Dumbledore's death, a ruse? *theory discussion*

[dibble2]

I personally believe he's dead for good, but if you're looking for something to question about the circumstances of his death...

Why did the killing curse launch Dumbledore into the air? My guess is that it was an artistic choice for dramatic effect, but every other person (or that one spider that imposter-Moody killed) simply dropped dead. So was it really the killing curse that hit Dumbledore? I think so, but there is a shadow of doubt.

[Imelyen]

OMG I can't believe i never thought of that...the same thing happened with Cedric too, he just fell over...and when the body of the riddles were found inside the mansion, they were just lying on the ground they hadn't been thrown around or anything....as well as with Frank Bryce...

[thestral]

i think it was probably just being dramatic. please no more little vague clues that could mean something else. it's too much for my brain to handle!!!

[gadfly22]

Maybe Dumbledore's body flying was just for dramatic effect. But JKR is pretty careful with her details.

If you saw the original Star Wars, George Lucas inserted a confrontation in the cantina scene in which we saw Obi-Wan cut off the arm of an unpleasant character and went to the trouble of showing us the dismembered arm on the floor. A minor gross-out but the intent was to let us know how light sabers work: they cut through stuff but don't vaporize it completely. Hence Vader's confused poking at Obi-Wan's robes after his "victory" in their duel, as though wondering where the body went. Message: Obi-Wan's "death" wasn't ordinary.

So it may be with Dumbledore also. Having DD's body fly off the tower might have been part of Snape's own protection of DD (my working theory).

[Kalessin]

Some very vaild points have been made here. I am a hopeful fan that Dumbledore will be alive - the portrait could just be an enchantment of Dumbledore's, after all, he is one of the greatest wizards of the age eh?

I am also suspicious that Fawkes didn't intervene, which would suggest Dumbledore did not wish it... this could be part of some ploy between Snape and Dumbledore to fake the death. Fawke's lament could easily have been 'feeding' so to speak from the low morale of the Hogwarts occupants.

Dumbledore freezing Harry before being disarmed could also have been Dumbledore's way of ensuring that his 'death' was carried out successfully and him falling from the tower would be a good way in which his death wasn't explicitly seen by the gathered. Also, remember that Harry was surprised that Dumbledore led him on the brooms toward the tower rather than the front door of the castle... Harry's confusion here could also hint at Dumbledore having already planned something (he might have known the tower would be a location of conflict already since he has a seer and centaur at the castle possibly?).

Also, Snape didn't kill or really harm Harry which would indicate his loyalty to Dumbledore.

Also though, the other theory about Harry being a horcrux of Voldemort's could link with this: Snape's reluctance to kill Harry, leaving him for Voldemort as he claimed, possibly not wanting Harry harmed? I think this could be either coincidence or Snape being loyal to Voldemort... not sure.

Okay, that post was everywhere and the theories weak, but I don't know, forgive me. : )

[dibble2]

Also, remember that Harry was surprised that Dumbledore led him on the brooms toward the tower rather than the front door of the castle... Harry's confusion here could also hint at Dumbledore having already planned something (he might have known the tower would be a location of conflict already since he has a seer and centaur at the castle possibly?).

That reminds me of something else that bothered me. Malfoy said something like "We sent the Dark Mark up over the tower to lure you here, and it worked!" To which Dumbledore replied, "Well, yes and no...". It might not have to do with his death, but it seems that he knew it was a trap, or else that he had something tricky planned.

[DumbledoreistheMaster]

Hmm... I do think Dumbledore is dead because of a number of reasons including the portrait (although it would not have been difficult for Dumbledore to bewitch a picture of him to make it look as though he were dead) but also Harry believes that he is dead. I don't think Dumbledore would let Harry believe such a thing if it were not true. Not after how close they had become. However Harry was not good at Occlumency and Dumbledore might've felt that if he told Harry someone from the Dark Side would be able to find out.

[Kalessin]

Yeah, totally, I just can't wait for book 7 now so we can find out everything... though when it ends I'll be sooo sad. Hmm, by the time the 7th book arrives i'll probably be able to drive... wicked!

Erm, so yeah, the ending to book 6 seems a little bit too contrived in the sense that JK is leading us into a trap by using our own assumptions against us (most notably R.A.B. which people are firmly stating as initials when there is a chance they might mean something else etc). I dunno...

[Stumpy]

It's got to be faked or he wouldn't of been so persistant with telling Harry to do exactly what he said

[Petal]

I really do not want to think DD is dead, even though it's likely he is, I do
not think the appearance of his portrait is proof positive. I've been reading the book and when the portraits are mentioned it states "previous headmasters", not deceased headmasters. Maybe there is a slim hope DD resigned and there is a larger plan in progress where
it has to appear he is dead. I'd like to think there ia always hope.

[Stumpy]

As a theory it could have sank to do with his dead arm???????????

[Froggs]

Perhaps HP can only do what he needs to do believing DD to be dead...so Snape and DD set this up, fooling Voldy...but hang on, would "faking" DD's death fool the unbreakable vow? Man, I want him to still be alive, but I have a sinking feeling that he is as dead as Sirius...who, I admit, I thought would come back in some way shape or form in this book...

[Stumpy]

Well hopefully we will learn more about the curtain at the ministry of magic? It deffinately was a wake up call for Harry and one i felt he needed! Maybe DD needs to concentrate on another task and wanted Harry to find the horcruxes?

[Froggs]

[quote="thestral"]i think it was probably just being dramatic. please no more little vague clues that could mean something else. it's too much for my brain to handle!!![/quote]

It is possible that DD reacted to the curse the way he did becaue he was just so string a wizard...

[Stumpy]

Surely that would've only dampened the effects as his magical resistance would be higher, like when Mad eye puts a forbidden curse on harry and he gets better at stopping its effectiveness on him