Deathly Hallows - publication date announced

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by Gadget

I think that Malfoy will 'bond' with Harry

I don't think it's that sort of book Gadge, but there are lots of homo-erotic fan fiction sites out there if that's what floats your boar

I can't see harry wandering the world as a "dead man" although there's a strong chance he will sacrifice himself to save the people he cares about.

I still think his Aunt Petunia has something to do with the story. I think she may love him after all.

of course, Voldermort may win, kill everyone and live happily ever after in his black palace built on the ruins of the former Houses of Parliament.

[the whale]

I think RAB... is actually Rab C Nesbit, by the way, I will tell you this boy!

Who, will of course, save the day by defeating the evil Lord Voldemort, otherwise known as Jamsie Cotter

D

[Jamie]

5 More Sleeps!

[Cruella]

Woohoo! It'll give me something to do next weekend instead of dancing!

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by Cruella

Woohoo! It'll give me something to do next weekend instead of dancing!

I'll probably be double troubling... Reading with one hand, dance with the other

Sit out every other song to read a chapter

[Icey]

Originally Posted by 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.

I've just been re-reading HBP (HP6) ready for Saturday and I think perhaps RAB could be Regalus Black -

Remus Lupin " ... And they've found Igor Karkaroff's body in a shack up north. The Dark Mark had been set over it - well, frankly, I'm surpised he he stayed alive for even a year after deserting the Death Eaters; Sirius's brother Regalus only managed a few days as far as I can remember."

And the note in the false Horcrux said "... I know I will be long dead before you read this ..."

[David Franklin]

Originally Posted by Icey

I've just been re-reading HBP (HP6) ready for Saturday and I think perhaps RAB could be Regalus Black

Note that the word "Black" will change when translated into foreign languages, so the accuracy of this guess can be tested by testing the initials in the various foreign translations.

Yes, it's pretty much confirmed that this is RAB (or at least that B stands for Black)

[Caro]

I'm really excited now, not long to wait

Originally Posted by Beowulf1970

1. Dumbledore isn't dead.. or if he is his phoenix will some how bring him back.

No, I'm sure he's really dead. But I'm also sure that he knew Snape had to kill him (the imbreakable vow) because Snape told him. He was doomed anyway since his hand injury. So given he had time to think this through (and I'm sure that when he says 'please' to Snape just before dying he's pleading Snape to keep his promise and kill him, that's why Snape is so angry). Also I wouldn't be surprised if he's placed some sort of complicated protectivecharm on Harry that will only be realised once he is killed.

Originally Posted by Beowulf1970

2. Snape isn't a bad guy but a very sneaky undercover agent.

3. Snape will get killed while heroically saving Harry from Voldermort.

Agreed !

Originally Posted by Beowulf1970

4. Harry will kill voldermort.

yes, but he will not use the Adava Kedavra curse. What will kill Voldemort is Harry managing to feel some pity for him.

ALso the fact that Voldemort drank unicorn blood to survive in HP1 will come into play.

Harry will survive, so will Ron, Hermione and Ginny. My guess is one of the twins will die, or their mother. Lupin will die too.

[Beowulf]

Well can I just ask one thing.. NO SPOILERS from ANYONE !! it'll be hard enough avoiding spoilers in the papers and on the news etc. I don't intend buying the book straight away (life's too short and I have other books I'm reading at the moment) but I do intend buying the book and consuming it over the course of an evening at some point soon after it's release.

[NZ Monkey]

As long as we're making predictions.....

My personal theory:
Snape was in love with Lily, and hates Harry in part because he looks so much like Snapes' bully James but reminds him of Lily because of his eyes.

I'm seconding Caro's suggestion that Snape's killing of Dumbledore is part of Dumbledores long term plan. Literarily speaking at least, Harry needs to face the final challenge without the protection of the all-powerful and all-knowing guardian that Dumbledore has been up until the end of HBP, or he isn't in any real danger. Dumbledore is well and truly dead and isn't coming back in any way.

Edit: Other predictions include Hagrid and Snape dying. I think they're well set up for dying in some way that's painful for the reader; Hagrid because he's so noble and likeable (and important in all the books) and Snape because he's so complex compared to the other characters and there's really still a lot of exposition that can turn him into a more sympathetic character in some brutal twist shortly before dying (I wouldn't put it beyond Rowling anyway...she's only given us tidbits for 6 books so far on Snape, so we're still in the dark in many important ways).

[Baruch]

Originally Posted by Jamie

Sit out every other song to read a chapter

You can read a chapter in 3 minutes?

I'll be out that night (a going away party for a friend who's moving to Chile) so I'll have to read the book in two sittings, pre- and post-party.

[TheTramp]

Originally Posted by Beowulf1970

NO SPOILERS

What? Not even from the people who'll get the book 9 hours before you can, and will have read it by the time you get it??

[under par]

Originally Posted by TheTramp

What? Not even from the people who'll get the book 9 hours before you can, and will have read it by the time you get it??

Come off it Steve!! you know you can't read that fast....... next you'll be telling me you can manage page 2 just as quick

[NZ Monkey]

Originally Posted by TheTramp

What? Not even from the people who'll get the book 9 hours before you can, and will have read it by the time you get it??

Not if the people who get the book 12 hours earlier get there first

[TheTramp]

Originally Posted by NZ Monkey

Not if the people who get the book 12 hours earlier get there first

It's only 11 for you!

You're only 2 hours ahead of me

[Jamie]

Going to have to stay off the internet for a few days until I've read the whole thing...

When Book 6 was released, I was playing an online game and someone did a global shout 10 minutes after midnight saying "HAHA DUMBLEDORE DIES!" - completely spoiled the entire thing

I'm going to be sad and buy the book after the freestyle on friday night/sat morning... That's right isn't it? if it's available after 00:00 Saturday, that's friday night/Sat Morning? I'm confused!

[Hayles]

Ha ha Jamie you're not the only one! I shall be making a detour on the way home from wellingborough friday night so I can get a copy of HP. I shall prob spend the weekend reading it too!

[straycat]

Originally Posted by Beowulf1970

Well can I just ask one thing.. NO SPOILERS from ANYONE !!

So I shouldn't post a link to the newly revealed ending, for example? (as revealed by the Ultimate in Internet Wisdom and Knowledge: the Daily Mash)

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by straycat264

So I shouldn't post a link to the newly revealed ending, for example? (as revealed by the Ultimate in Internet Wisdom and Knowledge: the Daily Mash)

Now that would be funny.

[Twirlie Bird]

Just got back from watching the film at the cinema and now I am all excited about the new book. Think I will go and get book 6 from the shelf and get into the garden and read it again ready for Saturday.

My postman had better not be late.

Don't expect I will see anyone over the weekend. Busy busy busy hiding from all spoilers and getting lost in the pages of the book I have waited the longest ever for.