Confession time: With the release of the last Harry Potter book only a week away, I have been spending a lot of my time thinking about it, re-reading the previous 6 books, chatting on message boards about unlikely theories, and watching the clock tick down on Mugglenet.
I love the books. I can’t wait for the last one.
A week from today my husband and I have an entire Harry Potter evening planned. We will see the movie, go to a release party, get the book at midnight, and then spend as much of the weekend reading as possible. We’ve already lined up my parents to come in and watch Drake for the entire weekend.
So, with no further ado, here are my unlikely theories and predictions, set in stone so that I will have to eat my words in another week. Rest assured that as soon as I finish the book (it may take half a week or more since my husband has to read it aloud to me), you will get an eyeful from me. :=)
First of all, I think Harry will live. Ironically, I believe this because it is so clear to me that Rowling could choose to kill him. She has done a superb job of creating the proper tension and fear in me and convinced me that his life is in danger — far more than the heroes in many *adult* novels I have read. Nevertheless, now that she has done all that so well, she has no need to kill him. The tension is enough. The fear is enough. If I have to chew my nails down to nubs, the least she can do is keep him alive. :=)
Who will die? Well, lots of people, according to the author. I place my bets (no money, just bragging rights) on:
Voldemort (of course)
Neville (heroically)
Belatrix (at Neville’s hand?)
Mad-Eye Moody
At least one Weasley, but not Ginny
Wormtail
Hermione (and this will make me bawl…I better put kleenex on my shopping list)
Other random theories:
Harry will become Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher (and stay there, after he kills Voldemort and breaks the jinx on the job).
Harry and Ginny will hook up. (Come on, it’s been obvious since book 1, hasn’t it? Besides, they only broke up because Harry didn’t want Ginny to get hurt. He still loves her, and love is the thing he’s got the Voldemort does not have.)
The locket is in Serius’ house, where his brother (RAB) put it after stealing it.
Dudley will be the character who performs magic under extraordinary circumstances. (I would say Petunia, but Rowling already quashed that one.)
Snape is evil. (I was looking for middle ground on this for a while, but as I’ve re-read the series, I just can’t find an out for him. Maybe Rowling will surprise me. You never know, but I very much hope she doesn’t go along with the corny but popular theory that Dumbledore asked Snape to kill him.)
Percy will find some way to make up with his family again. (At least, I hope so.)
There you have it…the truth will be revealed in 7_1/2 days.