I dunno Snuffles, I think you & I may have to arm wrestle over the title of MS Long-winded. : )

I tend to agree that Harry doesn't seemed inclined to shirk his responsibilities as "the boy who lived," but I do think we may see him getting a bit more irritated by his fame. I wonder what role the adults in his life, as well as friends, will play in the final showdown. I agree; I hope it is a tag team effort to smoosh Mr. Scaley Pants under their collective heal, but it doesn't seem likely.

J.K. seems to be setting her book up in a series of patters and cycles (we writers like to do that for some unbeknownst reason). Harry had to face Voldemort alone as a baby, alone again in book 4--the keystone novel, and is probably predestined to go solo in the last battle to complete the cycle. AND, if some of the therories floating about this discussion board are correct, that ol' Forked Tounge's use of Harry's blood to re-create himself will be his undoing (oooo, I love that saying, "be his undoing") then I don't think anyone, even Dumbledore will be able to help Harry. As everyone has noticed, the battles are stepping up in ferocity and Harry's role in them is becoming inceasingly more physical. I can't wait to see what else what other kinds of things J.K.'s going to have leap at us!

Chad~
I don't know which houses Lily, James, Remis, Serius, and Peter (Wormtail) were in, but I can say w/ some assurence that Snape was in Slytherin since he is head of the house now. I'm assuming that Prongs, Padfoot, Mooney, and Wormtail were all together since they were so close, but that may not be the case. I'd have to break out my fine tooth literature rake and go back through bks. 1-4 to root out more hints as to their house loyalties, but truthfully, I don't feel like it.

Laura~
I think we all knew poor ol' Diggory was going to get it. I wish I hadn't heard a character was going to die though, so it would have been a shock.

I fear I must cut this short (so to speak). Feel free to gasp in dibelieve, but I'm just not feeling my normal verbious self today.

Is it really _that_ important which house people were in? I mean, each house is organized by admirable qualities (yes, even Slytherin), so I don't think household loyalties really play that important a part. (Sure, the kids think it's important, but outside of that I don't think it matters much.) In addition, I'm almost positive that houses are never mentioned in the books (prove me wrong kids!)

I'm sure the Crabbe and Goyle El-forko refers to are their parents (just as the Malfoy is his parent). Unless they've got the whole Kierney thing goin' on... (insert Simpsons quote here)

Although I'm sure the final showdown will be mano-a-mano with Harry and Voldemort, I can't help but think that Ron and Hermeone will have their own challenges to deal with. (Hey, there's a horde of angry deatheaters with their name on it.)

219: Rowling mentioned that the only way she would ever write an eighth book would be if 20 years later, the characters simply couldn't be held in. However, possible career choices (is there a career counseling department at Hogwarts?) might include Auroring (All three could do it quite well), as well as other such fields. Harry could not immediately become head of Hogwarts (there's a ladder to climb to that proffession), however, maybe that would be a possibility later. (Who knows... maybe if there is a book 8, it could be centered around their kids or something...) Personally, I don't think teaching would be a good proffession for either of them as it's just too quiet for their sensibilities. Returning to their school is a possibility, but not until they've been out to see the world!

The only person I could see going into teaching would possibly be Neville. He seems like the type. (Quirrell-esque on the outside, but definitely Harry on the inside. It's just his granny that he has to get by...)

Which brings me to my next question: Is there a magical college(s) that people go to after Hogwarts? I mean, Hogwarts is kind've a grammar school type thing. Good grounding, but not enough to enter the professional world. Bah, scratch that. There are probably mentorships or something. Heh heh heh... remnants of college/career counseling days. Probably not the experience of the younger readers. :)

Oh well... their days at Hogwarts will be over before they know it....

Another thing to think about is who will be returning from the international contingent? I think some of the international students will definitely return as one school's head flipped out and ran, and another's is on special assignment with Hagrid. (Although that was just for the summer, wasn't it?)

I think that ...arrg... whatsisname.. the quidditch star... Anyway, I think that he may return in lieu of Cedric. Of course, I could also see him being killed off...

As far as romantic ties between Ron and Hermeone... Maybe, but probably not. It's just not good to date your friends. Especially considering they've got the whole "opposites attract" thing...