Volume 6 & 7: Death watch (SPOILERS!)

[Marchwarden]

OK, what with The Death and all, we have to ask ourselves "Who's next?" JKR is unlikely to pull a Hamlet and not let anybody out alive? But who will survive the war and see the end of the story?

I'm most worried about:

- Remus Lupin: He's the Last Marauder, he's a social outcast, his health is deteriorating, his emotions seem a bit burnt out (he may have simply been holding grief at bay until the danger had passed), and frankly I'm worried that, if a member of the Order were required to make the supreme sacrifice to save the others, he might feel that he has the least to lose. This would be a true shame. I hope that he finds a little love in his life; that might help.

- Neville Longbottom. Call it a hunch, but I get this "Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" vibe. After years of trailing the pack, Neville is finally finding his stride; I hope he's not being prepped for a hero's demise. Sadly, his courage and skills (and anger) seem to be outsripping his sense of self-preservation.

- Albus Dumbledore. There's no doubt he'll see this mess through, but he's already lived well beyond a normal human span. Presumably, he's prolonging his life because he has unfinished business. Once Voldemort is vanquished and Harry is firmly set on the path to becoming the next archwizard, Albus may decide to do as his friend Nicolas Flaumel did, and seek his well-earned rest.

- Severus Snape. He's walked the line for so long, and suffered so much mistrust from characters and readers alike. To give his life for the Order would be to forever place him on the 'hero' side; a flawed hero, certainly, but no traitor. Moreover, he is currently on a mysterious but clearly very dangerous mission.

People I'm less worried about:

- Harry. I've heard the vague whisperings. I can buy a mysterious disappearnce at the end of book 7, maybe; but I don't think she'll kill him. Just a hunch.

- Hermione. Same deal.

- The Weasleys. I just don't think she'll kill a Weasley. The Weasleys' job is to fall into peril left and right, not to die.

People I'm undecided about:

- Hagrid, McGonagle, most of the rest of the Order, and the remainder of the DA

Your thoughts?

[katzpotter]

NOT LUPIN!!!!!

God, I already lost Sirius.... I can't lose Lupin. I've had two conniption fits over Sirius, I've written a poem.... If Remus dies I'll throw away my books. Yes, I'll throw away my books.

As for Dumbledore... who'll protect Harry, then?

Snape... well, I kind of wish he WOULD die. Being so horrible to Harry... He's not James. Argh.

[t3h Qster]

I agree with all your thoughts


but I think JK might want to knock off one of the younger characters it would be sad, tragdic and most of all it would so sell :(

[Kristin]

There were times in OotP when I thought Neville was going to die ... so I think he might die in one of the next books.

And I don't think the Weasleys are all going to come through. There are nine of them. That's a lot of people to stay alive. Odds are against them.


On the positive side ... no death in books 6 & 7 could upset me as much as Sirius' death. That was the one character I knew I could not handle dying ... and he's the one who died. I would definitely be upset to see certain characters die in the next books (Fred/George, McGonagall, Lupin, Dumbledore, etc.), but it wouldn't be as bad as having no more Padfoot. :(

[BloodFire]

What if only one of the twins makes it out of the war alive? Poor him! :(

[Amberion]

Originally posted by BloodFire
What if only one of the twins makes it out of the war alive? Poor him! :(

That is the most horrifying thought you could have

The twins are such merry souls and to have one snuffed out would be a complete travesty

I was not upset when Sirius died - but I feared the loss of Hagrid

I still think he wont survive to the end of book 7

Other probable victims include Petunia Dursley (her death will make Harry so much more vulnerable)

[Lanen]

I hate to say this, but I have a bad feeling about Harry, Ron and Hermione all making it past the end of book 7. And my top pick for buying it in heroic fashion would be - Ron. :(

I know Neville is coming into his own, and that cheers me up no end (yay the underdog!) - but Ron is so close to Harry, his dearest friend - and now Ron is not only a Prefect, he's the new Gryffindor Keeper at Quiddich. Two things he'd have put money, if he'd had any, on not achieving. So he gets to have his own share of the limelight now, out of Harry's shadow - from a plotting point of view, I'd build him up even more in book 6, show him and Harry as inseparable as Dumbledore and all safety are taken from them, and in book 7 have Harry for some reason unable to kill Voldemort until Voldemort kills Ron. Then Harry's anger would do the rest. Though, thankfully, that sounds FAR too simplistic for JKR, so I'm almost certainly wrong!

Whew. I hate the idea of Ron going. I want him to grow up and marry Hermione and have his own troop of red-haired trouble-making Weasleys... who with Hermione's genes will be terrifyingly bright as well! :eek: After all, his dad married an - er - slightly overbearing woman, didn't he? And he's Ron's role model. Stands to reason, eh? :D

In any case, gang - you think the wait for this book was bad? Just WAIT until we get hold of book 6. The year between that and book 7 is going to be Harry Potter torture. And I'd bet a sackful of galleons on that. ;)

And I don't think Snape - as much as I LOVE Alan Rickman - is much of a good guy, really. I think he has to fight his dark side all the time, and lets it out in petty revenges on students, e.g. Harry et al. I wonder sometimes if Dumbledore has got Snape on staff in keeping with the old strategists' adage: keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. :devil:

[Elwen]

Lanen,
I feared fro Ron from the beginning of this book - and even more so when he became a prefect :eek: As much as I like Sirius I was nearly relieved when I worked out that Ron would survive this.


