Dumbledore's Betrayer

[boyd_smythe]

No: HPFGUIDX 79197

I agree with Hickengruendler, LK and a number of others that for the 
plot to move forward, at some point DD needs to be eliminated as a 
player.

The difficult question appears to be: how? As the most powerful 
living wizard, he can defeat even LV and a DE handily while saving a 
frightened Harry (recall the MoM battle). So where is his weakness? 
How can he be vanquished?

IMO, Dumbledore's one weakness lies in his misplaced trust of others. 
He has apparently hired and trusted every DADA--simply because he knew 
them. (OK, maybe he didn't completely trust Lockhart). He retains 
Hagrid and Trelawny even when their teaching is questioned, because he 
trusts them. Then there's Sirius. And let's not even get started on 
Snape, who is definitely *not* ESE.

So how could this be used against DD? Betrayal, trap-setting and 
back-stabbing. Here's my scenario.

Each book has been punctuated with a quasi-battle scene that turns 
events on their heads. Here's how it could play out in book 6.

As LV, the DEs, and probably some opportunists begin terrorizing the 
WW again (deaths, disappearances and a near-societal breakdown like 
the first coming of LV), Dumbledore decides to send Harry into the 
protection of a few trusted wizards: Moody and Snape, certainly, plus 
pick one or two from Lupin, Shacklebolt and Tonks. Then let Harry stew 
in that unpleasant company for a while.

Then LV/DEs launch a surprise attack, DD arrives to save the day, 
perhaps nearly does, but then is assaulted from behind by a member of 
that trusted group--sorry, but my bet is on Tonks the convenient 
metamorphmagus. Thus surprised and saddened, DD is vanquished. Maybe 
not forever: time turners, memory charms, portraits/cards and ghosts 
come to mind. But no longer a player in battle.

What follows is up to you. I favor the scene where Snape saves Harry 
kicking and screaming because he *still* doesn't trust Snape. Then 
Snape is the mentor who can relate to Harry in ways DD never could. 
Very touching, yes?

Remnant
"DD is dead. Long live LV!" (at least, until book 7)