by J Dawkins

Created on: July 11, 2007

The next instalment of the hugely successful Harry Potter series of books continues with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows being released on the 21st July. Recently JK Rowling gave a rare interview to a Jonathan Ross, UK chat show, in which she revealed the final book would be "A Blood Bath" and confirmed that more than two characters would die.

In light of this information the final 700 page instalment could be the bloodiest yet and whilst it is of course impossible to know for sure which characters will be sacrificed to aid Harry's quest for the Horcrux's there is lots of speculation about who will be killed off.

Dumbledore to reappear

Indeed in the Half Blood Prince we are left believing That Snape has killed Dumbledore, but this is highly unlikely given the close relationship and implicit trust the old wizard had for his greasy haired companion. Instead many have been speculating that this is simply an elaborate use to enable Snape to appear to confirm his loyalty to Lord Voldermort by dispatching a seemingly vulnerable Dumbledore. I have no doubts that Dumbledore will reappear in the final book to face his old adversary Lord Voldermort.

Ron and Mr Weasley to die

JK Rowling is adept at leaving clues to future events in her previous writings and we see evidence of the deaths of other key characters left in the Order of the Phoenix. Remember Mrs Weasley's run in with the Boggart, which reflects your deepest fears, she saw her family dead. It really shook her up, but was this just a fear or an insight into the final book. My opinion is that Ron and Mr Weasley will also give up their lives fighting alongside Harry.

Crookshanks an animagus

Perhaps the best kept surprise will be Crookshanks, whom many Potter fans will have forgotten about but whom I believe has an important if yet unknown part to play in the final book and is likely to turn out to be an animagus. Whilst the ministry keep a record of the animagus community not all have been forthcoming and Crookshanks does seem incredibly intelligent for a Cat, sniffing out Scabbers as a bad guy, which later turned out to be correct.

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