So yes, I am very pessimistic about Ron and I hate the idea of him dying...


I wonder how many more people Harry has to loose? Perhaps we are exaggerating ebcause this book was certainly all about death?


The most likely people not to survive are on the bad side, surely - Voldemort and Pettigrew.

On the other side (including the Ministry) we will have to expect some deaths but we can't say which ones those will be. I'd say that JKR will be careful to distribute them over characters we don't like so much and a very select few of those we care about.


I would guess that someone of the Ministry people will die or be removed in some way. Perhaps Fudge (if he is no longer useful for Voldemort). Percy is another candidate, and so is Umbridge. I would say we haven't seen the last of her (though I am not sure whether she won't end up with Voldemort's side, if she isn't secretly there yet).


I am pretty sure that some members of the order will die as well... the question is who JKR will go for. I very much hope for Lupin to survive!! I'd be absolutely horrified if either of the Weasley parents would die, especially Mrs. Weasley :eek: - I have not yet formed a particular affection for some of the newcomers (although I quite like them) - but I guess they are candidates, too (a bit like the guys in the red uniforms in the old Star Trek).


Finally, Hogwart's...

hmmmmm.... I hope that they manage to protect as many people as possible. I would be devastated if Ron or Hermione were to die... And I would not want to loose Neville although I could see that happen. For some reason I don't believe that Hagrid will die. I wonder whether any of the teachers (other than DADA teachers) will die? McGonagall? And who knows about Dumbledore? Well, I can't quite see the whole thing without him so I don't think so....

Finally: will Harry make it all through book 7? JKR wants as to believe that this isn't certain but I sure hope it is! She cannot do that, can she? :eek:



Finally, how long do you think the wait will be? ARGH?

Elwen

[Marchwarden]

Originally posted by Elwen
The most likely people not to survive are on the bad side, surely - Voldemort and Pettigrew.



I am pretty sure that some members of the order will die as well... the question is who JKR will go for. I very much hope for Lupin to survive!! Elwen

There will be riot in the streets if Bellatrix Lestrange survives the series. The only justifiable reason I can think of for her to escape justice is if JKR decides to leave the door open for post-graduation sequels. She's stated that she has no immediate plans for adult Harry adventures, but she may have a brainstorm between now and seven, and with Voldemort out of the way, Bellatrix would make a rather good successor villainess. Especially if teamed with Lucius. He's slippery, sly and sane enough to form cunning plans, and she's mad and murderous enough to pose a threat even to accomplished wizards.

As for Lupin, I'd hate to lose the Last Marauder, but the signs are there; I can only hope that this is another case of JKR's infamous false foreshadowing.

[Fleurdelacour]

I agree with Lanen and Elwen full heartedly... I fear for Ron so much :(

JKR wouldn't be THAT evil would she? She's taken away our darling Sirius... Could she decide to kill the red-head...? My mum reckons, (she hasn't even seen the films... She just knows what goes on because of me... ;) ) that Ron will die, saving Harry or Hermione...

I'm too worried about Remus... But, I dont think she'll kill him... Harry needs someone to look up to, Dumbledore is to old, and will probaly die in book seven, leaving Harry to decide on either murdering Voldie, or the, alternative..

It's a very grim future for all our beloved characters... :(

[alqua]

I've had this feeling for a while that one of the twins will die, leaving the other one alone. It would be very tragic. :(

[StarGazr]

My two cents... for what they're worth.
Harry- A lot of people keep saying that Harry might die, even JKR. And of course he would make the perfect martyr and everything... but remember what the prophesy revealed? They can't live together. If Harry dies, then Voldemort lives... unless they both... *gasp*... *walks off into a corner and shuts her trap*

Snape- *sob* I KNOW he's not the greatest guy in the world and he's such a meany... but.. ugh he's like my favorite character! It's probably because of the greatness that is Alan Rickman but... ugh, I don't want him to die. I think I would be more upset if Snape died then I was when Sirius died... ack'

Hermione- another character that I so doubt JKR would kill. She's the heroine and if there's only one heroine... nuff said.. besides, I'd have to buy stock in Kleenex if she did die!! :(

Ron- If I say too much on this I'll get trouted for sure. I'm sorry but I couldn't care either way on him. Something has just irked me about him... maybe cuz he's the sidekick.. who knows... OK bring on the trouts

Misc- who else is up in the air?? Remus.. he could go at anytime, and and how upset I would be!!! Dumbledore.. iffy; McGonagall.. again either way; Hagrid.. nah, we thought it would be this time, I don't think we'll have to think it again; Weasley twins.. nah, they're too cool;); Neville.. yeah, he's gonna die... sorry to say, I was starting to like him too, but I think he's going to lose his life saving someone like Ginny or something; Draco.. ugh, we'll see

Who am I forgetting?

[Kristin]

Originally posted by Lanen

In any case, gang - you think the wait for this book was bad?
Ahem... Seems to me that I've been waiting just as long for another book to be released, the follow-up to a book that ended with a cliff-hanger... :p


Elwen, I hope you're right that JKR will distribute the deaths so they won't all be beloved characters.

