Evolving.
A few questions to ponder
Published on November 3, 2004 By Angloesque In Books
Today I feel the need to indulge in a fantasy world where life is more fixable. I picked up vol 3 of Harry Potter and started reading.... Then, to be more productive, I googled the sixth book and started wondering (if you haven't read book five, there are spoilers here; ye be forewarned):

Who is this "half-blood" prince? J. K. Rowling has said it's not Harry or Voldemort, who are both half-bloods (both Muggle and Magical parentage, generally, though the term is also used to describe the offspring of humans and other magical creatures). Who else is? Hagrid is a half-giant. Lupin is a werewolf, which may qualify him. Or will it be a new character? Obviously it's a male. (Duh, Angloesque.) And what is the significance of this person? That's begging a better question, I think, but one that won't be solved for quite some time.

Who is going to die in vol 6? Not Harry, obviously, as he has to live until the end of vol 7. My best guess is that it will be Peter Pettigrew, a.k.a. Wormtail. We get the idea in vol 4 that Pettigrew will owe something to Harry because Harry saved his life (vol 3). But it might be Lupin: I can see Rowling killing off Padfoot, Prongs, Wormtail, and Moony (Padfoot and Prongs already being dead, and Wormtail sure to follow at some point). I doubt Rowling will kill off Hermione or Ron, and I fervently hope she quits killing students. That's not such a fun children's-book-author-thing to do. Maybe Tonks or Lupin or one of the Weasleys--someone in the Order.

I think that Dumbledore will die in vol 7. Why? Because it carries the idea of sacrifice, not unlike when Sirius died and not unlike when Harry's parents died trying to save his life; also, Voldemort is supposed to be "more powerful than ever before" and by killing Dumbledore, Voldemort would illustrate this. But probably not in vol 6--what kind of denoument would that be without Dumbledore counseling Harry? Personally, I hope Percy snuffs it. Or Professor Trewlaney.

What will come into play? The centaurs, for sure. We haven't heard the end of them. And the giants, including Grawp. We'll probably hear more about Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krumm (Hermione's pen pal/jealousy-maker for Ron) and there may or may not be a goblin rebellion. The fact that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named used Harry's blood to live again should also come into play, as in the end of vol 4 during the graveyard scene. Sure it means that Voldemort can touch Harry now, but perhaps it holds the key to the way Harry can kill him (think the end of "Fight Club"). Furthermore, Aunt Petunia Dursley isn't telling all she knows. And Snape.... I've thought Crookshanks was an animagus, but Rowling has said it isn't so. Too bad.

Is Snape good or bad? That was left unanswered in vol 5. We have Snape's word via Professor Dumbledore, but we don't know that Snape was telling the truth. And we do know that Dumbledore has admitted that he is getting old and trusting and feeling more than he thinks he ought to. After all, Harry never did learn any legilimency from Snape.

Will J. K. Rowling ever quit making babies and write the darn books? Totally unknown.

-A.

Comments
on Nov 03, 2004
Who is this "half-blood" prince? - I'm guessing Hagrid. And, I think he's going to start doing more magic.

Who is going to die in vol 6? - I'm leaning towards Pettigrew. I think that he's a perfect 'bad' character to kill off. Could be done as a sacrifice that Voldemort makes to escape at a moment of possible triumph for the good guys. But, that's awful formulaic.

What will come into play? - I think it's going to be the giants, but that's because I also think that Hagrid is the answer to your first question. It's also going to incorporate the larger magic world.

Is Snape good or bad? - I think that ultimately Snape is on the side of the Order. And he will prove it by dying. Or coming REALLY close. I don't think he ever stops being an antogonist to Harry, but I do think that he realizes that siding with Harry and the Order is for the best. Deep down he's a small, petty man, but he's good at heart (but my feelings about the character might be influenced by the actor - I think Rickman is an incredible actor and I think this is how he's playing Snape).

Will J. K. Rowling ever quit making babies and write the darn books? - I tell you it's frustrating being the reader of a series of books where the author seems to take larger breaks between later books... Robert Jordan is on my all time crap list for this reason (along with the fact that book 10 of the Wheel of Time was a waste of my time and money)!

on Nov 03, 2004
Yeah, that pink umbrella is gonna get some action. I can't figure out if Hagrid has been officially exonerated from the Chamber of Secrets incident or not.

