Bets Placed on Harry Potter's Death 7/3/06

Fans of Harry Potter are frantically placing bets on who will murder the teenage wizard, after author JK Rowling announced she was considering killing the character off.

The favorite is Potter's evil nemesis Voldemort at odds of 4/5, but some fans are even mistrustful of his closest pal Ron Weasley, at 6/1.

Rupert Adams, spokesperson for British bookmakers William Hill, says, "The phones have not stopped ringing since JK said Harry might be killed off.

"Most of the early money has been for Professor Snape at 5/2 and Draco Malfoy (evil schoolboy) at 6/1.

"If Harry survives, all bets will be void and money returned. We're praying keen Potter fans haven't worked it out and fleeced us."