I'm getting out of this prediction business, though. After all, *nobody* thought Sirius was going to die.

[Marchwarden]

I had a somewhat disturbing thought. JKR is fond of escalation: escalating the breadth of Harry's world, the gathering atmosphere of doom, the powers of Harry and his classmates and so on.

She can't back down. She can't go from Cedric Diggory to Sirius Black to Katie Bell. That, to my mind, leaves two probabilities for the next volume:

1) Someone at least as focal a character as Black, who appeared earlier than PoA. Hagrid, sadly, comes to mind as a likely candidate. McGonigall would also fit the profile as would, I dread to say, Ginny.

2) Mass casualty incident. Some diabolical Death Eater attack wipes out a whole slew of minor characters, either at Hogwarts or among the ranks of the Order. You can't top Black by killing Fletcher, but if an ambush accounts for Fletcher, Diggle, Figg, Jones, Vance, Doge, Shacklebolt and Tonks, leaving nothing of the Order except the principals, that would be a pretty shocking finale for 6. Especially if Dumbledore is missing, and so we end the last chapter with Lupin, the older Weasleys and the D.A. shifting the rubble and trying to decide what to do next.

[Mirdan]

Originally posted by BloodFire
What if only one of the twins makes it out of the war alive? Poor him! :(
oh perish the thought! :eek:

some of the members of Dumbledore's Army. they'll probably rise to the occasion and defend Hogwarts, should it be attacked or penetrated by the Voldemort and his other Death Eaters. which means there'll be some deaths within this group. i see them as a younger Order of the Phoenix, and since they look to Harry as their "leader," i wouldn't be surprised at all if the DA members find themselves involved in the war. but i'm really worried about Neville. there's no doubt that he's become visibly more adept in DADA but i'm still not sure...like almost every character he's got reasons for risking his life, revenge being the most obvious motive :(

Petunia might be targeted too. she's pretty much the strongest defense for keeping Harry safe. i'd be devastated if Lupin dies, but i wouldn't be surprised at all if Dumbledore doesn't make it alive towards the end :(

[t3h Qster]

Originally posted by StarGazr

Hermione- another character that I so doubt JKR would kill. She's the heroine and if there's only one heroine... nuff said.. besides, I'd have to buy stock in Kleenex if she did die!! :(


thats a big 10-4 on that one SG, I would be in line next to you in the Hermy memorial

[amaleigh]

lets just go down the list here:

Dumbledore-is gonna die we all know it. She has been constantly hinting on how old he is getting is the last couple of books. ONce he realizes that harry is ready he will go and leave harry to do it, harry has to do it all on his own dumbledore is realizing that and will have to eventually coming to terms with it.

Hagrid-has faced so much death in his life he wont die he is like invincible it seems.

Hermione/Ron- Yeah right they so wont die that will kill the whole fairy tale rule of three.

Harry- she says it is unsure but we can all tell by the way she talks that he is not she will like have a heart attack if she kills harry compaired to the crying episode with Sirius if she does that.

Neville- would hate to see him go, kindof getting attached to him now that he is getting to be a major character

D. Malfoy- im thinking he could either turn totally evil, or turn good no inbetween, but harry does need trials in the rest of his life and Malfoy seemsthe perfect person to do the job

Lupin- OH MY GOSH NO! i would die but he does seem a likely canidate

Snape- Even JKR hates him so im starting to think that he is all evil, bu hey. He is a very good death canidate

people i would love to see go!!!!!- Umbridge, Dudley, Pansy, L.Malfoy, Fudge, Lestrange!!!!! kill her now!!!!

[Princess Aurora]

Ah yes, the Weasley twins...

I had my money on one of them dying in OotP, actually. And I honestly don't think both of them will make it out alive, it's too tragic not to happen... Just think, the two merry twins, partners in crime their whole life, and then one of them is gone. Ack, that would be so depressing. Which, unfortunately, makes them very vulnerable.

[katzpotter]

Originally posted by Marchwarden
I had a somewhat disturbing thought. JKR is fond of escalation: escalating the breadth of Harry's world, the gathering atmosphere of doom, the powers of Harry and his classmates and so on.

She can't back down. She can't go from Cedric Diggory to Sirius Black to Katie Bell. That, to my mind, leaves two probabilities for the next volume:

1) Someone at least as focal a character as Black, who appeared earlier than PoA. Hagrid, sadly, comes to mind as a likely candidate. McGonigall would also fit the profile as would, I dread to say, Ginny.

2) Mass casualty incident. Some diabolical Death Eater attack wipes out a whole slew of minor characters, either at Hogwarts or among the ranks of the Order. You can't top Black by killing Fletcher, but if an ambush accounts for Fletcher, Diggle, Figg, Jones, Vance, Doge, Shacklebolt and Tonks, leaving nothing of the Order except the principals, that would be a pretty shocking finale for 6. Especially if Dumbledore is missing, and so we end the last chapter with Lupin, the older Weasleys and the D.A. shifting the rubble and trying to decide what to do next.

Oh, God..... NOT TONKS!

However, you make an excellent point.

As for only one of the twins surviving... GAH, no. So terribly tragic. Harry said something at the end of GoF....

"But I could do with a few laughs. We all could do with a few laughs. I've got a feeling we're going to need them more than usual before long."

