!” said Professor Trelawney, sounding definitely irritated that he wasn’t riveted by this news. “I was saying that Saturn was surely in a position of power in the heavens at the moment of your birth. . . . Your dark hair . . . your mean stature . . . tragic losses so young in life . . . I think I am right in saying, my dear, that you were born in midwinter?” “No,” said Harry, “I was born in July."

- Sybill clearly makes a mistake - or did she?

In the first Divination lesson of the fourth book, Sybill made several predictions about Harry Potter. The first may be deduced as something which was obvious to everyone. She notes he puts on a brave face to hide the troubled soul within. This may be counted as a true prediction but whether the Inner Eye had something do with it is another matter.

However, she then tells him his worries are not baseless because the thing he fears most will happen very soon. At first, Harry doesn’t think he is worried about anything but when he dwells on what she said, he realises he is still worried about the prophecy Sybill made in the last book about the return of Lord Voldemort. By the end of the year, this came true so this can be counted as a true prediction. But once again, whether the Inner Eye had anything to do with it is doubtful. It could have been a guess

She then predicts “Death, my dears. Yes, it comes ever closer”. Everyone assumed it once again meant Harry, but since she doesn’t say it meant him this time, she could have of meant Cedric Diggory or the many others who would die in the very near Second Wizarding War.

While Harry was thinking about this, Sybill started teaching her students about how the position of planets at the time of their birth may predict their future or give insights into who they are. She seems to deduce that he was born under Saturn, which means he was born under midwinter. At the time, this was clearly ridiculous because as Harry points out, he was born at the end of July in summer. But Sybill was making some kind of sense in the end after all. Harry was a Horcrux, which meant he possessed a part of Voldemort’s soul inside him. Voldemort was in fact born in the middle of winter on December 31st. So this can be counted as a true prediction but Sybill probably didn’t know or understand what she saying at the time.

The Cards
"Two of spades: conflict,” she murmured, as she passed the place where Harry crouched, hidden. “Seven of spades: an ill omen. Ten of spades: violence. Knave of spades: a dark young man, possibly troubled, one who dislikes the questioner —"

- Sybill reads the cards for the first time

In The Half Blood Prince, Sybill dealt a number of cards on her own. She did not know that Harry Potter was hiding in the room at the time. When she had dealt every card, she decides they must be wrong, even though she interprets them properly. She later tells Harry that she later dealt the cards again and again and the same cards came up every time. She told Albus Dumbledore about them but he merely told her he would prefer fewer visits from her in the future. This makes her think Dumbledore doesn’t believe her either. She even tries to hide the cards in The Room of Requirement, believing they were Dark objects.

The first card dealt is the Two of Spades which means conflict. The book notes she receives this card when she walks by the place where Harry was hiding. The second card dealt is the Seven of Spades which is also known as an Ill Omen. The third card dealt is the Ten of Spades which means violence. She then deals the fourth card which is the Knave of Spades. She says this means “a dark young man, possibly troubled, one who dislikes the questioner” but she then decides they must be wrong. She later bumps into Harry while trying to hide the cards, and she tells him she kept dealing the cards and the same ones kept showing up. She also mentions a fifth card she kept dealing called “the lightning-struck tower”. She says this means “calamity, disaster”. This is the one which appears to scare her the most.

It is also worth noting every card was a Spade. In Tarot connotation, Spades means a desire to tell the truth and when there is a set of them, it means arguments, illness or death.

Every card was indeed telling the truth. Conflict soon comes when the Death Eaters get into the school. The Ill Omen was a foreshadowing of the portents of evil – the Death Eaters again – bringing bad news to the school. Violence follows in their path.

The fourth card was a reference to Harry Potter, who was hiding nearby. Harry Potter has dark hair, a dark past, is obviously troubled and doesn’t like the questioner very much, who is Sybill.

The fifth, and last card, is obviously referring to the Astronomy Tower where Albus Dumbledore is soon killed in a “jet of green light”. His sudden death brought calamity, which actually means disaster.

Trivia

 * Even though Sybill told Lavender Brown the thing she dreads most would happen on Friday, 16th October, the date in 1993 was actually a Saturday.

Behind the Scenes

 * In the fifth book, Harry Potter is told by Albus Dumbledore about Sybill's first prophecy. However, in the film, Harry hears an echo of the prophecy for the first time when he holds the crystal ball which the prophecy was put in.
 * In the third film, Sybill's second prophecy is shortened and reworded.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (book) (first appearance)
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (book)
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (book)
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (book)