meta analysis of rumor section of JKR site

[Lady Macbeth]

No: HPFGUIDX 98956

Regina Olshan wrote:
> It strikes me that the attitude underlying the
> responses suggests that the darker or "more adult"
> predictions, or ones involving betrayal by beloved
> characters, or ones that contradict already laid down
> information by explaining it away, are unlikely to be
> true. Does anyone else get that impression or am I
> getting carried away because this is more in tune with
> my natural approach to the series?

Lady Macbeth replied:

It's not just you.  If I didn't want to have fun and explore the
possibilities, I could probably lay out the general idea of the last
two books right now.  I tend to fall victim to forgetting my own
preaching - these are CHILDRENS' books.  

JK's already said that she won't go into topics children shouldn't
have to deal with - teen pregnancy and the like. I expect that,
contrary to a lot of fan fiction and theories, we'll see a lot of the
following:

- The books will continue to be secular in nature.  Can't offend some
readers who aren't Christian, but JK is Christian herself and won't
want to offend God or the Church by having any of the characters
(except a heniously evil one, like Voldemort) be anything but.

- Draco Malfoy and the other Slytherin children will continue to be
flat, easily read characters.  Those with Death Eaters as fathers
(such as Draco) will continue to be increasingly antagonistic toward
Harry and his friends for no good or given reason.  ("You're a good
guy - we hate you" kind of mentality.)  Near the final battle, one
"good" Slytherin may show up to help "unite" the four houses, as the
Hat suggested was necessary.

- Harry will learn to put his own needs aside "for the good of the whole".

- Harry will have to deal with the loss of another close friend to
help foster his resolve to end the war and the suffering of everyone.
 

But, as I said, I like to pretend I don't know that the books are for
kids and play with the possibilities.  

That being said, I'm not going to buy the "Harry is NOT a descendant
of Salazar Slytherin" rumor-buster at face value.  I will be creative
and call upon my experience and knowledge in genealogy to remind me
and other devotees of this theory that patriarchal societies trace
descent through the father - that's why Voldemort's a Riddle, not a
Slytherin.  GENETICS, on the other hand, go through both, and when
doing DNA testing, the maternal side has to be tested through
mitochondrial DNA - genetic codes that are passed through the MOTHER.
 Remember, Tom Riddle Sr was a muggle - Voldemort got his
"inheritance" of Salazar Slytherin's bloodline and talents from his
mother.

Harry very well would not be considered a descendant of Salazar
Slytherin - because I never inferred or believed that James was. 
LILY, on the other hand, is a whole different can of worms. ;)

-Lady Macbeth