Readng the Runes: Literary Patterns in the Potterverse

[Unspeakable]

No: HPFGUIDX 166399

Ok, there comes a moment when the waiting gets too much ... and the 
urge to start *writing* takes hold...

In one sense, it's clearly a futile (though enjoyable!) excercise, 
but having obsessively re-read Books 1-6 and paid attention to such 
useful resources as: http://www.hp-lexicon.org/essays/essay-the-
list.html and 
http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/#static:whatsleft/index, I began 
to wonder how far it is possible to anticipate any of the 'plot 
structure' for DH based on some sort of JKR-inspired 'template' for 
a Potter novel? Which, if it ever existed (honesty compels me to 
add), will no doubt be completely revised for Book 7. Ah, well... :-
) 

Not an exact science, obviously - still, I thought I'd share mine 
with you and see what you think(!):

Cassy V.

IMHO, based on the series so far, we might hope to see 


1. 
 An overlap between the ending of one book and the beginning of 
another; this has grown more pronounced as the series has developed, 
IMHO (no more cozy introductions to Harry's world!): Wormtail's 
escape to rejoin his master (prophesied in POA16) is recounted 
in `The Riddle House' (GOF1); the results of Dumbledore 
alerting `the old crowd' (GOF36) are seen in `The Order of the 
Phoenix' (OOtP5); the Ministry of Magic is dealing with the 
political fallout from the Battle of the Department of Mysteries in 
OOtP38 and HBP1; Lucius Malfoy's failure to secure the Prophecy 
(OOtP35) has had repercussions for his family in `Spinner's End' 
(HBP2). I anticipate that the opening chapters of DH will reveal 
Voldemort's reaction to Dumbledore's death & possibly the Ministry's 
as well. At the end of Book 6, Harry speculates on the current 
whereabouts of Snape & Draco Malfoy (HBP30) so I'm hoping that this 
will be resolved at the beginning of DH. In fact, I predict that DH 
might actually begin *prior* to Dumbledore's funeral, on the night 
of the murder itself 
 http://book7.co.uk/one/

2. 
 Some connection to the wider wizarding world providing the 
context for Harry's story (usually given in the first few chapters): 
for example, we learn of Voldemort's downfall in `The Boy Who Lived' 
(PS/SS1); a plot at Hogwarts in `Dobby's Warning' (COS2); an escaped 
prisoner in `Aunt Marge's Big Mistake' (POA2) and `The Knight Bus' 
(POA3); Voldemort's device to regain power in `The Riddle House' 
(GOF1); a phony war unknown to Muggles in `Dudley Demented' (OOtP1); 
MOM reaction to Voldemort's atrocities in `The Other Minister' 
(HBP1) and a conspiracy of Death Eaters `Spinner's End' (HBP2). 
Extracts from the Daily Prophet are often used to provide background 
information: PS/SS8 (`GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST'); POA3 (`BLACK 
STILL AT LARGE'); OOtP15 (`MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM'); HBP3 
(`HARRY POTTER: THE CHOSEN ONE?' & `SCRIMGEOUR SUCCEEDS FUDGE') I 
very much hope that we gain some idea of the scope of Voldemort's 
ambitions & the direction of his future plans in the opening 
chapters of DH 
 http://book7.co.uk/one/ and http://book7.co.uk/two/

3. 
 The intrusion of magic into the Muggle world, while Harry is 
staying with the Dursleys: Harry speaks Parseltongue in `The 
Vanishing Glass' (PS/SS2); a House Elf visits Privet Drive 
in `Dobby's Warning' (COS2); Harry lose control and performs magic 
in `Aunt Marge's Big Mistake' (POA2); Harry's connection to 
Voldemort is manifest in `The Scar' (GOF2); Harry & Dudley are 
attacked in `Dudley Demented' (OOtP1); Dumbledore brings Kreacher to 
the house in `Will and Won't' (HBP3). Certainly, the Dursleys cannot 
expect a quiet life with Harry around, as Vernon complains: `Owls 
treating this place like a rest home, puddings exploding, half the 
lounge destroyed, Dudley's tail, Marge bobbing around on the ceiling 
and that flying Ford Anglia 
 You're not staying here if some 
loony's after you, you're not endangering my wife and son, you're 
not bringing trouble down on us.' (OOtP2) In DH, they'll be two 
adult wizards at Privet Drive (Ron & Hermione) who are allowed to 
perform magic outside school (`We'll be there, Harry' says Ron in 
HBP30); plus, I'm expecting some revelations about Petunia's past 
dealings with wizards (foreshadowed in OOtP2 and HBP3). Furthermore, 
the final breach in `the great, invisible wall that divided the 
relentlessly non-magical world of Privet Drive and the world beyond' 
(OOtP2) might well prove permanent, with the destruction of number 
four, Privet Drive. `And come back and find the house in ruins?' she 
snarled.' (PS2) 
 http://book7.co.uk/three/

