Due to discussions on another thread, I'm raising a Harry Potter Spoiler discussion for the latest book in the series. It's getting a bit complicated having to say things like 'the guy that got killed' without revealing anything. Be warned: THIS DISCUSSION CONTAINS SPOILERS ABOUT THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE DON'T READ IT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.

Right:

I think that Dumbledore may be dead (but I wouldn't bet on it). Either way, i think it was planned (too obvious) to get Snape where he needed to be. Snape is still working for the good guys (otherwise he's just a boring evil guy). Dumbledore's death (faked or real) gets Snape exactly where he needs to be. If D is dead it's the ultimate sacrifice for the cause. if not, it's a great smokescreen for his activities.

How about this for a crazy idea: The death scene was faked and 'Snape' is actually Dumbledore with a polyjuice potion. The real Snape is hiding somewhere (or maybe made the ultimate sacrifice and stood in for Dumbledore). It's mad, I know, but intriguing.

Harry will probably mess everything up of course.

Ah but you'r forgetting that Snape took that binding potion to protect malfoy and D could not move because he protested Harry , so i don't think D is Snape.
But i think D is alve because of felix.

WOOHOO!!! I'm SO glad that you added this thread! I've been needing to discuss this with someone! I cant discuss it with my husband....he's reading it now....I cant discuss it with my kids...they havent read it....and I'm GOING NUTS!!

Okay - well, I'm under the impression that D is dead. It would make for a great last book. Harry will be coming of age....he's off on his own - He'll need to do the deed himself anyhow according to the prophecy. And, its possible that D knew all of this - hence, he preparing Harry with the private lessons. I dont think that Snape is D. I do trust Snape - D trusted him completly and D is not a stupid man. If D trusts him....then, I do too. HOWEVER - because of the binding spell that Snape did with Malfoys mom....that one gets me. He's stuck to it now - regardless. What I'm wondering though....what will happen to Draco? He wasnt able to complete the mission - he said that if he couldnt - he'd be killed. Maybe Snape pushed Draco aside to "do the evil deed" as a smoke screen - maybe a spell to push D elsewhere but make it look like he's dead....D's a pretty powerful man....even Lord V fears him. So - maybe he's not dead and will be in hiding....but, what good will he be in hiding? But - really it doesnt matter - It's up to Harry now. But - I dont think that Harry is ready. Hell, he cant even get potions right.

As far as Hogwarts being open or not....I think that the governors will want to close the school. Things went and got REAL serious. D is dead - no one thought that could happen.

The key to Snape for me was finding out that it was his book Harry was using and that at one time he was proud of his half blood heratige. After all that is everything that Voldemort stands against. I also think the whole end situation was a great help to him. He had to prove loyalty to growing whispers by making that 'unbreakable bond' that he would protect young Malfoy at all costs. Malfoy was a dangerous bomb taking chances and the opportunity was there for Snape to get him out of school and away from Harry. Since Malfoy's been obssessed with him Snape couldn't protect both without the curse of the bond catching up with him.

I still think the clueless government will close the school since the last chapter dealt with the trio making plans not to go back and run away to continue to search for the pieces of the puzzle on their own.

I have to wonder what Rowling would make of our discussion? And I removed my comments relating to spoilers from the other discussion page.

In regards to Snape - When he made the Unbreakable Vow - he told Bellatrix and Malfoys mom that he "knew the plan" - but, then later - he's trying to get the plan out of Malfoy.
What we also have to remember - Snape is the one that went to Voldemort when Harry was born. Doesnt Snape have the mark?
So - Snape could go either way. But, in the end - I still have to trust Snape....and only because D did.
Good idea about removing spoilers from the other discussion - I'll do the same.

If he is a good guy, like I read it, then the curse that goes along with that vow will get him in the end when he has to take a stand in the final showdown and sides with Harry. He'll be a sacrifice for the cause. I also think chubby, inept Neville Longbottom is going to jump up and play some kind of key role. Rowling keeps bringing him up in discussions about the prophesy and how untill they found Harry with the mark on him everyone believed he was the one who had all the criteria to fulfill it.

We have to wait HOW LONG???? I want a series to come out in quick succession, that's why I hate to get involved in them.

I agree that he is a good guy - sometimes it's questionable - he's always so bitter with Harry. But, then that could all be part of the plan. I'm sure that it is. If he does end up being a sacrifice for the cause then - that would make all the whispers about his loyalty go away. And, he'll end up making Harry eat his words. And, I'm cool with that.

I think draco will also play a key role in the end. He brags about beeing bad and all but he could not kill D and since he is with snape (who probably is still working for the good guys ...)

I'm puzzled about the horcruxes how is harry going to find them all when he doesn't know where any of them are and he dosen't even know what one is. I still think that he'll find something of ravenclaw's in hogwarts and then there will be the final showdown and the note at the end is very intriguing.

Well, at least one horcrux had been dealt with when D and Harry got there - it could have been D himself that did that of course, but I don't know. Anyway, it follows that other horcruxes could have been taken/destroyed too, leaving less for Harry to do - but who is the mystery person hunting them?

I thought that the mystery person was dead?

Here's a thought, and don't shoot me for it; since Horcruxes are formed from the power of horrific murders..........what if Harry IS the final piece? What if the mark is not the failed strike but the entrance point?

But how would he be able to destroy himself and then fight Voldemort????

Simultaneous. The old "if I die inthe explosion, you will too" thing. Just another theory. She's always said that there would be a definite ending and that she was only going to write the required number of books and even hinted at death in a couple of interviews early on in the series. Whether she can follow through after Harrys become so internationally loved or not remains to be seen.

Somebody remember to revive this thing off page 24 next year.

Oh yeah obviously harry is going to die because the prophercy in book 5 says something like neither may exist without the other or something so if harry does kill voldemort he'll work this out at that point and then he'll die or something like that

Or maybe merge somehow.

Harrymort (He Who has a stupid name) LOL :-)

Well, Harry is pretty stupid with some of the things he does sometimes ;-) I despair of him being the chosen one.

I agree even with Neville's clumsiness I still think he would have been better

no way! Even though Harry can mess things up sometimes....he's always on the right track and no one ever believes him - but, in the end he's usually right. I'm not sure Neville could even find the track.

Fine then Hermione should be the chosen one because she's really clever

Argh! Harry's so annoying!!! Neville's sweet...but I prefer the bad guys...I think both Harry and Voldemort should die and then Draco can rule the world! ^_^

I thought it would have been more poignant had Draco been killed. Still, there may be plans for him...

Killed!!! :*( ...sorry, but I would have to stop reading HP if that happened ;]

I don't know, he's a little boring, but then the characters in general are pretty one-dimensional. Still, it's a good read.

Boring? :O...lol, we all have our own opinions, I guess :] I still tihnk he's awesome and very fit, too! ^_^ But yeah...I couldn't live without Harry Potter: they're such amazing books! I just wish there were some faeries in threre, too :P
Shame there's only one more left to go T_T

I'm actually hoping now that the series ends soon as the sixth one had to be the worst one I've ever read as there wasn't any dramatic bit at the end well at least I didn't find it dramatic

Yeah, I was kinda disappointed with the sixth one aswell...though hopefully this will mean the seventh will be absolutely amazing to make up for it :D

Doubt it it's probably not going to even happen in hogwarts 8¬(

Well, there was only ever supposed to be seven.

im pretty sure there are ONLY going to be 7 judging from all the interviews i have read from JK Rowling

Oh yes obviously seven for the seven years spent in hogwarts