If one of the twins dies, where will the laughs go?

[Marchwarden]

Originally posted by katzpotter
Oh, God..... NOT TONKS!



Personally, I think Tonks is pretty safe. She's not major enough to follow Sirius as a solo victim, but a little too well developed to be included in a tertiary-character massacre. That said, I had two other thoughts on the subject:

Option 3: Open war. You-know-who's return is now public knowledge in the wizarding world (and even select elements of Muggle government; the Prime Minister is kept informed abot anything this important). There could simply be a stream of incoming casualty reports, not necessarily involving anyone we know. It would still be tense and dismaying to watch our heroes desperately trying to intercept the villains and still getting word about an ambushed Auror here, a Muggle family there, a Centaur herd the next day etc.. And we as readers wouldn't get too complacent, because Sirius' death demonstrated that JKR isn't above killing a major character suddenly and without warning.

My second thought was that, while I'd originally classed Remus as slightly less pivotal than Sirius (because Sirius was Harry's godfather), by the end of book 6 Remus will have had more exposure and development (more 'screen time', if you will), and moreover his passing will mark the end of the Marauder era, especially if Wormtail is also a casualty. That puts him up into the 'hot seat' category. Pity.

[Bellatrix_Lestrange]

Fred and George - I think she'll put one or both in mortal peril, but only to scare us. If a Weasley is to die, I'd be worried about Bill. Possibly Percy in some kind of redemptive sacrifice.

Dumbledore - will bow out in Book 7, either right before or right after the big showdown.

Neville - StarGazr and Marchwarden had it right: blaze of glory.

Lupin - hope he survives, but the odds are against him.

[KillerBunny]

My opinions:

Definitely- Dumbledore (It's just too likely for it not to happen.), Voldemort (I KNOW he's going to die. He couldn't not die. She'd have to write sequels and stuff to resolve what happens with him.)

Likely- Hagrid, Lupin (he and Sirius were my two favorite characters, and now Sirius is *almost definitely* dead. I'll cry for days if Lupin dies. But it's looking very likely. :( ), at LEAST one of the Weasleys (more likely Bill, Charlie, Percy or Mr. Weasley), Neville, Snape (heroic death), Wormtail, a buttload of Death-Eaters

Not likely- Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny (maybe I just believe that because I want SO DESPERATELY for them to have a "fairytale ending" where Harry marries Ginny and Hermione marries Ron... I would be devastated if any one of them died), Professor McGonagall (she has to take over for Dumbledore!!), the 7th year DADA teacher (it would just be too stupid if none of them ever went a whole year)

And I highly doubt that there will be just one death per book. In Book 6, I think AT LEAST two substantial characters will be killed. Probably one main character and one with a slightly smaller role. Just my opinion.

[Lembas]

I'm with Amaleigh on Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I don't think there's any touching the Heroic Trio. They are the cornerstones of the books and I think they'll survive to the very end.

Other than them, I think anyone is fair game. I would love to see Lestrange buy it, big time. She has too much to pay for. I don't know if Harry will be the one to do it. I don't think he'll ever kill anyone until he faces Voldemort. After that, he will almost be a Dumbledore-in-waiting, won't he? Dumbledore is fair and kind, almost to a fault, and as far as we know, he hasn't killed anyone has he? Maybe he sees that in Harry and sees a mirror of himself. Just food-for-thought.

Umbridge-that's a toughy. Personally, I want her to buy it, but JKR saved her hide, didn't she? Why? I would at least want her to remain in the looney bin forever or get her mind back and be sent to Azkaban forever. Ah, Hem, hem! ;)

If any of the Weasleys get killed, ( and I hope none of them do ) , I'd say it would be Percy. Like Bellatrix said, he'd be most likely to buy it by redeeming himself.

Draco Malfoy-JKR has shown that she's not afraid to kill off a young character ( Cedric ) , so how about one for the bad side? DM is slimy to the max and deserves it, but if not him, how about Crabbe? Goyle? Percy? No more good kids, please. Well, technically Percy is good, but not in this last book.

I'm thinking either Grawp or Hagrid will die. If it's Grawp, that'll put Hagrid right smack in the middle of the war, Wizard or not. He can still do some mighty damage. If it's Hagrid that dies, Grawp will turn to the Heroic Trio for support ( and we've already seen that to a degree ) , resulting in a bittersweet acceptance of him in place of his beloved brother. If I had to bet on one of the two dying, I'd say Grawp. There has to have been a reason for JKR to introduce him. Maybe. :confused:

[Lady Haleth]

I doubt that there will be many deaths in the remaining books. JKR is still writing for children. Certainly some significant good character will die (Dumbledore?) but there won't be a bloodbath. The big fight scene in OotP could have been much bloodier, but JKR has her wizards and witches restrain themselves from doing mortal damage. As for the bad guys, Harry will kill Voldemort, and I can see Neville killing Bella to avenge his parents. Other than that, there will be a lot of injuries, but nothing St Mungo's can't fix.

Question: Is Vegas posting odds on who will live and die in book 7? ;)

[StarGazr]

Originally posted by Lady Haleth
I doubt that there will be many deaths in the remaining books. JKR is still writing for children.

