Is Dumbledore fading?

[Caius Marcius]

No: HPFGUIDX 24951

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., scaryfairymary at h... wrote:
> I couldnt help noticing (to my horror) that JKR kept stating that 
> Dumbledore looked weary and very old, especially in the chapter 
about 
> the pensieve (GoF) and the thought struck me... is she going to 
kill 
> him off.  

But also: after returning from Little Hangelton with Cedric's corpse, 
Harry notes his surprising physical strength when Dumbledore lifts 
him; a few moments later, Harry for the first time realizes why 
Voldemort so feared Dumbledore when he sees the look of "cold fury" 
on his face as he surveys the fallen Barty Crouch. "An indefinable 
power" radiates from Dumbledore as he confronts Cornelius Fudge over 
Voldemort's comeback. Dumbledore's elegy to Diggory shows him at the 
height of his powers. 

Dumbledore will perish at some point, but I think quite late in the 
story. He still has a lot to explain to Harry - e.g., since the first 
question Harry asked of him was why Voldemort wanted to kill him, it 
makes sense that it will be Dumbledore who will finally reveal this 
(he promised to tell Harry when he was old enough).  And there are 
other puzzles - what was that gleam of triumph about? Why does he 
trust Snape? etc.  Eventually, we'll learn, but I think the answers 
will be spread out over the next three books. 

My prediction is that Dumbledore makes it midway through Volume Seven 
before leaving us for good. I do agree it makes sense that Harry has 
to face Voldemort in the end without Dumbledore's mortal presence. 
(Though he will be there in spirit, of course)

  - CMC