4. 
 An unexpected reason to leave Privet Drive: Vernon's panic 
in `The Letters from No One' (PS/SS3); the Weasley brothers escapade 
in `The Burrow' (COS3); Harry's desperate decision to run away 
in `Aunt Marge's Big Mistake' (POA2); the arrival of the Order 
members in `The Advance Guard' (OotP3); Dumbledore's night time 
surprise in `Will and Won't' (HBP3) – the Dursleys are more 
surprised than Harry. (In GOF, Harry's departure – though not 
without transport difficulties (GOF4) – is positively civilized in 
that the Weasleys and the Dursleys have agreed to the holiday in 
advance.) We are told explicitly in GOF33, OOtP37 and HBP3 that the 
only reason the Death Eaters haven't yet attacked Harry at Privet 
Drive is the `ancient magic' that Dumbledore invoked `to ensure the 
boy's protection as long as he is in his relations' care'; sadly, 
this magic has an expiry date. So I'm predicting a midnight attack 
on Privet Drive in DH when Harry turns seventeen 
 
http://book7.co.uk/four/

5. 
 An extended visit to a familiar location: `The Burrow' (COS3), 
(GOF5) & (HBP5); `The Leaky Cauldron' (POA4); `Number Twelve, 
Grimmauld Place' (OOtP4). I'm anticipating a flight to Grimmauld 
Place in DH in which Harry brings (at least) two of the Dursleys 
with him for their own protection. My reason for thinking that 
Petunia & Dudley might well end up at Grimmauld Place (without 
Vernon, who abandons them), is that the now dead Secret Keeper of 
the Order, Albus Dumbledore, was careful to speak the name of the 
place in their hearing in HBP3 (`He's been left a house?' said Uncle 
Vernon greedily). Surely Dumbledore did this for a reason? 


6. 
 Harry acquires/inherits a new skill/artifact, which will help 
him during the climax: his father's Invisibility Cloak (PS12); 
Riddle's diary (COS13) and the Disarming Charm (COS10); the 
Marauders Map (POA10) and the Patronus Charm (POA12); the Summoning 
Charm (GOF20), which enables him to grab the Cup Portkey in GOF34; 
Apparition (HBP18). (Incidentally, I wonder if `Sectumsempra', the 
spell described as being `for enemies' (HBP24) might one day help 
Harry against Voldemort?) In DH, Harry has to learn how to destroy a 
Horcrux; I also wonder if Neville's Mimbulus mimbletonia might turn 
out to have special properties. And might Harry's Patronus change to 
symbolize his coming of age? In any case, I suspect that Harry will 
have the opportunity to read his parents' will (POA20) and will 
inherit a Time Turner from his mother at the beginning of DH; Ron 
already has the watch (HBP18) 
 http://book7.co.uk/five/

7. 
 Information is given about significant events that have 
happened `off-stage' during Harry's temporary absence from the 
wizarding world: for example, the Triwizard Tournament is arranged 
during the holidays (GOF5); Percy breaks with his family (OOtP4) and 
Dumbledore makes a speech to the International Confederation of 
Wizards announcing Voldemort's return (OOtP5); Dumbledore finds and 
destroys the ring Horcrux, damaging his hand (HBP2); Sirius's will 
is discovered and proved and the Order of the Phoenix temporarily 
vacates Grimmauld Place (HBP3). In DH, we can expect to hear the 
result of the governors' meeting to decide whether or not Hogwarts 
should remain open (HBP29); also, the Order of the Phoenix will 
require a new leader and possibly a new spy as well 
 
