Chapter 25: The Seer Overheard

As June approaches, Harry enjoys openly dating Ginny despite gossip. Hermione interrupts with a new lead: a decades-old article about Eileen Prince, proposing she is the Half-Blood Prince. Harry dismisses the idea, but tension over the book and Snape’s detentions persists.

Summoned by Dumbledore, Harry heads out but hears a crash near the Room of Requirement. He finds Professor Trelawney thrown out after hearing a male voice whooping inside, as if celebrating. While walking her to Dumbledore, Trelawney recalls her first interview at the Hog’s Head and reveals Severus Snape was caught eavesdropping just as she delivered the prophecy.

Shocked, Harry realizes Snape carried news of the prophecy to Voldemort. He confronts Dumbledore, furious that Snape taught at Hogwarts after enabling the attack on Harry’s parents. Dumbledore admits Snape told Voldemort part of the prophecy but insists Snape’s remorse is genuine and that he trusts him completely.

Dumbledore then confirms he believes he has located a Horcrux in a seaside cave tied to Tom Riddle’s past and invites Harry, warning of grave danger. Harry agrees. He races to the common room, briefs Ron and Hermione to watch Malfoy and Snape, hands them the Marauder’s Map and Felix Felicis to share with Ginny, and urges DA coordination via the Galleons.

Harry meets Dumbledore at the Entrance Hall, dons the Invisibility Cloak, and they walk to Hogsmeade, creating the impression Dumbledore is out for a drink. After a brief exchange with Madam Rosmerta, they Apparate from near the Hog’s Head, and Harry emerges on a dark, windswept coastline, ready to search for the Horcrux.