Last time we figured what the number 6—2—4—4—2 means. These are the numbers Mr. Weasley enters when they go to Harry’s trial in the Order of the Phoenix—and the number Harry later uses to get in to the Ministry of Magic with his friends to rescue Sirius.
In the Order of the Phoenix when Harry reaches the Department of Mysteries, Harry comes over and reviews the card (780) right beneath a prophecy, which states
S.P.T. to A.P.W.B.D.
Dark Lord
and (?) Harry Potter
Remember the Mirror of Erised, where the letters carved into the mirror needed only to be read backwards to reveal its message? Here we have a code based on abbreviations, though Harry does not know it yet.
Does anybody remember what SPT stands for, or ABWBD?
Let’s think about it for a bit. We are dealing with a prophecy, a prophecy about Harry. First of all, who delivered (that is, spoke out loud) the prophecy?
And who heard the prophecy being given?
Perhaps a certain Divinations teacher and a certain Headmaster?
Quite correct you are!
SPTstands for Sibyl P. Trelawney!
And APWBD stands for Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore!
Thus, the abbreviations stand for “Sibyl P. Trelawney to Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore”! OP 780, 840, 841
But there is more to figure out.
Why is there a question mark? Because the prophecy could apply to Harry Potter, but it could also apply to some other boy born at the end of July whose parents thrice defied Lord Voldemort. And we all know who that boy is, don’t we?
Yes!
Neville Longbottom!