what jo said was that two characters die that she didn't expect to die. and that one she DID expect to die got a reprieve.

that said...my bold predictions. note I am making them a full week in advance, and no, I don't have any access to the manuscript.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny: Live.
Harry & Ginny get back together.
Voldemort dies.
Snape is a good guy, but this will not come out until the final battle. He is, however, "Dumbledore's man, through and through".
Bellatrix: dies, probably at Neville's hand.
A good number of the members of the Order of the Phoenix will die in the last battle, most of them will be "faceless" people we haven't really gotten to know and love.
Most of the Death Eaters will live...to be punished.
Dudley Dursley will perform magic.

bookmark this post and laugh at me next week if I'm wrong.

night writer

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Snape is a good guy, but this will not come out until the final battle. He is, however, "Dumbledore's man, through and through".
Bellatrix: dies, probably at Neville's hand.

Oh, I hope you're right on both counts. I've become rather fond of Snape actually, but I truly hope it doesn't come down to Neville having to use an Unforgivable Curse to kill Bellatrix. Maybe he could levitate a rock onto her head.

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Dudley Dursley will perform magic.

Just desserts to Uncle Vernon if this happens! Well, it's in the family somehow.

Knit Wit

I tend to agree with most of your predictions. I have just started re-reading book 6 and have been trying to keep salient points in my head throughout.

My own bold predictions, so you can have a laugh at me too:

Harry, Ron, Hermione: live. (DH inisists Ron and Hermione will snuff it but he is clearly not paying attention to the precedents of classic good v. evil epics)
Harry and Ginny: if Ginny survives they will reunite, but I am not convinced that she will survive. (It fits the archetype that Harry rides off alone into the sunset, so to speak.)
At least one Weasley will die.
Hagrid dies.
Lupin or Tonks will die, but probably not both.
Only one member of the Malfoy family will survive, my money is on Narcissa.
A portrait of Sirius will be found.
My pick is for Aunt Petunia to discover a magical skill, instead of Dudley.
Hermione and Ron get to live happily ever after.
Snape.... The more I read the more I think he must be a good guy after all... but I don't see how he can possibly survive.

I flipped through a copy of a book of predictions written by some of the mugglenet folks... they go so far as to lay odds on which characters will die.

Anyone else got any predictions to share?

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bookmark this post and laugh at me next week if I'm wrong.

Done and done! :D My prediction is that Neville is going to play a HUGE role in the next book. And I'm not saying any more than that, I don't want to jinx myself! :)

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I've become rather fond of Snape actually

The guy who plays Snape in the movies (forget his name) just steals the show. He's just so perfect for that role! :) For that alone I want Snape to stay and end up good in the end. :)

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ust desserts to Uncle Vernon if this happens! Well, it's in the family somehow.

You don't think it'll be Mrs. Dursley who performs magic, since Lily Potter was her sister? I think it would be a riot if Dudley performed magic though... but then again, he might end up another Death Eater! :D

-gollygee

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At least one Weasley will die.

Please.... Let it be Percy! *snicker*

Seriously, Molly and Arthur are just too nice but I could see either of them giving their lives for one of their children; I wouldn't like to see it though. The thought of a world, even fictional, without Fred or George is unthinkable as well. I really want Ginny to survive and of course Ron. Can't think of a single reason why Bill needs to go through any more than he did in #6. Don't know Charlie well enough to wish him ill.

So, yeah, Percy is elected to die from the Weasley clan. I'm good with that. ;-)

Knit Wit

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So, yeah, Percy is elected to die from the Weasley clan. I'm good with that. ;-)

I still can't believe that Percy hasn't come around yet. Do you think he might end up (or already is) under the Imperius Curse?

-gollygee

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I still can't believe that Percy hasn't come around yet. Do you think he might end up (or already is) under the Imperius Curse?

Not that you were asking me, but nah. I think he's a righteous jerk without any magic. He'll turn around before the end of the series, but probably when it's too late.

I bet I'm the only one who thinks Draco could be a good guy in the end. I've wondered if he really knows that his father is a Death Eater and imagined him turning on his father in the end. That's probably only because he reminds me of Spike from Buffy. I loved Spike. I think it's the platinum blond hair.

Hagrid, Hedwig, Fang, and Crookshanks better make it. I hate it when they kill off the pets. Or Hagrid.

Any chance you're heading to Portage 16?

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I still can't believe that Percy hasn't come around yet. Do you think he might end up (or already is) under the Imperius Curse?

Percy is not stupid, despite his behavior. I doubt he is under the curse at this point, surely he learned something from Mr. Crouch.

Nah, he's just a complete git. I predict that near the end of book 7 he will realize suddenly and terribly what a jerk he's been, but he may not have time to go crawling for forgiveness.

Also, I suspect Hermione's long study of Ancient Runes and/or Arithmancy will become vitally important in book 7.

I do hope the pets make it through, too!

MB

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I bet I'm the only one who thinks Draco could be a good guy in the end.

Actually, no, you're not alone. I'm thinking that maybe Draco is the one who gets the "reprieve" from death??? I'd actually like that. In book #6 I was actually starting to cry in the segments where Draco was obviously under a lot of pressure to fix the cabinet. I really don't think he had thought about what would happen once he got the Death Eaters into Hogwarts.

I'm sure he knows his dad is one though because Draco has the tattoo; he showed it to the shopkeeper (we think). He is still a kid though and I'm not sure he understood before Dumbledore's death just what being a Death Eater means, so I think we may see some surprises from that side.

Knit Wit

JK Rowling has clearly said that Petunia Dursley is muggle through and through. She will NOT be showing any magical ability. She has said that someone will show magical powers late in life. I'm predicting it will either be Mrs. Figgs or Filch.

I think Ron and Hermione lives, Ginny lives.

I'm still not taking any bets on Harry. I'm almost positive he's the last horcrux, so it will all depend on if they can find a way to remove the horcrux without killing the container.

Maiden

I'm not so sure Bill lives. It would be one of those things.. I could see the story line going something along the lines of..

Someone has to put themselves in a position that is almost garaunteed to get them killed, Bill volunteers because he's already doomed to live a life of torture.

I don't know if Percy will ever come around.. I hope so, but I can see it going either way.

What about Umbridge? Death Eater????

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What about Umbridge? Death Eater????

I'm listening to book 5 now. I don't think I have read it since it first came out, so I did not remember it well at all. At the time, I had just started teaching. Now I'm wondering if J.K. ever taught or has close friends as teachers because Umbridge is a bit too close to reality. How many school teachers can pick out an Umbridge like administrator?

Does this make those administrators Death Eaters? That wouldn't really surprise me. I need to check someone's arm soon.

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I'm sure he knows his dad is one though because Draco has the tattoo; he showed it to the shopkeeper (we think). He is still a kid though and I'm not sure he understood before Dumbledore's death just what being a Death Eater means, so I think we may see some surprises from that side.

Ah, ok. I haven't read that book since it came out. I have it ready to listen to after book 5. It is coming back to me, though. Draco did seem horrified at the end, didn't he?

I have been expecting Neville to die since book 5. I hope I'm wrong on that account, but he would be a perfect emotional sacrifice. Who wouldn't get teary eyed over Neville? I get all choked up at that part in the first book when Neville wins Gryffindor the house cup by standing up to his friends.

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I have been expecting Neville to die since book 5.

I really hope not. I think he'll play a huge role in #7 but this might be the only thing that would prevent me from quickly finishing the book.

If Neville dies I will be an emotional wreck for weeks! Possibly more so than if Harry dies (which I'm fairly sure won't happen, given that she's following pretty close to the hero epic form).

Speaking of hero epic, I've been thinking of Percy--especially in the sense of him realizing his mistake and coming to his senses. I think it may go a bit like Boromir's role in LOTR. He joined the party, fell under the lure of the Ring, intended to take it himself, but ended up fighting to the death to try to keep the Orcs from getting Frodo and the other hobbits. Redemption through death... There's usually one character like that in all good epic tales.

Knit Wit

I am pretty sure that JKR was a teacher at one point. Shoot, I'm not even a teacher and I can pick out Umbridge types from my academic past.

I don't think she is a death eater, however, she is far too loyal to the ministry. Do I think she might be easily Imperius-ed? Oh yes. I imagine she can wreak much havoc in the next book. But I bet she will end up wrung out like a used dish towel and discarded. I expect her, if she survives, to make a fine companion for Gilderoy in St Mungo's.

MB

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Redemption through death... There's usually one character like that in all good epic tales.

I could see this being Percy... but Snape or Draco would be good choices too.

I am still in the middle of book 6 and can't really remember what's up with Percy in this book yet. I would have thought he'd have come around once his beloved Fudge fell from grace, but clearly that didn't happen.

still reading,
MB

I don't think Neville will die. I think too much has been made of Neville's inadequacies for him to not be able to overcome them in the end.

The only way I really see him dying is if he takes Bellatrix and Rudolfo with him.

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I don't think Neville will die. I think too much has been made of Neville's inadequacies for him to not be able to overcome them in the end.

The only way I really see him dying is if he takes Bellatrix and Rudolfo with him.

I don't think he'll die either. I think he is going to end up as a hero, probably thanks to his knowledge of magical plants... :)

And I will cry and cry if ANY of the owls go!

-gollygee

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I don't think Neville will die. I think too much has been made of Neville's inadequacies for him to not be able to overcome them in the end.

The only way I really see him dying is if he takes Bellatrix and Rudolfo with him.

I don't think he'll die either. I think he is going to end up as a hero, probably thanks to his knowledge of magical plants... :)

And I will cry and cry if ANY of the owls go!

-gollygee

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I get all choked up at that part in the first book when Neville wins Gryffindor the house cup by standing up to his friends.

OMG, so do I!

I tear up at the movie too, everytime at the scene. He's always kind of bumbling through, so it's wonderful he is recognized as a hero, too (besides the Mod Squad) and helps his house win!

KuKu

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Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny: Live.
Harry & Ginny get back together.
Voldemort dies.
Snape is a good guy, but this will not come out until the final battle. He is, however, "Dumbledore's man, through and through".
Bellatrix: dies, probably at Neville's hand.
A good number of the members of the Order of the Phoenix will die in the last battle, most of them will be "faceless" people we haven't really gotten to know and love.
Most of the Death Eaters will live...to be punished.
Dudley Dursley will perform magic.

Very interesting predictions, my thoughts on these go like this: Yes Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny will live. I don't think Harry will get back together with Ginny, it doesn't seem right. Yes Voldemort dies. Snape does turn out to be a good guy, but I think that he will die, most likely in a heroic fashion. I like the idea of Neville fixing the Bellatrix problem, but I feel bad for him if he does end up killing someone, I do think he has untapped potential, I also think he ends up with Luna. I think you may be right about the members of the order, and the death eaters, I think Draco may die. As far as Dudley performing magic, I don't think that will happen. If he had any magical ability he would have recieved a letter to go to a wizarding school, he never recieved one, so I am pretty sure he is as muggle as they come. One last thought that I pray is wrong, Mr or Mrs Weasley will die.


The Cottontails

One last addition--Wormtail must repay the debt that he incurred in book 3--Harry let him go, and he (Wormtail) owes his life to Harry. I don't think WT will switch to the good side; perhaps he will sort of magically be forced to jump in the way of a spell, or reveal something lifesaving to Harry, or something...

EEE!!! I can't wait!

Drksnnms

{You don't think it'll be Mrs. Dursley who performs magic, since Lily Potter was her sister? }

jkr said on her site that petunia never has, and never will be able to perform magic. so I'm betting it isn't her. safe enough bet. it's in the rumors section.

dudley though...it would be just deserts to his parents. I can see a scenario where he is being tortured by death eaters to find harry once the magical protection is gone...it worked both ways...nobody could touch harry while he was t the dursleys, but nobody could touch them either. I think duleey has had the ability all along, but note from book 1... harry says he can't be a wizard, and hagrid ask if he never made anything strange happen when he was upset or scared. dudley has never been that upset or scared, so never developed magic...until the death eaters strike... muahahhhah

my theory fits, but I don't know if it's in jkr's idea of what should happen in her book...

nw

I think Wormtails life debt is going to be repaid by him figuring out a way to remove the horcrux from harry without killing Harry.

Maiden

They are fantastic and word for word from the book.

The only way that Harry dies is if Voldemort lives. That's not going to happen. The prophesy says one survives.

Any chance you're heading to Portage 16?

Ok, I'm a little behind on this board, but yes, that is exactly where I saw the movie. :)

TG

I think that if Harry ever *was* the horcrux, that Voldemort's spilling of his blood to regenerate his body in GF would have destroyed the magic. It says something like Dumbledore having a triumphant look on his face when Harry told him V had used his blood in the spell. That's got to come back to haunt V somehow.