What is JKR getting at?

I was reading an editorial today (on mugglenet) about the poll question answered by JKR in her website.. and it was thot provoking...

the question was: What is the significance of Neville being the other boy to whom the prophecy might have referred?

JKR says that this is the question she wanted to answer the most...in this she toks about how close neville came to be the "the chosen one"..

She says..."what would have happened if Voldemort had decided that the pure-blood(neville), not the half-blood(harry), was the bigger threat? Harry wonders this during the course of 'Half-Blood Prince' and concludes that the answer hinges on whether or not one of Neville's parents would have been able, or prepared, to die for their son in the way that Lily died for Harry.

Had Frank or Alice thrown themselves in front of Neville, the killing curse would have rebounded just as it did in Harry's case, and Neville would have been the one who survived with the lightning scar. What would this have meant? Would a Neville bearing the lightning scar have been as successful at evading Voldemort as Harry has been? Would Neville have had the qualities that have enabled Harry to remain strong and sane throughout all of his many ordeals?

Although Dumbledore does not say as much, he does not believe so: he believes Voldemort did indeed choose the boy most likely to be able to topple him, for Harry's survival has not depended wholly or even mainly upon his scar."

The above statements in italics suggests that its is Dumbledores view that Harry is the obvious chosen one... This is not JKRs view..(atleast she doesnt say so.. take notice: she says: "Dumbledore does not believe...."

towards the end she says..."Of course, none of this should be taken to mean that Neville does not have a significant part to play in the last two novels , or the fight against Voldemort. As for the prophecy itself, it remains ambiguous, not only to readers, but to my characters.Prophecies are usually open to many different interpretations."

this would mean that Neville has a significant role to play in HPDH..and it is against voldemort!

She also says... that the prophecy is still confusing and not clear to her readers and her characters.. SO..IS shes asking her readers not to believe everything her characters believe in....?????????????


To read the discussion click HERE.