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Monday, July 02, 2007

Oh Potter, You Rotter

Instead of thinking about my hoohaahooterus or work or anything that remotely makes me sad, I am instead choosing to spend my evenings rereading Harry Potter and rewatching the movies in order to prepare for the full onslaught of Potter this summer. And in case you were wondering what two highly educated, well-read adults do with their evenings--well, we make wild predictions for the seventh book. It makes me feel more British than if I were sitting in London with a newspaper full of fish and chips.

Here are my predictions. Stop reading now if you don't want to hear what I think. I am well-aware that there are people out there who are more sensitive about having their Potter ruined than they are to learn about a co-worker's pregnancy announcement first thing Monday morning at work. Not that I have any information about the seventh book that you don't have. But some people don't like to play this game.
  • RAB is obviously Regulus Black, Sirius's brother who was killed after leaving the Death Eaters. She mentioned this bit character way too many times at the beginning of book six. Saying a random character's name that many times at the beginning of a book is sort of like Chekov's gun. It's got to go off by the end of the story.
  • I think Snape is actually good. I think that he spied for the Order of the Phoenix and was able to trick Voldemort into believing he was entirely on his side (which, I mean, doesn't that show that he's a very powerful wizard? As powerful as Dumbledore? And those spells that he created as a student when he was the Half-Blood Prince? I don't know--I'm thinking he seems pretty fucking amazing as a wizard and no one seems to comment on his abilities). He therefore knew the plan with Malfoy and told Dumbledore.
  • Malfoy's plan (or Voldemort's plan) was just a distraction. Dumbledore knew he had to die therefore he was telling Harry the whole back story about Voldemort and the horcruxes because he knew he wasn't going to be around. Snape was able to keep tabs on Malfoy and the two wizards were able to keep a boy in check and thwart all of his attempts until it was the right time. I think that it was planned all along by Dumbledore that Snape would kill him. And either he knew that night that they would have to carry out their plan or he was forced to have Snape kill him earlier than planned because Malfoy brought the Death Eaters into the school.
  • Why did Dumbledore have to die? I think it's total Gandalf the Grey into Gandalf the White. Who the hell knows why they need to die and transform in order to become more powerful and fight evil. But I think that we'll see Dumbledore again in the next book as a Gandalf the White type character.
  • I predict that we're going to lose a Weasley in book seven. I know that's sort of cheating on the prediction front since there are so many Weasleys. I'm not sure which one, but if I had to name one, I would predict Ron.
Thank you, J.K. Rowling, for writing the one book that can take my mind off of ovulation stress.

It was so much fun to see who was right with that Grey's Anatomy episode. So voice your predictions, though I won't blog again about Harry Potter (at least not about the plot) in the future because I don't want to crow about how I was right and possibly ruin the book for you. Isn't it funny how I've imbued a children's book with the same sensitivity that I give pregnancy announcements...

19 comments:

E. Phantzi said...

Hm! You give some intriguing rationales for your predictions! I predict that D-dore will NOT come back, mainly b/c we want him to. I predict that yes a Weasley will die, but that it will be the annoying one (what was his name?), and that he'll turn good again right before the end.

Anonymous said...

I am TOTALLY with you on the RAB, that was a (i hope) easy peg.

I do think that snape is an evil double crossing bastard, however. I think Dumbledore is dead, and that's it.

I think Ron's going down, but I also think that a LOT of people are going down. If I had to guess? Ron, Neville, McGonigal....perhaps Hagrid.

But Harry will live, as will Ginny. Just my predictions;)

JJ said...

Im so anxious for Harry! That is a good insight to RAB--had not thought about that. I need to re-read!
I think D-dore will come back to Harry only in his thoughts...

Anonymous said...

I agree with J -- a lot of people are going down. I think one of the trio (Harry, Ron, Hermione) will die. It's somewhat standard for the hero to lose his closest friend in an epic/journey tale, so it might be Ron. *sniff*

Esperanza said...

