[purpleheather]

Regulus Black does seem to be the obvious choice for RAB. But equally, it could be some character who hasn't been mentioned yet. Doubtless Harry will spend part of the book looking for RAB.

The other thing that probably has to be a big influence in the "final showdown" is the overwhelming power of love. JKR has always had that as a major influence in the books. E.g. vol 1, HP's protection against Voldemort is that his mother died to save him, which can only be neutralised (but only to a degree) in HP4 by Voldemort using some of HP's blood for his regeneration, but even that notwithstanding, in HP5 and HP6, the protection given to HP by the fact that his mother died out of love to save him is preserved at the place where his mother's blood dwells... etc etc. Also in HP5, what drives Voldemort out when he tries to possess HP is when HP feels joy (deriving from his love for Sirius) at the thought of death reuniting him with Sirius. And Dumbledore keeps yakking on about "love" being the power "which the Dark Lord knows not...."

And so on and so on....

So, my feeling is that the final battle will somehow involve Voldemort's power being defeated love.... maybe someone sacrificing themselves out of love (but that is a bit reminiscent of the first volume, Harry's mother etc...)

After the various horcruxes have been dealt with, of course.