HBP prediction contest: comments wanted

[spaebrun]

No: HPFGUIDX 128715

Though in a state of deep lurking, I couldn't miss the opportunity of
trying to earn such 
high honors... and free butterbeer!

1. Who will be the most major character to die?
I am pretty sure that Dumbledore will not make it to the end of the
series, but if he dies in 
book 6 it would leave book 7 completely Dumbledore-free and I'm not
sure JKR would 
want that. *If* he dies in book 6, it will happen at the grand
finale. If not (which is what I'm 
leaning towards)... hmmm... what about... Lucius Malfoy? That would
make the way free 
for his son to become whatever he's bound to become. 

2. Who is the Half-Blood Prince? (If "The Old Lion Guy,"
describe more.)
I opt for it being Godric Griffindore himself.

3. What is Lily's big secret? (This question will be eliminated
and full credit given to everyone if no big secret is revealed.)
I like the idea of her working as an Unspeakable on the power in the
locked room.

4. Who will be the new DADA teacher?
Definitely a new character! It may be 'the old lion guy' but his name
is not Felix Felicis, 
which will not be a person's name at all.

5. With whom will Harry have a romantic relationship?
In the end, it will probably be Ginny, but in book 6 Harry's love
life will not play an 
important role (he's had enough of it in book 5) . The romance part
of the book will be 
dedicated to Ron and Hermione, with Ron becoming aware of his
feelings towards her and 
everything being very complicated possibly also due to a
re-appearance of Viktor Krum 
;-). 

6. Who will be the new Minister of Magic?
Amelia Bones - after the shock of Voldemort's return they'll choose
someone who's 'pro-
Dumbledore'.

7. What is that bowl-thing on the green U.S. HBP cover?
A pensieve.

8. Will Harry take Advanced Potions?
Of course! ;-)

9. Will Neville take Advanced Potions?
I don't think so. Why would he do that to himself?

10. How many OWLs did Harry get?
Definitely: DADA, Charms, Transfiguration, CoMC, Herbology, Potions
Perhaps also Astronomy and *maybe* Divination, but that won't matter
much for the story.

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. We will learn more about the founders of Hogwarts, their
relationships to one another 
and the early history of the school.

2. The 'good Slytherins' will make their appearance. There will be
attempts of uniting the 
students of the different Houses which will turn out to be very
difficult. Also, some 
students from *all* Houses will show tendencies to support Voldemort.
(At the end of the series I think the House system will be abolished.)

3. We will learn more about Goblins. The question which side they'll
take in the war will be 
important and the way how Wizards treat their fellow magical
creatures will be a big issue 
in this context. 

4. Hagrid having taken care of Grawp will make it possible for the
Order to convince some 
of the Giants to fight against Voldemort, but Grawp will also give a
lot of trouble to 
Hagrid.

5. Harry will learn details about the 'prank', probably from Lupin.
Still he won't be able to 
make up with Snape and at the end of the book Snape will look very
suspicious - there will 
be strong hints that he is betraying the Order.

... just 65 more days until we can confirm all this ;-)

Reed