Harry Potter Your Predictions

Harry Potter: Your Predictions

By Sherry Huang and Laura Sheahen

Before "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" was officially released, faithful readers of the series speculated on the ultimate fates of key characters. Questions (and theories) abounded: Was Snape really evil? Did Ron and Hermione live happily ever after? And, most importantly, did Harry die?

Beliefnet editors came up with our own predictions and asked for yours. There's still time to vote: just click through our gallery and take the polls located on each page. When you're ready, click the yellow banners on each slide to see how your votes (and ours) compare to the outcomes in the final book.

>>See how your predictions stacked up<<

Is Snape Evil?

As many have noted, Snape's soul is the key to the entire series. The greasy-haired professor isn't likable, there's no doubt about it. But is he a wicked traitor--or a brilliant double agent who is loyal in his heart to Dumbledore? Beliefnet's Pastor Paul has said that "At some point, if someone looks evil, talks evil, and acts evil, they are evil." We editors, however, are casting our vote in favor of the basic goodness of humanity. Snape will be redeemed, say we.

Beliefnet Editors' Prediction: No, Snape is not evil.

Answer: No, Snape is not evil.

Both Beliefnet editors and Beliefnet readers (at least, a solid 70% of you) got this one right. Snape was, indeed, on Dumbledore's side, and all the rumors about Severus loving Lily Potter turned out to be true. We just wish Harry could have understood Snape's true nature before Snape died.

Is Harry a Horcrux?

When evil wizards murder, they can split their souls into fragments and store them away handily for the future in "Horcruxes." Indeed, pieces of Voldemort's warped soul are lodged in numerous objects; that's why he's so hard to kill. Did Voldemort put a piece of his soul into Harry after he murdered Harry's parents or Cedric Diggory? Some fans say yes; Beliefnet's Pastor Paul believes Harry's scar is the Horcrux, and Islam editor Dilshad Ali says "Voldemort indeed did transfer some of himself into Harry when they battled after Harry was born." But most editors believe that Harry's pure soul can't live in the same body as Voldemort's wicked one, as we saw at the end of Book Five.

Beliefnet Editors' Prediction: No, Harry is not a Horcrux.

Answer: Harry was a horcrux.

Some Beliefnet editors called this one, but most of us didn't. Now we know that Harry was, in fact, a Horcrux. While it's a bit alarming that a fragment of Voldemort's soul was lodged in Harry, it certainly explains their connection, and Harry's ability to read Voldemort's mind. Props to the 32% of Beliefnet readers who got this right.

Is Dumbledore Really Dead?

"Avada Kedavra!"

With a single incantation, Severus Snape killed one of the greatest wizards in Hogwarts history. After weeping their way through boxes of tissues, some readers speculated that Dumbledore might rise again like Gandalf in "Lord of the Rings."

J.K. Rowling herself says that won't happen. Still, we suspect Dumbledore's spirit may live on as a powerful force--in Fawkes the phoenix, for example. As Dumbledore told Harry, "I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me." Just as Lily's love protects Harry, Dumbledore's love will shield Harry and carry him through his final confrontation with Voldemort.

Beliefnet Editors' Prediction: Dumbledore is truly dead, but his spirit will guide Harry.

Answer: Dumbledore truly died and did not return in the flesh.

True to her word, J.K. Rowling didn't have Dumbledore resurrect like Gandalf. While most Beliefnet editors believed Dumbledore's spirit would live in Fawkes to guide Harry, Dumbledore actually extended his guidance and protection through his brother Aberforth and through Snape. Most importantly, Dumbledore appeared in a dreamlike world during the pivotal "King's Cross" chapter.

What Is Neville's Destiny?

Who knew that clumsy, shy, plant-loving Neville may have once been chosen to be 'The Boy Who Lived'? As Dumbledore revealed in the fifth book, both Harry and Neville both shared the possibility of defeating Voldemort, but Voldemort believed baby Harry was the greater threat. There's no doubt Neville will have an important role in the last book, but it's yet to be seen where his bravery, loyalty, and growing power will lead him. Best case scenario, Neville helps defeat Voldemort and grows up to become a Herbology professor. Worst case scenario, Neville will sacrifice himself to vanquish Voldemort.

Beliefnet Editors' Prediction: Neville may well die.

Answer: Neville helped defeat Voldemort and survived.

We hoped Neville would shine in this last book, and boy, did he ever. What a thrill to see the timid first year grow into a true leader: rallying the Hogwarts resistance, destroying Nagini, and living to become a beloved Herbology professor (yes, we knew!). Put us down for a dozen NEVILLE RULES T-shirts.

Will Hagrid Die?

This lovable and umbrella-carrying father figure has stayed true to Harry--rescuing him from the Dursleys and teaching him the proper way to interact with hippogriffs. While some are hopeful Hagrid will survive the great battle and enlist other giants to help Harry, it seems more likely we will say adieu to the gentle giant. After all, the important father figures in Harry's life (James, Sirius, Dumbledore) have died, so Hagrid seems next in line.

Hagrid's inevitable death may also be rooted in the three stages of alchemy, as represented by the colors black, white, and red. Since both Sirius Black and Albus Dumbledore have already passed away, it may soon be Rubeus Hagrid's turn. Certainly Hagrid's death will crush Harry, but it may spur him on to kill Voldemort.

Beliefnet Editors' Prediction: Yes, Hagrid will join Sirius and Dumbledore in the great beyond.

Answer: Surviving several near-fatal battles, Hagrid did not die.

