HP Conventional Wisdom Watch III

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 129486

Hi Guys!  Time for another episode of Uncle Lupinlore's HP
Conventional Wisdom Watch.  Once again, I will use "Rising,"
"Falling," and "Mixed" in place of nifty little arrows.  As always,
this CW is gleaned from a variety of websites, with HPfGU being
primary but not the only source.  Also as always, corrections,
additions, quibbles, arguments, and rotten tomatoes (although my dog
would prefer rib-eye steaks, please) are welcome.

HARRY POTTER -- Falling.  Speculation as to the trials he may face in
HBP is beginning to reach a fever point.  The idea that he may lose
yet ANOTHER parental figure (see below) is becoming common.  Whether
you see this as traditional plotting, good writing, or just plain
manipulative overkill on JKR's part, a lot of gloom is attaching to
this possibility.  Also the idea that Harry will easily come to
"master his own feelings," is increasingly challenged by those who
think it won't be that quick and simple.  And some think that JKR's
mention of the fact that "some won't like" HBP might be an indication
that Angsty!Harry, despised by so many in OOTP, will be around for
quite a while yet.

ALBUS DUMBLEDORE -- Falling.  The betting situation in the UK has
highlighted a trend toward the belief that he will not survive Book
VI.  He also continues to be controversial in other ways.  Although
the whole Dursley situation has not been a *hot* topic of late, much
recent speculation has focused on his culpability in Snape's treatment
of Harry, and the bizarre way he has of misjudging people.

SEVERUS SNAPE -- Rising.  Many people find him sexy, after all.  And,
like him or hate him, everyone anticipates he will play a major role
in Book VI -- so much so that if some clear answers about him don't
start to finally emerge I wouldn't recommend that JKR get stuck in any
snow drifts.

RON WEASLEY -- Rising.  He hasn't figured large in conversation of
late, but he does seem destined to be a big figure in the final two books.

HERMIONE GRANGER -- Falling.  SPEW, tactlessness, pushiness in class,
and general arrogance have all be ascribed to the poor girl lately. 
It would be interesting to hear what JKR thinks of all this.

NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM -- Mixed.  Most expect him to flower in HBP.  But
JKR seems to be saying he just ain't all that important from the
prophecy standpoint, and that even Dumbledore has the attitude "Nice
kid, but of course he isn't close to being in the same league with
Harry, that goes without saying."

LUNA LOVEGOOD -- Rising.  Interest in a Harry/Luna romance (some claim
it's predicted by an alchemical joining of a Sun person and Moon
person) is beginning to increase once again.

DRACO MALFOY -- Falling.  The ranks of those who expect his redemption
have grown thin indeed, and you don't even hear many people these days
saying he will avoid Voldy's web out of cowardice or cleverness or
self-preservation.  With a Dark Mark seeming to loom in his future,
speculation has mainly shifted to whether he will finally show some
competence, and to whether he will survive the series.

GINNY WEASLEY -- Rising.  She still seems odds on favorite for Harry's
 Twue Lub, and for Gryffindor chaser (sounds like a drink, don't it?).

PERCY WEASLEY -- Falling.  No one can see a way around some degree of
humiliation of the middle Weasley boy.  Speculation that he may
outright flee to the DEs, once rare, is now becoming increasingly common.

MOLLY AND ARTHUR WEASLEY -- Falling.  From criticism of their
parenting to speculation of their death(s), the Weasleys can't seem to
catch a break.

BILL WEASLEY -- Rising.  Some mark him as a groom-to-be.  Others as
the next DADA teacher.

REMUS LUPIN -- Mixed. Criticism of Remus seems to have abated for the
moment, although the prominence of Albus and Harry on the covers
released for HBP has disappointed those who wanted him to step up and
take over part of Sirius' role.

LUCIUS MALFOY -- Falling.  Bye, bye, Big Daddy.  There's even a
version of the alchemical theory that says the Black King must soon
drown in the waters of purification.  An escape from Azkaban gone
south?  Or maybe Lucius is in for a romance with the Giant Squid.

TONKS -- Rising.  Most expect her to play a major role in the war
against Voldy.

MAD EYE MOODY -- Mixed.  He still doesn't enjoy the popularity he once
did, but he is growing in popularity as a candidate for DADA.

KREACHER -- Falling.  Consensus seems to be the best he can hope for
is a quick exit and a place on the wall.

SEAMUS AND DEAN -- Rising. Dean gets a rumor boost as a possibility
for Half-Blood Prince, and many expect Seamus to grow in prominence in
the DA.

RUBEUS HAGRID -- Mixed.  Interest in his being the HBP is beginning to
revive, but he has overstayed his welcome with a lot of people.  To
wax alchemical again, some claim the "red" mentor will die in Book
VII, just as the "black" and "white" mentors have done before.  Of
course, that's good news for Lupin fans (it's good to be a
mentor/father-figure with a non-color name when your dealing with
alchemical interpretations).

FELIX FELICIS -- Rising.  Most think he is a person, and peg him as
the "lion man" and the new DADA teacher.

THE DA -- Rising.  Few people seriously expect it NOT to be a major
feature in Book VI -- probably as an official club so that Albus can
make nice by giving Harry a shiny badge of his very own (maybe one
with emeralds to match his eyes -- that would be pretty).

QUIDDITCH -- Rising.  We know it will feature in Book VI, else why
would JKR mention the Quidditch captain.  Harry could be captain,
using it as training/therapy.  Ron could be captain, using it to play
out a feud with Malfoy.  Katie Bell could be captain, although what
purpose that would serve nobody really knows.  Still, it seems sure
that the Pitch will be filled come July 16.

ADVANCED POTIONS -- Rising.  Most seem to think Harry will be in the
class, although opinion is divided as to whether he scored an "O" or
some other method will get him there.


Lupinlore