[HPforGrownups] Re: MAGIC DISWASHER and Dumbledore Dead

[yellows at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 59426

In a message dated 6/5/2003 6:53:10 PM Eastern Standard Time, Tom writes:

> So, in conclusion, I believe that JKR will inevitable have to
> confront the age old `Death of the Mentor' theme. It is my 
> hope,
> however, that she will accomplish this necessary step in a
> meaningful, surprising, and fresh new way.

:)  Tom, that was an awesome post.

Of course, as I said earlier, this is exactly how I feel about Dumbledore's demise. I don't believe it's meant for Book 5; I can see it happening a bit later -- by the end of Book 6. But you brought up some good points that ought to be considered:

If Voldemort fears Dumbledore, then Harry is never in the kind of danger that would really make us scared for him unless Dumbledore is finally overcome. Harry can't be our hero who wins the day over Voldemort until he has become the only wizard Voldemort fears. If the only wizard Voldemort fears is still Dumbledore by the end of the series, then Dumbledore ought to be the one to defeat him. 

So, beyond the basic idea of the "Death of the Mentor," which Tom illustrated in many excellent ways throughout the Fantasy/SF genres, we know that, specific to the Harry Potter story, Dumbledore is in the way of Harry's "time to shine." Dumbledore must show Harry how to be strong against Voldemort and how to ultimately defeat evil. What better place to set this series than in a school?  :)

Also, Tom mentioned the possibility that Dumbledore will re-appear after his death as a ghost. I hadn't thought of that before, and I can see it happening. I hate to refer to sketchy quotes without sources, but I *think* I read somewhere that JKR said we'd learn more about why some wizards become ghosts and others don't. I just checked the Internet for that quote and am unable to find it, so unless you know better than I, keep in mind that it may be bogus. 

If it is true canon, though, it is possible she alluded to something she'll show us later in the series. She may know that she'll need to explain why Dumbledore either can or can't come back to haunt Hogwarts, and she may be planning to illustrate the specifics of the ghost-world for that reason.

Brief Chronicles