Hello, hello all! It's time for another tale of Practical Magic, my dear SOUP readers. This month, thanks to the wisdom of our delightful Editors, we are diving into all things futuristic and unknown. Now, as we are all very aware, our world somewhat trails behind our muggle counterparts in terms of all things modern and comfortable. I'm quite sure that most of us have cursed our quills more than once while scratching away during a History of Magic lesson, wishing for the convenience of a muggle ballpoint pen. There are just some modern developments that really should be embraced by our magical community, don't you think?
However, I strongly believe that we have something truly unique that the Muggles will never have, and no, I don't just mean our ability to use magic in general. I am talking about those incredibly rare magical individuals known as Seers. They have the ability to predict the future in an almost infallible way. Even though each prophecy they make can be interpreted in many ways at times, the things that they predict always come true in due course. It really is quite a miraculous talent. One that must be both a blessing and a curse for those who possess such a gift. After all, who can be capable of such things without being just a little detached from the mortal plane? We only have to consider Professor Trelawney to know that much. That cooky old witch is certainly something to behold.
I am rambling a little, though, so I will get back to the point. Once the prophecies have been made, what happens to them? Well, the actual process of how they get stored in the Hall of Prophecy in the Department of Mysteries is, as expected, a Ministry secret. But I am positive that we all have a theory over what occurs. We have been told that each glass orb holds a vocal copy of the prophecy made, and it would make sense if they are extracted and placed in the orbs in much the same way as memories are siphoned out to be placed in a Pensieve. Whether that is something done voluntarily by either the Seer themselves or the person the prophecy is made to is anyone's guess.
Historically speaking, we know of the prophecy made about Harry Potter by Sybil Trelawney. It was witnessed by Albus Dumbledore, and both his and her initials were on the label when Harry Potter himself entered the Hall of Prophecy to claim the orb. However, the same cannot be said of the occasion where Trelawney made another prophecy to Harry Potter about Peter Pettigrew's escape from Hogwarts on the night that Sirius Black was almost captured by the Ministry. So, I think we can safely assume that some kind of self-reporting system is required, as that particular prophecy never appeared in the Department of Mysteries.
So, if the theories are correct and we assume that the prophecies heard are volunteered and extracted just as Pensieve memories are, then it would not take a lot of complicated magic to seal them in the glass orbs. The problem is, then, how to protect these precious glimpses of the future? It is possible that any number of complicated anti-theft and recognition spells are placed upon them. From the stories we have all heard, we know that the orbs cannot be picked up, handled or heard by anyone but the ones mentioned in the given prophecy. Which is a very clever and wonderful piece of magic if you ask me I'm almost jealous that it's not more readily available if I'm honest. It makes each orb almost impossible to steal or abuse. Just imagine how useful it would be to have such protections on our other precious property, like our wands, for example. It would certainly make some dueling matches a lot more fun to watch!
I do believe we could sit here and speculate on such spells and possibly potions all day, but it would only drive us battier than Trelawney if we did. The ability to protect such treasures is just one more reason for us to hold the Unspeakables in such high regard. They almost literally hold the future of the Wizarding world and all the magical folks in it under their protection. It is something that we should all be very thankful for. The future will always remain unwritten and uncertain, but the magic that shapes it is a spectacular thing, don't you agree?
Anyway, my apologies for not bringing you something new to practice, but this month's theme was just begging me to give some attention to the magical phenomenon that is divination in its purest form. I promise next month, I will be back with something you can really get into. So, until next time, be safe and cross your fingers that your own future is bright! - Nikita