The shape of things to come in Books VI and VII

[ambrosius]

The shape of things to come in Books VI and VII:

1. Harry will survive at the end of Book VII. And he will be asked to remain at Hogwarts as the Defense Against Dark Arts teacher. Although Voldemort will have been defeated, there will still be perils in the world, and Harry's knowledge and experience will fit him for that role. And he will be reluctant to leave the one place that has been a home for him.

2. Snape will not survive (tho he will enjoy a brief stint as DADA teacher). He will give his life to save Harry's, thus mending the breach between them and proving the wisdom of Dumbledore's unwavering faith in him.

3. Dumbledore and McGonagall will retire peacefully (and perhaps together). The new headmaster of Hogwarts will be Remus Lupin -- a sign that the prejudices that have divided the magical world (which are behind much of Voldemort's brand of evil) are being overcome, slowly but surely.

4. Book VI will be shorter than GoF and OotP. The operative quest will be Harry's seeking some way -- all on his own -- to counter Voldemort's power. But he'll learn that he can't do that alone and that he needs many friends and allies.

5. Book VI will also have a number of flashbacks, filling in some of the history of James and Lily. I also expect to see some interaction between the Room of Requirement and the Mirror of Erised, to demonstrate the tension between the things that we need and the things that we want.

6. We'll also see why Snape turned away from Voldemort -- which will be connected with James and Lily.

7. Harry will be drawn into mortal combat with Voldemort because of a threat against the Dursleys -- an important test for him, since he will need to endanger himself for people he loathes rather than for self-protection or the protection of friends. The blood connection between Harry and Petunia will thus run two ways.

[APWBD]

I like those speculations alot!!! There is enough possibilities in them to make them true (I esp. like the one about DD and McG. retiring 'together') Hopefully Harry will live throughout the end of the series, but I can just see JK rowling killing him off, if just to finish the books for sure (But if she does, i hope she has a better reason)

[Lizzy Bennet]

The shape of things to come in Books VI and VII:

1. Harry will survive at the end of Book VII. And he will be asked to remain at Hogwarts as the Defense Against Dark Arts teacher. Although Voldemort will have been defeated, there will still be perils in the world, and Harry's knowledge and experience will fit him for that role. And he will be reluctant to leave the one place that has been a home for him.

2. Snape will not survive (tho he will enjoy a brief stint as DADA teacher). He will give his life to save Harry's, thus mending the breach between them and proving the wisdom of Dumbledore's unwavering faith in him.

3. Dumbledore and McGonagle will retire peacefully (and perhaps together). The new headmaster of Hogwarts will be Remus Lupin -- a sign that the prejudices that have divided the magical world (which are behind much of Voldemort's brand of evil) are being overcome, slowly but surely.

4. Book VI will be shorter than GoF and OotP, and more claustrophobic. The operative quest will be Harry's seeking some way -- all on his own -- to counter Voldemort's power. But he'll learn that he can't do that alone and that he needs many friends and allies.

5. Book VI will also have a number of flashbacks, filling in some of the history of James and Lily. I also expect to see some interaction between the Room of Requirement and the Mirror of Erised, to demonstrate the tension between the things that we need and the things that we want.

6. We'll also see why Snape turned away from Voldemort -- which will be connected with James and Lily.

7. Harry will be drawn into mortal combat with Voldemort because of a threat against the Dursleys -- an important test for him, since he will need to endanger himself for people he loathes rather than for self-protection or the protection of friends. The blood connection between Harry and Petunia will thus run two ways.

ambrosius, did you find these on the Internet or are they purely your own speculations? I found them very interesting indeed . . . I look forward to reading what other people think of them!


~ Lizzy

[ambrosius]

Lizzy --

These are purely my speculations -- which means they have as much validity as any other rumor you may read on the internet other than something said by JKR. Looking back at the rumors about Book V, other the most obvious (e.g., Hermione will become prefect, etc.) were true. In other words, take my speculations with several grains of salt.

That said, my speculations are based just on wishful thinking. JKR is clearly going somewhere with the story -- and not just to some climactic battle with Voldemort. I think the battle will have to be about what Voldemort stands for: exclusion rather than inclusion, abuse of power rather than responsible use of it, betrayal rather than loyalty and accumulation of magical learning for personal power rather than education for the betterment of all.

