"Harry Potter" predictions

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be released in just a few hours, and amidst all the speculations as to what plot-twists it will reveal, I thought I'd throw out a few of my own.

We've heard someone's gonna die. Apparently smart money's on Dumbledore, but I'm guessing Ron. If not Ron, then Ginny, and possibly Fred and George. (No, I don't have anything against the Weasleys, but the bad guys do.)

Who couples up, this time 'round? Ron and Hermione, since the books - and more blatantly, the movies - have been setting that up for some time, now. I suspect Harry and Ginny will, as well.

Snape's true allegiance is supposed to be revealed, once and for all. I think Snape will come down on Harry's side, in the end - though he probably won't be gracious about it. I suspect Snape will save Harry's life in this book, probably from Voldemort himself, and thus cancel out the debt Snape feels he carries.

Who is the Half-Blood Prince? I'm going to suggest that it's Hagrid, just 'cause I'm perverse that way. It just tickles me to think of Hagrid as heir to royalty. :)


Predictions for the next book, supposedly the last in the series:

Snape will finally be put in charge of Defense Against the Dark Arts, and will be the most effective (and strictest) instructor our heroes have had. He will be instrumental in Harry qualifying to become an Auror.

Harry and Hermione will become a couple. (Oh, come on; it has to happen. Echoes of Harry's parents, and all that.)


I can't decide whether I think Voldemort will be defeated, finally and for good, in this book, or in the last. If he dies in this book, it leaves the final book as one long epilogue, as our heroes face final challenges at Hogworts, mop up the Death-Eaters and other elements of Voldemort's legacy, and prepare for life beyond school. But Rowling will probably save the final battle for the last book, if only to keep her readers' (and movie-goers') anticipation sharp.