http://book7.co.uk/six/

8. 
 An early encounter with a character or location of (potential) 
significance for the future, briefly referenced in an earlier book 
or books: examples of minor characters who reoccur include Cedric 
Diggory (POA9 & GOF6), Arabella Figg (PS2 & OOtP2), Dedalus Diggle 
(PS2, PS5 & OOtP3) & Mundungus Fletcher (GOF10 & OOtP5). JKR's books 
contain plenty of filler but it (almost) always a mistake to assume 
that a particular place or person is *not* significant to the story 
(*cough* Mark Evans *cough*). Locations mentioned repeatedly before 
they appear include: the Ministry of Magic (mentioned PS5, COS3 & 
GOF10 etc., visited OOtP7), the Room of Requirement (mentioned 
GOF23, visited OOtP18) & St. Mungo's Hospital (mentioned GOF8, 
visited OOtP22). I think it is quite likely that Harry will meet up 
with a hidden Emmeline Vance early in DH (as well as Aberforth 
Dumbledore). I also wonder which locations Harry has still to visit: 
apart from Godric's Hollow (HBP30), I would nominate the Riddle 
House (which he has only seen in dreams so far, GOF1 and GOF29) and 
which might well be the Headquarters of the Death Eaters (with half-
blood Voldemort as the `wealthy owner' who has kept it for `tax 
reasons', or so the Muggles believe). The reader (though not 
necessarily Harry) may yet see inside Azkaban Prison (first 
mentioned COS14) and Malfoy Manor (mentioned COS4, COS12, OOtP16, 
HBP16 etc.) 


9. 
 A `lesson' for Dudley: the tail, `The Keeper of the Keys' 
(PS/SS4); the toffee, `Back to the Burrow' (GOF4); the 
Dementor, `Dudley Demented' (OOtP1). JKR has hinted that Dudley can 
expect `magical retribution' for his years of bullying Harry. In DH, 
Dudley might be forced to live in Harry's world, even (possibly) 
ending up in St. Mungo's. (For DH, to resemble Books 1-6 *something* 
must happen to dispose of the Dursleys, who do not belong in the 
main storyline.) 
 http://book7.co.uk/seven/

10. 
 Harry learns something new about Snape; information on this 
enigmatic Professor has been tantalizingly drip-fed through the 
series: James Potter saved Snape's life (PS/SS17); James Potter 
saved Snape's life after James's friend played a life-
threatening `Prank' on Snape (POA14); James Potter & friends made 
Snape's life a misery at school, Lily defended him & he spurned her 
(OOtP28); in his seventh year, Snape was part of a gang of 
Slytherins who nearly all became Death Eaters (GOF27); Snape was a 
Death Eater who defected and turned spy (GOF30); Snape is a double 
(or possibly) triple agent (OOtP26 & HBP2). I've noticed that Snape 
often turns out to be that mysterious `someone' in the Potterverse. 
Someone alerted Lily & James so they could go into hiding 
(`Dumbledore 
 had a number of useful spies. One of them tipped him 
off, and he alerted James and Lily at once.' POA10), there is strong 
evidence that this could be the reason Dumbledore trusted Snape 
(`You have no idea of the remorse Professor Snape felt when he 
realized how Lord Voldemort had interpreted the Prophecy. I believe 
it to be the greatest regret of his life and the reason that he 
returned –' (HBP25); `someone' originally betrayed the Prophecy to 
Voldemort (`My – our – one stroke of good fortune was that the 
eavesdropper was detected only a short way into the prophecy and 
thrown from the building.' OOtP37), we learned that this *was* Snape 
in HBP25; unfortunately, 'someone' also murdered Regulus Black (`No, 
he was murdered by Voldemort. Or on Voldemort's orders, more likely; 
I doubt Regulus was ever important enough to be killed by Voldemort 
in person.' OotP6). On this basis, I think there is a good chance 
that Snape might have performed the murder, under duress; after all, 
JKR has hinted that as a Death Eater, he would have seen & done some 
terrible things 
 http://book7.co.uk/seven/

11. 
 An encounter with the DADA teacher before the start of term: 
Quirrell, `Diagon Alley' (PS/SS5); Lockhart, `At Flourish and 
Blotts' (COS4); Lupin, `The Dementor' (POA5); Moody (sort 
of!), `Mayhem at the Ministry' (GOF10); Umbridge, `The Hearing' 
(OOtP8) and Slughorn, `Horace Slughorn' (HBP4). I'm betting it will 
happen in DH when Harry attends Bill's wedding 
 
http://book7.co.uk/eight/

12. 
 A pleasant interlude for Harry, in the company of 
friends: `Diagon Alley' (PS/SS5); `The Burrow' (COS3); `The Leaky 
Cauldron' (POA4); `The Quidditch World Cup' (GOF8); `Draco's Detour' 
(HBP6). Harry is hoping for `one last golden day of peace with Ron 
and Hermione' at the Weasley wedding in DH (HBP30); this might 
indeed be the last time that the Weasley family is intact 


