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{{Youmay|the device used to record prophecies|[[Sybill Trelawney's first prophecy|the specific prophecy regarding Lord Voldemort and Harry Potter]] or a [[Prophecy|prophecy in general]]}}
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{{Object_infobox
 
{{Object_infobox
 
|name=Prophecy Record
 
|name=Prophecy Record
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|latest=''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' {{mention}}
 
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A '''Prophecy Record''' is a small, spun-glass ball that appears to contain a swirling mist. The balls are presumably created, and certainly kept under the protection of the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] in the [[Department of Mysteries]].
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A '''Prophecy Record''' is a small, spun-glass ball used to record [[Prophecy|Prophecies]]. The orbs appear to contain a swirling mist and are kept under high security (and may even be manufactured) in the [[Hall of Prophecy]], a room in the [[Department of Mysteries]] within the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]].
   
 
==Name Misconception==
 
==Name Misconception==
Prophecy Records are often referred to as simply "Prophecies", although this is an incorrect term. The Prophecy Records are merely logs of Prophecies made, i.e. the recordings of the words spoken by a Seer. [[Sybill Trelawney|Professor Sybill Trelawney]] is an example of a Seer known to have had a word-of-mouth prophecy converted into a glass-spun ball record. The said Prophecy Record was labeled as referring to both "[[Tom Riddle|the Dark Lord]]" and, until Voldemort decided to pursue him as an infant, "[[Harry Potter]]".
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Prophecy Records are often referred to as simply "Prophecies", although this is an incorrect term. The Prophecy Records are merely logs of Prophecies made, i.e. the recordings of the words spoken by a Seer. [[Sybill Trelawney|Professor Sybill Trelawney]] is an example of a Seer known to have had a word-of-mouth prophecy converted into a glass-spun ball record. [[Sybill Trelawney's first prophecy|The said Prophecy Record]] was labeled as referring to both "[[Tom Riddle|the Dark Lord]]" and, after Voldemort decided to pursue him as an infant, "[[Harry Potter]]".
   
 
==The Hall of Prophecy==
 
==The Hall of Prophecy==
The Prophecy Records are kept in the [[Hall of Prophecy]] of the [[Department of Mysteries]]. The Keeper of the Hall is a Bureaucratic witch or wizard who orders and maintains the Records placed on the numerous shelves that comprise most of the Hall's interior. Presumably, after the Records are correctly assorted, stringent anti-theft spells are placed upon each and every one of them, allowing only those to whom the Prophecies refer to, the authorisation to remove them from their places. The only mentioned magical security is a spell that induces madness, which is apparently temporary judging by the steady recovery of the [[Unspeakable]] [[Broderick Bode]] during his time in [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries]]. The effects of this spell are enough to relieve the victim of even the strongest of curses, including the [[Imperius Curse]]; again, seen in the case of Bode.
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[[File:Tumblr_n3tvwu4oPP1snil4go6_r1_250.gif|thumb|left|210px|Prophecy record of [[Sybill Trelawney's first prophecy]] in the [[Hall of Prophecy]]]]The Prophecy Records are kept in the [[Hall of Prophecy]] of the [[Department of Mysteries]]. The Keeper of the Hall is a Bureaucratic witch or wizard who orders and maintains the Records placed on the numerous shelves that comprise most of the Hall's interior. Presumably, after the Records are correctly assorted, stringent anti-theft spells are placed upon each and every one of them, allowing only those to whom the Prophecies refer the authority to remove them from their places. The only mentioned magical security is a spell that induces madness, which is apparently temporary judging by the steady recovery of the [[Unspeakable]] [[Broderick Bode]] during his time in [[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries]]. The effects of this spell are enough to relieve the victim of even the strongest of curses, including the [[Imperius Curse]]; again, seen in the case of Bode.
   
The Hall of Prophecy previously kept hundreds upon thousands of Prophecy Records, a vast number of which were destroyed during the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]].
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The Hall of Prophecy previously kept hundreds upon thousands of Prophecy Records, a large number of which were destroyed during the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]].
   
[[File:Lucius Smashed Prophecy.jpg|250px|right|thumb|A Prophecy Record being smashed]]
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[[File:Lucius_Smashed_Prophecy.jpg|thumb|215px|A Prophecy Record being smashed]]
   
 
==Physical Details==
 
==Physical Details==
Prophecy records are typically small and can be held in one's hand easily, although they can apparently vary in size seeing as the Record of the Prophecy made by Sybill Trelawney was described as being slightly smaller than the other surrounding Prophecy Records.
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Prophecy records are typically small and can be held in one's hand easily, although they can apparently vary in size seeing as the Record of the Prophecy made by Sybill Trelawney was described as being slightly smaller than the other surrounding Prophecy Records.
   
  +
They are perfectly spherical in shape, and contain a swirling, blueish-grey mist within. It is never stated how the record of a Prophecy is made, as Dumbledore never elaborated on it, beyond saying that he was present at its revelation.
They are perfectly spherical in shape, and contain a swirling, blueish-grey mist within. In the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'', the mist within the Record pertaining to [[Harry Potter]] and [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] dissipates slightly upon being removed from its shelf, showing the face of the Seer who initially spoke the prediction. Trelawney's face then recites the Prophecy to Harry directly; apparently, his surrounding friends remain oblivious to the Seer's voice. This version of events does not occur in the book, which also does not elaborate on the precise method of procuring the Prophecy from the Record without destroying the latter (if that is at all possible).
 
