Harry Potter & the Idle Speculation

There are deaths afoot in the wizarding world. As author J.K. Rowling works on the final installment of the hugely popular Harry Potter series, there is much speculation on who won’t survive past the book’s final chapter.

"A price has to be paid, we are dealing with pure evil here. They don't target extras do they? They go for the main characters ... well, I do. This is a world where some pretty nasty things can happen," Rowling told Britain's Channel 4 late last month.

So who will Rowling decide to obliterate in her final tome? There’s nothing like a week at the cottage to indulge in some idle speculation:

Harry Potter is an obvious choice – he’s the centre of the series and the mortal enemy of Lord Voldemort, but would she really kill off the hero? We know there will be a final battle between Harry and Voldemort, as it has been prophesied: ..and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...

Of course Rowling would have to have quite the nerve to kill off such an iconic hero, but perhaps she has a higher plan. Maybe Harry will die in his final battle with capital E evil, sacrificing himself for the many, a Christ figure for the wizard world. But would she go that far? We figure Harry will win and go on to live happily ever after. After all, this is a fairytale, so why would Rowling shock her young audience?

Which bring us to Voldemort. He’s the most likely to die as he is Harry’s antagonist and the symbol of evil in the wizarding world. Harry’s the good guy fighting evil, doesn’t that always win? Right?

But with such a balance between good and evil going on in this world of the wizard, can one live without the other? Do both of them have to go? Could Harry take on all of Voldemort’s power if he kills him? Does that make it more likely Harry will become a wizard with a darker side because of this, or does he become some wizarding legend that people are in awe and fear of forever? In the end he could wind up being as isolated now as he’s always been, perhaps that’s his fate. But back to death and destruction…

Hermione Granger – Why would Rowling kill off one of the strongest female characters, particularly when she’s suggested Hermione is somewhat molded after her. However, Rowling could decide she dies in some heroic act to save one of her friends, but it still seems unlikely.

Ron Weasley – he’s Harry’s best buddy, so would Rowling kill off such a fundamental character? Knocking off Ron would almost be as shocking as killing Harry himself. Fare more likely would be one of the extended Weasley clan:
Ginny: she’s already survived one attack, could she survive another? But c’mon, don’t we know Harry and Ginny are destined to end up together, making him a permanent part of the Weasley family, if he isn’t already;
Ron’s parents – his mom or his dad are targets because they protect and nurture Harry, and they’re part of the Order of the Phoenix;
Fred & George – if you kill off a twin, there’s another one left.;
Percy – he’s made enemies on both sides – he’s a misguided bureaucrat who blindly follows the rules even when they no longer make any sense; or will Rowling redeem him?

Professor Severus Snape – The former Dark Arts teacher who appears like he just killed Dumbledore is likely marked for death by the Order of the Phoenix. But is Dumbledore really dead or does his spirit lives on, à la Obi Wan Kenobi

Draco Malfoy – Come on, who doesn’t want to see the little twerp dead? Rowling has also warned the little girls that are in awe of the blonde guy not to get too attached to him; he’s just an evil little shit.

Hagrid – It would be shocking to fans to kill off the big, bumbling, kind oaf, but many have it out for him and he’s so devoted to Harry and his friends. He would throw himself in the way of trouble to save them and it may just happen. It would pack enough of an emotional punch without taking out a major, major character.

Professor Minerva McGonagall – She is the most senior member of the Order of the Phoenix and potentially running the school with Dumbledore gone. She’s powerful and therefore marked. But if she goes, what kind of lesson is it to leave kids when almost all of the teachers are either evil or dead?

Of course Rowling is talking about two characters that she didn’t intend to die when she was writing. Who knows how many will be gone when the bloodbath is over.

P.S. - thanks to my guest bloggers for their fine work at helm of Popped Culture. Make sure to check out Nikki over at Nik at Nite. As for Bert, he has yet to enter the blogosphere, but I still have hope.