OK, while I agree with this in some ways... the original target audience to the original book (back when it first came out) was 11. Now, if I'm not mistaken that was in 1997?? Now, in 2003 those kids are 17... by the time book 7 comes out, they'll most likely be in their twenties. I don't think that she's writing on the same level now let alone how she's going to be writing in the coming novels. Sure, she's not gonna go and kill everyone and make it into a bloodbath... but I don't think that her target audience is 11 year olds any more. Most of the kids in my summer camp are 10-12 and they can barely get though PoA let along OotP... so... that's just my 2 cents on the subject.

[Pippin]

I wonder whether JKR will go for a whole bloodbath among “tertiary characters” or just the death of just a few central characters. I´ve got my money on the second option (Dumbledore and Snape, among the good guys) but I don´t think it´s entirely impossible that book 7 ends in a huge battle (with wizards as well as other creatures), and there´d be bound to be casualties.



No matter who of the good guys dies, I don´t want JKR to be off-hand about it. I don´t want to get used to death so much that she could write something like “and Bill and Charlie had died in the battle, too”. If any of the good guys dies, I want it to be a BIG THING.

I´m a little worried about this because her comments about deaths in the past (mainly about victims of Voldemort and the DE) tend to be slightly off-hand in that way.



People that won´t die (rationally ;)):


Fudge. He´ll be forced to resign and go into exile or something of that sort. He´s neither bad enough nor good enough to have to die. He´s neither a hero nor a villain, he´s a coward. There´s no satisfaction in killing him off.


Bellatrix Lestrange. She´ll end up on the closed ward of St. Mungo´s. A great revenge for Neville´s parents, and a good example of a worse punishment than death.


McGonagall. She´s the new Dumbledore, at least as far as Hogwarts is concerned.


The Dursleys. The Dursleys will one day have a big revelation about the wizarding world, they will come to see just how wrong they´ve been all along, and they will respect and admire Harry for his part in it.


Neville. He´s only just coming into his own. He´ll be a great wizard one day. The classic “ugly duckling” story. Besides, his parents (who I don´t think will be healed) need him.


Hermione and Ron. Impossible. I CAN see Harry not surviving book 7, but not Ron and Hermione. I mean, Harry is this special guy with a special mission, but Ron and Hermione are just normal people caught up in extreme events. Those people usually survive. Because they have a normal life to go back to, which Harry hasn´t really.

(I don´t mean Harry doesn´t have a future or anything. This is just an argument in favour of Hermione´s and Ron`s survival – of course I´d love to see all of them live happily ever after.)





People that can´t die (emotionally ;)):


Lupin!!! Because he´s the Last Marauder. He stands for those times, now that all the others are gone. Besides, he´s a wonderful person.






by Kristin
I'm getting out of this prediction business, though. After all, *nobody* thought Sirius was going to die. I´m with you – after all Divination is a very imprecise branch of magic. ;)

But we didn’t really discuss Sirius’s death back then, did we? It just wasn´t an option. Now that it´s happened, everyone´s death is an option





by Lembas
I don't think he (Harry) will ever kill anyone until he faces Voldemort. After that, he will almost be a Dumbledore-in-waiting, won't he? Dumbledore is fair and kind, almost to a fault, and as far as we know, he hasn't killed anyone has he? Good observation. :) I mean, we´re possibly taking “death” too lightly in general. It´s still a big thing. like Lady H says,
by Lady Haleth
JKR has her wizards and witches restrain themselves from doing mortal damage. Even among the DE, there haven´t been that many deaths during the “first war” (at the end of GoF, Voldemort misses “three, dead in my service”).



But I´m not sure this has to do with the target audience. Yes, the books have become continuously darker and more dangerous, but all the big issues have always been there from book 1. It´s not like the story was only about house points, it was very much about Voldemort wanting to kill Harry from the start.


Of course the kids that read HP PS when it first came out are much older now… but there are always new young readers that enjoy them now. So by the time book 7 comes out, there will be a huge readership of the “fans of the first hour” as well as the then 12 year olds. Well, the books are about growing up, but their readership is not restricted to the kids of Harry´s respective age.

Interestingly, when I was a kid I read lots of books where the heroes were *older* kids or adults, hardly anything where they were younger than I was. So I wouldn´t worry about trusting a 12 year old to read, understand and enjoy the adventures of 16 year old Harry.

[Marchwarden]

Originally posted by Pippin

No matter who of the good guys dies, I don´t want JKR to be off-hand about it. I don´t want to get used to death so much that she could write something like “and Bill and Charlie had died in the battle, too”. If any of the good guys dies, I want it to be a BIG THING.

Most importantly, now that she's already made the point that death can be sudden, arbitrary and unfair, she doesn't necessarily need to keep making it. At any rate, it should be a "BIG THING" for the characters; even if the death is sudden and unexpected, the aftermath should explore its effect on the survivors.

People that won´t die (rationally ;)):

Bellatrix Lestrange. She´ll end up on the closed ward of St. Mungo´s. A great revenge for Neville´s parents, and a good example of a worse punishment than death.

This is the one alternative to death which I could tolerate.

McGonagall. She´s the new Dumbledore, at least as far as Hogwarts is concerned.

Yes; Harry may be eventually destined to follow in Dumbledore's footsteps, but it will be years if not decades before he's ready. Minerva, meanwhile, is certainly the best choice.