Almost evenly split, 51% of you believed Hagrid would die and 49% believed he would live. There were certainly a few false scares in Book Seven, and only one Beliefnet editor believed the fatherly giant would live, but the rest of us are relieved to be proven wrong. Alchemy theories aside, we're glad Hagrid survived the Battle of Hogwarts, and we hope he's raising (legal) magical creatures somewhere.

Will Harry's Family Play a Role?

True, Aunt Petunia is 100% Muggle, but we still think she will play a part in the battle for Harry's survival. As readers found out earlier, Aunt Petunia's blood is what protects Harry from danger when he is sent home every summer to Privet Drive. The secret promise she made Dumbledore to safeguard Harry (though not from neglect and abuse) will be fulfilled in the final book, and we may learn more about why she's so averse to the wizarding world in general.

We also think James and Lily may appear again as spirits to help Harry. Alas, J.K. Rowling has been quoted as saying that the dead stay dead even in Harry's magical world, which means his parents and Sirius will not come back to life.

Beliefnet Editors' Prediction: Yes, Harry's family will play a role in Book Seven, including Aunt Petunia.

Answer: While Aunt Petunia played almost no role in Book Seven, the spirits of Harry's parents comforted him in what he thought was his last hour.

Given the importance placed on Aunt Petunia's blood protection, we were surprised (along with 46% of you) that she didn't play a larger role. Instead, she was sent away early in the book and never reappeared. However, we did learn why she hated the wizarding world, and we did see the spirits of Lily, James, and Sirius come back to help Harry briefly.

Will Malfoy Be Redeemed?

Draco Malfoy is the boy who everyone loves to loathe. Arrogant, cruel, and Muggle-hating, this Hogwarts bully seems ready to follow in his father's footsteps and become a Death Eater. Yet Draco also shows signs of cowardice when not flanked by Crabbe, Goyle, or his fellow Slytherins, which may indicate that he won't have the nerve to kill anyone.

Draco may never become good, but he may defect from the dark side without fighting for the good side. Harry may also save Draco's life in some way, forcing Draco to be in Harry's debt.

Beliefnet Editors' Prediction: Malfoy will survive--but through cowardice, not kindness.

Answer: Malfoy was partially redeemed.

Though 61% of you voted the Malfoy would not redeem himself, Draco did show mercy (albeit indirectly) at Malfoy Manor. In half-heartedly refusing to identify Harry, Ron, and Hermione, Draco delayed their execution and allowed them to escape. Perhaps the biggest surprise was when Draco's mother Narcissa saved Harry in exchange for information about Draco. Given that Harry and his friends had saved Draco's life twice that same day, it was the least she could do.

What Will Peter Pettigrew Do?

"Pettigrew owes his life to you...the time may come when you will be very glad you saved Pettigrew's life." - Prisoner of Azkaban

By showing mercy to Peter Pettigrew, Harry created a bond between himself and his parents' betrayer. As Dumbledore once hinted, this unbreakable connection could just save Harry's life someday.

As far as we know, Pettigrew has not explicitly saved Harry from death. But Pettigrew did weakly petition Voldemort not to harm Harry in "Goblet of Fire," and Pettigrew had plenty of chances to "rat" Harry out based on his alter ego Scabbers's knowledge of the Weasley family. While he could disregard the magic that binds him to Harry, he may come to Harry's rescue, perhaps sacrificing himself in the process.

Beliefnet Editors' Prediction: Yes, Peter Pettigrew will help save Harry's life, whether directly or indirectly.

Answer: Peter Pettigrew spared Harry briefly and died for it.

As Beliefnet editors and 65% of Beliefnet readers guessed, Peter Pettigrew saved Harry's life. By showing a fleeting moment of mercy, Pettigrew showed that he still had some remorse and gratitude in his heart. In the end, his few seconds of mercy proved fatal; his own silver hand strangled him.

Will Ron and Hermione Live Happily Ever After

"Happily" may be too strong a word, because Ron and Hermione will doubtless go through a lot of pain in Book Seven, but ultimately we believe they will survive. True, rumors abound that the two characters Rowling has said she'll kill off are this dynamic duo, Harry's most trusted friends. We know from earlier books that they are both willing to die for Harry, but we hope and pray they won't.

Beliefnet Editors' Prediction: Ron and Hermione will not die, and their love will grow stronger.

Answer: Ron and Hermione survived and lived happily ever after.

After Hermione kissed Ron for his defense of house elves, it was only a matter of time. 73% of you predicted their marriage, and we are thrilled to join you in a connubial celebration complete with butterbeer, chocolate frogs, and exploding snap. As an extra (but not unexpected) bonus, Harry and Ginny get married, too.

Will Harry Die?

Millions of readers are quaking with fear as they ponder Harry's fate. Would J.K. Rowling kill off the series' hero, once known as the "Boy Who Lived"?

Maybe we're refusing to face reality, but we just can't accept such a fate for a brave, talented, sensitive young man. Yes, Book Six says neither Voldemort nor his enemy can live while the other one does. Yes, Rowling is known for striking down such beloved characters as Albus Dumbledore. But Harry? Never!

Beliefnet Editors' Prediction: No, Harry will not die.

Answer: Harry lived!

We were terrified when Harry walked into the dark wood, preparing to die. But Harry's willingness to sacrifice himself--a hallmark of his noble and selfless nature--saved him in the end. We trust that the 81% of Beliefnet readers who agreed with us are jumping for joy, and the remaining 19% were never so happy to be wrong.