I had figured that was intended to add “all but a remnant” so Our Hero wouldn’t have to let the villain die. A most cunning misdirection, it seems—I think there’s a good chance you’re right.
Although judging by “he is coming … he is here”, EY doesn’t shy away from questionably literal prophecies. (Or that didn’t refer to Harry!)
I thought that prophecy sounded differently the second time because it was actually a second prophecy, given that the end of the world is a significant enough event to produce enough time-pressure for multiple prophecies.
You mean “he is coming … he is here”? Yeah, those are two separate linked prophecies. I meant they did not, on the most obvious interpretation, refer to a literal arrival.
I had figured that was intended to add “all but a remnant” so Our Hero wouldn’t have to let the villain die. A most cunning misdirection, it seems—I think there’s a good chance you’re right.
Although judging by “he is coming … he is here”, EY doesn’t shy away from questionably literal prophecies. (Or that didn’t refer to Harry!)
I thought that prophecy sounded differently the second time because it was actually a second prophecy, given that the end of the world is a significant enough event to produce enough time-pressure for multiple prophecies.
You mean “he is coming … he is here”? Yeah, those are two separate linked prophecies. I meant they did not, on the most obvious interpretation, refer to a literal arrival.