The Future of Harry Potter

I have decided to re-read all of the Harry Potter books before the new one comes out. This after the realization that I am woefully ignorant of so many of the facts already published.

(I have read the entire set, but a lot of things I did while I was drinking are a bit of a blur now. Not that I read when I was actually drunk. Truth is, I don't really remember. And therein lies the problem.)

For instance, I watched Goblet of Fire on HBO in preparation for the release of Order of the Phoenix and during the climactic scene in the graveyard, I could not remember who Tom Riddle was.

(This is a very necessary element of the story.)

(I had to look up Tom Riddle on Wiki to remind myself before I went to see Phoenix this weekend. Which was very good. Dark and angst-ridden, but good. Do yourself a favor, if your child is not old enough to have read all the books, then do not take him to this movie.)

(Also, is it bad that I find Harry Potter a bit attractive now that the actor is 17 and has appeared naked onstage?)

So, in order to appreciate the final book to its fullest extent, I thought I should refresh myself of the Harry Potter facts other than Cedric Diggery dies in Goblet, Sirius Black dies in Phoenix and Dumbledore dies in Prince.

(Oops. Sorry. Spoilers?)

So this weekend I re-read Sorcerer's Stone (which, BTW, was originally called Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in England, but was changed when the book was released in the US because the publishers didn't think us Yanks would understand "philosopher's stone.") and Chamber of Secrets. Tonight, I'm starting Prisoner. But the books get a little longer from here on out, and I'm not sure I'll get all the way through Half-Blood Prince before this Saturday, so I will be removing myself from all Internet, television, radio and newsprint until I've finish the set.

My plan is to read Deathly Hallows on my beach vacation July 30 and I do not want anyone spoiling it for me.

I am going on record as saying that I do NOT believe Harry will die in the end. The entire set has been based on the age-old plot of good vs. evil and I simply do not believe evil will win out. The prophecy said that neither of them can survive while the other is alive, which means one of the has to kill the other. My money's on Harry.

Then he can go on to play Quidditch for England, since he was the youngest Seeker at Hogwart's in a century. See? Details.