HBP contest: Rules Repost -- 31 days left -- email entry to Tiger

[phoenixmum]

No: HPFGUIDX 132773

1. Who will be the most major character to die?
	The new DADA professor
	The pattern is that the DADA professor is always gone by the 
end of the book (dies, quits,etc.).  I think Dumbledore will exert 
himself given recent events to get an excellent teacher for
both Harry and the other students, and death will be what removes 
him/her, after Harry grows attached to this person .

2. Who is the Half-Blood Prince? (If "The Old Lion Guy,"
describe more.)
	A completely new character, never mentioned before.  JKR is 
British; Great Britain has a hereditary monarch who is more of a 
figurehead; I am wondering if she will introduce a similar
concept to her magical world.  While others have suggested a child 
character, the British Prince Charles is an adult. The Half Blood 
Prince could be the adult offspring of a pure blood monarch
and a muggle spouse, and the suitability of this person to assume 
the throne could be a controversy in the magical world.

3. What is Lily's big secret? (This question will be eliminated
and full credit given to everyone if no big secret is revealed.)
	Lily was an Unspeakable, working in the Department of 
Mysteries.  During her research  she either discovered an old, or 
created a new, charm/spell which she used to protect Harry from
Voldemort's attack.  Her death was an essential component of the 
spell, which is why she begged Voldemort to kill her instead of 
Harry.

4. Who will be the new DADA teacher?
	The Old Lion Guy
	For JKR to describe him, I expect him to be an important 
character, but given the intense curiosity about the Half Blood 
Prince, I would not expect her to reveal information about the
latter. At the end the secret of the DADA professor, and there 
always is one, will be a blood relationship to the HBP.

5. With whom will Harry have a romantic relationship?
	Ginny.
	As Ron and Hermione begin to explore a romantic 
relationship, Harry will be left out, or exclude himself because of 
his discomfort as he perceives their feelings for each other.  As 
Ginny has shown herself more comfortable around Harry, still 
concerned about his well being, and more accepted into the inner 
circle, Harry will turn to her for friendship, which will eventually 
evolve into a romantic interest. Having been possessed by Voldemort, 
Ginny is better able than most to understand Harry's situation
and feelings.

6. Who will be the new Minister of Magic?
	Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law 
Enforcement 	
        This is the department Barty Crouch, Sr. headed when he was 
in the running for the Minister position, so this seems to be an 
important position in the Ministry and a good precursor
to advancement.  Given the recent revelation of Voldemort's
return, following Fudge's pattern of denial, it seems to me that
the 
new Minister would be someone who either supported Dumbledore, or 
did not actively counter him.

7. What is that bowl-thing on the green U.S. HBP cover?
	The Pensieve (what else could it be?)
        Dumbledore uses it to show Harry more about his parents, 
past events related to Voldemort, teaching him things that might be 
useful in his confrontation with Voldemort.

8. Will Harry take Advanced Potions?
	Yes.
	The cover of the "Adult" HBP book has a picture of Advance 
Potion making textbook.  Also, since Harry wants to be an auror, and 
he needs this class to pursue this career goal, he will get in this 
class one way or another, even if Dumbledore has to intervene (but I 
don't think he will need to; see Q #10.)

9. Will Neville take Advanced Potions?
	Yes. 
        Neville will want to be a Healer, with the aim of wishing to 
find a cure for his parents.  He needs Potions for that.  He has 
shown he can do well when not under too much pressure, and will have 
done well in the exam because of Snape's absence.

10. How many OWLs did Harry get?
	Six: An O in DADA & Potions; E in Transfiguration, Charms, 
and COMC; A or E in Herbology 
	McGonagall says he needs NEWTS in DADA, Potions, 
Transfiguration, & Charms, plus one other subject  to pursue auror 
training.  Predictions based on the book's description of how
well Harry thought he did, and considering what grade he needs to 
get into the advanced classes.  Note that Professor Marchbanks, 
friend of Dumbledore, oversaw the Potions practical exam, and
she could have influence in what grade Harry got in that subject, as 
well as Neville's grade. 

Other Predictions:

1) Professor Dumbledore will meet with Harry over the summer to 
teach him Occlumency.
	He says at the end of OotP that he should have done it 
himself, and Harry clearly still needs help with closing his mind to 
Voldemort, especially since Harry knows he will need to face
Voldemort again.  There is no longer any need to pretend about the 
depth of the relationship
between Dumbledore and Harry..

2) Hermione and Ron will come to visit Harry at Privet Drive.  (At 
the end of OofP, Ron says "We'll see you soon," and
Herminone adds "Really soon."  There is no longer any need
for them
to worry about the Dursleys' reaction to contact from Harry's 
friends, given the warning from Moody, Lupin, etc.)

3) Ginny will become a Prefect.
	All her brothers but the troublemaking twins have been 
Prefects.

4) Harry will be made Captain of the Quidditch team.  
	He has shown leadership skills in the DA, is really good at 
Quidditch, has been on the team all previous years, and needs some 
sop to his ego since he hasn't been made prefect.

5) Ron will also decide to pursue auror training, and take all the 
same classes as Harry so they can commiserate together about 
homework.  Hermione will be undecided about her career, and
continue to take everything she has already. 

6)The bartender of the Hog's Head will be revealed to be
Aberforth, 
the brother of Dumbledore.
	(Appearance reminds Harry of someone-tall, thin, great deal 
of long gray hair-and  strong smell of goats in the pub. This may 
not come until Book 7.)

7) Petunia will reveal that she actually has some small amount of 
magicical ability in her, but decided to renounce all magic because 
of jealousy over her sister's much greater powers.  She is the
one 
predicted to do magic late in life. (This may not come out until 
Book 7.)