I am so glad I am not alone :). I started last week, rereading book 5. Also watched GoF this weekend :). Hehe...another guilty pleasure.

My predictions:

Dumbledore will not be coming back. No matter, how much I wish he would. JKR clearly stated he would not be - I went to her book reading last summer in NY. However, I am affraid that the fact he was the secret keeper for Grimauld place could be a significant problem in my opinion.

Dumbledore's brother, I think will become relevant.

Harry will win in the end thru LOVE. However I am not a 100% certain how it will play out or if he will end up using a unforgiveable curse. However, aren't they in war? And wouldn't it be forgiveable in that context?

I think there is a very good reason that the boy wizard has made friends with a Hippogrif, a Dragon, a Giant, a Centauran, etc. I think they will all come into play somehow.

RAB, I am not sure. Did they ever find his body? I think his significance ended with finding the locket/horceux.

Aunt Petunia will devulge her link to the magical world. I think she is much more than what appears. And maybe will lend itself to Lilly's eyes. Which I also think have some significance.

Lastly, I am not sure about Snape. But, I do think that Wormtail will help Harry in some way in the end.

Can you tell I love Potter!

Anonymous said...

We're re-reading as well to get ready. Fortunately, I'm a fast reader, so when UPS brings our copy of 7, I get it first! I'll be finished by sometime in the wee hours of Sunday morning if anyone needs someone to chat with.

Oh, and Mel... Tag!

SULLY said...

WOO HOO...another adult who is TOTALLY not waiting patiently to find out what happens next! I am so taking a PTO day when my book arrives...Amazon.com better not mess it up!

Ann said...

Actually, JKR has disclosed that Snape is good. Which we all knew anyway. I love that Alan Rickman plays him in the movies!

Won't Dumbledore be a talking portrait, at least?

I think Neville bites the dust--in a heroic way. His character has been way too developed, and he needs to go down fighting for his parents. Luna will figure into the mix, too.

Yes, a Weasley will die. That clock is too cool for JKR not to kill a Weasley.

I am sooo excited for this book! I'm just afraid it will be spoiled for me before I can read it.

Michael Evans said...

This post made my day. I think Ann makes a good point regarding both the portraits and Neville.

Still, I've always wondered why some pictures seem far more helpful than others. Some pictures can talk and run errands, while others simply stand there silently and wave?

Is this a wizarding film quality issue?

Furrow said...

Honestly, I'd rather see Harry die than Ron. I'm totally in love with Ron and Hermione being in love. Harry can go play protector wizard with Dumbledore. I hope it's none of the main three, but JKR seems to want us to think it will be.

I, too, believe that Snape is good and that Dumbledore probably forced him to kill him.

I've forgotten all about the RAB thing. I should probably reread before the new one.

Fat Girl said...

I'm re-reading too. I'm almost done with book 5, and will definitely finish 6 before 7 arrives at my door. I'm glad I'm not the only adult who's a little obsessed...

I have also thought Ron will probably die, although I also like the idea of Ron and Hermione ending up together. I don't know if Neville will die, but I do think he will be very important. I didn't realize that JKR had said that Snape is really good. I really thought he was evil. I agree about Dumbledore's portrait being helpful. A lot of my other theories depended on Snape being evil, so I guess I'll have to re-think it.

Samantha said...

I gotta say, I don't think Dumbledore is coming back. I think that makes it too much like Gandalf, and the author does want a little originality. They *always* come back from the dead, so I see her choosing a different path.

I think Harry himself might die, though I have my doubts.

I think I need to reread book 6 in prep for this.

Anonymous said...

Percy is annoying but he's going to go for all out evil in Book 7 and bite the dust. They may even have a final battle among the Weasleys and take down a couple of the brothers but not Ron.

Neville is going to kill the witch that tortured his parents and die in the process.

We will find out the back story about Dumbledore's brother.

RAB is Sirius' brother so I'm with you on that.

