could Dumbledore be Hermes?

[snipsnapsnurr]

No: HPFGUIDX 96147

Gina wrote--
People have mentioned Dumbledore as animagus. Could Dumbledore be 
Hermes?


I think Dumbledore is certainly Hermes or at least a representative 
of him. Hermes is a huge figure in alchemical lore, which Dumbledore 
is closely associated with. The Phoenix is also an important image in 
alchemy. In fact the series is saturated with alchemical imagery. 
Quiddich, from the point of view of the seeker anyway, is essentially 
an allegory of alchemy (or grailseeking-same thing, really). In fact 
I think alchemists used to call themselves "seekers". Now that I 
think of it I am amazed that JKR allowed them to change the name of 
the first book from the Philosopher's Stone to the Sorcerer's Stone. 
It's kind of like changing "Holy Grail" to "fancy cup".