Thanks, Nutty. I guessed that might be the case and I guess should be satisfied with it (at least I am happy that Esther ends up happy and loved).

Harry Potter fans, stay away from Yahoo! I hear there's a big spoiler for the last book just splashed on the front page in a headline.

Not having seen it (thanks for the warning!) I still doubt very much it's a legit spoiler--JKR has done a remarkable job on keeping the lid on plot points quiet, especially this far before a book is published. Now, if that spoiler is more speculation, like the ones flying around the internet about Dumbledore dying before HBP was published, that's something else entirely.

It's not much of a spoiler, I think, and it's out of the mouth of JKRowling. Here's what it is: JKR said at least two characters will die in the last book, but she's not saying who.

JKR has done a remarkable job on keeping the lid on plot points quiet

My intel says that the headline is actually "Rowling: [spoiler] in last HP book," which sounds like she's specifically letting it out for some godforsaken reason.

It's from an interview with JKR, so I'd guess legit. That said, it's quite non-specific - very general plot rather than anything character specific. What's our whitefont rule around here?

That's an old spoiler, if you can even call it that.

I read Jesse's whitefont, and that's not much of a spoiler, just enough to tease the reader. Actually, it's pretty much on par with what I imagined would be happening (she doesn't avoid darker territory, especially in the later books). I do like the way that she writes the books to be progressively more dense, plotwise, as well as taking the characters into the greyer life of adulthood.

Reminds me of what Laura Ingalls Wilder (and her daughter, Rose, if you believe the ghostwriter allegations about her) did in the Little House books--from On the Shores of Silver Lake on, those books really delve into adult life as seen from an adolescent's eyes, albeit an adolescent who is forced to shoulder adult responsibilities (taking care of her blind sister, worrying with Ma over the dangerous mob of railroad workers, then helping to run an impromptu boarding house to make money for Mary's school fund).

I'm voting for Ron! It would make me happy.

What, Connie, no love for Ron? I figure that at least one of the Weasleys will be offed--Bill's werewolf bite that really wasn't all that bad just doesn't cut it for me. I'm guessing Charlie, just because he's the one we don't know too much about (Percy would be too obvious, and she just can't kill off one of the twins!). Also, at least one of the "bad" guys, either Snape or Malfoy (Malfoy Sr. is so toast, but Jr. might get it as well). Also, either Neville becomes a hero or martyr, depending on if Rowling lets him live or not. Gosh, I didn't realize I was expecting so much death and destruction!