My views are also based on my reading of lots of JKR's sources. For instance, I don't think Dumbledore will die because Merlin didn't (he was trapped, to return again someday), Gandalf didn't, even Obi Wan Kenobi "died" only physically. Mentor figures like Dumbledore tend not to disappear. That he retires peacefully with Prof. McGonagle is a bit wishful -- based more or less on Mr. Hudson and Mrs. Bridges ambling off at the end of Upstairs, Downstairs.

That Snape will die is a guess. That he will ultimately be redeemed in the readers' eyes I think is certain. JKR seems to me a Dickens fan, and Scrooge is only Dickens' most famous reclamation project. There are others, and it seems to me Snape will fall into that role. I think he won't survive only because he will have to make the ultimate sacrifice to prove his worth beyond doubt.

I think Harry may be the DADA teacher (yet also end up romantically connected to Ginny, whose family will give Harry the substitute real family he's always craved) because of his talent in the area and because Hogwarts really will become his home. He won't need the Dursley protection anymore, but anywhere else will leave him unconnected and isolated. So I think he stays at Hogwarts.

Lupin as headmaster goes back to my point about reconciliation: appointing a known werewolf would be a sign that old prejudices are being overcome. And he is one of JKR's favorite characters -- a point she herself has made, which is also obvious from his persona in the books. He is one of the wise and good people we trust.

I think Harry will need to protect the Dursleys at some point because of the thematic repetition: Harry was protected by his mother and his mother's blood; therefore, at some point, Harry will be called on to protect that blood in turn. Despite the fact that the Dursleys have always been so mean-spirited. But that's the point: Harry can't have the luxury of saving only the nice folks we like.

Finally, I think we'll see a lot of James and Lily in Book VI because there is a lot of information that JKR will need to give us before the climactic seventh book. And I don't think the Room of Requirement will be just a minor plot point. It contrasts too sharply with the Mirror of Erised, so I think it will play a large role in revealing things about James and Lily's past.

So those are the rationales behind my speculations. If you ever repeat them, then they can become rumors heard on the internet. And, until Book VI comes out, they're about as valid as any story in The Quibbler.

[Lizzy Bennet]

Lizzy --

These are purely my speculations -- which means they have as much validity as any other rumor you may read on the internet other than something said by JKR. Looking back at the rumors about Book V, other the most obvious (e.g., Hermione will become prefect, etc.) were true. In other words, take my speculations with several grains of salt.

That said, my speculations are based just on wishful thinking. JKR is clearly going somewhere with the story -- and not just to some climactic battle with Voldemort. I think the battle will have to be about what Voldemort stands for: exclusion rather than inclusion, abuse of power rather than responsible use of it, betrayal rather than loyalty and accumulation of magical learning for personal power rather than education for the betterment of all.

My views are also based on my reading of lots of JKR's sources. For instance, I don't think Dumbledore will die because Merlin didn't (he was trapped, to return again someday), Gandalf didn't, even Obi Wan Kenobi "died" only physically. Mentor figures like Dumbledore tend not to disappear. That he retires peacefully with Prof. McGonagle is a bit wishful -- based more or less on Mr. Hudson and Mrs. Bridges ambling off at the end of Upstairs, Downstairs.

That Snape will die is a guess. That he will ultimately be redeemed in the readers' eyes I think is certain. JKR seems to me a Dickens fan, and Scrooge is only Dickens' most famous reclamation project. There are others, and it seems to me Snape will fall into that role. I think he won't survive only because he will have to make the ultimate sacrifice to prove his worth beyond doubt.

I think Harry may be the DADA teacher (yet also end up romantically connected to Ginny, whose family will give Harry the substitute real family he's always craved) because of his talent in the area and because Hogwarts really will become his home. He won't need the Dursley protection anymore, but anywhere else will leave him unconnected and isolated. So I think he stays at Hogwarts.

Lupin as headmaster goes back to my point about reconciliation: appointing a known werewolf would be a sign that old prejudices are being overcome. And he is one of JKR's favorite characters -- a point she herself has made, which is also obvious from his persona in the books. He is one of the wise and good people we trust.

I think Harry will need to protect the Dursleys at some point because of the thematic repetition: Harry was protected by his mother and his mother's blood; therefore, at some point, Harry will be called on to protect that blood in turn. Despite the fact that the Dursleys have always been so mean-spirited. But that's the point: Harry can't have the luxury of saving only the nice folks we like.

