I'm okay with Ginny dying in terms of whether I'd miss the character (not so much), but on the other hand I don't think she's well-loved enough that it's dramatically worthwhile to kill her off. And I agree with you about the problematic nature of JKR's girl characters. I'm skeptical that she feels a need to (re)assert Harry's manliness, though. *cue Equus pictures*

My problem with either Harry or Neville dying is that they've both had such a poor lot in life so far. I really don't want the series to come down to "life sucks, then you die", and I strongly feel that is what it says if Harry dies in book 7. And to a lesser degree if Neville dies.

I don't feel Hermione has been portrayed as shrewishly as some think. But it would be nice to see some assertiveness not of the cheap movie variety.