HPB prediction contest

[Kristen]

No: HPFGUIDX 129360

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

When I read the table of contents on OotP and saw the chapter "The 
Only One He Ever Feared," I thought DD was a goner at the end of 5.  
But, to restate another poster, his move to the "next great 
adventure" makes him "one with the Force," though we won't know this 
until 7.


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

Godric Gryffindor.  Harry will find out more about why he got the 
sword.  The Old Lion Guy is the curator/guardian of some sort of GG 
secret society.  


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

Her relationship with Snape, which was not romantic (on her part), 
and why it led to Snape's re-joining the good guys, which led to his 
seeking refuge at Hogwarts and Dumbledore's giving him the 
protection of a teaching position just two months before Lily died.  


4. Who will be the new DADA teacher?

Snape.  It's a state of emergency.  Dumbledore isn't fooling around 
with dilettantes or bureaucrats any longer.


5. With whom will Harry have a romantic relationship?

Luna Lovegood. 


6. Who will be the new Minister of Magic?

Madam Bones.  Close second is Kingsley Shacklebolt--at the least 
he'll get a promotion.  The MoM will want someone with magical law 
enforcement experience.  


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

The Pensieve in which Harry views his memories of Halloween at 
Godric's Hollow. (See below.)


8. Will Harry take Advanced Potions?

Yes, though Snape won't be teaching.


9. Will Neville take Advanced Potions?

Yes.  With his OWL, new wand, and new confidence and new direction 
(see below), helped by the fact that Snape is not teaching Potions 
any longer. 


10. How many OWLs did Harry get?

As another posted stated, all but one, the one interrupted in the 
Astronomy Tower.


Predictions (0-10 points each):

1. Harry and the OotP come to realize that things were not as they 
seemed on Halloween at Godric's Hollow.  They realize that Harry's 
memories are the only source of information, so he looks into the 
Pensieve.  He also learns something about Snape in this viewing.

2.  A Weasley dies, though it's not Arthur, Ginny, or Ron.

3.  Percy was not evil in the Death Eater sense in OotP.  But, he 
loses his position at the MoM, and ashamed of his powerlessness and 
misplaced support for Fudge and Umbridge, he joins the Death 
Eaters.  

4.  Neville studies Healing.  With his Herbology skills and his 
newfound Potions prowess, he sets out to cure his parents.  Also, 
the DA needs a medical corps, especially because Hermione continues 
to experience problems from her injury.  

5.  The new, improved Neville takes up with his old Yule Ball date, 
Ginny.

6.  Ron and Hermione continue to banter and bicker.  Ron tries to 
impress her with a grand gesture that goes awry.  Then, when he is 
on the verge of trying to articulate his feelings, Viktor returns to 
the picture.

7.  Draco takes the natural step of joining the Death Eaters (I 
posit some sort of DE Youth group), but then is expected to do 
something he's not ready for, such as an act of violence against one 
of his own house.  Although he's spoiled and snarky, he doesn't have 
the stomach for real evil.

8.  We learn what happened to James between 6th and 7th years.  He 
was recruited by the DE Youth group and at first didn't realize it 
was anything more than a lark or a prank.  Lily intervened at a 
critical moment.