JKR's site up-date - Rumours Section

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 127367


Antosha: 
Too, there's the question of why you put an ancient wizard in a 
series of stories starring a young hero. What else is he going to do 
but pass away? 
<SNIP>
Mind, I'm not sure that both Hagrid and DD don't die. I'd just be 
surprised if they both cash it in at the end of HBP--that's where I 
expect Dumbledore to take his final bow.


Chys:
 
Wouldn't it be amusing if they were all alive and well at the end, 
sort of break the chain of predictability there.
 
I've heard that this story is related to The lord of the rings and 
Star Wars and such, but why can't it stand on it's own, for the 
major plot devices? (Especially since it's BEING written now... I 
don't think it's going to follow what everyone expects of an epic 
like this. I think we're in for some good surprises.)


Alla:

Hmmm, I agree that if we are going by the "type" of the character 
Dumbledore is according to the literary tradition, he WILL 
definitely die, however I agree with Chys that it will be fun if JKR 
will break predictability chain.

Earlier I raised the possibility that Dumbledore may survive till 
the end. NO, not because he is immortal ( I mean he can be, but I 
just don't want him to be :o)) 

I think that Dumbledore may survive if only to witness that his 
interpretation of  the prohecy was wrong and solution which Harry 
comes up with to finish Voldie off will be something elegant  and 
something that Dumbledore did not predict.

I want to see the surprise on the old man's face for once. :-)

JMO,

Alla.