Predictions-Plot devises in 6 & 7

[nibleswik]

No: HPFGUIDX 85207

> There are some things we have seen mentioned or used in small 
ways, that I
> think will be big plot devises used in the next two books.
> 
<Veritaserum bit snipped>
> 
> 2.  Imperius curse- <snip> Why have this be one of three 
> unforgivable curses if it isn't going to be used in a big way. 
<snip> 

Me (Natalie):
The reasoning for making Imperius unforgivable seems pretty clear. 
JKR's world (and the RW) hinges on choice. Since the Imperius 
disables the victim from making choices, from acting the way he or 
she wishes, in a way it steals the world from the victim, just like 
death or unfathomable pain.

Also, it's already been used in a big way. It was central to the 
plot of GoF. That said, yes, it could be used again. Percy could be 
acting under Imperius (though I've decided he's probably just being 
a humongous bighead). Others could be put under it, but there are 
some characters I think we won't see Imperio'd, at least not 
effectively. Harry's the first -- you said:

"Maybe even Harry will be used in this way.  That way we would get a 
first person account of what it feels like to fall under this 
curse.  I know he threw it off with Fake Moody, but what if Voldemrt
cast it himself?"

But Voldemort *did* cast it on Harry. He cast it on him in the 
graveyard, and Harry threw it off. As the only wizard more powerful 
than LV appears to be DD, I doubt Harry has much to fear as far as 
the Imperius. I can't see a situation in which the headmaster would 
cast it on Harry. I suppose there could be some wizards who were 
overall less powerful than Moldy Voldy, but better at the Imperius, 
or that Voldy wasn't really trying in the graveyard. I suppose he 
was out of practice as well. 

Others I don't think could be Imperio'd: DD (who could manage it?), 
Lucius Malfoy (I just can't see anyone controlling him via any 
method other than murder or very secure imprisonment), and Snape (I 
don't think we've seen just how powerful he is yet). And Dobby.

Joj:
<Lupin bit snipped>
 
> 4.  Colin's pictures- <snip> I think he's going to capture 
> something important one of these days, or maybe he already has,
> and doesn't even know it.  <snip>

Now that's interesting! I haven't ever thought much about Colin and 
his pictures, but now that I think about it, they probably will turn 
out valuable. As someone on this list noted (Pippin in the OotP ch. 
5 discussion questions post, perhaps?), this truly is a war of 
spies. If it were different, if the war revolved around big guns, 
I'd disagree with you, but I think his photographs will do one of 
three things: help the good guys by capturing an image of something 
LV's hiding, something in LV's plans; help LV when he captures Colin 
and gets pictures documenting (for example) Ron's fear of spiders, 
which he will then use in some way that may cost someone (Ron?) his 
life; or help the good guys as evidence they show the Ministry, or 
use in eventual court cases against LV and the DEs. Oh, excitement!

I'm also interested in the implications of Metamorphmagus-hood. Why 
is this going to be important? Is Tonks a fantastic Occlumens who 
will be able to infiltrate LV's organization, posing as Bellatrix, 
and get valuable information? Has she already been spying in this 
capacity? Some have brought up the possibility of Harry being a 
Metamorphmagus. I can't say I see a whole lot of canon evidence for 
that; in fact, the only thing I can think of is his fast-growing 
hair. Nevertheless, I wonder if that will turn out the case.

I wonder if JKR is going to further explore Animagi. Are the 
Marauders, Rita, and McGonagall the only ones, or will there be 
more? Will the Trio or any other students become Animagi? If so, 
why? Where's that going?

Finally, Legilimency and Occlumency. I'll be very surprised if they 
aren't central to the last two books. Is Harry going to resume his 
training in Occlumency? Is Dumbledore going to teach him, or is 
Snape? Is he going to be the only one studying it, or will Ron, 
Hermione, Neville, Ginny, and Luna join the class? Perhaps Harry 
will have to study it with Draco (yes, I realize there would need to 
be serious justification for why Draco was being taught Occlumency, 
but I'm hoping he'll choose Snape's good influence over his father's 
bad one and maybe even kill Lucius. Wouldn't that be uber-angsty in 
a very good way?). I think that would be worthwhile just to see that 
much revulsion in one room, undiluted by the presence of other 
students. Will Harry become a Legilimens?

Natalie, who is now very wondry