My *One* Most Rock-Solid OoP Prediction

[clio44a]

No: HPFGUIDX 59841

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Cindy C." <cindysphynx at c...> 
wrote:
...
> 
> Now that June 21 is just around the corner (Wow! -- We'll be 
reading 
> OoP next weekend!), maybe it's time to get *serious* here.  No more 
> having a whole bunch of vague predictions to your name.  Maybe it's 
> time for a gut-check -- time for anyone who's willing to stand on 
> just one OoP prediction to step forward.
> 
...


Here's my number one prediction- as professional lurker and rare 
poster.


We will see a Hogwarts without Dumbledore. Permanetely.

Dumbledore will either be forced to step down by the Ministry or die 
(of old age, mind you! NOT from a curse or in a confrontation).

Anyways, he will be gone from his position as headmaster, but still 
be around as an advisor to Harry, either as a ghost or as background 
character. He will also be able to quietly guide his successor, who 
will be ... Snape, of course.

Snape, who by the beginning of book 5 is back in the good graces of 
Voldemort, will be supported by some influential DEs in the Ministry, 
but also by Dumbledore (if he is still around by the time of the 
choice)and his friends in whatever comittee chooses the Headmaster.
 A true double agent! 
  
Some questionable decisions by the new headmster will give Harry 
plenty of room to doubt Snape's loyalties and snoop after him. What 
fun! 



As for the predicted death: 
If it's not Dumbledore, who is my candidate of choice, it will be 
Lupin. And he will be killed (alternative: gravely injured, landing 
him in a coma in St. Mungos) by Pettigrew, who puts his silver hand 
to good use, probabely choking Lupin. This will send Harry and Sirius 
into a guilt trip. Sirius will regret he didn't kill the rat in the 
shrieking shed, and Harry will be haunted by the knowledge that he 
prevented Pettigrew's death. He will also start to doubt Dumbledore's 
philosophy, which will lead to the much awaited all-out conversation 
he is having with Dumbledore in the end of OoP. 

I also believe Lupin's pending death/ injury is the reason JKR never 
allowed him to become attached to Harry. Personally I prefer the 
Lupin-in-silver-induced-coma-in St.Mungos variant, because it gives 
us a possibility to see more of Neville and his parents.
   
Ok, that's actually 2 predictions, but I will spare you from my 
predictions #3-#10, e.g. Charlie becoming Care of Magical Creatures 
teacher and falling in love with Fleur Delacour. :)  



Clio, 
who also predicts that the German translation of the title of book 5 
gives away something, since the title for the book (to be published 
Nov. 8th) is still a big secret.