Neville. He´s only just coming into his own. He´ll be a great wizard one day. The classic “ugly duckling” story. Besides, his parents (who I don´t think will be healed) need him.

I wish I could agree, but his behaviour in OotP fills me with foreboding. His fear has been replaced with reckless bravery, and while he's come a long way, he's still not up to charging into ten DEs (which he did) and surviving through any means save luck or rescue. He's got a one-way ticket to Valhalla in his pocket.

Hermione and Ron. Impossible. I CAN see Harry not surviving book 7, but not Ron and Hermione. I mean, Harry is this special guy with a special mission, but Ron and Hermione are just normal people caught up in extreme events. Those people usually survive. Because they have a normal life to go back to, which Harry hasn´t really.

(I don´t mean Harry doesn´t have a future or anything. This is just an argument in favour of Hermione´s and Ron`s survival – of course I´d love to see all of them live happily ever after.)

This makes perfect sense to me.



People that can´t die (emotionally ;)):


Lupin!!! Because he´s the Last Marauder. He stands for those times, now that all the others are gone. Besides, he´s a wonderful person.

I feared for him at first, but JKR seems to like showcasing his noble suffering too much to kill him off.

[Lord Schaudt]

No he wont die, merely suffer for the rest of the series as the last of the old guard from hogwarts

[Peregrinning Took]

I am really worried about Dumbledore dying. I thought before that he was essential to eventually defeating Voldy for good, but now that responsibility has passed on to Harry. :( But if Dumbledore were to die, then I wouldn't be totally and completely heartbroken (like I was with Sirius) if these three things happen:
1. He isn't murdered
2. He gets to say goodbye to Harry.
3. He *FINALLY* explains why he trusts Snape.
If even one of these three is left out, and Dumbly-dorr dies, I will not be a happy camper. :mad:

I am also worried about Remus, because Remus and Sirius are my favorite characters, and I couldn't stand it if Remus died, too. He's the Last Marauder....I honestly couldn't stand it.

[Fleurdelacour]

If Remus dies... That'll be the end of me reading.... What with Sirius gone... But I've done werewolf research! A werewolf can only be killed by a silver bullet. But I'm not sure whether this is in werewolf form, or not... But that's what it has said on every single site. And on one site it said werewolves are immortal! Because their tissue is rebuilt everyime they transform.

I don't think JKR will kill off Dumbledore until those things are said... If she does mind you!!

[Colli]

You know, I really wouldn't mind if she killed off Hagrid. Now that I've read OotP, I wish he'd died instead of Sirius!!!!! He's outlived his usefulness to the story. :p At least in my opinion. I can't see him and Grawp doing too much.

About Draco, we've talked about how he seems like such a minor threat to Harry now... and although it's not like a soap opera where you kill off unimportant people, I can see Rowling juicing up his character and him dying or something along that path.

Snape won't die. Sorry, it ain't gonna happen. :p

[Drizella]

by Colli
Snape won't die. Sorry, it ain't gonna happen. :p
Right on, Colli! I can't begin to imagine what the HP series would be like without him if he were to ..... die.... in Book 6. (I can't even imagine! I don't like to think about it! Noooo!!)

[Bellatrix_Lestrange]

Originally posted by Drizella
Right on, Colli! I can't begin to imagine what the HP series would be like without him if he were to ..... die.... in Book 6. (I can't even imagine! I don't like to think about it! Noooo!!)
Of course not. After all, in Book 7 Snape finally becomes DADA professor.
And then dies.

[Peregrinning Took]

But I've done werewolf research! A werewolf can only be killed by a silver bullet. But I'm not sure whether this is in werewolf form, or not... But that's what it has said on every single site. And on one site it said werewolves are immortal! Because their tissue is rebuilt everyime they transform.

:o :o :o I completely forgot about that!!!! Thank you, Fleur, for reminding me!!! I have more hope now....

[Drizella]

That werewolf research sounds interesting. Who wrote it, if you found it online? Did JKR confirm all of this, or is this just myth-based? Sometimes I think her ideas of certain mythical creatures are different from what we've all read about in the traditional sense.

That's not to say that Remus is going to die. Oh, no. But somehow I can't imagine him being immortal, otherwise, what is he risking??

[Fleurdelacour]

Various people wrote it... Most of it was based on myths and things, some people even claimed they were lycanthropes! But I ignored that rubbish... :rolleyes:

It seems to be common knowledge that only a silver dagger or bullet can kill a werewolf, but what about Avada Kedava? It's common knowledge that Harry is the only survivour, but do werewolves count?... I'll add that to questions I want to ask JKR...

[Bellatrix_Lestrange]

Originally posted by Fleurdelacour
It seems to be common knowledge that only a silver dagger or bullet can kill a werewolf, but what about Avada Kedava? It's common knowledge that Harry is the only survivour, but do werewolves count?... I'll add that to questions I want to ask JKR...

I'd be wary of assuming anything unless it comes from JKR. The vulnerability to silver is actually fairly modern; many early folktales omit it.

[Marchwarden]

I see little chance of Dumbledore, Snape or Neville surviving the series, but I think that they'll go in Book 7.

