Big Harry Deal

In a couple of days, the "Muggle World" finds out what happens to boy wizard, Harry Potter.  I have to admit, I've been following the plot from the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and I'm intrigued how things will get wrapped up.  From an office politics perspective, there are some fascinating dynamics going on... and no, I'm not going to write a book on office politics based on the Harry Potter series; we'll leave that for somebody with more self-punishing tendencies than I have.

Nevertheless, I have a few thoughts about what might happen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as JK Rowling attempts to tie up loose ends:

1.  Will Harry live or die?

He'll live and will conquer Voldemort, but not without consequence.  I've read that he may lose his memory or (more likely) his magical power in the process.  There will be some major sacrifice that will take place, and I don't even think it's out of the question that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry could be leveled in the process.  After all, in "winning" office politics games, there are inevitably messy sacrifices that are made for the greater good.

2.  Is Snape friend or foe?

Severus Snape has appeared to be Harry's foe from the beginning; however, his apparent murder of headmaster Dumbledore was (I believe) on Dumbledore's orders.  Follow any hero's journey and the mentor figure must be removed for the hero to stand on his own.  Even at the end of the sixth book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore was emphasizing to his young student that Harry was the more valuable life that must endure.  It's obvious that Snape's animosity toward Harry is misplaced aggression from his feelings about his father, James Potter.  In office politics, we often see misplaced aggression driving ill-willed behavior toward others.  Snape will need to see the good in Harry from his mother, Lily.  The question will not be whether Snape is good or evil, but his motivations behind his apparent actions throughout the series; after all, figuring out motivation is a key skill in playing office politics.

3.  Who will bite the dust in the final book?

Rowling has promised at least two deaths of well-known characters.  My guess is that either Snape or Draco Malfoy will have an attack of conscience against Voldemort and will sacrifice himself at the end.  The good money is on Snape, as I believe Malfoy's character to be irredeemable, but who knows?  The other victim will be a Weasley, and I'm guessing Percy.  He's been annoying, and he's fairly expendable.  Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Nevil will survive.  In Office Politics, as in children's fiction, sometimes there is a bit of unfairness about who survives the battle.

4.  Who is R.A.B.?

There are no new characters being introduced in the last book, per Rowling herself.  Most of the people I've talked to and read on-line think that the "R.A.B." character who stole the locket is Regulus Black.  Not here.  My guess is that it is Amelia Bones (Amelia being her middle name).  If you recall from the beginning of the sixth book, the only person who could have obtained the locket was a talented witch or wizard (an adjective never used to describe Regulus).  Amelia, a very talented witch, was found dead in her apartment, my guess as punishment for stealing and destroying the Horcrux-holding locket.  In office politics, not readily revealing one's identity when taking action can have advantages (or consequences) further down the road.

5.  What of Petunia Dursley?

Harry's aunt and Lily's sister, knows more than she lets on.  After Dudley's attack in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, she showed that she knew about Azkaban and dementors and Voldemort.  Could she maybe be an undercover Auror?  Doubtful.  Still, there is something about her character that is going to have to be wrapped up.  In office politics, when you tip your hand prematurely about knowing too much information, it makes people start to wonder.

Well, that's all this muggle can conjure up for now.  I guess, like the rest of us, we'll all have to wait until Midnight on July 21st to find out what the heck happens to wrap up the series.  Wands at the ready, folks!

Comments

[Beth]

Great blog! I also tied the magical happenings of Potter world into my muggle blog this week!

[Tom Haskins]

In the event that the Ministry of Magic had mistaken you as a muggle, Tim, I have sent them a link to this post to prove you are a genuine WIZARD of office politics. Keep on casting those spells dude!

[Timothy Johnson]

Beth - it was a great post. You are such a talented writer. I'm very glad you were in my class for three different semesters!

Tom - nah, still muggle-bound here... but I do have a fascination with the wizarding community.

At least I was more or less right on some of my predictions (won't say which ones so there are no Harry Potter spoilers).