[HPforGrownups] Re: HBP prediction contest

[Vivamus]

No: HPFGUIDX 129578

> Compulsory Questions (0-5 points each): 
> 
> 1. Who will be the most major character to die?

Since there is now a supposedly high probability of DD being the one to die
in this book, it seems a cheap shot to predict him, but I'll stick by my
earlier prediction that DD will have to buy it before Harry really has a
chance to grow up.  So, DD is still my prediction.

Before POA came out, I predicted that one of the Weasleys would die, because
the emotional interactions of that family having to deal with the death of
one of their own is just too wonderful a plot tool for JKR to pass up.  It
hasn't happened yet (and I really don't want it do,) but I'm afraid the
possibilities are getting greater that either Percy will die as a result of
his own treachery, realizing just a bit too late what he has done, or (more
likely) that Arthur will die as a result of Percy's treachery.  If Arthur
dies, I expect Percy to go the Judas route and hang himself, or decide to go
out in a blaze of glory, dueling with LV -- getting himself promptly
snuffed.

On the other hand, what if Arthur's name has something to do with his
heritage and lineage, and Arthur is destined for greatness?  JKR has flatly
said he won't be MoM, but what if he will be some other kind of ruler/leader
in the WW?

> 2. Who is the Half-Blood Prince? 

I'm still betting on Neville, unless it's the lion-character.

> 3. What is Lily's big secret?

It has to do with her eyes.  I still vote for Snape being in love with Lily,
and the "worst memory" was when she finally rejected him.  When she chose
his worst enemy, Snape became the bitter, petty tyrant he is now, hating
himself, hating her, hating life.  Every time he looks at Harry, he sees
Lily's eyes in James' face, and *that* is why he hated Harry from the moment
he saw him.  Harry forces him to live the worst moment of his life, over and
over -- much as the dementors torment Harry -- because he has Lily's eyes.

> 4. Who will be the new DADA teacher? 

Felix Felicitus -- the lion character.  

> 5. With whom will Harry have a romantic relationship? 

Ginny Weasley.

It will be interesting to see if JKR plays with the R/H and H/H shippers by
having Harry have a romantic relationship with Hermione, but if he does, it
won't go beyond a single kiss.  No, I think the last book is going to be a
desperate fight against overwhelming odds, and Harry will need to be
completed before that book really gets going -- doubly so if DD dies.  So,
he will have to finally settle down into his "destined" relationship, with
Ginny.  Without her, he really won't be complete, and he must be complete
before the seventh book begins.

> 6. Who will be the new Minister of Magic?

Ludo Bagman

We've already had a Neville Chamberlain, so my guess is either a Churchill
or a Hitler.   Hmmm, I think it will be a Hitler.  Delores Umbridge has been
so thoroughly disgraced, she would be pulling a minor miracle to stay out of
Azkaban, but I don't know of anyone else who would want the job.  Arthur
would be a natural, but JKR has nixed that.  Barty Crouch, Sr., would be
perfect, except for the fact that he is very inconveniently dead.

Ahh.  Kingsley Shacklebolt.  Experienced Auror, well-respected, not a
half-nutter like Moody.   No, wait!   Ludo Bagman!   Yes, yes, yes!  Ludo
the previous DE who will reveal a real thirst for power under all that
jovial fluff.  Immensely popular, but with a very shady background -- just
the sort to "make the trains run on time."   Ludo the monster.

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

The Pensieve, with a little artistic imagination thrown in.

> 8. Will Harry take Advanced Potions? 

Of course.

> 9. Will Neville take Advanced Potions?

Yes!  Remember, he wants to be an Auror too, and his development has been
"scary" in OOtP.  Also, he seemed quite calm in the potions exam.

> 10. How many OWLs did Harry get? 

Nine.
He passed Potions, DADA, Astronomy, Charms, Transfiguration, Herbology,
Magical Creatures, Divination, History, 

He did not take Arithmancy, Runes, or Muggle Studies


> Predictions (0-10 points each): 
> Make 5 predictions not covered in the Compulsory Question section. 
 
1. Harry will finally realize that he and Ginny are eternally bound the same
night DD dies, leaving Harry completed and abandoned at the same time.

2. Harry will get Outstanding OWLs in DADA, Potions, Charms, and Magical
Creatures.  He will get Exceeds Expectations in Transfiguration and
Herbology.  He will barely scrape by with a Pass in Divination (because no
one can fail it if they make *any* predictions), Astronomy (because he was
distracted by the attack on Hagrid and McGonagall) and History (because he
fell asleep and had a "spell" during the exam).  (Actually, he may well fail
History -- not that it matters much.)

3. Neville will come into his own in this book.  By the end of the book,
there will be serious doubt as to whether Neville or Harry is better
prepared to battle LV one-on-one.  This will raise once again (but not
answer) the question of exactly to whom was the prophecy referring.

4. Harry will kill in this book.  It is part of his growing up, but he has
to learn what war is, and what it means to take a life, so that it is gone
forever.  Ginny, Minerva, and Molly will help him get over it.

5. Petunia will be the one to suddenly burst out with magic, in desperation
to save Dudley.  

Vivamus