HBP prediction contest: comments wanted

[drliss at comcast.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 129353

Heh.  Been a while since I posted here, but I'll play.

1. Who will be the most major character to die?

Well, I've still got even money on Harry, but that wouldn't be in the HBP.  I'll say Dumbledore for HBP.  Classic kill-off-the-mentor.

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

I'm not very creative here.  I think it's Dumbledore again.  I do think DD might be a half-blood.  I also wonder if perhaps that's why he refused the Minister of Magic job- he has royal blood and prefers the concept of the Ministry to a royal government, and feels that taking the MoM position would be too much like a monarchy.

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 had a Plan B that James and Sirius didn't know about (I think Lily wasn't so willing to trust that Sirius wasn't the traitor), and she worked with Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel to come up with some sort of charm to protect Harry.
4. Who will be the new DADA teacher?

The "Old Lion Guy", who is Mr. Lupin, Sr.  Come on, you KNOW this would be fun.  We know about Sirius's family.  We've been promised more about James's family.  Why not find out a little more about Remus's family?  And then the fun of Mr. Lupin, Sr. being a good enough prof (because I think they need one), but not nearly as good as his son.  And Snape!  Could you just imagine Snape having to work with Remus's father?  
C'mon.  It would be SO fun.

5. With whom will Harry have a romantic relationship?

Heh.  To be honest, I don't really care.  Ginny, Luna, Susan Bones, Dean, Draco the Amazing Bouncing Ferret... (well, not that one, but only because they hate each other).   I'll say Ginny, just because I like Ginny.

6. Who will be the new Minister of Magic?

Amos Diggory.  I think the plot requires someone who's somewhat sympathetic, but won't make things too easy for Harry.  Amos Diggory has the total potential to go Crouch Sr. on us, fighting violence with violence and getting nasty, even though his intentions are good.  BUT, unlike Crouch, I think Diggory has the ability to learn from his mistakes and take the consequences.  So if someone in his department can rise to that position, my vote is entirely on Diggory. 

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

A pensieve.  Not a clue as to whose.

8. Will Harry take Advanced Potions?

Yes.  Where would we be without Harry and Snape?

9. Will Neville take Advanced Potions?

No.  And he will be much happier for the fact!

10. How many OWLs did Harry get?

Nine.  Not enough to be nauseating, but plenty to be competent.

Other predictions:

1.) Remus and Harry are going to have it out in some way, shape, or form.  Somehow someone (Remus or someone close to him) will knock it through Harry's head that Harry is not the only one grieving Sirius.  They'll have some sort of conflict, and eventually (perhaps not until Book 7), they'll make up (Harry making the first move for a change) and begin to form a new relationship.  However, unlike Sirius, where it was a father-thing and it was Dad's Best Friend and James's Son, Harry and Remus will have a more mentor-mentee friendship, and it will be Harry and Remus, not James's Friend and James's Kid.

2.) Peter Pettigrew will kill Remus Lupin (again, probably not until Book 7).  Peter and Remus have to have a showdown at some point.  One of them isn't walking away.  I'm guessing it's Remus, because Peter has a life-debt to fill!
3.) That silver hand?  Important, but not how you think.  I don't think it will kill Remus.  Instead, I think that silver hand can't transfigure, which means Peter can't change into a rat anymore.  This serves to chain him even tighter to Voldemort.

That's all I can think of for me.  

Liss

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]