The larger magical world will be very interesting to hear about. I'm looking forward to the breadth of that--we got a taste of it with the other schools in vol 4 and the giants' story in vol 5, but this should be interesting. The centaurs said there would basically be a world war, so yeah--good point there.

I agree about Alan Rickman--he's amazing. He's a little older than I think Snape should be but he plays him *perfectly.* However, while I think Rickman's Snape is a good guy, I'm not yet convinced about the books' Snape. Rowling is a bit infamous, if you read between the lines, for not telling producers details they should probably know. That may play into Rickman's portrayal.

H says the same things about the Wheel of Time series. I don't read them...yet.....

-A.
on Nov 03, 2004
However, while I think Rickman's Snape is a good guy, I'm not yet convinced about the books' Snape.


That's a really good point.

H says the same things about the Wheel of Time series. I don't read them...yet.....


My suggestion? Wait five years and read them then. He should be done with book 12 by the time you finish the first 11...
on Nov 03, 2004
I tell you it's frustrating being the reader of a series of books where the author seems to take larger breaks between later books... Robert Jordan is on my all time crap list for this reason (along with the fact that book 10 of the Wheel of Time was a waste of my time and money)!
That's how I felt about Stephen King and his Dark Tower series.
I wouldn't be totally surprised if she killed off Malfoy but yes, Pettigrew does seem to be an obvious choice. I read somewhere that no Weasley will die, and that Hermoine and Harry are safe for now.
I wonder if Neville Longbottom as a character grows stronger? All this time, she's been alluding to his growth (albeit slowly) as a wizard.
I personally vote for a Sirius Black resurrection. And I think I'd stop reading altogether if she kills off Lupin. I'd hate to see Dumbledore go, but it would be interesting to see the changes that this would bring.
on Nov 03, 2004
Wouldn't it be great if she killed off Malfoy? Mmm. Makes me smiley. But I doubt she will--I wonder if Malfoy doesn't grow up to be a bit of a Snape himself. Actually, Neville emulates Sprout, Hermione emulates McGonagall, Ron emulates...maybe Madam Hooch?... and Harry either emulates Dumbledore or has the skills of a DAtheDA teacher, so those are some funny parallels.

I thought I was all original to think of Pettigrew--he does'n't show up in vol 5, after all--but hearing you guys makes me think that he'd be too obvious of a choice. Or else we're all geniuses.

A Sirius Black resurrection reminds me--those mirrors that Sirius and Harry had, that Harry never used, they're going to come into play somehow, too. And I would boycott the fourth book if she killed Lupin. Or at least I'd download it instead of buying it.

Great. Instead of sinking me into an alternate world, now I'm just wishing the new book would hurry up in this world.

-A.
on Nov 03, 2004
I wonder if Neville Longbottom as a character grows stronger? All this time, she's been alluding to his growth (albeit slowly) as a wizard


I'd very much like to see Neville grow more. I love this character more and more with every book. I'd like to see him become (or at least get on the path of) an auror.

Great. Instead of sinking me into an alternate world, now I'm just wishing the new book would hurry up in this world.


Me too!
on Nov 03, 2004
Lots of good HP stuff in here. Fun, fun. I actually just finished re-reading all 5 a few weeks ago.

I would like to see Pettigrew done in. I agree, something is going to come from Harry saving his life. I hope she lays off the students as well. Wouldn't mind seeing Percy get it. However, now that his world of denial has been shattered, I would like to see his character become a little more three dimensional.

Don't have a clue about the half-blood prince thing. I can see Hagrid, but am actually thinking it is going to be either a new character or someone who has been very minor.

I agree with chip on the Snape issue. I think he is good, and I a hope he is. I love having a good guy that you love to hate. Makes it interesting.

I also think Neville is going to become more of a player. We have been slowly finding more out about him, and he showed some real balls in the end of book 5. He is going to be tough.

And, yes, I hope she finishes it soon. I agree with the Jordan comment as well. I read 9, then decided I would boycott the series until it is done. Completely.
on Nov 03, 2004
Good points about Neville. Wonder if his parents ever get better? In some ways I think Neville's character has more tragedy than Harry's. It's one thing for your parents to be dead; it's another to see them like that year after year.

I love having a good guy that you love to hate. Makes it interesting.


Very true. Excellent point.

I just remembered who I hope she kills off: Luna Lovegood. She annoyed me all the way through book 5 and I didn't think she belonged in the Department of Mysteries with the others. I don't exactly have anything against new characters--the Order of the Phoenix characters, for example--but Luna was, well annoying. I hope she doesn't figure prominantly in the future books.

