The Unanswered Questions

By Lev Grossman

Will Harry finally get a girl?

What we know: After Harry choked with Cho Chang in Phoenix, he gets a good thing going with Ginny Weasley in Half-Blood Prince--then he bows out, for fear she will be a target for Voldemort.

Our guess: When the dust settles, he will come back for Ginny--he's practically a Weasley as it is. Long shot: loopy Luna Lovegood, who, like Harry, has experienced tragedy.

Will Ron and Hermione become a couple?

What we know: Hermione is a girl genius with a hot temper. And Ron? Well, Ron's Ron. But after her fling with Viktor, and Ron's with Lavender Brown (in Prince), they get pretty cuddly.

Our guess: Done deal. Unless it's one of those icky Star Wars brother and sister things ...

What will Harry do after he graduates?

What we know: Harry wants to be an auror, one of the elite warrior-wizards who battle the Dark Side, but his grades are borderline.

Our guess: Rowling likes twists, and auror is too obvious. Harry will return to Hogwarts as professor in the one subject he always aces: Defense Against the Dark Arts.

What does the future hold for Neville Longbottom?

What we know: Neville is Gryffindor's most hapless dork, but he consistently shows unexpected depths and is never far from the action. He fits the same prophecy as Harry.

Our guess: Neville's parents were tortured into madness by Voldemort lieutenant Bellatrix Lestrange. It's payback time. He's not the Chosen One, but he will take down Bellatrix before this is all over.

What exactly is the link between Harry and Voldemort?

What we know: Obviously, Harry and Voldemort are bound by the curse that Voldemort hurled at Harry as a baby. But there are subtler connections. Their wands contain feathers from the same phoenix, and Harry can sense what Voldemort is feeling.

Our guess: The wizarding world ain't big enough for the two of them, and it's hard to see Harry coming away with the silver medal in that showdown. But Harry has been discovering his darker, angrier side. Maybe Voldemort will take a turn for the better before he heads to the other side of the veil.

Whose side is Professor Snape on?

What we know: Snape has been playing for both sides, the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix. In Half-Blood Prince, he shows his hand. Or does he?

Our guess: Snape's latest betrayal puts him beyond the pale of forgiveness. But Rowling's characters are rarely all bad or all good. Look for Snape to get a shot at, if not redemption, at least sincere remorse.

Where does that leave Dumbledore?

What we know: If you've read Half-Blood Prince, you know that the headmaster won't, to all appearances, be giving any more points to Gryffindor.

Our guess: Dumbledore has taken a major hit, no question. But look at the precedents. Aslan died and came back in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Gandalf snuffed it in The Fellowship of the Ring, and he was up and about in no time. We'll meet again, Albus. --L.G.