Dumbledore as Voldemort

[Gregory Lynn]

No: HPFGUIDX 49012

First, forgive me if this has been argued to death.  I read a bunch of the archived stuff and didn't see it so here goes.

Do you think it's possible that Dumbledore might be some sort of reformed Lord Voldemort?

There are a number of reasons why this is a ludicrous thought, from the fact that they live at the same time to the fact that they're completely different and so forth.  Let me attempt to address them.

In a nutshell, the theory is that Voldemort does his thing zaps Harry, goes poof, comes back, and somewhere along the lines of the end of the last book he is transformed either by a mere personality change or some serious magic or something we don't yet know.  What he becomes is the anti-Voldemort, Dumbledore.  Dumbledore then goes back in time to try to counter the evil he did as Voldemort.

I don't think there are a lot of people who will disagree when I say there is a strong theme of transformation (somewhat broadly defined)  in these books.  By broadly defined I mean both actual transformation (e.g. Sirius the man turns into a dog) but apparent transformations based on a new perspective on the part of someone (e.g. Sirius Black is "transformed" from evil murdering swine to loving godfather).

There are innumerable examples of both kinds of transformations.  Harry himself is transformed from a nobody forced to live in the cupboard underneath the stairs into a world famous boy wizard.  Sirius Black transforms.  Lupin transforms from professor to werewolf to dad's old friend.  Snape transforms from evil would be murdering hatemonger to just a hatemonger.  And all the animagi...tons of 'em.  So there's some serious transformation action going on.  I'd even suggest that it is the most prominent theme in the book.  Is it so absurd to think that it might apply to some of the most central characters?

Obviously for this to happen, Voldemort/Dumbledore would have to live an absurdly long time since Dumbledore is already ancient.  But we know that Voldemort has done just about everything he possibly could to prevent his own death.  Meanwhile Dumbledore looks upon death as just the next great adventure.  Couldn't Dumbledore have this feeling that once he makes right all the wrongs he made, he'll be able to die with a clean conscience.

Also obviously, there needs to be some messing with time.  We've seen several relevant things with the Time Turner.  First, that time travel is possible.  Second, that Dumbledore knows about it's powers and limitations.  Third, that Dumbledore is willing to violate the rules of time travel for the greater good.

And finally, doesn't it just seem like Dumbledore has seen it all before?

He very clearly seems to be trying to bring Harry into the fight with Voldemort on a somewhat limited scale.  He puts the Mirror out so Harry will know how to use it, gives Harry the invisibility cloak et cetera and so forth.  Also, note that Dumbledore arrived back at Hogwarts before Hermione and Ron could even get to the owlery to send him a note.  Perhaps he knew that Quirrell wouldn't try anything with him there, so left for a bit and came right back.

Also, he seems amused by a lot of things that one wouldn't think would be amusing.  The whole time loop thing for instance...he smiled in what should have been a somewhat serious time as if he'd seen it all before and knew how it was going to turn out.

I'm not altogether convinced Dumbledore is Voldemort, but I can't shake the feeling it might be true.  Maybe.

Thoughts anyone?
___________
Gregory Lynn


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