Finally, I think we'll see a lot of James and Lily in Book VI because there is a lot of information that JKR will need to give us before the climactic seventh book. And I don't think the Room of Requirement will be just a minor plot point. It contrasts too sharply with the Mirror of Erised, so I think it will play a large role in revealing things about James and Lily's past.

So those are the rationales behind my speculations. If you ever repeat them, then they can become rumors heard on the internet. And, until Book VI comes out, they're about as valid as any story in The Quibbler.

LOL @ 'The Quibbler'! Wow...there's so much to respond to in your post, and I don't have the time to do it right now, but I appreciate all the literary and movie allusions you made...thanks for taking the time to answer my questions as well!

Good point about rumours...any of us can create them...yours sound plausible, as APWBD said. It'll be interesting what others have to say about them, as I've mentioned, and what people have to add...if you haven't already, you should check out the 'Theories' section in the book 5 area, as lots of interesting theories are bouncing around in there...Hermione Weasley, who I've not seen lately but should be back around, Holly Golightly, Neo, and Boycey all seem to enjoy that section immensely!


~ Lizzy

[Nothlit]

Apparently JKR made a comment not too long ago that some people on a few internet sites are close to guessing where she's going with the series, almost closer than she'd like them to be. It doesn't hurt to speculate! I like these ideas, and I can't wait to see if any of them turn out to be valid.

[ambrosius]

Well, I was poking around in some old interviews JKR gave, and a couple of years ago she said this:

"Well, because all your kids said ‘hello’ so nicely in the background there, I am going to give you information I haven’t given anyone else and I will tell you that one of the characters, one of Harry’s classmates, though it’s not Harry himself, does end up a teacher at Hogwarts. But, it is not, maybe the one you think, hint, hint, hint. Yeah, one of them does end up staying at Hogwarts, but ----"

So it seems pretty clear that Harry will NOT end up the DADA teacher at Hogwarts. Harry will apparently move on from Hogwarts, expanding his world and his experience. (I don't credit the speculation that Harry won't survive the series; JKR was cagey about continuing with some Harry stories after the 7th book, so I'm fairly certain he'll survive.) The question will be: where can someone as famous and accomplished as Harry is and will be go? Where will he fit in?

[June]

I always thought it'll either be Neville (as Herbology teacher) or perhaps Hermione (as DADA teacher...? ) The latter is more my guess as Professor Sprout seems to have a good many more decades in front of her... so it seems highly unlikely that Neville might take over...

Oh wait... I just had a thought... what if it's Neville who's taking over as DADA teacher? It is unexpected... but Neville had improved a lot in DADA since Book 5, and when he applies himself, it seems that he actually has the potential to be a great wizard...

[Fafnul Black]

Well, obviously, if Minerva retires with Albus, then the Transfiguration position will be vacant at Hogwarts. What about Hermione as teacher ? OK, Ok, she is the most obvious candidate, so given JKR hint it is unlikely. Still, with Hermione's interest on animagi and all ...

[werebane]

those are some good speculations

[Charis]

i really like your specualtions!!

especially the one about snape, from the looks of things, it seems that Harry's going to need something as drastic as snape dying to save him to open his eyes to the fact that snape is not evil.

I also really liked number 4, about the main quest in book 6. it definitly sounds like something JK would write.

[HuffleDuck]

Yeah i like some of it, but i highly doubt Lupin will become the headmaster. And about Snape that he might die is possible. Hmm very interesting. Just hope the book came out before i have accident and wouldn't be able to see if it's true

[gecko]

Good thoughts ambrosius. I had thought of an ending for Snape quite like yours : ) !

To respond at this, that one of Harry's mates will be a teacher. Isn't this 'maybe the one you think, hint, hint, hint' an allusion to Neville? Because he was the one whom we first thought couldn't think at all! Now, he amazes me more and more. I think it will be him.

[redhead2531]

I also think it will be Neville but I don't know what class he will teach. Or maybe he won't teach at all. To me atleast, I think JKR has something big planned for Neville, not just graduating happily. I wouldn't be surprised if he gives his life to save somebody. I'm thinking it would be Hermione, it has always seems to me he might have a secret crush on her or something.

[Gwared]

I also think it will be Neville but I don't know what class he will teach. Or maybe he won't teach at all. To me atleast, I think JKR has something big planned for Neville, not just graduating happily. I wouldn't be surprised if he gives his life to save somebody. I'm thinking it would be Hermione, it has always seems to me he might have a secret crush on her or something.

The popular vote has Neville replacing Prof. Sprout.