13. 
 A new form of transport, which is important later in the book: 
Harry encounters the flying Ford Anglia in COS3, which will save him 
from Aragog's relations in COS15; the Portkey in GOF6, a technology 
that will be used against him GOF31; the Thestrals in OOtP10 & 
OOtP21, without which he could not travel to the Ministry in OOtP34; 
Side-Along Apparition in HBP4, which he will need to perform himself 
in HBP27. If time-travel is involved in the climax of DH, then Harry 
will have at least one other experience of this technology before 
the end, IMHO. I also suspect that Harry & Hagrid will use Sirius's 
old motorbike (mentioned PS1 and OOtP7) to visit Godric's Hollow in 
the holidays (since none of the existing methods of travel – 
broomsticks, Floo powder, the Knight Bus, Thestrals, Apparition 
etc. – seem appropriate in this context) 
 http://book7.co.uk/eight/

14. 
 A new location, which is important in the book: Harry visits 
Gringotts (PS5), on the eve of an attempted robbery (PS8); Little 
Hangleton (in a dream) (GOF1), later chosen by Voldemort for 
his `rebirthing party' (GOF32); the Ministry of Magic (OOtP7), 
location of the Department of Mysteries (OOtP34). He learns of the 
existence of the Chamber of Secrets (COS9) long before he goes there 
(COS16) and hears of `the cave in which Tom Riddle once terrorized 
two children' (HBP13), without dreaming that he will have occasion 
to visit (HBP26). If Harry does travel to Godric's Hollow early in 
DH (as planned in HBP30), then he might find he has reason to go 
there again (in different circumstances) before the end of the novel 

 http://book7.co.uk/nine/

15. 
 The return to Hogwarts is marred by complications: Harry 
travels on the Hogwarts Express in every book except for COS; 
however, he misses the Sorting Ceremony in COS5 (with Ron), POA5 
(with Hermione) & HBP8 (without Ron or Hermione). Whether or not he 
returns to Hogwarts at all in Book 7 is in doubt. Personally, I 
think that he might return on a part-time basis, staying at the 
Hog's Head with Aberforth Dumbledore. Interestingly, we follow 
Harry's return journey on the Hogwarts Express in PS/SS17, COS18, 
POA22, GOF37 and OOtP38 
 but not in HBP, which finishes on the day 
of Dumbledore's funeral. This suggests that we might share Harry's 
*return* journey at the beginning of DH, thus allowing the Hogwarts 
Express to feature in Book 7, even if Harry does not make the 
traditional journey to school 
 http://book7.co.uk/three/

16. 
 A meeting with a new character (good or bad), who is 
interesting in his/her own right, but a `red herring' in terms of 
the main plot: think Snape in PS/SS, Lockhart in COS, Lupin in POA, 
Umbridge in OOtP and Slughorn in HBP. I'm thinking that this role 
might belong to Aberforth Dumbledore in DH; certainly, some 
interesting things have happened in his pub (PS17, OOtP16 and HBP25) 
and he could provide some valuable information on Dumbledore's 
backstory, but I think his main function will be (much needed) comic 
relief (GOF24) 
 http://book7.co.uk/ten/

17. 
 Something significant (& unpleasant) happens in late 
autumn/winter. In the past, there have been incidents on Halloween: 
Quirrell lets a Mountain Troll into Hogwarts which almost kills 
Hermione (PS10); the Basilisk from the Chamber of Secrets attacks 
its first victim (COS8); Sirius Black breaks into Hogwarts and 
slashes the Fat Lady (POA8); Harry is selected to compete in the 
Triwizard Tournament against his will (GOF16). Mr. Weasley is bitten 
by Nagini in December (OOtP21); Katie Bell is injured by a cursed 
necklace in October (HBP12). None of these incidents proved fatal; 
sadly, however, I'm predicting that there will be an attack on 
Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes in the autumn of DH and this time, someone 
will not survive 
 http://book7.co.uk/eleven/

