Reading Tea Leaves
Sophie Linnett makes her predictions for the new Harry Potter book.
By Sophie Linnett
 I
have long been obsessed with children’s books. A few of my friends make
fun of it. One once asked when I was going to “graduate” to real
literature. What he doesn’t realize is that kids’ books deserve
a lot more credit than they are given. Who hasn’t read and fallen in love
with the Narnia Chronicles or Harriet the Spy? New arrivals
like the Unfortunate Series of Events books are obviously aimed at
an adult audience too. These clever novels contain little inside jokes that
only adults would get, like abundant alliteration and featuring characters named
after popular figures from adult literature like Esme Squalor or Emma Bovary.
Today’s kids’ books can offer a lot to an adult audience.
The magic in them is that they are a simple little treat to read, kind of like
dessert reading. Under the advice of one of my babysitting charges, I picked
up the book Holes by Louis Sachar. I literally could not put it down
and only stopped reading when I fell asleep with the book still in my hands.
Children’s books are just better at grabbing your attention and sucking
you in. Which brings us to probably the best example of intoxicatingly interesting
children’s literature: Harry Potter.
I was a late passenger on the Harry Potter train, only
picking them up after the fourth book had long been released, but once I read
one, I was hooked. Like most people, I had trouble stopping. Harry Potter
provides that rare combination of lovable characters, fantastic new worlds,
gripping suspense, and smartly complicated plotlines in a form that just seems
so simple.
Due out in only a matter of days, book five in the Harry Potter
series offers up the longest tale yet. And like all the other fans, I couldn’t
be happier. What little advanced knowledge the publishers have given us has
sparked many predictions and speculations. And here they are (with my own thoughts
as well):
What is the Order of the Phoenix?
The title of the fifth book refers to a tantalizingly mysterious “Order
of the Phoenix.” Is this some sort of cult or a reference to a talking
bird giving out commands? Will it be good or evil? One thing is certain, it’s
sure to be big, probably involving several key characters. I guess it’s
something like the Freemasons — very secretive and powerful with members
you would never expect. I also bet Dumbledore is in it. After all, he does have
that phoenix right there in his office.
Who will die?
Book five is sure to gear up for a battle against the newly liberated and increasingly
powerful Voldemort. This poses several interesting plot twists: will someone
die? Most definitely, but who will it be? After the shocking and sudden death
of Cedric in book four, I think Rowling is not averse to killing even the most
beloved character to drive the plot. Many fans think Dumbledore is next to go,
but I think he is the only person who can save Harry. If he does die, maybe
he’ll do the whole Obi-Wan-Kenobi-Star-Wars-die-but-come-back-as-a-spirit
thing. He’d better. Here’s who can’t die (don’t hold
me to this because I am way too sentimental about fictional characters and also
pretty bad at predicting things): Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Snape, Draco Malfoy,
and all the Dursleys. I know that doesn’t leave very many major characters,
maybe I’m just hoping that no one dies. But hey, this is a magical world;
there’s no saying that whoever dies will never come back.
Who will be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher?
Most rumors say that the lovely Fleur Delacour will fill the position. I’d
buy that. I’d bet she’s actually pretty wicked, too. Plus her arrival
may add much needed tension to the blossoming Ron-Hermione romance. C’mon,
like you didn’t see that coming? You could cut the sexual tension between
them with a knife.
Who Loves Whom?
I think something’s going to happen between Harry and Cho Chang. With
Cedric, unfortunately, out of the picture, Cho is now single and I think it’s
high time Harry got a girlfriend. After all, he’s already defeated the
most powerful dark wizard, saved the school countless times, been the star of
the Quidditch team, and now he won the Triwizard Tournament… what more
does he have to do to score a date? I also think Ron and Hermione will get more
serious which will probably cause problems for the trio.
What will Dumbledore reveal to Harry?
Early releases from Rowling deliver a small passage from the text of the new
book that hints that Dumbledore is going to reveal “everything”
to Harry. What is this everything? Well, it just might include why Harry has
to be at the Dursley’s house for his birthday every year. Is there some
Birthday Curse? Is he vulnerable then? Dumbledore has already explained that
Harry is safe in the Dursley’s care, but not why. Perhaps he will elaborate
more on this. Some people think that the woman across the street who often babysits
Harry is a powerful witch. Or maybe one of those several animals lying about
is more than just a housecat. I think we will definitely find out what happened
the night Voldemort killed Harry’s parents and how Harry survived. It
has to be more than just the “touch of love” he got from his mom.
That is way too unimaginative for a world that has centaurs. Whatever it is
it will come in handy now that Voldemort is gaining power again. And why was
he after Harry in the first place? Basically, what makes Harry so special?
What about family history?
I think we’re going to learn more about everyone’s families. Hagrid’s
definitely, same with Harry’s and Malfoy’s, but we’ll probably
also learn more about Neville’s family as well.
Is that cat really just a cat?
After the shock about Scabbers in book three, it follows that just about any
animal could really be a wizard in disguise, and any wizard could have the power
to change into an animal. I predict more shockers here, maybe Hermione’s
cat Crookshanks, or even Hedwig, Harry’s owl.
What’s the tone?
This book will definitely be darker. With the set-up from book four there’s
no way it won’t be, but rumors peg the next book, book six, as the darkest
of the series.
Phew! But I’m getting carried away. Look for Harry Potter
Five: The Order of the Phoenix at a bookstore near you on June 21 to see
if all or any of this comes true. And if you just can’t wait until then,
crack open another childhood favorite, defy adulthood and remember the time
when reading was fun. You’ll learn a lot more than you think.
— Sophie Linnett is a high school senior. She will be attending Columbia
University this fall.
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