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More speculation, this time also involving HBP as it relates to fandom. First of all, I really do think this is the best, tightest, most mature writing JKR has ever done. Unlike its predecessors, this book stands on the strength of its own merits. For the first time in the series, I've like one of JKR's books as a book in its own right, and not just as as a source for fandom material.
Let me talk now about how pleased I am with the Horcrux development, because even more importantly than explaining Voldemort's survival, it will allow the final book to take place outside of Hogwarts, which is a setting that was getting far too stale by this point. It allows the now rogue Harry a much canvas which to range, as well as for types of magic and encounters that wouldn't have been possible in the tightly structured Hogwarts/Ministry sphere. And finally, it means JKR can believably dispense with the aspects of the HP universe her stories are outgrowing - Quidditch, the school structure, the student/teacher dichotomy, etc.
From a writer's perspective, I'm quite gladdened by the developments with Snape's (and to a lesser extent Malfoy's) character. The first rule of romantic/pairing fic is that everything which makes a pairing a compelling source of material evaporates once two characters' loyalties and relationship to one another are resolved. If Snape (or Malfoy) was still at Hogwarts at the end of this book, if his loyalties had been unquestionably resolved for the Light, then the only option remaining to fanficcers would be of the 'Snape/Harry is captured by Death Eaters and so Harry/Snape must rescue him/die to save him/betray the Light to be with him' variety, and that gets really stale with hundreds of fans doing their riffs on it. Which isn't to say that HP fic isn't going to go stale after this book - of course it will, only that with more options, it's going to take longer.
Let me talk now about how pleased I am with the Horcrux development, because even more importantly than explaining Voldemort's survival, it will allow the final book to take place outside of Hogwarts, which is a setting that was getting far too stale by this point. It allows the now rogue Harry a much canvas which to range, as well as for types of magic and encounters that wouldn't have been possible in the tightly structured Hogwarts/Ministry sphere. And finally, it means JKR can believably dispense with the aspects of the HP universe her stories are outgrowing - Quidditch, the school structure, the student/teacher dichotomy, etc.
From a writer's perspective, I'm quite gladdened by the developments with Snape's (and to a lesser extent Malfoy's) character. The first rule of romantic/pairing fic is that everything which makes a pairing a compelling source of material evaporates once two characters' loyalties and relationship to one another are resolved. If Snape (or Malfoy) was still at Hogwarts at the end of this book, if his loyalties had been unquestionably resolved for the Light, then the only option remaining to fanficcers would be of the 'Snape/Harry is captured by Death Eaters and so Harry/Snape must rescue him/die to save him/betray the Light to be with him' variety, and that gets really stale with hundreds of fans doing their riffs on it. Which isn't to say that HP fic isn't going to go stale after this book - of course it will, only that with more options, it's going to take longer.