18. 
 Events gather pace, other characters become involved & we 
realize that Harry's quest is part of a much wider struggle: the 
Chamber of Secrets is re-opened, Muggle-born students are being 
Petrified by Slytherin's monster, Hagrid is wrongfully imprisoned 
and Dumbledore is removed from the school (COS14); Professor 
Trelawney predicts the return of the Dark Lord with his servant's 
aid (POA16); Sirius Black reveals his fear that strange happenings 
at Hogwarts and the Ministry could be linked and Harry learns that 
potential enemies abound (GOF27); there is a mass breakout of Death 
Eaters from Azkaban, as Umbridge tightens her hold on Hogwarts 
(OOtP25); Harry prepares to accompany Dumbledore on a dangerous 
expedition, warning his friends that Malfoy & Snape are planning an 
attack on the school (HBP25). I'm guessing that in DH, we'll finally 
see the much-anticipated 'siege of Hogwarts', as the 
castle's `magical fortifications' are tested, as well as a complete 
Death Eater takeover of the MOM. (JKR has said that 
Voldemort `finally gets the legroom for which he has been aching 
during all those years in exile' in DH). `Reckon Dumbledore's the 
only one You-Know-Who was afraid of. Didn't dare try takin' the 
school, not jus' then, anyway.' (PS/SS4) Ominous words, IMHO 
 
http://book7.co.uk/twelve/ 

19. 
 Harry loses a beloved ally: the deaths have increased in 
magnitude from Cedric Diggory (who became a friend to Harry over the 
course of one book), to Sirius Black (whom Harry loved as a parent 
but had only known since POA19), to Albus Dumbledore (Harry's great 
mentor in Books 1-6, but somewhat detached from his emotional life 
until OOtP37). Logically, I would suggest that Hagrid (Harry's 
earliest friend and protector in the magical world from PS4 onwards) 
is next 
 http://book7.co.uk/twelve/ 

20. 
 Towards the second half of the book, there is a major 
expositional scene (perhaps involving a new device): the Mirror of 
Erised (PS12); Riddle's diary (COS13); the overheard conversation in 
the chapter entitled `The Marauders Map' (POA10); the Pensieve 
(GOF30); Snape's Worst Memory (OOtP28); Slughorn's memory & 
Dumbledore's explanation of Horcruxes (HBP23). As many people have 
said many times, I foresee an (unplanned) trip to the Underworld 
(the Deathly Hallows?) providing valuable information at this point 

 http://book7.co.uk/hallows/

21. 
 A major character comes close to death, but survives: Harry 
Potter (`Not the Stone, boy, you – the effort involved nearly killed 
you.' PS17) Ginny Weasley (`She's still alive,' said Riddle. `But 
only just.' COS17); Arthur Weasley ('It sounded to Harry, too, as 
though Mr. Weasley was hovering somewhere between life and death.' 
OOtP22), Hermione Granger (`Don't let her be dead, don't let her be 
dead, it's my fault if she's dead 
' OOtP35); Ron Weasley (Ron gave 
a great shudder, a rattling gasp and his body became limp and still. 
HBP19) This further suggests the idea of a `near-death experience' 
for Harry in DH, IMHO 


22. 
 A major character is guilty – until proved innocent: Snape in 
PS/SS, Hagrid in COS, Black in POA, Krum in GOF. This will be Snape 
in DH, IMHO. The question is: what will cause Harry to change his 
mind about Snape? I suggest that Dumbledore will have found some way 
to communicate the essential fact of Snape's innocence to Harry 
*before* Harry & Snape meet again (& I'm not talking about DD's 
picture, since JKR has already implied that meaningful conversation 
with a portrait is impossible: they only `repeat catchphrases'). 
Failure to do so, IMHO, would make Dumbledore's decision *not* to 
say more to Harry in HBP25 seem rather irresponsible (Dumbledore did 
not speak for a moment; he looked as though he was trying to make up 
his mind about something. At last he said, `I am sure. I trust 
Severus Snape completely.') I now think that the reason DD refrained 
from saying anything is because he knows he has already had this 
conversation with Harry 
 in the future. Yes, I believe that 
Dumbledore is a time-traveller, which will enable him to a play an 
important role in Book 7 without returning from the dead 
 
http://book7.co.uk/nine/

23. 
 A major character is innocent – until proved guilty: Quirrell 
in PS/SS; Riddle in COS; Pettigrew in POA; Moody-Crouch in GOF; 
Kreacher(?) in OOtP (OK, he was never *that* innocent!), Imperiused 
Rosmerta in HBP. I'm betting that Draco Malfoy will be the 
revelation in DH; we're prepared to feel sympathetic towards him at 
the moment (knowing that he couldn't kill Dumbledore), but he has 
shown little in the way of moral courage and could still be used by 
the Death Eaters despite his squeamishness, IMHO. My suggestion is 
that Bellatrix uses Draco to trap Snape & that Severus's fondness 
for Draco proves his undoing (another emotional mistake!) With 
catastrophic consequences for all concerned 
 
