Potential Future Death in Book 6 or 7 (spoilers)

[Tuima]

I totally agree w/ Violet! Let's see some of those nasty folk suffer! I also agree that if DD dies, it wouldn't be until the seventh book, 'cause if he did die, it would be a climax-type scene, and JK wouldn't have two books in a row ending with Harry losing a big support and going back to Privet Drive all depressed. I mean, give him a break! And you gotta have DD there at the end to explain things and prepare us for the next book. My opinion is that DD WILL die, but prolly not until the climax of book 7, maybe sacrificing himself to give Harry a chance, ?

[Mumbleberry]

Alas! It's the Second War; casualties are going to up in a way we've never seen before. Following my top marks in Divination exams, I would proffer the following lists:

Moribund: Hagrid, at least one Weasley, Dumbledore (end of book 6/start of book 7 - H needs to outgrow his father-figures), Sibyl Trelawney, Neville's Gran or Luna's Dad, Peter Pettigrew, at least one previously annoying female student.

Non-moribund: Draco, Luna, Snape, Neville

Death unnecessary - they've got a nasty enough time coming up: Harry, Lupin, Ron.

Admittedly in being this specific I'm going out on a limb somewhat. But I'm fairly sure those numbers are actually going to approach double figures.

[Just Mom]

I do not think Hagrid will die! While as some have suggested, he may not seem to be an integral part of the plot, he's an exceptionally strong supporting character, and just so darn lovable that there's no way JKR will traumatize all those 9-12 year olds with his death. No way. And he's got "dependents" now to look after with the introduction of his brother.

I had earlier been suspicious that DD would be a likely death in book 7, but I may revise that a bit. Perhaps DD, is a little like the biblical figure of Elijah and instead of technically "dying," will be taken up in a chariot drawn by thestrals(sp) when the time comes. His character is always so in control of himself, every decision is calculated yet his humility remains intact. I would imagine that the powers that be, (JKR) may allow him to be in control of how and when he wants to exit this world.

[Charis]

thats a good sounding idea, rev mom! I like it. i hope if she did that, though, it wouldn't sound too merlinsh. like, merlin (in the old King A legends) didn't actually die in some versions, just disappeared for a while and theoretically could come back. and, gandalf in LOTR didn't actually die either, just left and could come back basically whenever he was needed. i think, though, that JK could pull off your idea and have it be very original and good.

[Just Mom]

Ah Charis, spoken like a true lady of the lake...
I hadn't thought about Merlin, but as much as JKR seems to borrow (as all writers do) from mythology, it just wouldn't surprise me at all if she let DD's end be grand and graceful and open-ended. And like you mentioned with Gandalf, he didn't actually die, he sort of transcended to a new level right? (I'm not a LOTR expert so Tolkienites please don't attack my feeble analysis there)

In my mind's eye, I think I could see JKR, pen in hand, with her DD before her, asking him how he would like to make his exit when the time comes. I'm sure, he would peer over his glasses at her and his reply would be very clever. She owes him that don't you think? He is such a wonderful character after all.

[Charis]

you know what, I can totally see JK and DD having that conversation! he will go down in history as the greatest of all wizards with long white beards, with a wonderful exiting of this world, creative and graceful and of his own choosing!

I believe you're right about Gandalf, though I must admit I'm not a Tolkein expert either. my dad is though, and I think Gandalf sort of exitied to the heaven type place of Tolkein's world (he was the equivalent of an angel i think) and came back greater, like the head angel (which saruman used to be).

[Colin]

Gandalf was the guardian of the Middle Earth. He was also a Ring Bearer. In the end, he sailed with the Elves to the West. A nebulous ending.

[Devinci]

Gandalf was a Maia, just like Saurmon and Sauron...he came from the east into the west, unlike some other wizards (the blue wizards) And since Sauron was "exiled" from the order of the wizards, Gandalf (being the super-duper cool guy he is) got the be head honcho.

Gandalf sort of illustrated god's hand on earth. Because the Maia are second to the Valar, which are the great beings living in Valinor (the Grey Havens "across the sea" where the elves go...and select others)

So I guess Maia could be considered angels...though a lot of those angels are...not so good. *If I remember correctly, I believe the Balrog was a Maia as well...*

I don't think anyone in JK's book is quite at Gandalf's level, neither is the plot of Harry Potterthat, intense (not that it's not good...it's just not a lifelong study...) So, though I hate to say it, I don't think anyone will be pulling a Gandalf *come back whenever, die, come back again...die some more...and so on...* Unless JK has some SERIOUS plot changing in mind.

[Just Mom]

Thank you for the cool stuff about Gandalf. I knew he had sailed away at the end of the story (doesn't Frodo do this too?) but I had forgotten he was also a ring bearer.

If I tell you that I knew Galadriel was Arwen's grandmother would you be impressed?

[Charis]

aha.... well...i don't know all the fancy names and i forgot he sailed to the west... but i sort of got the general kind of idea, right? maybe i should learn my Tolkein a bit better. just out of curiosity, does anyone know elvish??? some of my friends do and i think it would be cool to learn. sorry thats so off topic... maybe i should be seting a better example as the mod?? oh well....

but, to make myself feel less guilty, i do agree with you, Devinci, about Harry Potter not being on the same level as LotR, and as Dumbledore's only a *human* wizard, i doubt he will be able to come back like Gandalf. perhaps we won't even see him die in the sereis, maybe it's just sort of implied. either way (him just leaving this world when he chooses, or his death being simply implied) it would be less harsh than an abrupt death. but, the thing i don't want most, is a dramatic death-bed scene. those are rather overdone.

[Just Mom]

Like say, a dramatic death-bed scene with Madame Pomfrey hovering nearby? And perhaps Peeves and Sir Nicholas waiting eagerly to welcome him to the next level of the great beyond? I'm kidding..

[Charis]

yep, exactly!!! or like... it just Harry and DD and DD's lying down and telling Harry between gasps that he has a sister or something! and together they can defeat Voldemort, who is actually their father...

[Colin]

Yes! Get ALL the great stories in there!

Frodo is standing over DD's bed, watching him die. Luke Skywalker beams down and wispers to DD: "There is another".

Harry asks Frodo "What does that mean?". Frodo responds "Here, take this ring and run like hell!"

Harry's sister, Myrtle moans.

LV arrives and throws his hands into the air and says "I give up! I am NOTHING compared to the Emporor".

Harry marries Hermione with Ron and Luke as co-best men. Somewhere a white dragon slays Draco, just for fun.

The Ende

[Colin]

Lord of the Rings takes Harry Potter record
20/08/2003 - 14:53:29

Pre-release sales of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers have broken all records at Amazon.

The internet retailer says over 50,000 pre-orders have been taken ahead of the video and DVD's UK release on Tuesday, August 26.

Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets was the previous record-holder, with 40,000 pre-orders in April.

Released in cinemas in December 2002, The Two Towers has so far taken over £576m (€825m) around the world.

"It has well and truly knocked Potter off the top spot, and there are still six days to go until the release date," said Amazon media products director Greg Hart.

The DVD version comes in a two-disc package, which includes a preview of the third Lord of the Rings movie, Return Of The King, which is due out in December this year.

[Just Mom]

Oh Colin you know Harry can't marry Hermione because she will be his sister! (Luke and Leia, Harry and Hermione)

Yes, I am one of those counting the days to the release of The Two Towers. As a grown woman it is easier to have a fantasy life around Aragorn than it is a teenager like Harry!

I'm holding out though for the platinum edition to be released in November.