[Strangler Lewis]

I think Hagrid will die early in the book. Malfoy will kill Neville, and Harry will kill Malfoy. Harry wins at the end, else there's no point to the whole business.

Now, if Rowling really wants to kick everybody in the stomach, she kills Hagrid, Ron and Hermione off fairly early on, leaving Harry more alone than ever. Or, Harry has to sacrifice them for the greater good.

I'll be getting my reserved copy at midnight at our local bookseller. (Not that I'll be allowed to read it.) I'll be curious as to the police and ambulance presence in anticipation of the idiot who yells out the ending to the crowd and gets beaten to death.