GrrlScientist is an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, aviculturist, birder and freelance science and nature writer. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she relocated from Seattle to NYC with her parrots after earning a BS in Microbiology (emphasis in Virology) and PhD in Zoology (Ornithology) from the University of Washington. In NYC, she was the Chapman Postdoctoral Fellow at the American Museum of Natural History for two years, pursuing part of her "dream" research project by reconstructing a molecular phylogeny of the parrots of the South Pacific islands. GrrlScientist has written a blog about science since 4 August 2004 (the early years are archived 
tags: online poll, Harry Potter
Here is a poll for you to answer regarding Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. According to JK Rowling, the author, two main characters will die in this book, so I have decided to ask you who you think will die in this book? Why do you think those people will die? Feel free to leave comments below.
This poll will only be available until Saturday evening (July 21st) sometime, when I will collect the results and post them, along with who really dies.
Poll closed. Go here to see the poll results.
Thanks for voting!
Comments
Snape took an unbreakable oath to the Death Eaters in Book 6 to prove himself; he’s planning to get himself killed to take down Voldemort.
Hagrid is already a tragic hero, so Rowling is likely to off him to crank up the angst at a critical point.
Posted by: Max Kaehn | July 18, 2007 8:16 PM
I don't think anyone has to die. There is a way to end the saga without anyone biting the big one. Read my thoughts on the perfect ending at: http://www.rinesmith.com/~roger/running-with-scissors/2007/07/14/the-perfect-ending-to-harry-potter/
Posted by: Roger | July 18, 2007 10:16 PM
Are we allowed to vote if we actually know who is or is not going to die?
Posted by: ukko | July 18, 2007 11:01 PM
We KNOW voldermort or harry will die. That's just a given. However, I don't think "voldermort" counts because he's just too obvious. I chose Ron.
I'm thinking the death of Ron will bring Harry and Hermione together, and then both of them will kill voldermort.
Posted by: Oran_Taran | July 19, 2007 1:03 AM
I'm guessing either Wormtail or Snape will have to die for Harry to defeat Voldemort, probably Snape. I think the most likely student to die is Ginny, which Harry alluded to in book six.
Posted by: Tim | July 19, 2007 9:09 AM
I reckon Neville will have a showdown with Bellatrix, so he'll be a heroic goner. Voldy will die too (I can't see a sad ending), and I also reckon Snape might die, saving Harry.
Damn, one too many.
Bob
Posted by: Bob O'H | July 19, 2007 11:18 AM
Parsing Rowling's phrase, she did say that two "main" characters will die. I see Neville, Luna, Hagrid, McGonnagall and Ron's parents as secondary characters, so there could be a higher body count in this book than we're thinking.
I cast my vote for Harry and Voldemort. I think they may kill each other. I like some of the alternate theories on this thread, though, such as Snape planning to sacrifice himself to save the wizarding world, and Neville seeking revenge for his parents' impairment.
I wonder if Harry will find all the Horcruxes. Do you think he needs to destroy them all to kill Voldemort? Couldn't he kill Voldemort's mortal body first and then destroy any Horcruxes he couldn't find? And is Dumbledore really dead? A phoenix flew away from his funeral pyre. I am enjoying not knowing for one more day, because soon we'll know how it all ends.
Posted by: Library Diva | July 19, 2007 7:49 PM
Ah, you missed out two deaths in your list: one you know, the other about 2/3rds of the way through.
Summary of the plot so far: Harry and co. spend the autumn camping, whilst trying to decide which set of plot coupons to collect. A few humans die, a few non-humans die. And Dumbledore is revealed to be a bit of a git.
Bob
Posted by: Bob O'H | July 21, 2007 10:46 AM
Ha! You're all wrong!
I read the book and counted no less than 9 significant characters who died, excluding the fates of Harry, Ron, Hermione, & Voldemort. Two significant characters die in the first 80 pages.
I really don't know how Rowling is classing her particular characters as "main" since many of the dead were main in my estimation.
It's a bloodbath, you guys! Don't read it. Save yourselves the pain!!
Bwahaha!!
Posted by: Ian | July 23, 2007 2:21 PM
i agree that two significant characters die in the first 80 pages, and more significant characters die later. it's sad, really, and you are right, it IS a blood bath. i am still in mourning over the first character who dies ...
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | July 23, 2007 2:32 PM