Attack on Hogwarts?

[aberforth51]

No: HPFGUIDX 107451

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "arrowsmithbt" 
<arrowsmithbt at b...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "gelite67" <gelite67 at y...> 
wrote:
> > I didn't see this in the archives, so here goes?
> > 
> > What's the likelihood of an attack on Hogwarts in Book 6 or 7?   
There are a lot of secret ways into the school (maybe 
> > even some that the Weasley twins didn't discover). 
 
> It has been considered before and the general consensus is that 
the chances are high, with different posters putting forward 
different evidence/arguments. Dumbledore's Army frequently tops most
lists -  it must have an eventual function in the story arc.
Others, myself included, believe that the Chamber of Secrets still
has a part to play. It was Salazar's/Tom's/Voldy's cosy little nook 
in Hogwarts and since its name implies multiple secrets are hidden 
there we expect it to take centre stage again. Voldy will come back, 
I think, and it  won't be via Myrtle's bathroom.
There's more than one entrance, got to be. The Basilisk quite happily
toured the pipes in the school even before the Chamber was unsealed
by Ginny. All those pipes that Ron and Harry saw when sliding down
from the sink opening - they were *outside*  the sealed Chamber.
So how did the Basilisk access them? 
Tunnels to Hogsmeade, tunnels here, tunnels there; ideal for an
invading force. I'll be quite disappointed if Hogwarts remains 
unpenetrated and if (when) it is I expect the showdown to happen in 
the Chamber.
 
Kneasy

Kneasy/Gelite:

Like you I am convinced that Hogwarts will be attacked - probably in 
Book 7, one of the already registered titles being 'HP and the 
Battle for Hogwarts', which is my choice until JKR tells us 
otherwise! -  Enough hints have been given, as you have pointed out, 
to make this almost certain. The complexities and changing nature of 
the castle will make it a fascinating tale both to write and read.

I think that it will take Dumbledore's absence - his death or 
permanent departure - to make the attack possible. The various 
secret tunnels - 4 of which Filch knows about, so his removal or 
collusion may be important - will come into play. There must I think 
be one leading to the Hog's Head (former HQ for goblin rebellion). 

I agree with Kneasy that the Chamber has a further part to play, 
there are more secrets to learn about it. But to answer one point 
above, 'the Chamber *has* been opened - enemies of the heir beware' 
was the first message in CoS when the basilisk first toured the 
pipes. It could not start its attacks until Tom (possessing Ginny) 
opened the Chamber and controlled it using parseltongue; whether 
this control always required entry to the tunnel that 
Harry/Ron/Lockhart used we do not know, but the sloughed skin shows 
that the basilisk used this route; as you say, it had alternative 
pipework to that in Myrtle's bathroom, although again we don't know 
its other exit points for the Colin Creevey and Hermione/Penelope 
attacks. 

Dumbledore's Army - probably much expanded - will have to find ways 
of defending the castle, allied to the house-elves (who will all by 
now be wearing socks!) and various creatures of the Forest, and no 
doubt with forces arriving from further afield at decisive moments. 
Just speculating about it whets the appetite so much!!