HP Conventional Wisdom Watch

[Hannah]

No: HPFGUIDX 126793


Hannah:  Brilliant idea, Lupinlore!  As others have, I'll just put 
comments after those I don't necessarily agree with:

>Lupinlore:
> REMUS LUPIN:  Falling.  His stature as a candidate for the HBP 
seems  to have declined recently.  Pippin's theory of an ESE!Lupin 
so far has  few supporters, but the prominence of Dumbledore and 
Harry on the  covers seems to work against the previously popular 
idea that he would  step up to be a paternal figure for Harry in the 
sixth book.  Also his  disappointing passivity in OOTP still grates 
on some people's nerves.

Hannah:  REMUS LUPIN: Rising.  Now that Sirius has gone, Lupin is 
the last remaining Marauder (excluding Peter on account of his being 
confirmed as ESE), and Harry's final link to his Mum, Dad, and 
Sirius.  

Though he remained detached in OotP, this may have been due to fear 
of interfering in Harry and Sirius' relationship.  His positive 
actions at the end of OotP (participating in threatening the 
Dursleys) suggest that he may become more of a mentor figure again 
to Harry.  He can offer Harry emotional support that, IMO, DD 
can't.  They can also enjoy a closer relationship than Harry is 
likely to achieve with a man who is more the 100 years older than 
him, partly responsible for his miserable life, and still his 
Headteacher.  

>Lupinlore: PERCY WEASLEY: Falling.  Early speculation that he might 
be a spy for 
> Dumbledore has largely given way to a focus on Percy as a Weasley 
> misfit and messed-up dude.

Hannah: PERCY WEASLEY: Mixed.  Though the theory of Percy as a spy 
has pretty much been shot down by JKR, there is still a chance for 
the third Weasley to redeem himself by trying to compensate for his 
past actions.  Despite Percy's alienation in the last book, he still 
managed to get into a lot of scenes, so we aren't meant to be 
forgetting him.  There is also speculation that he may play a larger 
part in the next books by becoming a Death Eater.  Whether that 
counts as rising or falling I'm not sure...
> 
>Lupinlore: MINERVA MCGONNOGAL: Mixed.  Her strong personality is a 
breath of 
> fresh air.  But her handling of Harry in HBP gives new meaning to 
the 
> word "maladroit."

Hannah:  MINERVA MCGONAGALL: Rising.  Her role in OotP combined the 
best bits of Snape's personality (great snarky lines, devious 
operation) without the bullying and general nastiness.  Her support 
of Harry over the careers advice and her attempts to advise him 
Umbridge (more than the 'perfect' DD managed) and heroic defence of 
Hagrid elevated her status with many fans.  Though her promise to 
help Harry become an Auror if it's the last thing she does is of 
concern to some as a foreshadowing of her death.
> 
>Lupinlore: GRAWP: Falling.  Of course, he was in the sub-basement 
already, so 
> what can one say?
> 
Hannah: GRAWP: Mixed.  Though Grawp's popularity is indeed currently 
around 'sub-basment' level, he did serve some purpose at the end of 
OotP, and JKR has said he will be much improved in HBP.  He sounds 
too much like a plot device for him not to end up helping the good 
side in book 6 and/or 7.  And he has the dubious advantage of not 
being able to sink much lower.

Additions:  DOBBY AND THE HOUSE ELVES:  Rising.  Much speculation 
about them playing a major role in the coming battle, and of them 
attaining their freedom or at least more rights.  

COLIN CREEVEY: Rising.  Colin's membership of the DA has slightly 
improved his male fangirl image.  He's considered an outside chance 
for the role of HBP by some HP fans, and even a possible Quidditch 
team member.  Speculation about his parentage and his function in 
the plot suggest he could be on the rise.

LILY POTTER: Mixed.  We're in store for a major revelation about 
Lily, possibly in HBP.  Speculation has suggested a number of 
possibilities, most of them something negative.  Following James 
being knocked from his pedestal in OotP, it seems likely that the 
engimatic and supposedly angelic Lily is next in line for a bashing.

PETER PETTIGREW: Rising.  Speculation abounds over the whereabouts 
of the rat in OotP, and JKR has promised we'll learn more. A small 
number of dedicated Peter sympathisers are proposing theories for 
his not being a totally evil waste of space.  And then there's the 
question of that life debt he owes Harry... many think Peter may 
help save the day yet.

Just my opinion!

Hannah