[Luthien4211]

As far as werewolves only being killed by silver...Pettigrew now has a silver hand, which worries me to no end. It would be horrible if Remus died! I couldn't take it! I would have to throw out all my books and not read the 7th one! After killing of Sirius, she can't kill off my other favorite. I mean...:o

I think Dumbledore has to die. He's Harry's mentor, and therefore has to die so Harry can fully assume the mantle of leader and heroe and go defeat Voldemort.

Ron...I'm worried about Ron. It seems possible that he won't make it, but will die heroically saving Harry or Hermione. I hope *really hopes* he won't, but the possibility is there.

Hagrid...he might snuff it too. But since he's so intrinsically kind and good-hearted, she might not. I'm less worried about him than I am about Ron...Hagrid seems like much less of a candidate.

Snape...I could see her killing him off in a heroic fashion saving Harry or Dumbledore and thus being vindicated for his past mean behavior.

Neville...Again, I'm very worried about poor Neville. He's really coming into his own now and developing into a capable, intelligent wizard, which could mark him for death, although I hope not. He hasn't had it easy what with his parents and all...

~Luthien

[evereven]

I have a feeling Lupin will be the one to survive out of the Marauders, i just have a feeling. I really dont think JKR'd kill off another father-figure type of Harry's. I mean, she cant be that cruel, can she?

I've always had this bad feeling about the Weasleys. I love the Weasleys. I will stop reading if any of the Weasleys get it. Especially Fred/George or Ron. I've already suffered enough with the loss of Sirius, I'm not going to be able to handle it if I lose one of them, too. I'm really worried about them. :o

I dont really have thoughts about Harry. I had a bad feeling for a while that Harry would die at the end of the 7th book, but seeing as these are, or at least started out to be, childrens' books, I highly doubt that JKR would kill off the main character/hero.

I think Petunia will end up having a larger role eventually, also. But I cant say how...


As for DD, Snape, OotP/DA members, etc... I dont really know. *shrugs*

[Luthien4211]

Originally posted by evereven
I have a feeling Lupin will be the one to survive out of the Marauders, i just have a feeling. I really dont think JKR'd kill off another father-figure type of Harry's. I mean, she cant be that cruel, can she?

I've always had this bad feeling about the Weasleys. I love the Weasleys. I will stop reading if any of the Weasleys get it. Especially Fred/George or Ron. I've already suffered enough with the loss of Sirius, I'm not going to be able to handle it if I lose one of them, too. I'm really worried about them. :o

I really hope you're right about Lupin. I couldn't take it if Lupin died. I'd have to stop reading. She's already killed Sirius, she can't kill Lupin too!

And I'm really worried about the Weasleys too. With almost every member of the family (except Percy at this point, but that may change) fighting Voldemort, the odds are very high against them. But even worse that having the twins die...as someone else suggested on these boards...what if only one twin is killed and the other survives? That would be cruel and sadistic! :eek:

~Luthien

[Telchar II]

Neither can live while the other survives.....

No, wait, wrong duo.

Neither can finish his own sentence while the other survives....

I actually think it's not impossible for Petunia to really break out with some serious (although spontaneous and unwilled) magic when Dudley next comes under attack. (Which I also think is likely.) It is also possible that Petunia wil pull a Lily and die in Dudley's defense.


Whether he's worth the sacrifice is another question. But we haven't really heard from him since the Dementors' attack.

[Kristin]

Before OotP we knew officially that another character would die. (And I think it was also officially stated that it would be someone close to Harry, ruling out minor characters and enemies.)

I think it's interesting that this time, we have no official word on deaths, and yet pretty much everyone in the fandom regards it as a given that more characters will die.

Rereading this thread, I've become more worried about Ron. (Though, if he dies, I think it would be more likely to be in Book 7.)

I think Dumbledore will die, either in HBP or Book 7. JKR's characters so perfectly follow the classic archetypes. Harry is the orphan hero. Dumbledore is the wise, old mentor. And the wise, old mentor has to be taken out of the action so the hero is forced to be on his own and fulfill the "quest" without aid. In the previous books Dumbledore was just physically removed. But now the stakes are raised. He'll have to die instead of being metaphorically out of the room.

I think HBP will open (within the first three chapters) with news of good guys' deaths. I think they are likely to be minor characters. And we'll build up to a major death (or two) by the end of HBP.

Any other last-few-weeks guesses at who is at risk? Or generally what kinds of deaths we'll be seeing?

[Colli]

Well, i think (a big THINK) someone asked Rowling if anyone was going to die in Book 6, and it got the "The entire wizarding world is at war, what do you think?"-type response. I'm fairly sure we don't have any big clues though. I wish we had more information to theorize about.. and I agree about D-dore.

P.S. I for one would finally like to see some prominent bad buys biting the dust.

[Elwen]

As far as I remember JKR has actually confirmed that someone important will die, but I don't think she has been as specific as last time.

The best bet is Dumbledore, for the reasons Kristin has just mentioned, and there is that little story about the people who all put in bets on his death - and all of thoe happened in the place where HBP is printed.

Makes one wonder, eh?

[Lanen]

Alas, Kristin (hiya!! :wave: ), I must agree. Maybe not in this book, but it's going to happen. Dumbledore just *can't* stick around, or Harry would never reach his maturity or have to make his own choices (after all, Dumbledore pretty much stopped Voldemort cold with barely a twitch in OotP!). You're absolutely right. All the archetypes of myth are behind Dumbledore having to go before the big payoff. Darn it.

