Seer

A Seer is a gifted wizard or witch who has the ability to see into the future with their Inner Eye. Seers predict prophecies, which are then recorded and stored in the Hall of Prophecy in the Ministry of Magic's Department of Mysteries. According to Minerva McGonagall, true Seers are extremely rare. Albus Dumbledore once told Harry Potter that seeing into the future is incredibly difficult because of the complexity of every single action and their consequences.

Centaurs are Seers with their own brand of Divination, which differs from that of humans.

Page adapted from Seer at the Harry Potter Lexicon.

Prophecies, Visions & Premonitions

Seers who scry for future events may receive a Prophecy, Vision, or Premonition.

Prophecy

A Prophecy is an overarching prediction of the future that can span years and involve complicated sequences leading up to its culmination. Prophecies are rare and can only be predicted by a true, talented Seer.

Vision

A Vision is a prediction of the future that can take place anywhere from a few weeks to a month to a year away. They come in the form of a visual sequence, though other senses like smell, taste and pain may also be involved.

It is possible to scry for Visions of the past as well. Seers who practice Dream magic may use it to harness and enhance their Seer ability.

Premonition

A Premonition is a glimpse of the immediate future that can take place anywhere from a few seconds to minutes. These glimpses are very brief and it is often not possible to decipher them until the prediction is just about to happen.

Second Sight

Some Seers are able to sense hidden objects or doorways in the vicinity.

Naming Seers

A Naming Seer is a wizarding occupation undertaken by wizards with the ability to see the future. A Naming Seer will predict a newborn child's future and suggest an appropriate name, generally in exchange for a "hefty payment of gold". Naming Seers are becoming increasingly rare in modern times, as many parents dislike receiving hints of their child's potential future. Those that do use Naming Seers often find that they worry themselves on the way home afterwards, and often wish they had never heard the prediction in the first place.

At Absit Omen

• Virgil Carstairs has a prophetic vision about the death of Alec Carter. 6 Jan 2012 - A Little Blurry, Or Maybe It's My Eyes
• Elijah Grimlish along with Waverly Roh-Ballentyne and Figaro Sellaphix attempt Seeing 8 Sept 2012 - Close One Eye to Open a Third