[HPforGrownups] Re: MAGIC DISWASHER and Dumbledore Dead

[yellows at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 59389

In a message dated 6/4/2003 10:29:57 PM Eastern Standard Time, Melody writes:

> Eh...it would be ok.  Epic.  Grand.  Fitting.  I am sure Dumbledore
> would find some way, he is a powerful wizard, to still influence Harry
> beyond the grave.  He has to bridge the Snape and Harry gap they so
> carefully constructed (possible).  Place a successor headmaster that
> will allow Harry the same freedoms that Dumbledore does to wander at
> will (McGonagall would turn a blind eye...she seems to have so far). 
> Leave a few body guards to watch Harry's back (Lupin, Black,
> Weasleys).  Keep Harry surrounded by people that love him and will
> tend to his needs as a human being (Weasleys and Ron and Hermione). 
> Hmmm...Dumbledore has all that.  Maybe he can leave it all. 
> 
> I guess I must wonder.  *Must* he?  
> 
> Must Dumbledore do that?  He does not have to you know.  And I think
> that is what you are debating.  JKR has the outlet, but will she go
> for it?  I hope not.  It is a bit trite, but then again being betrayed
> by a best friend is trite, yet she managed to make it fascinating and
> chilling. 
> 

I don't see why it would be so problematic, or cliche as some have implied, 
for JKR to go with the whole "Death of the Mentor" thing. There are only so 
many plot lines in the world. And, no matter how talented JKR is, she can't 
create something entirely new. She can only mix and match, as all writers do. She 
happens to do it very well and we love it.  :)

So, since she has set her story in the realms of the fantasy genre, I don't 
see why killing the mentor of our protagonist would be a problem. In fact, 
she's hinted at Dumbledore's age so much that I'd say JKR expects us to know 
Dumbledore must die *sometime* in the series, and she's not hiding it. I'm willing 
to bet his death won't be a huge shock when we get to it -- which is why I 
took back my bet that he's the "horrible" death in Book 5. 

Also, in MD, I think it is perfectly reasonable that Dumbledore has accounted 
for the fact that he might not live to see the war with Voldemort through, 
and therefore Dumbledore has been making provisions for years to take care of 
Harry after he's gone.

Brief Chronicles


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