http://book7.co.uk/fourteen/

24. 
 Harry receives significant information/help from an unexpected 
source – often in return for a previous act of kindness: so far, 
Harry's unusual helpers have included, Neville, Fawkes, Dobby and 
Luna. I expect Ginny, Neville & Luna (often referred to as `the 
other trio') to all play a big role in DH (accounting for at least 
one Horcrux between them): http://book7.co.uk/thirteen. Furthermore, 
Pettigrew owes Harry & I would suggest that he might discharge his 
life-debt by supplying information rather than the more clichéd 
sacrificial death – hurling himself between Harry & Voldemort (which 
would take a great deal more courage than we've seen from Pettigrew 
in Books 3, 4 & 6). Also, Dumbledore implies that Pettigrew might 
aid Harry in a way that he is not expecting (think Gollum!): `This 
is magic at its deepest, its most impenetrable, Harry. But trust me
 
the time may come when you will be very glad you saved Pettigrew's 
life.' (POA22) 
 http://book7.co.uk/fifteen/

25. 
 Harry experiences self-doubt/suffering as a result of his 
connection to Voldemort, which has made him a `marked man': when he 
believes that he is the Heir of Slytherin (COS11); when he is 
ashamed of his `weakness' with Dementors (POA10); when he is is 
disturbed by the pain in his scar (GOF2 etc.); when he believes he 
has attacked Mr. Weasley and is being possessed (OOtP23); when he 
tells Ginny they must stop seeing each other (HBP30). This theme 
will only be reinforced if Harry's scar does prove to be a Horcrux 


26. 
 The Trio/Order/DA are victorious in battle: PS16; PS35&36; 
HBP29; I see the main battles (at Hogwarts and the MOM) as happening 
in parallel to Harry's individual quest in DH (very much in the 
style of LOTR: TTT & RTOK) 


27. 
 Harry rushes to *prevent* Voldemort doing something: stealing 
the Philosopher's Stone (PS16); murdering Ginny in the Chamber 
(COS16); torturing Sirius for the Prophecy (OOtP34). In POA, Harry 
goes to Ron's aid (PS17); in HBP he and Dumbledore are attempting to 
steal a Horcrux. Only in GOF is he dragged into the area against his 
will. I wonder, therefore, if Harry will have a pressing reason 
to `go after Voldemort' at a specific point in DH 


28. 
 Harry is victorious against Voldemort: so far Voldemort has 
only been absent from Books 3 & 6 and will assuredly be present in 
Book 7, meaning that there will be a final, personal confrontation 
between him & Harry at the end. Now by this stage, based on previous 
books, we would expect the pair of them to be more or less alone, or 
at the very least with only their `seconds' for support (PS9) 


29. 
 Outstanding injustices in the wizarding world are (partially) 
remedied: Neville is honoured and Malfoy is punished (PS17); Dobby 
is freed and Lucius is sacked (COS18); Fred & George are reimbursed 
(GOF37); Fudge is made to confront the reality of Voldemort's return 
(OOtP38). There are a number if issues JKR has yet to resolve in DH 
namely: the dominance of the pureblood ideology, the ill-treatment 
of some magical creatures, the dystopian practices of the Ministry 
and the divisions within Hogwarts itself. For starters, I expect 
that Kingsley Shacklebolt would make a good Minister of Magic (to be 
succeeded eventually by Hermione!) 
 http://book7.co.uk/seventeen/

30. 
 One further thought on the shape of Book 7: JKR has described 
GOF as being (metaphorically as well as literally) the `heart of the 
series'. She has confirmed that there are significant similarities 
between Books 2 & 5: both contain Tom Riddle backstory & Horcruxes. 
And Books 3 & 5 can also be seen as alike in providing valuable 
backstory between Snape & the Marauders (especially Sirius Black). 
So might Books 1 & 7 form a similar pair? It's my belief that JKR 
might choose to end at the beginning, with Harry's once-and-future 
defeats of Voldemort occurring on the same magical night 
 
http://book7.co.uk/sixteen and http://book7.co.uk/sight/