Rowling could also kill off Umbridge.... Had I been Rowling's editor in vol 5, I would've trimmed that character. It was almost too formulaic and cheesey and I was well shut of her before she was gone. A good ending to her, though. I think Rowling got away with a lot in vol 5 that she couldn't've in her first three or so books. But it was interesting, I grant her.

-A.
on Nov 04, 2004
According to the alchemical structure Rowling might be following, Dumbledore will probably be the next to die, giving Hagrid the part of protector to Harry. Why do I say this? Alchemy has three stages: Black, white and red. Sirius Black? Dead when the black stage of Harry's life ends. Albus is latin for white and Rubeus translates to Red. Hermione and Ron are most likely safe because they represent mercury and sulfur respectively. These are two very important ingredients to turn lead to gold (Harry) A quote on the formation of the philosopher's stone;

"The body of the impure metal, the matter for the Stone, or the old, outmoded state of being is killed, putrefied, and dissolved into the original substance of creation, the prima materia, in order that it may be renovated and reborn in a new form. The purified matter is now ready to be reunited with the spirit (or the already united spirit and soul). With the fixation, crystallization or embodiment of the eternal spirit, form is bestowed upon the pure, but as yet formless matter of the Stone. As this union, the supreme chemical wedding, the body is resurrected into eternal life. As the heat of the fire is increased, the divine red tincture flushes the white Stone with its rich, red colour... The reddening of the white matter is also frequently likened to staining with blood."

If this creation of the Philosopher's Stone (or Sorcerer's Stone in the U.S.) is what Rowling intends, Dumbledore has got to go. I hate it, believe me I hope I'm wrong... but the signs point to it.

Also, rumor has it that something small in the second book will be very important in the sixth book, and I have my own hill-o-beans to comment on that one. Hermione is constantly saying, "Haven't you read Hogwarts: A History? You can't apperate or disapperate on school grounds." Well, this just isn't true, as shown by Dobby during the re-growing of bones Hospital scene. Dobby snaps out when people enter the hospital wing. Coincidence? I think not. hehehe
on Nov 04, 2004
Cool stuff and interesting observations and speculations. You guys just made me look forward to the sixth book more. I hope it's more fun to read than the last one.

The clues to all the above questions may lie in the previous books. But I find myself unable to come up with any answer. I think whoever she puts as the half blood prince, we are all going to look back at all the past books and go... 'oh yeah, there's the clue.'
on Nov 04, 2004
Hey Elf, that's interesting stuff. I'd never heard of that theory. I had heard the LOTR conspiracy theory, that Albus (white) was like Gandolph when he comes back as a white wizard, the thought being that Dumbledore might die and then come back stronger than before. Dunno, though. And I hate the idea of Hagrid taking over as Harry's mentor. I like Hagrid, but he's kinda annoying. But it fits with him being the half-blood prince theory and then taking a much larger role in vol 7. I would be very, VERY annoyed if she killed of Dumbledore in vol 6. 'Course I'm still mad that she killed Sirius. I wonder if Fawkes will have anything to do with this.....

As for the apparation of Dobby, I did notice that. There are other inconsistencies and I just chalked this up to one of them or elf magic being different from wizard magic. While I'm at it, I'd like to know how some wizards don't have to use wands (Dumbledore clapping his hands, etc.) or voices for incantations. Perhaps it's a maturity thing....?

Interesting stuff.

-A.
on Nov 04, 2004
But I find myself unable to come up with any answer. I think whoever she puts as the half blood prince, we are all going to look back at all the past books and go... 'oh yeah, there's the clue.'


That's why I like rereading them so much--you see stuff (Snape's legilimens, for example) that you never saw before. Good point.

-A.
on Nov 04, 2004
My vote is for Neville!
on Nov 05, 2004
You guys just made me look forward to the sixth book more. I hope it's more fun to read than the last one.


Actually, I do too. As much as I like the Harry Potter Series, I was getting kinda sick of Harry's petulant sulking. Bring it on, already.
on Mar 09, 2005
Wow.. this was a long time ago, and I never answered. Sorry

About the house elves. Apparently JK Rowling said something along this: "House elves have magic that wizards don't, and wizards have magic that elves don't" in response to that same question. I'd tell you more, but I have to go right now. maybe later.