Rumors maintain that Rowling might do away with the much-loved character in order to prevent other writers from continuing the storyline and leeching off the series' success. While she agrees it would be a business-conscious move, Kathy Okelberry says she hopes Rowling doesn't take that route.

"I'm just so scared that she's going to kill him off," says the veteran librarian at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School. "I like Harry Potter, and I want him to stay around."

Referring to Harry and his close friends, Ron and Hermione, as "kiddies," Okelberry hopes all three friends live and that only evil characters die. "The good guys always win, so I'm hoping that's going to carry on until the end," she says.

Enthusiasts worldwide began posting their hypotheses on online forums and blogs long before Rowling had finished writing the final book. The Barnes & Noble online book club, "Waiting for Harry," has been operating since December and has well over 20,000 posts regarding the book's last chapters, with more than 200,000 comments. Some contributors were so confident in their hunches, they considered betting on outcomes, which prompted warnings from the group's moderator.

Former elementary school teacher Suki Cannon says the predictive furor surrounding the series is evidence of the book's positive literary impact on young people. "I think one of the things that makes a piece of literature good is not only that it's good entertainment, but that it's thought-provoking."

In addition to speculation over who will die, fans are interested in confirming everything from whether or not Professor Snape is evil to rumors about Harry getting a new pet. Hogwarts' potential closure and the mysterious Horcruxes also have Potter-buffs dusting off their crystal balls.

Despite "Deathly Hallows" being the final book in the series, some readers are holding out hope that Rowling will change her mind and write an eighth. "Maybe (Harry) can get a job," Okelberry says. "You just sort of hope he keeps going."

If book seven is indeed the conclusion in the magical saga, Okelberry will be satisfied so long as good prevails over evil. "I'm one of these that likes to have the 'happily ever after' ending."

---

E-mail: mfarmer@desnews.com