The Order of the Phoenix: Who Will Survive?

by Beth Bubberman

War is upon us. The quintessential battle of Good vs. Evil is at hand. Members of the Order will fight the good fight. Some will prevail. Others will die. This article weighs the chances of each character surviving.

Dumbledore: The only one he ever feared. I believe Dumbledore will survive most, if not all, of Book 6, but in the end he will be killed. Why do I think this? A couple of reasons. Firstly, Dumbledore understands that dying isn’t the worst thing that can happen to a wizard. He has said it more than once, and we all know that if JKR repeats something, then it must be important. He may even become more powerful after death, à la Obi Wan Kenobi. Secondly, I believe that Harry will need a sort of catalyst to ultimately defeat Voldemort. We have seen that his heart is truly his strongest weapon. His love for Sirius saved him at the end of Book 5. I believe it will take the loss of someone else close to him to trigger the severe emotional state that will ultimately lead him to destroy Voldemort. And who better than the grandfatherly figure of Dumbledore?

Minerva McGonagall: Not a person you want to have as a foe, Minerva is a very powerful witch. Her loyalty to Dumbledore, the Order, and Hogwarts is unwavering. I see her becoming the new Headmistress after Dumbledore’s death.

Arthur Weasley: Arthur comes across as a gentle, good-natured family man who loves Muggles. But I would bet my last galleon that when confronted, his fiery personality emerges and he becomes a wizard of significant power. There is a reason JKR gave the Weasleys red hair. In the end, I think Arthur will survive and, like many of you also believe, become the next Minister of Magic.

Molly Weasley: I can’t imagine the Weasley family without their matriarch. She is, as the Weasley children can testify, a force to be reckoned with. I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side. And don’t even think of threatening a member of her family.

Remus Lupin: Oh dear. I’m afraid our beloved werewolf has a shaky future ahead. Wormtail’s silver hand is looking quite ominous, isn’t it? I believe Lupin’s only chance of survival may come from Harry cashing in on the life debt owed to him by Peter.

Mad-Eye Moody: I think Mad-Eye is going to kick DE behind. He’s a warrior with the battle scars to prove it. I think he’ll survive.

Nymphadora Tonks: I really like this character. Her ability to change her appearance will definitely come in handy. But will she survive??? My gut, though mistaken from time to time, tells me no. I think she’ll be discovered by a Death Eater while undercover and killed. But that’s just my opinion.

Kingsley Shacklebolt: A big, powerful, quick-thinking Auror … I believe he’ll weather the storm.

Fred and George Weasley: I absolutely can’t wait to see these two develop! They are such intelligent, talented wizards. They will surely blossom now that they are no longer bound by the school and its rules. I expect that they will become very useful members of the Order.

Mundungus Fletcher: Good ol’ Dung. One thing you can say about this kind of character is he always looks out for himself. I think he’ll still be around when all is said and done, and may even prove useful, what with his ‘less savory’ contacts.

Severus Snape: Snape is playing both sides of the coin … a very dangerous game. I can see him remaining loyal to Dumbledore, the only person who’s really given him any sort of respect. Yet, on the other hand, I can see Severus’ love for the Dark Arts taking over and sealing his allegiance to Voldemort. This betrayal could, conceivably, be responsible for the death of Dumbledore. The main problem is that because we know so little about him, anything and everything can happen where Snape is concerned, and I think JKR will keep it so until the very end. He’ll be the character who doesn’t reveal his true nature until he takes his last breath, which, he inevitably will do.

Percy Weasley: Now, some of you are saying that he’s not a member of the Order, but I believe that this is not by choice. There is a theory floating around the web that Percy is either under the Imperious curse or, like Moody, has been replaced by someone (Wormtail?) taking Polyjuice Potion. I believe it’s the latter and the real Percy is being held captive in his London apartment. Percy is a lot of things… power-hungry, stuck up, a know-it-all … but he is first and foremost a Weasley, and Weasleys are fiercely loyal creatures. I believe Percy will be found and will rejoin his family for the final battle.

Bill Weasley: I think of all the Weasleys, he will be the one to perish. I think the Goblins will side with Voldemort and Bill will be murdered by them. Though, I do hope I’m wrong.

Rubeus Hagrid: Who could forget our lovable half-giant friend? I’m of two minds when it comes to Hagrid’s fate. Part of me thinks he will die a horrible death … perhaps tortured for information on the Order. Yet another part of me, the more optimistic side, thinks there will be an attack against Muggles and many, including Hermione’s parents, will be slaughtered. If this is the case, I think Hagrid will become Hermione’s guardian until she becomes of age. Completely out of left field, this theory?? Wouldn’t the Weasleys be a better choice of foster parent? Perhaps, but this is a thought that occurred to me after the first movie, seeing the relationship between Hermione and Hagrid. He has a soft spot for her, and she for him and the fondness grows with every book.

And last, but by no means least …

Harry Potter: I think after the happenings in Book 5, Harry will become an official member of the Order. I think Dumbledore and the others have learned their lesson about keeping vital information from their most important warrior. When they do, people die. And now that Harry knows of the prophecy and understands the gravity of the situation (kill or be killed), he should be kept informed of the goings-on. It is, after all, his life on the line. Will Harry survive? I know this question is eating away at him and quite honestly, I don’t know if he will or not. I do believe he will defeat Voldemort, once and for all, but whether or not he walks away from that battle … only time– and JKR– know the answer.