See, I really thought I remembered JK saying that Harry, Ron and Hermione would all make it through the series alive. But maybe I just imagined it.
From The Guardian:
"The final chapter is hidden away, although it's now changed very slightly," she said in a rare live television interview with Channel 4's teatime chat show hosts Richard and Judy. "One character got a reprieve, but I have to say two die that I did not intend to die."
I actually wouldn't be devastated if Harry died. Fred or George, yes. Hagrid, yes. Snape, yes, though I'm pretty positive that he's going to die no matter what. Lupin, but I'm pretty sure he'll die, too. But the worst -- THE WORST -- will be if Neville dies.
I'm not sure if I'll be able to handle that.
Poor Harry, how can he die after all that has happened to him before the books started and during them?
I think Snape may die, too. Though I still have hopes that the Snape/Dumbledore finale to book 6 was a set-up between them, too many logical fallacies in any other scenario (some excellent essays on the topic over at Mugglenet).
I don't think Harry, Ron, Ginny, Hermione or Neville will die. I will be devastated if so. (Won't Neville and Luna get together?)
Dolores Umbridge now, that would be good. Along with Cornelius Fudge, Malfoy (snr and jnr), Karkarov and -- character whose name I forget but the ex-quidditch star who commentates and embezzled the gnomes' gold.
But I am still hoping on the Padfoot front so I am obviously just a sentimental old fool.
Posted by: Maxine | 27 June 2006 at 08:21 AM
Oh, I have no doubt that it was a set-up. Snape has been my favorite since the beginning -- he just CAN'T be bad. I still don't think Draco will die -- I think he's too much of a wimp to be truly evil -- though I'd be totally satisfied with a horrible Old Testament death for his dad. Oooh, yes -- and for Umbridge. I hadn't even thought of that -- she deserves something particularly gruesome. And slow.
Posted by: Leila | 27 June 2006 at 08:26 AM
I still don't think I've recovered from Sirius and Dumbledore dying. No Weasley's are allowed to die...well, except Percy. And I still think Wormtail will either die or save Harry's life - he owes him a life-debt.
Posted by: sassymonkey | 27 June 2006 at 08:28 AM
Everyone loves Snape except J.K. though; she hates him. I read a quote from her saying something to the effect of him being based on a math teacher of his. Remembering some of my math teachers.... I agree on the Fred & George/Neville front. Harry is totally not going to die though.
Posted by: c.c. | 27 June 2006 at 08:37 AM
How could she hate Snape? Shocking! He's the most interesting character in the whole series!
Posted by: Leila | 27 June 2006 at 08:43 AM
I thought of Neville as soon as I read that. She better NOT!
Posted by: Lisa | 27 June 2006 at 10:20 AM
I have such fond memories of telling people Hermione bites it in book four. Sigh.
Posted by: Lauren | 27 June 2006 at 11:33 AM
I'm curious as to who got the "reprieve". She mentions that she doesn't want the hate mail, but then talks about understanding killing off the hero, so I just don't know how to prepare myself. sigh. She seems totally in love with Luna, so I figure she's safe. I just want Harry and Ginney and Ron and Hermione to live happily ever after. I'll be ok if Harry kicks it as long as he takes V with him - and I get a good epilogue result for Ginney. I think that girl is underestimated.
Posted by: Jac | 27 June 2006 at 02:30 PM
It was pretty silly of her to say that killing off Harry will mean no unauthorized sequels, though. Um, anyone ever hear of AU? ("alternative universe" - a term for a type of fanfiction that ignores canon when it feels like it)
Posted by: Jill | 27 June 2006 at 10:16 PM
Neville dying never even crossed my mind! Great! Now I have more stuff to worry about! Weasleys' dying is simply not allowed it would be cruel and evil and BAAAAAAAAAAAAD. I think it would be interesting if Ginny died and Harry lived. VEEEEEEERY interesting.
Posted by: Shrieky | 22 August 2006 at 12:18 PM