HBP prediction contest: comments wanted

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 128661

 
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> Compulsory Questions (0-5 points each): 
> If you believe the answer to a question is a new character, 
> write "new character" *and* describe relationships to old characters 
> or characteristics of new character for full credit. 
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> 1.	Who will be the most major character to die? 

Oh, let's be wild.  I'll go with -- Hermione.

> 2.	Who is the Half-Blood Prince? (If "The Old Lion Guy," 
> describe more.) 

Godric Gryffindor, who is the "old lion guy."

> 3.	What is Lily's big secret? (This question will be eliminated 
> and full credit given to everyone if no big secret is revealed.)

Hmmm.  Let's go out on a limb again.  Let's say that it wasn't really
Dumbledore who worked the "ancient magic" on Harry, but Lily.
 
> 4.	Who will be the new DADA teacher? 

Felix Felicis (who isn't the lion guy).

> 5.	With whom will Harry have a romantic relationship? 

In that he has one, it will be with Ginny.

> 6.	Who will be the new Minister of Magic?

Amelia Bones
 
> 7.	What is that bowl-thing on the green U.S. HBP cover? 

A pensieve.

> 8.	Will Harry take Advanced Potions?

Well, for the sake of being contrary, I'm going to say "No."  I don't
think it's realistic for Harry to have made an "O" on the Potions test
and I don't think DD would want to antagonize Snape by forcing his
hand on this.  On the other hand, I'll predict that JKR had McGonagall
make that remark about "If I have to coach you nightly..." for a
reason, and she will give Harry private tutoring to make sure he
remains on the path to be an auror.

Oh, I predict that the events of the war will leave plenty of
opportunity for the Snape/Harry antagonism to play out without Harry
being in NEWT Potions.
 
> 9.	Will Neville take Advanced Potions? 

No

> 10.	How many OWLs did Harry get?

Seven
 
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> Predictions (0-10 points each): 
> Make 5 predictions not covered in the Compulsory Question 
> section. "Negative" predictions, i.e., "The Centaurs will *not* come 
> skipping into Hogwarts offering free pony rides," will receive no 
> credit. Obvious predictions, i.e., "Harry will be in his 6th year at 
> Hogwarts," will likewise receive no credit. 
> 

1.  Harry will "master his feelings" but not until the end of Book VI.
 A great deal of Book VI will be about his struggle to come to grips
with Sirius' death, his destiny, so on and so forth.

2.  We will never see the "old Harry" again.  His anger in Book V
heralded a permanent change in his character.  Even if he does become
calmer and more focused, his personality will have changed for the
worse in many ways.

3.  Similarly, Harry will never regard Dumbledore, Snape, or
McGonagall in the same way.  This will be a source of great tension in
Book VI.

4.  Harry will be the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain.  He may be
initially reluctant to take the job, but Dumbledore and/or McGonagall
will insist.  Dumbledore will partially reverse his policy with regard
to not wanting to "overload" Harry with extraneous duties and will be
concerned, perhaps behind the scenes, to involve Harry in activities
that will distract him from dwelling constantly on his destiny and his
losses.

5.  Snape will be definitively revealed in either Book VI or Book VII
as having genuinely left Voldemort.  However, his inability to deal
with the demons of his past will lead him into making a decision
and/or taking an action that will result in tragedy for the Order.  He
will end up being the poster boy, not for redemption, but for the
catastrophe that strikes those unable to forgive.  There will be great
howling and gnashing of teeth in the fandom as legions of Snape lovers
complain that JKR has not played fair.

Lupinlore