The co-protagonists and minor characters in Book 7

[slgazit]

No: HPFGUIDX 142707

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, juli17 at a... wrote:

My take on some of these points...

> Julie:
> I've been trying to remember other things JKR has mentioned will
> be in Book 7. So far I have:
>  
> 2. Depending on how one interprets that particular interview, JKR
> said in regards to Snape that something will happen relating to
> a) a redemptive pattern, or b) someone loving him. Or maybe it
> will be both. Certainly Snape will have a role to play on several 
> fronts. 

I think she said he was not as bad as he seemed, and he certainly
appears rather protective of Harry, but after performing an
Unforgivable Curse, I find it hard to believe he can survive the
series. I think that he'll most likely do some good but end up being
killed by either Hagrid (who was so fanatically loyal to DD) or Pettigrew.

> 5. A character will use magic late in life. (I'm putting this here
> because I don't think Merope is that character, though  technically
> she could be.)

I have a hunch it will be either Petunia, Mrs. Figg or Flitch...

> 7. We will meet an Order member we haven't fully met yet. (Or some
> wording like that)

This one is pretty straighforward - DD's brother Aberforth who is the
barman in the Hog's Head and known to have been in the previous order
(Moody's photograph). From hints dropped by DD ("merely friendly with
the local barmen") he is probably still a member.

> Carol:
> But what about the other (not so minor) characters, especially  Ron and
> Hermione?

I think Ron's and Hermione's role will be crucial in finding the
Horcruxes. I don't see how Harry can do it all on his own.

> Julie:
> I still think Harry may return to Hogwarts, at least briefly. And I 
> think Ron and Hermoine will still attend their seventh year. I'm 
> sure Ginny will attend her sixth year. Either way, they will  have
> a solid role to play (Ron's chess skills may well come into it,  as
> well as Hermoine's logical abilities).

I too expect him to get back there, assuming it is open. Perhaps a
will or letter from DD that will put it as a last wish. I believe at
least one (and probably the last) Horcrux is at Hogwarts and that's
where the final confrontation with V will happen.

> Julie:
> I don't know if I see Ron and Hermoine with Harry the whole time. I 
> rather expect Harry to go to Godric's Hollow alone.

No, this would be both dangerous and too emotional for him. I am sure
his two friends will be there and maybe Lupin (as their sole remaining
friend and Harry's bodyguard).

> And he'll no  doubt
> fact Voldemort alone at the pivotal moment (if anyone else is present
> and helps him, I actually think it will be Snape and/or Wormtail).

Yes to both points.

> Good point about Hedwig, and your theory about the two-way mirror
> sounds about right.

I suspect Hedwig will be killed and that DD's phoenix will become
Harry's new pet (if one can call him a pet).

>I agree Lupin blew his cover, so I'd assume he'll
> be holed up with the Order, or with Tonks ;-) Grimmald Place  seems 
> likely. I suspect the two of them will join in a battle against DEs  at
> some point though.

Harry has to get back to Grimauld Place to search for the locket at
some point. It's either still there or sold off by the enterprising
Mundungus. :-)

> Julie:
> I hope Ginny doesn't die, because Harry's lost enough people he 
> loves.

I don't believe she'll die but she will be threatened again by
Voldemort like she was in book 2. Harry cannot defeat Voldemort by
skill obviously and the prophecy suggests he'll use that "Power" that
he has but that Voldemort does not - which DD identified as love. So
Ginney is the logical choice here.

> On a side note, if Percy dies redeeming himself to his family, and
> Wormtail dies during repayment of his life debt to Harry (and  there
> is absolutely no point to him living), then maybe JKR will avoid 
> killing Snape and overdoing the redemption-by-death theme ;-)

I doubt Percy will die - he is stupid and shortsighted but never acted
truly evil. As for Snape, I can't see him redeemed after he commited
murder so he has to go too.

> Carol:
> So, what side plots (aside from Snape and RAB, which have  been
> thoroughly discussed) really, really need to be resolved and what  role
> will the sidekicks, subordinate heroes, and other minor  characters
> (Luna, Neville, Dobby, Percy, Umbridge, Scrimgeour, Slughorn . . .  . )
> play in resolving them? (Well, okay, we can include Snape here  in
> relation to future actions as opposed to past motivations and  events.)

I'd hardly see Snape as a "side plot" - he's at least as important to
the story as Voldemort.

I don't think there is much to add to the story by "resolving"
Umbridge and Scrimgeour - I doubt we'll see much of them.

Neville will almost certainly confront Belatrix ar some crucial point
and probably date Luna.

I suspect Luna will help with the Horcruxes as her mystical
personality pretty much compensates for Hermione's very practical and
non-imaginative personality. Probably that's why she was added to the
group - to provide balance.

I have a feeling Slughorn fulfilled his role. He'll still be there but
in a minor role (like Flitwick, say).

However, one person you did not mention that is sure to feature is
Trelawney. There were plenty of hints that 1. Her ability in
predicting the future is highly under-appreciated, especially when she
is drinking a lot :-) and 2. She is feeling sidetracked and resentful.
I suspect she'll leave Hogwarts (or perhaps be fired now that DD is
gone) and be quickly captured by Voldemort. Applying the same measures
he used on Bertha Jorkins he should be able to extract the full
prophecy from her.

I believe that the house elves, with Dobby and Kritcher (sp?) will
play a part, as will Grawp.

Salit