*sob*

[featherxquill]

I just wrote this for annephoenix's Who's Going To Die In HBP thing, and I've near convinced myself! I don't want her to die! I really don't! I love her!



Just because I don't see anyone else having done so, I'm going to go with Minerva.

I'm not sure if she will or not, but I think it is a distinct possibility. I think Minerva is one of those quiet, strong characters who's death would hit everyone like a hammer blow. It wouldn't be expected (only one other person has thus far voted for her), and I think it would unearth things more than we care to imagine.

Dumbledore, for one, relies heavily on her to help run his school, and, I imagine, as a friend (or more than that, depending on whether or not you're a shipper). I think killing Minerva would shake up Dumbledore, and it might lead to some serious upheaval in the school. Who would be made deputy? Could they handle it? Would Dumbledore be forced to teach Transfiguration? Etc.

I also think that as Harry's head of house, she does more to keep him stable than he realises. She's a member of the Order, she knows what he has to do in the future, and she also stands up for him on numerous occasions (broom in PS, against Umbridge in OotP) and steps in between he and Snape whenever she can.

She is, in my opinion, the kind of character writers kill off. They're not central to the workings of the book (like any of the trio are), they don't have a certain function (Dumbledore, Twins), they're just quietly strong and almost completely impossible to hate.

How would she die? Hmm, I'm not sure. The biggest blow to Dumbledore would probably be if she were killed within the walls of the school, so I'll go with espionage of some sort - poison in the food, maybe even killed while in animagus form.

God. That was convincing. I hope she doesn't die!! Even for paid LJ!

Comments

[impropaganda.livejournal.com]

Everyone in OotP: Wow I'm glad Dumbledore is around hey we'd all we totally fucked if he wasn't phew it's such a relief that he's the only one You-Know-Who has ever been afraid of I mean I sure hope he doesn't die.

[featherxquill.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think he will kick the bucket, too. (Is that just an Aussie term, or does it make sense to you, too?) I just don't think it will happen in book six. Perhaps I'll eat my words. I can see Dumbledore's death happening in the final battle, giving Harry the absolute hatred he needs to perform Avada Kedavra on Voldy.

[impropaganda.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that does make more sense. Do you think Harry will die when Voldemort does?

Kick the bucket is common slang over here btw.

[featherxquill.livejournal.com]

I don't know. Part of me thinks yes, because JKR has clearly said that she doesn't want to write any more books about Harry Potter after she's done with them, and killing him off would be a sure fire way to never have that pressure put upon her. Another part of me thinks definitely no, because he is, after all, the main protagonist of a children's book, and killing off the hero would be a very, very brave and controversial move. (then again, with her wealth, what does it matter if she never sells another book)

I'm really not sure. You have a theory on that one?

[impropaganda.livejournal.com]

I think he will, in a suitably noble and sacrificial way, because of the way Harry and Voldemort are obviously linked. Also, the adult audience Rowling gets means she doesn't have to be afraid of killing off the protagonist like you suggest--it helps justify any move she might make there, in a way--and JKR has repeatedly said that she doesn't really considers the books 'for children', she just writes them for herself and that's how they turn out.

The reason you gave about ensuring no more HP books have to be written is a good one, too--you know she'd get SO much mail asking her to write about post-Hogwarts Harry if he survived, kids are like that--but bear in mind Arthur Conan Doyle killed off Sherlock Holmes because he was tired of writing him, and popular pressure was so great he was forced to bring him back, so JKR may not be safe even if Harry does btie the dust ;)

[angharad04.livejournal.com]

You haven't convinced me. :) If we're looking for the adult character whose death will have the most devastating emotional impact on Harry, my bet is on Hagrid. Hagrid's death would also have the effect of highlighting the predjudices that infest the Wizarding world. Remember, Hagrid had many parental *supporters* in CoS. Hagrid's death would draw the battle lines more clearly than anyone's, if that is Ms. Rowling's aim. Of course, if we were truly able to delve into the lady's mind, we wouldn't be having nearly the fun we are now. ;)

[impropaganda.livejournal.com]

Oh, I hope so. Hagrid is so annoying.

[featherxquill.livejournal.com]

Hagrid is a possibility, one I hadn't thought of either. He certainly had an important role to play in CoS, and we know that the HBP one had something to do with the characters IN CoS, so that's quite intriguing.

[impropaganda.livejournal.com]

I think Hagrid is quite likely, myself. He would certainly have a massive emotional impact, but he's not really that important in the grand scheme of things (though having said that, if he survives, I bet he'll have a big hand in the final battle just because shitty characters with not much going for them always do in stories like this *coughhobbitscoughcough*).

I'm also liking the theory that Dumbledore will snuff it at the end of this book, leaving a cliffhanger for book 7, though if he doesn't, either he or Harry will be gone by the end of the series--I just can't see the side of good triumphing without at least one of its two main forces sacrificing themselves. Maybe he'll die to save Harry, that would be suitably sentimental.

[tetleybag.livejournal.com]

Oh, killing off the spinster is sucha retro concept...I hope it's so retro that not even JKR is going to do it...

[impropaganda.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't get your hopes up... Rowling LOVES the clichés.