Re: Aunt Petunia: I think its going to be that both sisters were at Hogwarts but Petunia turned out to be a Squib or she did something to get expelled. Or that she may be related to Filch! Aren't they both obsessed with cleanliness and are major snoops?

Luna is going to help Harry connect with the Other Side of the Curtain to receive guidance from Sirius and D-dore.

Wormtail is going to betray Voldemort in the end. He dies.

McGonegall, Firenze, and Grawp (sp?) will meet their Maker. I think its 50/50 for Hagrid.

Snape is good in the end.

The three houseelves are going to play a bigger part in the end. I think all the non human creatures are going to be major parts of book 7 because there are a lot of themes about discrimination and diversity in the books.

Bea said...

Ok! First of all, I would like to second the NO SPOILERS PLEASE request once people have actually read the book. I'm planning on saving it til my next 2ww. Until then, happy to discuss.

Now, point by point:
- Very plausible.
- Totally a good guy. Never any doubt in my mind. Any highly talented - I think there's a lot of hints to this effect. He just isn't personable.
- Yes, agree.
- I think she's going to do more of an Obiwan than a Gandalf the White.
- Yes, sadly, a Weasly is in the firing line. But I think it's going to be a more senior Weasley than Ron. If I had to guess, I'd say one of the twins.

Are we assigning points here?

Bea

Bea said...

Oh yes! Aunt Petunia, definitely.

Bea

Erin said...

I just started rereading the series the other night. I'm onto PoA already and will definitely be through all 6 by July 21st. My big fear? We're leaving the house for the airport at 4:30 p.m. that afternoon. If my book's not here yet, I'm stopping at the bookstore on the way! I'll give the extra copy to someone when I get back :-)

OK, points: RAB can't be anyone other than Regulus Black. Too many mentions of an otherwise pointless person is right.

I think Snape is good (though he really does hate Harry) and looked at Dumbledore with "disgust" because he was ticked that Dumbledore made him promise to kill him if Draco. I think the argument that Dumbledore and Snape had at the beginning of HBP (overheard by Hagrid, I think) was that Dumbledore knew what Draco was supposed to do and made Snape promise to do it in order to prevent Draco from becoming a killer. It also allows Snape to fulfill his Unbreakable Vow. But I don't think the plan to kill Dumbledore was a distraction--Voldemort really wanted him dead. As such, I don't think he's coming back as himself, but his portrait(s) will be important.

I can see her killing a Weasley (but not so sure about Ron), though it would make me sad. More, though, I can see Neville and/or Hagrid dying. And she's not above killing Harry. It may be that Harry and Voldemort kill each other. J has a suspicion that Harry is the 7th horcrux and has to die in order for Voldemort to truly be gone. I think the 7th horcrux might be Hogwarts itself--there's a lot of mention of how much Voldemort loved the school. It wouldn't surprise me if Hogwarts has to be destroyed in the book.

It's so nice to talk about this! I finished the 6th book in four hours on the day it came out, then pestered my sister until she finished it the next day just so I could talk about it!

M said...

I agree with you on Snape, I think that he must be a good guy.
But didn't JKR say that Harry copped it???

Dr. Grumbles said...

I don't want to think about losing a Weasley!

jenna sais quoi said...

Ok, I know this is random (and long), but I am trying to get my mind off the waiting, waiting waiting on the results of this month's IUI.

I think that the reason Snape turned against Voldemort has to do with Lily Potter. I think he had feelings for her, and made some kind of bargain that James was to be killed, but she was to be spared...but then Lily sacrificed herself for Harry, and died at V's hands anyway.

I told you it was out there! It could just be the hormones talking.
(But I can't help thinking that it would sew up a good portion of the plot if I turn out to be right.)

And yes, I believe that Neville and Percy are good guesses for the eventual body count- although Snape and Peter Pettigrew are also possibilities in my mind. Dumbledore made a point of mentioning that Pettigrew is in Harry's debt- and Snape seems to have a vested interest in Harry's survival- if either one turns out to be a good guy, I don't see Voldemort allowing him to live.