dumbledore to die?!

[Jim Ferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 16368

Jamieson:"I don't know about that....Dumbledore seems to be the father 
that's present in most if not all fairy tales. Because, essentiall 
even though it pains me to say it, that's all HP is. A story. ::hears 
gasps..you mean it's not real?!:: There has
been no indication in cannon of Dumbledores failing health.
 
I think he'll be around for quite a while. IMO there just hasn't 
been enough indication that something is going to happen. Though, I 
may eat my words, as there was no indication that Cedric would die. 
Though he did have a bit more page time."

Dumbledore will probably die to symbolize Harry's passage into full 
independence. Harry will lose his mentor and protector just before 
Harry's ready, and he'll have to carry on without him.  it will be 
Harry's worst moment and cruelest test.  The analogy might be Obi Wan 
or Yoda ("no more training do you need"). I suspect that Dumbledore 
will die in such a way as to pass the torch on to Harry. (The Yoda 
thing again)

I don't expect much warning when Dumbledore dies. Of course we suspect 
he's going to be killed by Voldemort instead of a more prosaic death.