October 11, 2005
Will there be more books after Book 7?
J. K. Rowling stated that there would not be and that book seven would tie everything up anyways. It would be nice though to see a book about Harry’s parents when they attended Hogwarts.
Is Dumbledore really dead?
Yes. He is dead, his picture is hanging amongst all of the previous headmasters portraits and his funeral happened, white coffin and all.
Three weird things, 1) Dumbledore acted fairly strange, highly praising himself and the such, 2) when killed his body flew a little which is not part of the killing curse and 3) his wand fell from the castle and was never spoken of again. We were told in a song earlier in the book of a Wizard who died so they had to break his wand. Dumbledore’s wand was never broken or heard of again…?
Is Snape really Evil?
No. When Narcissa and Bellatrix visited Snape, he used Occlumeny to read a piece of their thoughts. Snape was never actually told “the plan” by Voldemort, but in saying that he was, he succeeded in making Bellatrix mad and gaining trust. Snape was forced into making the Unbreakable Vow not knowing the entire task Draco had been given. Maybe he only knew the “get the death eaters into Hogwarts part”. (And if Snape did know the entire task Draco was told to fulfill, even up to killing Dumbledore, Snape tried to avoid the situation altogether.)
Nevertheless, he undoubtedly told Dumbledore what had transpired.
In the end, when he was told that the Deatheaters had actually invaded Hogwarts and of the battle between them and the Order of the Phoenix, it is possible that Snape thought the Vow was fulfilled or it is also possible that the Vow had already begun to be fulfilled forcing Snape to race up to Draco. I believe that since Snape was bound by the Vow he physically had to fulfill it. He went to protect Draco but in turn ended up killing Dumbledore, against his will but according to the Vow. Snape had a look of hate on his face as he committed this act, not because of his dislike for Dumbledore but for the horror of what he was about to do. The he proceeded to finish the Vow buy ensuring Draco’s safety until only Snape and Draco escaped. Snape also protected Harry in a sense. He did not kill Harry and he wouldn’t let Harry do any illegal spells. Chances are that Snape knows a lot more information that Harry will need and he will have to give it to Harry in the final book. After this, it’s possible Snape could be killed in book seven.
(I admit the possibility that Snape could really be evil but then that means the Dumbledore was wrong about something so very vital that nothing else he concluded can be trustworthy. Snape apparently had an abusive muggle father which would lead him towards Voldemort's cause.)
Horcruxes?
We know that one of the Horcruxes is the missing Slytherin locket. It was taken by R.A.B. which is most likely Regulus Black mentioned in book 5. Back when Harry, Ron & Hermione were cleaning Grimwald place in Book 5, they mention a locket that no one could open. Since that house was the black family house, it is highly likely that this is the same locket as the Slytherin locket. Harry now owns Grimwald place but in book 6 there is a little part where Harry caught Mundungus selling items he stole from Grimwald place which is not really important or worth writing into the story unless it turns out that Mundungus stole the Locket too.
Tom Riddle’s Diary and Marvolo’s ring have both been destroyed so that’s three Horcruxes.
When Lord Voldemort tried to kill Harry the spell backfired and killed Voldemort instead. Then the weirdest thing happened which is that Harry had a scar on his forehead. Harry had some of Voldemort’s power and could sense Voldemort’s feelings and thoughts. This has not been explained in all of the 6 books expect that it happened when Voldemort tried to kill Harry. Now Dumbledore mentioned the possibility that Nagini, Voldemort’s snake, could have been made the final Horcrux but I think the Nagini theory was only presented to give the reader the knowledge that a Horcrux could be a living thing, therefore making it plausible that Harry contains a piece of Voldemort inside him. Harry is a Horcrux but that does not mean he has to die. Tom Riddle’s Diary and Marvolo’s ring still exist even though they are no longer Horcruxes. Harry will have to find a way to destroy the Horcrux inside himself and perhaps become a normal wizard.
Who will or won't die in Book 7?
Harry – Harry is the one who will most likely die simply because it would have a hint of realism in it. Also J. K. Rowling stated that book 7 is the last one, what better way to make that true then to have Harry die in the final novel. Also, if he’s a Horcrux, it would be one answer. But seriously, Harry will not die because J.K. wrote Harry and Ginny together and now if Harry or Ginny dies, the series will not have a happy ending. Stories with unhappy endings are disliked by most everyone.
Ron & Hermione – Both will spend a good part of the book helping Harry with his quest. Harry needs them even though it will be Harry in the end who destroys Lord Voldemort. Neither will die but the real question is if they will pursue their final year of education?
(Many people have said Ron will die because he’s the goofy side kick, but actually Ron is very important and talented. He’s good with strategy, I.E. Wizard Chess and he is apparently smart enough to get a very good OWL report card.)
Ginny – Since Ginny and Harry have been brought together, and really was designed to be a sturdy couple, I don’t see her being killed in the final book.
Malfoy family – It’s interesting to note that Dumbledore constantly states that Harry’s power comes from love. Most of the death eaters have no love for anyone, Bellatrix and Fenrin for example. But Draco loves his parents and they love him, especially his mother, Narcissa. Lucius failed at his mission, Draco failed at part of his mission and Narcissa betraying Voldemort. They may have to reassess their values before the end of book seven but Draco and Harry will probably never be friends. Lucius may die.
Dursleys – The Dusleys fear the Wizard world and if they died because of Harry it would only prove their bigamy to be justified.
McGonagall – She was making decisions with Dumbledore from the very beginning of the books and has always been likeable, stern and competent. McGonagall’s roll the entire time was to be the new headmaster after Dumbledore finally died and now I expect she will have a long tenure. There is no one to take McGonagall place if she did die.
Snape – Harry would surely like to kill Snape if he ever gets the chance. Snape hated James Potter, was key in the death of Sirius Black and actually killed Dumbledore. Also it would be unlikely for Snape to be on Dumbledore’s side without Voldemort really knowing. Lord Voldemort in turn has been waiting for the right moment to dispose of the traitorous Snape.
Lupin & Tonks – With Harry’s father gone and Sirius dead, Lupin is the only Marauder left. His relationship with Tonks is under written which means it could go either way. It is more likely that Lupin will have to kill Fenrir Greyback. Fenrir will have to die simply because so much was written in book 6 to make you despise him.
Hagrid – Hagrid would be very hard to kill. Many spells will bounce off of him and his skin is strong. Also the plot with Hagrid and his brother Grop is still unresolved.
Final analysis: Anything can happen when someone writes a book. J.K. Rawling can create any twist or turn she wishes and create a reason for it. This means that my opinions are just what I hope or expect to see.
There is no reason for any of the good guys to die now. When Cedrick died it was a sign of the deadly change to come in the series by the return of Lord Voldemort. Sirius’s death took away Harry’s last hope of a father and hardened him. And as long as Dumbledore was alive Harry would always have the protection of the “only Wizard Voldemort ever feared”. There is no reason to assume that someone else has to die.
Some Deatheaters will die and others will go to Azkaban. We’ll have to wait to see who.
Thoughts that are probably not true?
Harry spends his 7th year searching for Horcruxes then kills Voldemort. Then there will be another book where Harry goes to Hogwarts for one more year to finish his 7th year with Ginny (who is currently a year behind.) This is possible because the Gryffindor Quidditch captain from Harry’s first year apparently had to repeat his last year.
It is possible that Ron could get killed and Hermione ends up together with a reformed Draco Malfoy. This would be interesting, but unlikely.