Special Blog Post: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Following are some observations and predictions about the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Chances are, all of my predictions will be wrong, but I figured, what they hey, I might as well post some thoughts on the subjects, throwing my hat into the ring if you will. There are spoilers of the first six books (mostly Half Blood Prince) so read with caution if you are waiting to read them or for the movies. More after the break (click "Read More…" to continue reading). Well, I guess I’ll start with the big question, whether or not Harry will die. The closer we come to the release, the more torn I become. I really think that Harry should die, but that doesn’t mean he will. Rowling is a British author (who, stereotypically, have a tendency to kill off their protagonists. Now granted, that’s probably not an accurate stereotype, but in my head that’s how it’s worked out), which means she may be more inclined to get rid of Harry. In addition, she has written Harry in such a way that he would be inclined to sacrifice himself if it would mean saving others. She has also stated that this will be the end of the Harry Potter series (with the exception of a possibly reference/encyclopedic volume, which I think should be “Hogwarts, A History”), and killing him off would confirm that and make it permanent as well.

But then again, on the other hand, the more I read analyses of the books, I come across more and more “experts” who make the case for Harry’s survival. And of course, I can’t remember their arguments at the moment, but when I read them, they were very convincing.

But of course, Rowling just came out and said that many people will loathe the book, which leads me to think that she is killing off Harry. I really do think she has written the series in such a way where she needs to kill him off, and I think I would be a little disappointed if he survived, but that is just me, as I tend to like the darker books in the series more than the rest. I’m very interested in his scar though (I don’t think it’s a horcrux however, see below), as it is missing from the book jacket and we have been told that that fact is significant. I’m also curious as to his location, it kind of looks like a Coliseum type building, surrounded by Death Eaters, so it should make for a good read.

With Rowling’s comments however, she could be indicating a number of different people, we won’t find out until we read the book. Hagrid, Lupin and even Ron are all good choices (and good betting odds) for deaths. Other candidates are there as well (as well as the many “background” type deaths we will probably see, minor characters like Shackbolt), and we need to remember that one person lives who was originally supposed to die, and two die who were going to live.

Which brings me to the other big debate: Snape. This one is even trickier, and I honestly think it could easily go either way (Death Eater or Order of the Phoenix), and either way would work. Having it written the way it was through the end of Book 6 made for some great marketing and suspense, so I have to hand it to Rowling. My gut is saying, and has always said, that Snape is a very bad man (to quote the sticker I have from Borders), but like I said, it could go either way. The more I look at details, especially his instruction of Harry, and how he left Hogwarts, the more I lean towards the side that Snape is a good man. And in this case, I’d be alright with it going either way. I think this is much more of a gray area and warrants the flexibility for it to go in either direction.

A lot of mainstream media articles have discussed the Snape issue, many of which talk about the possibility of previous plans with Dumbledore to kill him, or his possibly defection to Voldemort’s side. One theory, that is a bit strange and far-fetched, that I haven’t seen discussed anywhere, including Potter-centric webpages, is the possibility that when Snape killed Dumbledore, he created a horcrux himself. A lot of talk has gone to the theory that Snape will end up redeeming himself, or it being revealed that Dumbledore’s death was part of an elaborate plan all along, but what if that horcrux is part of that plan?

Snape could redeem himself by saving Harry, sacrificing his own life, but be able to return due to the horcrux he created. While I don’t think this is a very likely outcome, I do think it is one that should at least be looked at and considered.

As far as Harry being a horcrux, I don’t think he is for a few reasons. First, Harry didn’t die, so if Voldemort was going to use Harry’s death to create his final horcrux, it shouldn’t have worked. Secondly, Harry is a living being, making him impractical for a horcrux. Yes, chances are that Nagini is a horcrux, but that most likely came much later and out of desperation to have seven. Lastly, while it would tie into the prophecy well, I think that it makes it necessary for Harry to die first and then Voldemort be killed, which would be a great way to end the series (Harry sacrificing himself and the Order and the DA finishing Voldemort off), I have a gut feeling that it won’t end that way, but of course, I’m not ruling anything out.

I’m really hoping we hear from the sorting hat in this book (and no, I don’t think it is a horcrux either), so I’m hoping Hogwarts is open in some fashion and we are privy to the sorting ceremony. If it is closed for the year, I do expect that the trio will be back, and probably the Order of the Phoenix as well, it may become a new headquarters and staging ground.

I think at least one of the Weasley children will die, and I don’t think it will be Percy, even though (and probably because) most people would like to see him kick the bucket. There is still hope for him to redeem himself, but I’m not holding out too much hope actually. I tend to think that it will be Charlie, we haven’t seen much of him and I doubt it would be Bill (as he is getting married) or either of the twins. I think Arthur has a good chance of dying as well, but we’ll see.

Like I mentioned above, I really don’t know what’s going to happen with Ron, I’ve never been able to figure out what I think will happen. Part of me thinks he has a good chance of dying, while the other sees him alive and with Hermione at the end of the book. I’m really unsure, so I’ll just have to wait and see. I tend to think that he’ll be alive since I think Harry will be gone, but it could go the other way.

I think it will be Hermione who will be the one to end up teaching at Hogwarts after everything is done, although Neville teaching there is a good choice as well, although it makes a bit more sense for Hermione, seeing as Hogwarts is missing a transfiguration professor at the moment, and as far as we know Professor Sprout will be around (if she dies, I’ll be very sad, as she is the head of Hufflepuff).

I hope Neville and Luna end up together, and I think Ginny will stay with Harry, ignoring his request. I also look for the wedding (Bill and Fleur) to happen, but be overshadowed (not necessarily interrupted, I think they will have that one day of happiness they are looking for) by the coming battles. I also hope that Lupin and Tonks get together, and I think they will, but probably one or both of them will die. I also hope that Krum has a substantial part (we know that he’ll be back), I liked his character a lot.

As far as what the “Deathly Hallows” are, I think it is a reference to the remaining horcruxes, there was a good discussion about them somewhere (of course I can’t remember at the moment), and how they can be analogous to King Arthur and his adventures. It will be interesting to see how it plays out, not only the title, but also what all the horcruxes actually turn out to be.

There are so many loose ends that are open to being tied up (check out mugglenet’s extensive list if you are interested) that I really can’t go into them all, I am a bit worried that they won’t all be covered though, especially since the book is shorter than Order of the Phoenix. Of all the loose ends, I’m most curious about the "gleam of hope in Dubmledore’s eye" from Book 4.  We’ll see though, I’m still very excited! And of course, I’m sure that I forgot a lot of things that I wanted to add, and I probably contradicted myself throughout the article, but it’s the nature of the internal discussion I suppose. And on top of all that, just remember that these are my random musings and thoughts, I’m not expecting any of my predictions to be accurate, just a discussion.

But anyway, posted below is what is rumored to be the opening lines to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (we’ll find out for sure when it is released). I’ll try to make it so you have to highlight it to read it:

‘Chapter One. The Dark Lord Ascending.

The two men appeared out of nowhere, a few yards apart in the narrow, moonlit lane. For a second they stood quite still, wands pointing at each other’s chests: then, recognising each other, they stowed their wands beneath their cloaks and set off, side by side, in the same direction.

"News?", asked the taller of the two.

"The best," replied Snape.’

I’m heading out to see the movie (Order of the Phoenix) tonight, and then hopefully sometime this weekend I can snag a copy of the book! Have a great one, catch everyone later!

edit: Added comments about "gleam in Dumbledore’s eye"