   
Records are warm to the touch, even though the atmosphere of the Hall of Prophecy is described as being cold. This may suggest that the records themselves absorb heat. Upon being smashed or broken apart, a ghostly apparition of the Seer will appear and recite the prophecy they once spoke, again. When the figure finishes its recital, it disappears forevermore. It is unknown if destroyed prophecy records can be repaired through any magical or non-magical means.
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Records are warm to the touch, even though the atmosphere of the Hall of Prophecy is described as being cold. This may suggest that the records themselves absorb heat. Upon being smashed or broken apart, a ghostly apparition of the Seer will appear and recite the prophecy they once spoke, again. When the figure finishes its recital, it disappears forevermore. It is unknown if destroyed prophecy records can be repaired through any magical or non-magical means, nor if there are other means of hearing or watching the prophecy.
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==Behind the scenes==
 
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'', the mist within the Record pertaining to [[Harry Potter]] and [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] dissipates slightly upon being removed from its shelf, showing the face of the Seer who initially spoke the prediction. Trelawney's face then recites the Prophecy to Harry directly; apparently, his surrounding friends remain oblivious to the Seer's voice. This version of events does not occur in the book, which also does not elaborate on the precise method of procuring the Prophecy from the Record without destroying the latter (if that is at all possible).
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*It is possible that Prophecy Records are stored [[Memory|memories]] contributed by the person whom the prophecy is made to. In this case, the prophecy predicting [[Peter Pettigrew]]'s escape and [[Voldemort's return]] would not have been recorded by the Ministry, as [[Harry Potter]] never divulged the memory.
   
 
==Appearances==
 
==Appearances==
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' {{1st}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)]]''
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)]]''
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)]]''
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)]]''
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*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]''
 
[[Category:Prophecies]]
 
[[Category:Prophecies]]
 
[[Category:Objects]]
 
[[Category:Objects]]

Revision as of 22:27, 20 October 2014

A Prophecy Record is a small, spun-glass ball used to record Prophecies. The orbs appear to contain a swirling mist and are kept under high security (and may even be manufactured) in the Hall of Prophecy, a room in the Department of Mysteries within the Ministry of Magic.

Name Misconception

Prophecy Records are often referred to as simply "Prophecies", although this is an incorrect term. The Prophecy Records are merely logs of Prophecies made, i.e. the recordings of the words spoken by a Seer. Professor Sybill Trelawney is an example of a Seer known to have had a word-of-mouth prophecy converted into a glass-spun ball record. The said Prophecy Record was labeled as referring to both "the Dark Lord" and, after Voldemort decided to pursue him as an infant, "Harry Potter".

The Hall of Prophecy

Tumblr n3tvwu4oPP1snil4go6 r1 250

Prophecy record of Sybill Trelawney's first prophecy in the Hall of Prophecy

The Prophecy Records are kept in the Hall of Prophecy of the Department of Mysteries. The Keeper of the Hall is a Bureaucratic witch or wizard who orders and maintains the Records placed on the numerous shelves that comprise most of the Hall's interior. Presumably, after the Records are correctly assorted, stringent anti-theft spells are placed upon each and every one of them, allowing only those to whom the Prophecies refer the authority to remove them from their places. The only mentioned magical security is a spell that induces madness, which is apparently temporary judging by the steady recovery of the Unspeakable Broderick Bode during his time in St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. The effects of this spell are enough to relieve the victim of even the strongest of curses, including the Imperius Curse; again, seen in the case of Bode.

The Hall of Prophecy previously kept hundreds upon thousands of Prophecy Records, a large number of which were destroyed during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.

Lucius Smashed Prophecy

A Prophecy Record being smashed

Physical Details

Prophecy records are typically small and can be held in one's hand easily, although they can apparently vary in size seeing as the Record of the Prophecy made by Sybill Trelawney was described as being slightly smaller than the other surrounding Prophecy Records.

They are perfectly spherical in shape, and contain a swirling, blueish-grey mist within. It is never stated how the record of a Prophecy is made, as Dumbledore never elaborated on it, beyond saying that he was present at its revelation.

Records are warm to the touch, even though the atmosphere of the Hall of Prophecy is described as being cold. This may suggest that the records themselves absorb heat. Upon being smashed or broken apart, a ghostly apparition of the Seer will appear and recite the prophecy they once spoke, again. When the figure finishes its recital, it disappears forevermore. It is unknown if destroyed prophecy records can be repaired through any magical or non-magical means, nor if there are other means of hearing or watching the prophecy.

Behind the scenes

  • In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the mist within the Record pertaining to Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort dissipates slightly upon being removed from its shelf, showing the face of the Seer who initially spoke the prediction. Trelawney's face then recites the Prophecy to Harry directly; apparently, his surrounding friends remain oblivious to the Seer's voice. This version of events does not occur in the book, which also does not elaborate on the precise method of procuring the Prophecy from the Record without destroying the latter (if that is at all possible).
  • It is possible that Prophecy Records are stored memories contributed by the person whom the prophecy is made to. In this case, the prophecy predicting Peter Pettigrew's escape and Voldemort's return would not have been recorded by the Ministry, as Harry Potter never divulged the memory.

Appearances