And remember, the wizarding world is at war. People die in wars. *groan*

It isn't going to be pretty, or easy. But I expect it'll be lovely and dramatic and poignant, etc.

Did I mention I was looking forward to this book? :D

Good to see you, folks!

Lanen

[ChianaWeasley]

Nice to see you back around Lanen. :wave:

I don't think Dumbledore is going to die...to me it just wouldn't make sense. Hogwarts wouldn't last through the book...I dunno, I just cant see it happening. Its very likely that I'm wrong, but I also insist certain people are still alive. :wink:

[Tami of Ithilien]

I don't think Dumbledore is going to die...to me it just wouldn't make sense. Hogwarts wouldn't last through the book... I agree - it's too soon for Dumbledore to be out of the picture. Given that each book follows the school year that would mean him dying June/July at the latest. Given that the big showdown with Voldie (whatever form it takes) is likely to be at the end of book 7 that would leave the wizarding world - and Hogwarts - without Dumbledore for a whole year. I can't imagine that.

I'd like to see Hagrid cop it as I'm getting a bit fed up with him but I dont' think he will.

[lizz]

Originally I thought Dumbledore would die in book 7, but now I´m not so sure anymore :)
I think it makes perfect sense if you follow the "mythical" argument. The wise mentor has to go for the hero to come into his own. And the hero needs some time without his mentor to to his task. So from this point of view Dumbledore dying at the end of book 7 isnt going to happen.

And it would also be extremly interesting. How is the wizarding world without Dumbledore? A lot of possibilities open up.

[Lord Schaudt]

So it's Dumbledore. This makes it exceptionally hard to think about who dies in seven. After Dumbledore who matters? Sure Harry's important, but hero killing kind of destroys the potential for book 8+ and JKR has hinted she might break down and attempt 8+, though I believe she will come across Tolkien's issue with writing a shortly after book and realize she would need a hero as big and bad as Voldemort.

Nevertheless I think seven might see multiply deaths as opposed to one big death

[QUOTE]A werewolf can only be killed by a silver bullet. But I'm not sure whether this is in werewolf form, or not[\QUOTE]

I have also heard fire does it as well, which would be unfortunate for Remus.

[lizz]

big spoiler here. Be warned
we´ve also seen multiple deaths this time. A lot more of that might happen in book 7.

I´m not really surprised about Dumbledore dying, but it just feels so senseless. For nothing in the end. And HOW he died. :jawdrop: I´d never thought Snape would kill Dumbledore

[Moxie]

...JKR has hinted she might break down and attempt 8+, though I believe she will come across Tolkien's issue with writing a shortly after book and realize she would need a hero as big and bad as Voldemort.

Multiple deaths in Book 7 are a near certainty, really; as for a big bad villain to carry on after Voldemort, the Half-Blood Prince might be auditioning for that particular role. Taking out Dumbledore is a rather impressive credential for a would-be Big Baddie's resume, after all, even if Dumbledore was dying anyway (but how many people on the tower at the time realized/suspected the latter part?)

As for the weapons useful against werewolves, the more the better - Fenrir is a bad, bad doggie (and appropriately named, too, even by the standards of Rowling's characters.)

[Lord Schaudt]

But does anyone think that the HBP has the actual power to become anywhere near of the challenge Voldemort is? Think about it as brillant as he is, and this is demonstrated in his potions book, is he anywhere near Voldemorts strength?

Not even going by strength, is the HPB evil enough? Ok he killed Dumbledore, he spent many years living a lie, yet he still comes across as a cruel, evil, but not voldemore evil, person. There is a world of difference between being an evil git and being willing to use 7 horcruxes to prolong his life?

And then there is the one major thing. Dumbledore said "Severus please" that can be interpreted as please mercy, or in my opinon please kill me. I hold out hope for his salvation

[Lanen]

Lord S., I too hold out hope for Snape's redemption. Why?
Because I trust Dumbledore, and Dumbledore trusted Snape. And never wavered.

It would be lovely to take the easy way out and just hate Snape, but I truly, truly don't think that's what's going to happen. He has been set up as the tragic hero, nearly as much as Harry.

[SiriuslyCrazy]

*a moment of silence*





...for the fallen...:cry:

[ChianaWeasley]

I was really hoping that a certain somebody would buy it in the end....Snape

[SiriuslyCrazy]

It's weird, this feeling inside.... its now been what, 1 1/2 hours since i posted here and that was freash from reading the book... i was sad before but now.... i dunno, its finally sinking in. its like a real person.... im having a delayed grief response, lol. i shed a couple tears before but now.....

[ChianaWeasley]

Ah, Siriusly... I know how you feel. We are all tearing up like fools today, but alas we can be fools together.
:glomp:

[Colli]

I.. sobbed.

I was worried that was going to happen.

I can't believe Rowling made Snape evil. I can't believe he killed Dumbledore. I can't believe it. I just can't. MY Snape. My former favorite character.. because he wasn't completely good.. but was still good. I think I'm more upset about Snape being evil than I am about Dumbledore being dead. I feel betrayed.