book 7: back to the future theory

[nobodysrib <nobodysrib@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 53001

Way before I ever started coming here and delving far into the books 
I had an idea for how the books may end.  I haven't been able to find 
this discussed in any of the archives, and thought I'd post it to see 
if y'all spot anything in the canon that may support (or go against) 
it.

I think JKR has mentioned in an interview that either time travel or 
the time turner will be used again.  My idea, which I call the Back 
to the Future Theory:  Probably in book 7, Harry realizes that he 
cannot defeat Voldemort "on his own" (Voldemort has gotten too 
strong, etc.).  And so Harry is given the option of traveling back in 
time (time turner?) to defeat Tom Riddle - and thus stop Voldemort.  
(or possibly he will change an even in Riddle's life that will stop 
him from becoming Voldemort).

Ethical questions Harry must consider:  he will be changing history.  
This means that he will have no memory of defeating V.  Also, it may 
mean that his parents never fall in love - and that he is never 
born.  In addition, Harry will no longer be famous for being "the boy 
who lived" - and though he is not always fond of his celebrity, he 
also doesn't know what it would be like to not have it around and not 
be considered special.  (Wasn't Harry warned about the fickle nature 
of celebrity in CoS?)  And, at the very least, Harry may never meet 
and befriend Ron, Hermione, etc...  But Harry ultimately chooses to 
(potentially) sacrifice his (known) life for the greater good of the 
wizarding world.  Within this theory I have a foggy view of the 7th 
books' last chapter - it's Hogwarts graduation day, Harry is there, 
his parents and Lupin (maybe this change in history even means he 
doesn't get bitten by the werewolf?) and Black are there.  Maybe 
Cedric has become a professor and is there (certainly anyone who died 
in the books would be there - *sniff, sniff*).  And either he *is* 
still friends with Ron and Hermione or he has a moment when the three 
all catch each others' eyes and feel an oddly strong connection.  The 
last sentence would be Harry, pushing his unruly hair away from his 
forehead, and there being no scar.

So, that's my idea.  It's dangerously close to being "Bobby stepping 
out of the shower"/it's all a dream, but maybe Dumbledore can give 
Harry, Hermione, and Ron some sort of award at graduation.  This 
will, of course, puzzle everyone (in that way that Dumbledore tends 
to do), since no one will know what he's talking about, but will show 
the readers that it wasn't necessarily "just a dream."  And maybe HHR 
will be puzzled, but also have some deep down understanding that it 
isn't just Dumbledore being Dumbledore.  (But even Dumbledore giving 
Harry a twinkling look when he's with his parents would be enough to 
satisfy this, too.)

I'm not a bang-er at heart, but I do think that there will be a bang 
of some sort at the end of the 7th book - but also a large enough 
section afterwards of emotional goodbyes (ala the last episode 
of "Family Ties" but hopefully not nearly so cheesy), and this theory 
accomodates that emotional need.  Dumbledore could even sit Harry 
down and tell him the story of what happened (summing up the books 
for us, and also showing us how D's knowledge fills in all the holes 
everywhere.  ie telling us *exactly* what happened and answering all 
of our tiny questions).

I was leery about posting this (since I have no strong supporting 
evidence), but then I thought that those out there that are more 
familiar with the books might be able to help me dig through the 
canon for some proof.  (or at least for proof of there not being 
evidence that goes against this...)

Also, this theory is my baby (sometimes keeps me happy late at night 
when I'm imagining all the horrible events that are yet to come in 
the next three books) and I wanted to share the warm fuzzies.

-nobody's rib, who is certain that this theory can be ripped apart 
and proved false