Musings on Deathly Hollows
If you’re not interested in, or a fan of, the Harry Potter series, then just skip this post. This post is about what I think will happen in the final book. So if you’re not already up through the 6th book and don’t want any chance of spoilers, you too should skip this post.
Anyone still here? Good, this is just for posterity and to see how far off I am. I’m not doing some in depth study on the series, nor will I cite anything with reference numbers. These are just my thoughts and musings on what might happen. If you want all the reference numbers, you’re in the wrong place. So, what do I think will happen? Glad you asked.
Snape is good. Otherwise he would have captured Harry and taken him to Voldemort, instead of continuing to teach Harry the finer aspects of dueling and occlumency even as he left the school in something of a bother. The thing I think is most interesting regarding this character is that Harry has very often been told to call Snape Professor Snape. I think this is much more important than just a lesson in respect, but I’m not sure how. I’m pretty sure this will come into play in the next book. I also think it will be important to find out exactly how Snape prefers to handle dementors and why it’s not a patronus.
Hermione will die. No doubt there are plenty in the employ of Voldemort (Draco, Snape, spies) who will tell him that Hermione will be the most beneficial friend now in Harry’s life. Her intelligence and knowledge far surpass the majority of students in the school and are an oft-used crutch for Harry, one that he often takes as granted. Removing this crutch will further weaken Harry, and is definitely the step I would take if I were facing Harry and, of course, evil.
Hagrid will die, but he’ll take several with him. For much the same reason as mentioned above for Hermione, Hagrid has been a crutch and friend to Harry for far too long. Removing him would cause Harry further damage and remove a very strong protector. It’s a smart move on Voldemort’s part to remove as much protection from Harry as possible, and I’m pretty sure this will happen. But if he goes, I’m sure he will take a lot of people with him.
Harry will return to Hogwarts, even if it is for a relatively short time. I know this may not make sense, and it certainly isn’t provable, but Harry will learn a lot from Dumbledore this year through the pensieve. It seems likely that Dumbledore will have expected his death and left instructions for Harry on what needs to be discovered in the Dumbledore’s past. Things like how Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald, how to produce some of the advanced magic that made him the only wizard Voldemort ever feared, and maybe more information about where/what some of the horcruxes are. I’m also pretty sure that Flitwick will spend time teaching Harry how to duel. I can’t remember which book I read it in, but I’m sure that somewhere it says that Flitwick was once a dueling champion. His would be valuable experience to share with Harry and his friends on handling and defeating the death eaters.
Now for the big one, this one is just a gut feeling and I have no real proof to back it up, except for the new book’s cover art. Voldemort and Harry will both die. But they will have to battle in the afterlife, behind the Curtained Archway in the Department of Mysteries. Here, Voldemort will realize that by killing Harry’s support, he’s provided Harry with an army of people who love him who will help fight Voldemort in death. People like Harry’s parents, Dumbledore, Sirius and many more will come to Harry’s aid. Whoever wins this battle will be likely allowed to live by whoever controls the underworld (Hades? God? could be interesting to see this one), fulfilling the clause of the prophecy that neither can live while the other survives.
Now as for who or what RAB is? I think it could be a code, or it could be Regulus Black. If it’s a person, it’s most likely Regulus; but it was an interesting article that said it was a code, and it made several valid points that make me think this could be true. What are the other horcruxes? No idea, but these will be one of the most fun parts to find out in the coming weeks.
Well, at least that’s what I think. Anyone else have any theories?
edit: One question that just came to mind that I haven’t heard asked or answered: In Prisoner of Azkaban, why don’t Harry and Hermione show up on the Marauder’s map twice? Seems odd to me.