Hi Anthony

A couple of thoughts in return. I agree and I’m glad I’m not the only one to think Harry is the last horcrux. However, I definitely think Sirius is not coming back. The reason for this is because a lot of the books have been about consequences and the consequences of Harry’s actions are the deaths of a lot of people that care for. Now I agree his death was a bit fishy, but my take on it is that the portal he fell through will have a further significance to it, and that is why Remus wouldn’t let him go to look.

Now I’m also for the hidden room in Grimauld Place theory. I however place one more item in this room. A time turner! Remember Hermione in a throw away comment mentioned that they destroyed them all (maybe I missed when that actually happened in the previous book!). My theory is that time travel is going to be involved in the last book. I don’t think the ‘love spell’ would be powerful enough for Lilly to block the killing curse. I have one reason for this, and that is that I once read an interview with J K Rowling where she said the last words of the last book would be ‘a scar’. I makes sense for this to be Harry, maybe with Ron and Hermione looking down at a baby. This is either a young Harry… or Ginny gets pregnant, and though the books have some pretty grown up themes I have a sneaking suspicion that teenage pregnancy won’t be one of them (but I’ve been wrong about sooooooo many other things is these books… that’s why I love them)

As for Snape. I wonder if the real plan between him and Dumbledore was that Dumbledore would block the curse. Snape could not be aware of what happened in the cave and how weak Dumbledore was. Maybe he will turn out to be as shocked as anyone else by his death. Also in Snape’s defence “No unforgivable curses!” he warns Harry, he is trying to protect his soul too!

As for Dumbledore. Well, if there is one character I think can come back from the “Gandalf manoeuvre” it is him. Not just because he is based on Gandalf, but remember the glimpse of a phoenix coming from the fire at the funeral? Still as I said about consequences before, I’m not holding my breath.

If Harry survives (which currently I’m erring on the side of he won’t) I wouldn’t at all begrudge him a happy ending