[HPforGrownups] Re: Predictions

[Carol Bainbridge]

No: HPFGUIDX 43436

At 8/30/02 07:50 PM, you wrote:

This is my first post -- couldn't resist this discussion!

Here's what I think about sphause's predictions:

> > 1. Dumbledore will die (Fairly Obvious)

I agree.  It is pretty common in new mythology stories for the old, kindly 
wizard to die at the end.  I do think his death, however, will contribute 
to Voldemort's downfall, maybe even making it possible for Voldemort to "die."

> > 2. Harry, Ron and Hermione will not die (Duh!)

I really hate to think of any of them dying, but my vote would be for 
Ron.  I think Ron is going to get progressively resentful of the attention 
Harry gets -- as he begins to be in Book 4.  Voldemort may use that 
resentment to trick Ron into doing something that is meant to kill 
Harry.  Of course, Ron won't know it's Voldemort, but it will be too late, 
at least for Ron.  At the last Ron will figure it out and sacrifice himself 
to help ruin Voldemort's plan.  I see it as being a rather poignant moment 
because at last Ron will get the kind of attention Harry's has always 
gotten, but he will realize that it's not so great after all.  Still he 
will rise to the occasion.  He will be hero like Harry had been.

> > 3. Snape will be a hero

I don't see Snape as a hero at all. I do think he'll do something 
completely out of character -- at least the character we see.  At the end 
of Book 4, we know Dumbledore sends him off on some dangerous task, 
apparently something he has either done before or has been a contingency 
plan for years.  (Dumbledore says to him, "You know what to do."  I'm not 
sure those are the exact words, but it's close.)  I think Snape will be 
instrumental in Voldemort's destruction, perhaps with Ron, who then learns 
the real background of Snape. If that happens, we may see a glimpse of the 
Snape underneath the mean, unfair Snape.  We may even learn some of Snape's 
history that way.  If we do, Snape can go on being his mean self, but we'll 
all know the truth!  In any case, I think Ron would be the big hero.

> > 4. Snape will give his life to save Harry's

I disagree with this one.  I see Ron as being the one to give his life to 
save Harry.  If it's not Ron, then I still don't see Snape doing it.  That 
would be the expected thing and JKR doesn't ever do the expected.  I do 
think, however, that Snape will do something that will really surprise 
us.  Maybe the only reason he's at Hogwart's at all is to protect the 
school should Voldemort ever return.  It seems clear that not everyone 
believed Voldemort was gone for good.  I'll bet Dumbledore was one such 
person.  The fact that he tells Snape "You know what you have to do" makes 
me think that he and Dumbledore have talked about this possibility and had 
a plan in mind.  Perhaps Snape remains pretty nasty in order to make it 
more possible to do whatever he has to do -- which seems to involve 
returning to Voldemort.  Whatever happens with Snape, we won't be expecting 
it.

> > 5. If Snape does not die, he will become the headmaster.

I don't agree with this one either.  I'm much more inclined to see Snape 
advance to head of the Ministry of Magic.  He might actually do a good job 
there, since he doesn't really seem to like teaching.

> > 6. If Snape does dies, McGonagall will become the headmaster.

I don't see McGonagall as taking over Dumbledore's job either.  She is 
deputy headmistress, but that doesn't guarantee a move up. It's not like 
being Vice-President.  If a principal leaves, the assistant principal 
doesn't necessarily take over; a new principal is hired.  I'm not sure what 
to expect from McGonagall, I just really don't see her as being in charge 
of Hogwarts. I can see her remaining as deputy headmistress, but I'm sure 
there'll be something else.

> > 7. Voldemort will die at Harry's hand never to return.

I disagree with this too.  I think it will seem like it to almost everyone, 
but there will be just the tiniest hint that Voldemort is still out 
there.  After all, there will always be evil in the world.  Probably Harry 
and Sirius will be the only ones who really understand this.  And maybe 
Hagrid.  He hadn't believed Voldemort was gone the first time.

> > 8. Ron and Hermione will be an item.

I agree with this -- but it will be temporary.  Book 4 certainly gives us 
some hints that there is something going on with Ron and Hermione. However, 
I would say that Hermione gets more and more upset with Ron's attitude, 
which gets progressively worse because of his jealousy of Harry.

Here is what I think about meggie_sunshine's predictions:

>1) Remus Lupin will die either at Voldemort's hand or a Death Eaters'.

I don't think Lupin will die.  I think he will join the fight against 
Voldemort and will be able to return to Hogwarts.  Perhaps a more permanent 
treatment/cure for his condition will be discovered. I don't know about 
this one, though.  It seems rather cheap for JKR.

>2) Sirius Black will have his name cleared and will join the fight against 
>Voldemort.

I think it is in the fight against Voldemort that Sirius' name gets 
cleared.  At the end, when all is done, the full truth will come out.

>3) We will find out why Arthur Weasley knows so many MOM important people. 
>And we'll learn more about his/Molly's past.

I think there is something important about Arthur too.  But I'm not sure it 
has anything to do with his knowing so many MOM people.  He does work there 
after all.  Isn't he head of his department?  I think so.  So it is likely 
that he knows others in high positions.  Even young "Weatherby" <g> knows 
some higher ups and he just started working there.

>4) There will eventually be an American in the books. I don't know 
>who/why, but I think it will happen.

Maybe.  It could make for some fun.  Maybe the Hogwarts students will go to 
America as their trip outside Hogwarts.

>5) Cornelius Fudge will be ousted as Minister of Magic either in Book 6 or 
>the last one.

I agree with this.  He has not been terribly effectual.

>6) Either Bill or Charlie Weasley will return in more depth.

That makes sense.  I would guess that they play a role in the fight against 
Voldemort.  Perhaps Charlie will do something with the dragons?

>7) JKR has said that there will be a book (was it 5? I can't
>remember offhand) where the students will go away from Hogwarts. I
>think there will be a quest of some sort

Perhaps as I said, they might visit America.  I'm not sure why, 
though.  However, it wouldn't be a place we would expect them to go.  On 
the other hand, I really can't see any magical reason for visiting 
America.  What would there be in America for Hogwarts students?  Something 
about vampires in New Orleans?

Now I have a couple of my own predictions to add to the growing list:

1. Sirius will become headmaster of Hogwarts
After the fight against Voldemort, it is clear that Sirius had been framed 
and his name will be cleared.  His extreme loyalty will be obvious.  He is 
wise and humorous, making him a perfect replacement for Dumbledore.  In 
addition, he doesn't have any other occupation, having been in Azkaban for 
so many years, so it makes sense that way too.

2. Snape will become the head of the Ministry of Magic.
If Fudge gets ousted a new head will be needed.  I think Snape's role in 
the fight against Voldemort will make it clear that he is the perfect man 
for the job.

3. Draco Malfoy will become the new potions master when Snape leaves to 
become Head of MOM.
Malfoy has always been Snape's favorite student, and it is possible that 
Snape recommends him.  I don't think that Malfoy will undergo and 
Dickensian end-of-story transformation, so he can go right on being a nasty 
git, just like Snape.  However, I do think that he opted not to go to the 
"dark side" with his father, who clearly from Book 4 goes back to 
Voldemort, along with Crabbe and Goyle's fathers.  Malfoy is a prejudiced, 
mean little cuss, but perhaps he'll stop just short of becoming a death 
eater.  Perhaps Voldemort will kill Lucius Malfoy for some minor infraction 
which will make Draco see dark wizardry differently.  He'll still be 
prejudiced and mean, like Snape was, but he'll help  fight against Voldemort.




Carol Bainbridge
(kaityf at jorsm.com)

http://www.lcag.org