The Next Victim

[Cindy C.]

No: HPFGUIDX 28614

Eric wrote:

> 
> For starters---has Herself stated in an interview that _Hermione_ 
will
> survive to Book Seven?  She's said that she couldn't kill Ron, b/c 
he's
> Harry's best friend.  Killing Hermione---she's brave enough to not 
run from
> danger, and IMNSHO she'd throw herself in front of a bullet or an 
Avada
> Kedavra spell to save either of her friends, without a second's 
thought or a
> moment's regret.  

Hmmm.  JKR has said that no one ever asks her not to kill Hermione.  
I have a hard time imagining Hermione's death in OoP.  Hermione only 
strikes me as half-cooked.  She is almost in mid-transformation as a 
person, as she moves from Bossy Braggard to Opposite of Bossy 
Braggard.  It would be strange to cut that development off in mid-
transformation.  Maybe this is trite (OK, I know this is trite), but 
I can almost see someone like Lupin stepping in front of a nasty 
spell to save Hermione.  To be honest, I'm not sure Hermione's death 
would really bother me that much.  I can't put my finger on why, 
though.

> Also, Molly Weasley is a real possibility.  She's involved with the
> Dumbledore "old crowd" and may well be a powerful witch in her own 
right who
> _chose to_ marry and raise a large family.  

I wonder if losing Arthur might be the bigger blow to the Weasleys.  
I think it might half-crucify JKR to kill Ron's dad.  And I can only 
assume (because I'm not a guy) that losing one's dad as a teen is 
more devastating than losing one's mom, although I really have no 
idea.  Then there are the nasty economic consequences, as the 
Weasleys have almost no money.  Killing Arthur could also result in 
the loss of the last person willing to protect Muggles, so Arthur's 
demise could further the plot as Voldemort increases his strength.  

Cindy