Hermione is Rowling's alter ego in the fantasy world. No way an author kills "herself" off.
Where does that come from?
I just like Hermione 'cause she earns what she gets through hard work, rather than through birthright or outrageous luck.
As far as I'm concerned Harry can buy it. Snape, too. And Malfoy.
But she has lots of characters to choose from.
I guess, I hope its not a Weasley, either.
I thought that.
Female authors always throw in a "super female" alter ego.
I predict she will try and have a Hermione spin off series which will be UBER-PC.
I was always surprised the PC hollyweird types allowed harry potter to get as large as it has with a inteligent boy (gasp!) as the lead.