Who dies?

[Hagrid]

No: HPFGUIDX 154443

> Annemehr: <SNIP>
> I downloaded the interview (a WMV file, 30 min. run time) from the 
> link at HPANA.
> 
> Rowling is talking about the *final chapter* of book 7 at 
> this point, <SNIP>
> 
> Here's a transcript I did from that section (look at 03:44):
> 
> JKR:  The final chapter is hidden away -- although it's now 
> changed very slightly.  One character got a reprieve, but I have 
> to say two died that I didn't intend to die...
> 
> Judy: Oooh!  Two much-loved ones?
> 
> JKR:  Well, you know, the price has to be paid.  We *are* dealing 
> with pure evil, so -- they don't target the extras, do they, they 
> go for the main characters...

aussie/Hagrid:
Thanks for that, Anne. I was wondering how far through the book 
Joanne was when she realised they would die.

To make a death more emotional, she would need to build up the 
connection Harry has with that person during that book itself.

Bill and Fleur are scheduled to be married near the start of the 
book. If it is a pair that dies, I would say someone we get 
emotionally closer to around the wedding. 

Bill and Fleur are not central enough (unless Bill's curse breaking 
makes him help in the Horcrux hunting). 
Neither is Madam Maxime paired with Hagrid (although I'd expect 
Fleur's old Headmistress at the wedding).
Molly and Arther passed the peak of their motional development with 
Harry already. I don't think they are the ones Joanne ment there 
(although they may be unaltered casualties)

Lupin and Tonks as a pair are vulnerable. So are Fred and George. 
(George mentions a pretty girl working in the village paper shop 
[HBP Chap 16] - a wizard + muggle relationship may make him an even 
greater target)

Joanne may have held Charlie Weasley to develop during this book. So 
his nature / personality / emotional connection will become 
endearing to readers in this book.

Non-central fatalities may include:
- Scrimgeour
- Kingsley Shacklebolt
- Trelawney (to get the prophesy from her)
- Ollivander (disappeared soon after Neville bought his wand)
- Susan Bones (her whole family seemed targetted)

With Snape and Draco, their execution would reinforce LV's low 
esteem for human life, even towards his followers.

And Hagrid? As you can see from my ID, I'd prefer Hagrid to survive. 
He may be the one getting the reprieve. Although Joanne may have 
always developed the emotional connection between HRH to Hagrid, she 
made his character very impervious to spells and hexes. Hermione 
calls it "Giant's blood" but I think there is more than heritage 
there to make DD say he would trust him with his life. Either his 
clothing or body are treated to withstand mast magical attacks. This 
could be the skin of a creature from Magical Beasts or DD's 
protective spell saving him. (Hagid was unscathed after hexes from 
Umbridge and later DE's flight from Hogwarts)