Laying odds in the Harry Potter dead pool

Severus Snape, former Hogwarts professor, longtime Potter antagonist, and murderer of Dumbledore.
Doom factor: Very high. Nobody knows whose side Snape is really on, and double agents tend to get shot at by both sides.
Odds of dying: 3 to 1

Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry’s best friends.
Doom factor: Extremely unlikely. These guys will be telling their grandchildren stories about Harry and Voldemort in 50 years.
Odds of dying: 100 to 1

Neville Longbottom, Harry’s classmate.
Doom factor: Medium. Neville has a growing heroic streak that should put him in the thick of the fight — and in harm’s way.  
Odds of dying: 30 to 1

Rubeus Hagrid, bearlike half-giant Hogwarts professor and friend to Harry, Ron and Hermione.
Doom factor: Fairly high. Seeing the lovable lunk die would be a major downer. But if anyone in the series would take a bullet to save a friend, it’s Hagrid.
Odds of dying: 15 to 1

NBC VIDEO Are Harry Potter's days numbered? June 27: "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling hints at the possible death of major characters in the final installment of her bestselling series. NBC's Donna Friesen reports. Today show

Peter “Wormtail” Pettigrew, betrayer of Harry’s parents who spent years disguised as the Weasley family rat. Now Voldemort’s henchman.
Doom factor: Very high. Lackeys of the Big Bad Villain in any book don’t have long lifespans. Also, there’s a literary analogue: Wormtongue from “Lord of the Rings,” who clearly inspired Pettigrew, backstabbed his boss after one too many insults, and paid the final price.
Odds of dying: 2 to 1

Ginny Weasley, Harry’s girlfriend and Ron’s sister.
Doom factor: Medium. She’s been a pawn of Voldemort’s in the past, and certainly will be a target again. But Ginny’s got moxie, and might be more difficult to harm than you’d think. Also, if she dies, the series can’t end happily, period. The hero gets the girl.
Odds of dying: 75 to 1

Arthur and Molly Weasley, Ron’s parents.
Doom factor: Nah. It’s depressing enough that Harry’s an orphan. Ron’s not going to become one too.
Odds of dying: 60 to 1

Percy Weasley, Ron’s brother, who turned against his family to support the autocratic Ministry of Magic.
Doom factor: Medium. He’s clearly chosen the wrong path — who’ll pay for his mistake?
Odds of dying: 75 to 1

Bill, Charlie, Fred and George Weasley, Ron’s other older brothers.
Doom factor: High. All are brave, stand-up guys who can be counted on to combat the Death Eaters. They surely won’t all die — this isn’t World War One — but they’ll put themselves in harm’s way for the cause.
Odds of dying: 10 to 1

Remus Lupin, friend of Harry’s late parents, former Hogwarts teacher, and werewolf.
Doom factor: Very high. As a werewolf, Lupin’s led a cursed life — and he has a score to settle with the evil werewolf Fenrir Greyback.  
Odds of dying: 6 to 1

Draco Malfoy, Harry’s classmate and chief rival.
Doom factor: Low. Draco is a bully and a jerk, but he’s also just a kid born into a bad family. He’s not even all that evil — ordered to kill Dumbledore, he couldn’t do it. This far into the series, there are several dozen bad guys more dangerous (and, from a dramatic standpoint, deserving of death) than the pitiable Draco.
Odds of dying: 80 to 1

Lucius Malfoy, Fenrir Greyback, Bellatrix Lestrange, powerful wizards who support Voldemort.
Doom factor: High, but I doubt they were the ones Rowling changed her mind about. As Voldemort’s chief henchmen, they’re major combatants, and are likely to be connected to any deaths in the upcoming novel — whether doing the killing, or being killed in self-defense.
Odds of dying: 2 to 1

Regulus Black, brother of Harry’s deceased godfather Sirius Black.
Doom factor: Probably very high. Regulus was believed to have died already, but evidence is strong that he’s really the mysterious “R.A.B.” who may be an ally of Harry’s in book seven. We haven’t actually met him yet, and we don’t know what his game is. But R.A.B. openly taunted Voldemort and worked for his downfall — not the secret to a long life.
Odds of dying: 2 to 1

Minerva McGonagall, Hogwarts professor and new headmaster, after Dumbledore’s death. Doom factor: Low. McGonagall may be a fine teacher, but the idea of her dying doesn’t seem terribly dramatic — so why not just let her live?
Odds of dying: 150 to 1

Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody, former Hogwarts professor and member of the anti-Voldemort Order of the Phoenix.
Doom factor: Very high. Moody’s a very formidable wizard, but he also seems destined to not die peacefully.
Odds of dying: 3 to 1

Christopher Bahn is a writer in Minneapolis.

MORE FROM BOOKS

Report: Tina Fey book deal worth $5 million

Report: Tina Fey book deal worth $5 million Life-changing lit: Celebs’ fave books Alec Baldwin book bashes family courts Robert Wagner reveals affair with Stanwyck New bio will focus on Jackie O. as editor ‘Vampire tourism’ breathes new life into town Novel ‘Edgar Sawtelle’ gets nod from Oprah 'Harry Potter' author honored by Edinburgh   Add Books headlines to your news reader: