Harry Potter, the beloved character created by J.K. Rowling will soon be seeing the end of his career. Rowling has stated repeatedly that she will end the series with the upcoming seventh novel. Fans know the seventh book will mostly concern the defeat of Harry’s nemesis, Lord Voldemort. Questions and theories abound regarding whether Harry Potter will survive after he defeats Voldemort.

Rowling recently announced she plans to kill at least two major characters in the final book, and she has always hinted that Harry Potter might not survive the conflict with Voldemort. This suggestion has legions of Harry Potter fans up in arms regarding Harry’s fate. His character has become so beloved that the thought of ending the books on such a tragic note is a huge disappointment for many.

Of concern for some is that Harry Potter is often thought of as the series inspiring a generation of readers. Could the series ending in tragedy inspire that same generation to never pick up a book again? Harry Potter mania has now so firmly gripped its fans, there are worries that some particularly unstable fans might feel completely overwhelmed and depressed by the death of Harry Potter. Some have speculated that this ending could have an enormously serious impact on the emotional well being of young or unstable fans.

The reaction to the beloved character Dumbledore’s death in Book Six was mixed. Most acknowledged given Dumbledore’s advanced age, the death was not entirely unexpected. Many were still very upset by it, but not all are convinced that Dumbledore is completely gone. However, killing a seventeen or eighteen year old boy is much more problematic. This is a character who should simply be beginning life, and not ending it. Unlike the seventeen-year-old Cedric who dies in Book Four, the series has continually concentrated on the development of Harry’s character. Does this development end in death?

After Rowling’s announcement, noted novelists Stephen King and John Irving both pleaded with Rowling not to kill Harry Potter. There is a certain irony in a horror writer, like King, making such a plea. In his novel The Stand, King kills the majority of the human race, though none of them key players in the story. King, like many, is caught up in his love of this character, and his belief of how miserable a world without Harry Potter might be.

Rowling has toyed with the idea of killing Harry Potter, and suggested it, through interviews since the popularity of the first book. Some suggest that by killing Harry Potter, Rowling is able to end the Harry Potter series and make it impossible for anyone to write another Harry Potter book. It is clear she wants to move away from Harry Potter-type books in the future. Killing Harry Potter would most definitely end a chapter in Rowling’s life.

At the same time, such hints also suggest Rowling may just be playing with her audience, which may be a little unfair to her younger readers. A nine-year-old Harry Potter fan is likely to be quite dismayed by the death of Harry Potter. Rowling has dealt significantly with depression in her novels, and the question remains as to how carefully she will handle the fans who have made both her and Harry so wildly popular.

Other characters' deaths are suggested in place of Harry Potter dying. Leading candidates include Mr. or Mrs. Weasley, Hagrid, one of the Weasley twins, and Professor McGonagall. Others suggest either Ron or Hermione may die at the hands of Voldemort.

However, Rowling has clearly established the concept of an afterlife, and perhaps she feels it is a kindness to Harry to reunite him with his dead parents, godfather, and his beloved headmaster, Dumbledore. The question remains as to whether such an end is fitting for a young adult, even one who has suffered major losses. As well, speculation remains as to how Rowling will consider her fans' feelings in her decision.