Dumbledore accepting fate...or misreading the prophecy?

[bjliii]

No: HPFGUIDX 69309

Hello,

D.G. wrote in another thread...

> 2. Lord V. in the Fountain:  AWWW, COME ON!!!  After all we've seen 
> and heard about the horrible, virutally unstoppable power of the 
Dark 
> Lord, Dumbledore simply strolls in, waves his wand once or twice, 
and 
> tosses Voldemort into a pot of water where he hisses down into 
> nothingness like the twin brother of the Wicked Witch Of The 
> West!?!?  If it's that easy for Dumbledore to get rid of Voldemort 
> (even temporarily), then why doesn't he just tail the guy, give him 
> the ol' "one-two" whenever/wherever he appears, and dispense with 
him 
> like a minor inconvenience?  Sure, it would be a rather dull and 
> repetitive assignment for Dumbledore to keep on offing an enemy who 
> continually bounces back like a Joe Palooka punching bag (and 
they'd 
> have to find someone to replace him at Hogwart's) but wouldn't it 
be 
> worth it to save the Known Universe from the Power Of Unspeakable 
> Evil?  Then Harry could be spared -- hell, he could concentrate on 
> his studies and eventually HE could become Headmaster of Hogwart's, 
> where he'd undoubtedly get rid of the entire Slytherin house -- and 
> all could live happily ever after.

This nagged me when I read it originally, and I have re-read it 
several times.  Dumbledore never did try to kill LV; in fact, that 
point is made explicity by both LV and DD in their conversations.  
Neither of them acts like they have much fear of the other, although 
it is clear that both are threats to the other:  DD would be dead if 
it were not for Fawkes intervening, and LV was hurt by DD, even 
though he wasn't trying to kill him.

What I find most interesting is that DD never did try to kill LV.  
Why not?  What ill effects could come of it?  I suppose we don't 
know, but DD doesn't even try - maybe he knows.  Of course, he also 
says that wouldn't be satisfying to him.

As is common in so much Amero-European literature, the stronger 
mentor (DD) teaches the lesser pupil (Harry) to overcome the ultimate 
enemy (Voldemort).  [Note - reminds me of Star Wars actually, Yoda 
teaches Luke to beat Vader].  Usually, the mentor dies.  Does 
Dumbledore have to die?  I hope not - I'm 100% pro Dumbledore, though 
I fear he is very ready to make the sacrifice if necessary.

Cheers,

bjliii