About the inventing new spells.
I think, since all of the spells are in Latin, the easiest way to invent spells would be to find its latin meaning (Example: Levicorpus means flying body), then figure out its specific wand movement (“swish and flick!” – Flitwick).

This definitley brings to mind many possibilities…

Along with (or, perhaps, distinct from) these discussions, there is soooooo much murkiness about the Horcrux from the cave. Did Harry end up with the actual locket that Dumbledore had removed, or was the fake merely for him? Why didn’t Dumbledore know that it was a fake (or did he?)? How many other Horcruxes has RAB gotten to already?

Interesting thoughts, Kristin. I, too, won’t be surprised if Harry flirts more with Dark Magic. And I won’t be entirely surprised if he dies, either, though I think it just as likely that in killing Voldemort he loses all of his powers and happily settles down as a muggle. I’d like to see some remorse from both him and Malfoy…perhaps even acknowledgement from Harry that it’s not surprising Snape hates him so much, considering what a bully his father had been at Hogwarts.

On the point of Harry’s Dark Side — oo, that would be great if Rowling worked that in. I’m a little skeptical because insofar as it’s been foreshadowed, it’s been done so lightly, and there’d be a lot of work to fit it into the last book. But yeah, I’d love it. I was thrilled in book 1 when the Sorting Hat almost placed Harry in Slytherin, and when he turned out to be a Parseltongue — I always thought JKR would do more with that stuff, and was a little disappointed that “Harry wrestling with his dark side” was never particularly prominent in the ensuing books.

Good point, Kristen, about Snape always being something of a liminal character. Though I think he’ll be redeemed and that he’ll end up on the good side overall, I agree that his dislike of Dumbledore and strong dislike (hatred?) of Harry are entirely unfeigned.

I, too, think Snape will eventually be redeemed. He knew Harry had his old book, yet, in a sense, he let Harry get away with it. He seemed more upset that Harry was using Dark Magic, and he said something to that effect as he and Malfoy were making their escape at the end. Why didn’t he fight Harry then? The argument that the Dark Lord wanted to save Potter for himself was not convincing–it seemed like he was protecting Harry as he ran away.

Somehow I think Malfoy will show some goodness in the last book, too. We saw during the visit to Snape that his mother was unusual for a Death Eater in that her love for him seemed much stronger than her fear of Voldemort…that caught my attention.

And though I would love to see more of Sirius and of Dumbledore, I hope they are not resurrected.

Heidi, the Snape-hearts-Lilly thing is something I’ve heard from a number of people, so I actually forgot that no one had mentioned it here. Thanks for bringing it up.

I share your question about how ‘inventing spells’ work. For the most part JKR keeps her ducks in order, world-consistency-wise, but the way it’s presented there does seem a little off…

I do think that Snape and Dumbledore arranged for his murder so that Snape could further win the trust of Voldemort. Whether Snape really killed him or if it was staged is pure conjecture, but I side with Nate that I think that it will be a more powerful story in book 7 if he actually did die. I saw it as Dumbeldore, knowing that he could not take down Voldemort on his own, sacrificing himself for the greater good.

I think that some clues are left to support this interpretation. If Snape had fully turned to evil, then why merely stupefy Flitwick in his office when he had a perfect opportunity to kill another good wizard. Further, I thought that Rowling provided another clue when the members of the Order are unable to recount exactly what Snape’s role was when he was rushing through the battle.

We’ll just have to wait until the final volume to find out. Of course, we figure now that Draco plays into the final showdown in some form…perhaps redeeming himself? I have this really cool climatic scene in my head when the Dark Lord has Harry and the forces of good pinned with no hope when, to his shock and horror, both Snape and Draco turn on him and, along with Harry, banish him to the netherworld for eternity.

Finally, I also agree that it is time to abandon to Hogwarts formula (Quidditch, Hogsmeade trip, Christmas break, more Quidditch, etc.) for a venture abroad. But remember kids…stay in school, no matter what Harry does!!!