Who dies in 7?

[ereshkigal_doom]

No: HPFGUIDX 146338

kchuplis:

> Many? Really, she's said "many"? So is this going to be like some 
> kind of Revenger's Tragedy with one or two folk left standing? Hmmm.
> That would be a little disappointing to me.

I can't believe that the series will suddenly turn into a blood bath.
But I am sure that at least one major good guy (and some minor good
guys) will die. Too many, and it would lose all impact. None, and the
victory would be too easy.

The two major characters who have died so far, Sirius and Dumbledore
have both been father figures for Harry. I wonder if that theme will
continue. If so, Hagrid and Arthur Weasly have fulfilled an almost
parental role for Harry. Hagrid would be the saddest death, so I'd
place my bets there. 

Another factor to consider is that the deaths in the series so far
have been steadily ramping up in shock factor. Cedric was a fairly
peripheral character. Sirius was important to Harry, but he hadn't had
long to get to know him. Dumbledore was a constant in his life; always
wise, powerful and reliable. The only way to up the shock factor from
here is to actually kill one of the central trio; Harry, Hermione or
Ron. However, this would rule out a happy ending, and I think the
story is heading for a happy ending.

I suspect there will be a death among more minor characters like Luna
or Neville early on to highlight the seriousness of Harry's situation
and the evil of his opponents. 

I imagine the last book will be quite unlucky for Death Eaters. In
order to have a real victory, Voldemort and his followers must be
totally neutralised. Otherwise, the victory will be incomplete. If
Bellatrix, Lucius Malfoy, or Snape (if evil) survive, they could carry
on their master's legacy. So I don't think they will live. Less
self-willed Death Eaters could be neutralised by simply carting them
off to Azkaban.

Lucius Malfoy is doubly doomed because Draco's character arc seems to
be pointing towards him working with the good guys. One thing that
would be certain to stir Draco out of the comfortable assumptions he
grew up with would be the loss of his idolised father at the hands of
Voldemort.

Even if Snape is good, I'm sure he will die, because he is so
competent and powerful that having him at Harry's side in the final
battle with Voldemort would make it a mite too easy. Also he seems a
rather empty person - would he even want to survive? What does he live
for, apart from making kids lives a misery? Maybe I am wrong and he'll
be Headmaster of Hogwarts at the end of the series.

If I was at Hogwarts, I think I'd be popular with Sybill Trelawney. I
seem to have nominated just about everyone for death, including Harry
Potter! :-)

Sorry about the long post.

Jan