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Five and Counting
by Cooper Lewis
July 11, 2005
We’re here already — less than 5 days until the release of the much-anticipated “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” I don’t know about the rest of you, but just a few months ago, July 15th seemed an eternity. I thought I would follow in the mold of David Letterman and mark the “5 Day Point” with a few “Top Five” Lists.
Most Likely to Die: I’ve wanted to write about this since the release of the cover’s back, but I decided to combine it into another column. We all know that more deaths are coming, but because a Dark Mark appears on the back cover, I think the word is ‘inevitable.’
5. Professor Trelawney: Call me absolutely crazy, but isn’t she the ideal person for Voldemort to seek out for more information about the Prophecy? And with Firenze around and none of the major characters sticking with Divination, she doesn’t have much of a purpose anymore, does she?
4. Percy Weasley: A noble death follows reconciliation. It’s an established principle of literature and of the most religious affiliations.
3. Fred or George Weasley: Around the time Book 4 was released, there were some pretty strong rumors that one of the Weasley twins was going to die. I’ve always liked the idea, and not because I take some sadistic pleasure in seeing beloved characters die. But their vulnerability stems from their beloved status.
JKR put in a BIG effort to endear these two scalawags to her readers in ‘Order of the Phoenix.’ Remember the swamp, the fireworks, and their other antics? I would like to believe that she merely did that as ‘filler’ for the fifth book’s plot, but my gut instinct tells me that one of these two is gone for good.
If one of the twins does die, the other becomes a very strong character emotionally, seeking revenge on his twin’s murderer. As fully initiated members of the Order, it looks like Molly Weasley’s worst fears about her troublesome twins will finally come true. And what a great way to bring Percy back into the picture.
2. Igor Karkaroff/ Ludovic Bagman: These characters don’t have much more they can bring to the table. Also, Voldemort has put a prize on at least one of their heads.
1. Dumbledore: Don’t get upset! Dumbledore is, in my opinion, the most likely candidate to die. It makes perfect literary sense. In Book 5, Dumbledore is almost entirely removed from Harry’s life. In book 6, we presume, because of the promise of Occlumency and the fact that Dumbledore appears on all the Book Six Covers, that Dumbledore will be very present in Harry’s Sixth year. But let’s face it. Dumbledore HAS to go. Harry has to face Voldemort alone, without Dumbledore. And if Dumbledore were living, he would presumably interfere with Harry facing Voldemort alone.
Think of Dumbledore as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Voldemort as Darth Vader, and Harry as Luke Skywalker. Just when Luke was starting to learn from Master Kenobi, Kenobi sacrificed himself to Vader…yet he continued to guide Luke metaphysically. Also, Kenobi had already defeated Vader once before (think climax of book 5); and previously, Vader had been afraid of Kenobi’s power (the only one he ever feared.) But the point is, the master has to die before the apprentice can prove himself.
And now, who isn’t going away (yet):
5. Neville Longbottom: Come on, he’s got to kill Bellatrix Lestrange. He’s going to be around in the epilogue and find a cure for his parents using his extensive knowledge of Herbology. I’m fairly certain of myself on this one.
4. Luna Lovegood: We’ve only just met Luna! Her character is mysterious enough to offer a whole lot more information, and I’ve always thought she is Seer material. Another prophecy? I think so, mis amigos. And could the back cover depict Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Ginny going on a Luna rescue?
3. Hermione Granger: It would be way too sad. I know this isn’t a very good reason, but how could Ron and Harry survive without Hermione. And surely, JKR is going to marry Hermione off in the end….isn’t she?
2. Hagrid: Right after introducing Grawp and Madame Maxime into the storyline, JKR is not getting rid of Hagrid so quickly. Hagrid has failed at a lot in life (his class, his school career, allying himself with the giants, romance), and success awaits him. Whether he dies after becoming successful and happy, is a different matter…but not yet.
1. Ron Weasley: Not yet! Give him at least till Book 7, will you?
Top Five Fates for Draco Malfoy:
5. Death: Well, eventually. I think that death is a definite possibility for Draco one the one hand. While Voldemort was out of the picture, Harry needed some sort of nemesis. But now that Voldemort has a body and a host of followers that are more dangerous than a peer, Draco may be getting the push out of the series. On the other hand, is killing the longtime archenemy in Chapter 6 of 7 really the best way to end this rivalry?
4. Transfer: I don’t really see how Draco Malfoy can continue schooling at Hogwarts. Sure, Dumbledore will let him…but it’s not as if he can be treated in the same way by any of the faculty as far as getting Harry into trouble. The age of Draco getting Harry detention is over, I think. I think Mrs. Malfoy will ‘pull-the-plug’ on Draco’s Hogwarts enrollment…à la ‘Draco’s Detour.’
3. Death Eater: This is a distinct possibility that will raise some interesting scenarios. I have always thought of Harry and Draco’s relationship as very, very immature. A scenario in which Harry would actually be out to kill Draco or vice versa…is a bit disturbing, and I don’t know if it would send the right message to send to some of the younger fans. (Not that we should cater to any group). Disturbing as it is, though, it is a mere extension of what war and cultist activity can promote.
2. Conversion: JKR apparently doesn’t have this in mind, based on her comments about Harry and Draco’s nonexistent friendship. It’s a stretch, but it remains to be seen whether Draco can somehow convert to good without actually befriending Harry.
1. Hiatus: It remains entirely possible that many of the Death Eaters’ families will just ‘go away’ for a while, only to come back and complicate things at a later time, and maybe even a later book.
And some short lists:
Top 5 Simple Questions:
5. Will Percy reconcile with his family?
4. What is Petunia Dursley’s secret?
3. Who is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?
2. Is Snape good or bad?
1. Who’s going to die?
5 Most Intriguing Characters in Book 6:
5. Lily Potter
4. Severus Snape
3. Grawp
2. Luna Lovegood
1. Albus Dumbledore
So there’s some ‘Fives’ and, now, I shall begin counting down the mere hours until I will learn how horribly wrong I was in this column…
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