HBP prediction contest: comments wanted

[Kathy]

No: HPFGUIDX 128919

Compulsory Questions:  

1. 	Who will be the most major character to die?
Vernon Dursley.  I also think that one of the Creevey brothers will 
die, probably Dennis.

2. 	Who is the Half-Blood Prince? 
Hagrid.  JKR said that COS held a key regarding this question.  My 
question is:  Why did Riddle want to get rid of Hagrid – just 
because he wasn't a `pure-blood'?  I don't think so.  There's more 
to this than we know.  

3. 	What is Lily's big secret? 
Lily knew about Lupin and had been helping him.  It was thru this 
effort that she finally understood what James and his friends had 
gone thru to `protect' Lupin.  Her heart softened, and let James 
in.  The big secret is that Lupin really cared deeply for Lily – and 
though she cared for him just as much, it wasn't `that' kind of love 
to her.

4. 	Who will be the new DADA teacher?
So far it has always been a new character, being introduced for the 
first time.  I don't think this formula will change. 

5. 	With whom will Harry have a romantic relationship?
Luna Lovegood.  The ending of OOP gave us a clue that he sees her 
through different eyes.  Perhaps by the end of HBP we'll start 
seeing Harry look at Ginny differently as well.  

6. 	Who will be the new Minister of Magic?
Dolores Jane Umbridge, who had previously been the undersecretary to 
the Minister.  To keep the drama going, there has to be someone 
inept in this position. Hem, Hem, that said, Dolores would be the 
perfect person for the job. 
 
7. 	What is that bowl-thing on the green U.S. HBP cover?
It's definitely a pensive, but it doesn't look like Professor 
Dumbledore's.  His was never described as cracked.  I believe it 
will be pivotal to the plot, though.

8. 	Will Harry take Advanced Potions?
Definitely.  Without Snape's constant interruptions, Harry did well 
on his O.W.L.s

9. 	Will Neville take Advanced Potions?
No.  He has no interest in continuing with potions.  If he does 
continue, it will be due to a relationship between Herbology and 
potions.

10. 	How many OWLs did Harry get?
	Nine.

Make 5 predictions not covered in the Compulsory Question section.

1.	Spinners End will be where Petunia and Lily grew up.  Harry 
will be taken there to show him happier times and better memories.

2.	It will be discovered that Kreacher had placed a potion in 
the food/drink Sirius ate/drank, one that would make him very 
reckless.  It built up over a period of time, to the point that 
instead of protecting himself in the fight in the Dept. of 
Mysteries, he actually felt infallible.  
  
3.	Whether it will come out in HBP or in Book 7, Snape was 
actually fostering Harry's inability to keep Voldemort out of his 
head. Not just because he got a kick out of it (which he did), but 
also because he needed to keep the dark lord appeased, or he might 
realize he was spying for Dumbledore. (Doesn't matter cuz Voldemort 
trusts no one.)

4.	Harry and Ginny will get together, but probably not till 
Book 7.

5.	Dobby will play an important role in the last book.

6.	Barty Crouch, Jr. is alive and well, and should be in HBP, 
although still using Polyjuice potion to further Voldemort's aims.

KathyO