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The viewpoints of localreader Emily West
Emily West never associated her childhood with Harry Potter. That's because she was born before author J.K. Rowling conceived the magical world.
West began reading the books at age 20, after seeing the third movie ("Prisoner of Azkaban" directed by Alfonso Cuarón) and deciding to investigate for herself what the hype was all about.
The series has helped her to feel like a kid again. "It's added a little bit of magic to my world," she said.
West predicts that the seventh book will see Harry triumph over the enemy of the wizarding world, Lord Voldemort. Taking note that Rowling declared two main characters would bow to death in the final volume, West guesses that the school gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid, and potions master Severus Snape will die before the turn of the last page.
In West's opinion, relationships will come to fruition in the "Deathly Hallows," with Harry rejoining Ginny Weasley, and a flourishing love between supporting characters Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
"There are a lot of other loose ends to tie up but those are some of my views," she said, adding that Neville Longbottom will likely become a Hogwarts professor. Ultimately, she believes Snape will redeem himself before the end.
"Goblet of Fire" is her favorite book in the series so far and Granger is her favorite character because "she came from a non-magical background and she is one of the best witches around."
West, who said she's sad that the series will be over but that she really wants to see how it ends, is getting her book from online retailer Amazon.com. "I don't have to wait in line at Walmart with all the other fanatics," she said.
Having recently seen the fifth movie in theaters, West commented that the filmmakers summed up the story well considering the extraordinary length of the novel.
"Never give up," is the message she gets from the Potter series. "It's as simple as that."
HARRY WILL DIE
The viewpoints of localreader Kevin Puett
"Everybody around me was reading the books..." recalled local Poterologist Kevin Puett of his fifth grade year. "I had never even heard about them until I saw everyone reading the Sorcerer's Stone.'"
Ten years later Puett is a college student and more enthused about the Harry Potter series than ever before. Despite heading into his sophomore year at Clemson University this fall, the 2006 graduate of Hayesville High School still finds time to sit back and read.
Puett has read all of the existing six books at least fivetimes each and has declared number six, "Half- Blood Price," his favorite so far.
"'Order of the Phoenix' was more about developing the characters," Puett explained. "Harry had all of this teenage angst; he was angry all the time. But in 'Half- Blood Prince' he seemed more human, definitely more mature."
Puett has nothing but bleak predictions for the outcome of the series.
"I really don't want to think about it, but the signs point to the idea that Harry will not survive," he said. Puett believes that despite the absence of any confirmation from Rowling, hints in the books so far serve as the source of his viewpoint.
"There was some foreshadowing in the 'Order of the Phoenix' movie that probably would not make any sense to anyone who had not read 'The Half-Blood Prince,'" he said, adding that a scene toward the end of the filmin- volving the prophecy, Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore and Potter helped lead to his conclusion.
"I really want to say that Snape is pure evil. He basically killed everyone's favorite character in the books, second to Harry. I''m going to be severely disappointed if it turns out that he isn't [evil] and that the person in question actually wanted to be murdered."
Based on the clues Puett has unearthed, he has written a number of theories about what may occur in the final book, detailing what the Horcruxes might be, who might survive and what situations characters may be involved in. He recently wrote what he calls a "hidden chapter " from the first book of the series, "Sorcerer's Stone."
"I called it chapter one and a half. It describes what happened to Harry between when he was first left on the doorstep of the Dursleys and what happened when he was first woken up in the cupboard in the second chapter of the book," he said.
Publishing his works online, Puett receives strong feedback on his theories. "I've gotten into heated debates with several people over what I think will happen and what they think will happen," he said.
Even though he predicts the dark, Puett's no fan of blood.
"I want to see good triumph over evil. I want to see the wizarding world go back to being normal, if you can possibly call it that.... I hope [characters won't die]; I would rather it not happen."
Doubting that Voldemort will ever kill Harry, Puett suggests that Potter will either die nobly in the process of destroying the enemy or saving another's life.
"J.K. Rowling has let every parental figure in Harry's life so far pass away," he points out. "Next you might have Hagrid or even the Weasley parents. If Harry died I could see the other characters rising up to take his place. In my opinion Nevelle Longbottom will play a large part in this last book. He's been developing on the sidelines in the last six years and is the underdog no one expects. If Harry has to sacrifice himself, I can see him rising up to kill Voldemort."
Puett pre-ordered the seventh book online from Amazon.com approximately six months ago. The book, which will be delivered the day of release according to the retailer, will not come soon enough for Puett, who will drive to the post officeat opening and pick it up. "I don't want to wait. I purchased the last six books from Amazon."
"Talk to my parents and they would probably say this is my number one obsession right now. There are several people I've met just by talking about Harry Potter," said Puett. The story, in his opinion, appeals to all ages because of the characters and the situations they experience.
"It's the age-old tale of good versus evil," he concluded, pointing to other epic fantasies such as "The Lord of the Rings." How it ends is ultimately up to Rowling, and until Saturday, all we can do is guess.
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