Chapter 25: The Seer Overheard

As June arrives, Hogwarts buzzes over Harry dating Ginny. Their time is limited by Ginny’s O.W.L. revision. Hermione confronts Harry with a clipping about Eileen Prince, arguing the Half-Blood Prince might be a girl, but Harry dismisses the theory and longs for his lost Potions book.

Dumbledore summons Harry, but on the way Harry hears a crash and finds Professor Trelawney hurled from the Room of Requirement, where an unseen, male voice had been whooping in celebration. Suspecting Draco Malfoy has succeeded in his secret task, Harry escorts Trelawney toward Dumbledore and listens as she recalls her first interview—interrupted by Severus Snape—implying Snape overheard the prophecy.

Shocked, Harry confronts Dumbledore, furious that Snape carried news of the prophecy to Voldemort. Dumbledore acknowledges Snape’s terrible mistake but insists upon Snape’s remorse and his absolute trust in him. Dumbledore then reveals he has located a Horcrux in a coastal cave linked to Tom Riddle and invites Harry, warning of extreme danger and extracting Harry’s promise to obey any order, including to flee or leave Dumbledore.

Harry agrees, then rushes to brief Ron and Hermione. Convinced Malfoy will act while Dumbledore is gone, Harry gives them the Marauder’s Map and the Felix Felicis to share with Ginny and the DA, directing them to watch Malfoy and Snape. He declines to keep the luck potion, trusting Dumbledore’s protection.

Harry meets Dumbledore, dons his Invisibility Cloak, and they leave through Hogsmeade, feigning a casual outing. After passing the Three Broomsticks and Hog’s Head, Dumbledore Side-Along Apparates Harry into cool, salty darkness, beginning their Horcrux mission.