Although Voldemort in a sense caused Harry, rather than Neville, to be the boy identified in the prophesy, Neville will be Voldemort’s proximate downfall. He will sacrifice himself to kill/disembody/deflate Voldemort, which will be necessary because Harry has spoiled his own innocence/Griffindoritude/capacity to do this by using the Cruciatus Curse.
Dubmledore has said that death means something different to a wizard. Sirius will have some way to communicate with/aid Harry.
Draco becomes Minister of Magic, because everything can’t end all yummy and unconflicted. Herminone will be a community elf organizer at constant odds with the Ministry. Since she likes dark, brooding fellows, she will hook up with Snape after graduation (“Oh, Severus!” “That’s Professor, Miss Granger”). Snape will be Headmaster, with Harry as Defense against the Dark Arts teacher.
Riddle me this: If underage magic is prohibited,
A. How was Herminone able to practice spells before attending Hogwarts?
B. Is flying on a broomstick exempt from the prohibition? The Weasley children do this at home.
I don’t think he’s going to be a good guy exactly. However, I suspect his dad does not treat him very well. On the other hand, he seems to really love his father, too. If he actually meets Voldemorte, I suspect he won’t be all that pleased about the monster he’s been told to idolize.
Now, Malfoy is a nasty character. But he’s no worse than Snape. I’m pretty sure he won’t become a Death Eater.
Its quite likely. Aside from the jokes, Ron’s father is suddenly in a very good position. He’s making some rather important and powerful friends, and when the dust settles, he’ll not only be a Ministry insider, he’s going to be one of the few who unequivocably supported the winning side. Moreover, everyone else seems to be dead-set on removing themselves as potential canidates: Dumbledore won’t, Fudge is likely on his way out, Umbridge… ain’t happening.
See below.
I think she’s also floated the idea of a nother series, focusing on a more adult Harry.
My perception of Draco is that he’s a miniature version of Lucius–fond of power and particularly the power associated with dark magic. If he had a chance, I definitely think he’d be a Death Eater. As far as being no worse than Snape, I disagree. Snape (on the surface level) appears to be working against Voldy, and he has the trust of Dumbledore. IMO, Draco is the bad guy, will always be a bad guy and I wouldn’t love him half so much if JKR somehow redeemed him in the books.
Rowling has mentioned several times in the books that the first time Voldemort was around, the death eaters would put the Imperius curse on the good guys in order to turn them against each other. I suspect this has happened to Cornelius Fudge and/or Percy Weasly.
I seem to recall JK Rowling stating pretty clearly that Draco was written to be the most evil, vicious kid imaginable. I don’t think he’ll be redeemed, any more than Dursley will.
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Rowling has mentioned several times in the books that the first time Voldemort was around, the death eaters would put the Imperius curse on the good guys in order to turn them against each other. I suspect this has happened to Cornelius Fudge and/or Percy Weasly.
QUOTE]
I don’t really agree with this - perhaps on the part of Fudge you’re right, but I’ve always seen Percy as somebody who follows the rules no matter what, regardless of what might actually be right. I think once Percy realizes that Voldemort has come back and his dad and the rest of the OotP are right, he’ll come around (I hope, if only for the sake of his mother). Though personally, I’ve never liked him, so I’d like to see him admit that he was at fault for blindly following the rules, and also for bad-mouthing Harry to Ron in the letter. He’s too full of himself and his accomplishments at Hogwarts, and he needs to be humbled a bit.
Snape will never become the DAtDA teacher, and the why has to do with his ties to Voldemort. He knows this, and obviously so does Dumbledore, because he’s the one that’s kept Snape from the job. It is not an issue of trust.
Snape will prove to be worthy of Dumbledore’s trust.
Harry won’t die or become an auror. Instead, he’ll wind up at Hogwarts in some capacity, either as a DAtDA teacher or the headmaster. He enjoyed his teaching Dumbledore’s Army and will realize he wants to stay at Hogwarts and shape the future wizards and witches of the world.
Voldemort aside, I’m disinclined to think that any established character will die in the remaining books. It seems a little excessive to kill two or more characters in four books. I also don’t believe we’ll see any resurrections. I don’t see what the point would be. It’d be nice to see Sirius again, but I can’t see him playing a part in the final events of the series.
I can’t really see any lasting romances springing up. I agree there are good matches and adequate tension between characters, but I don’t feel that any of the kids are ready for them. Besides, if major stuff starts happening, I can’t imagine they’d have time or be in the mood for them.
A change in alliance could happen, but I like the current balance between good and evil. It’d funk things up for Harry if Ron or Malfoy were to switch sides, but I don’t see that as good enough reason.
Okay, here’s a transcript of a recent Q&A with JKR that responds to many hypotheses floated here, thus in theory allowing us to confirm or deny our predictions.