Finding the Cave and let's start on the potion!

[M.Clifford]

No: HPFGUIDX 136804

Saraquel:
Really glad you've come on board the leaky fishing boat, Valky!

Valky:
Glad to be aboard. I dug some fresh worms for us. <g>


>Valky wrote:
>Dumbledore had deduced he *might* be going to a place where a
>Horcrux had been already found.

Saraquel
Yes, this would fit with the DD uses the cave as training theory
which I feel is a good one.

>Valky
>Say for example Mundungus sold the Locket to Aberforth and during
one >of DD's short drinks at Hogsmeade he recognised it.. Voila!!
another >Horcrux. <snip> Aberforth presenting the Locket to him (or
other such >means of DD gathering the right information)

Saraquel:
But when they get back and the Dark Mark is
over the tower and DD knows that there is a real possibility of his
death (which there is whether you believe DD knew about the UV or
not, DEs in the school mean possible murder) why does he not tell
Harry the status of the real Horcrux!Locket and where it is? He does
have time, and it seems some renewed energy – when they are flying
up to the tower. It is also of life and death importance (and
mission critical, Batman) for Harry to know whether the Horcrux is
active or destroyed and its whereabouts. Harry having this bit of
knowledge is more important than whether DD lives or dies and DD
knows that, I just can't think he would leave that to chance.

Valky:
I agree. Which is why I have another angle on this that just might work. 
The crucial question is: Just how long has Mung been selling goods to
Aberforth *really*?
What if some time ago, even as long as since OOtP, Mung didn't *show*
Aberforth or DD this gold locket he'd found at Grimmauld place, but
instead in all his bragging he had boasted of the wares that he could
get his hands on *including* a Gold Locket with the Slytherin Emblem
on it. This may be why Aberforth has been buying goods from Mung, and
getting friendly with him. Because he *wants* that locket, but so far
for all the boasting Mung has done he still hasn't come up with the
goods. At this point the Dumbledore Brothers don't know exactly where
Mung has seen this object. Albus probably not even knowing that it's
at Grimmauld Place because Mung steals from everywhere and is
constantly acquiring fresh stock for his seedy sales business from
anywhere he can get it. So The DD Brothers sit back and wait for Mung
to bring the locket to Aberforth, but he never does. 

During the year of HBP Harry, Ron and Hermione notice that Mung has
been stealing from Sirius' collection. DD gives himself a forehead
slap *SLAP* "Now why didn't I think of that before." He says, so he
searches for traces of the Horcrux at Grimmauld place. He finds
traces, but no Locket. So he returns to Hogwarts without it. 

By now DD's time is quickly running out and he senses that he will
have to act quickly. So on the fly he devises the plan to take Harry
through the cave. He probably hopes that he'll get a short while with
Harry after he's revived from whatever curse he's got to take on to
get there, so he can sit down with Harry and prompt him to unravel the
clues that they'd just found. But he knows also that there is a real
danger he won't be able to. However, *just quickly explaining to
Harry* what that Locket fiasco was all about is not a real good
option. The reason is because sponfeeding Harry the answers won't
prepare him for the hardest task that he ulitimately *must* face
alone. So it's either give Harry the opportunity to figure them out
while DD's alive, or leave it to Harry after DD's death. I know that's
thin, but the notion that Harry really does need to work through the
clue himself to prepare him for facing Voldemort is a strong canon
point so it may hold out over the discrepancy of those few minutes
when DD might have been able to tell Harry everything all over again.


Valky wrote
>4. The fake locket may hold clues to the beginning of the trail of
>Horcruxes.  I am supposing that DD
>snatched the locket up so quickly at the cave because he always
>intended to keep from Harry that it was a fake until Harry was in a
>position to benefit from the clue.

Saraquel:
Sorry Valky, but I don't think I'm understanding you here. It reads
to me as though you are saying, even if DD was dying he wouldn't
tell Harry about the Horcrux!Locket because he's hoping there will
be a clue in the Fake!Locket. If that's what you meant then I think
I've answered it above. If it isn't, could you elucidate for me.
It seems to me that the "how did RAB know about the cave?" question
is not going to be answered by what we know so far, which is why I
think that the Fake!Locket was planted theory is worth something. I
hope that JKRs explanation isn't going to be, "someone" followed
Voldemort to the cave when he first hid the Horcrux, that would be
really disappointing.

Valky:
Yes well, that clue might not be there, or it might be there. In any
case it's not the crucial clue that I think DD counted on. I believe
that DD at least hoped the Fake Locket would lead Harry to hypothesise
that it migt have come from Grimmauld place somehow. Perhaps hoping
that it would have the Black Family Cest or some mark of ownership
that would lead Harry to search his house for further clues. And
moreover and most importantly he hoped that this mark of the Black
family that he hoped would be somewhere hidden on or within the
locket, would prompt Harry to search his memory for the biggest clue
of all... Aberforth. 

Now however you take Ab.D., ESE! ESG! or even ESI!, it doesn't matter
here either. ESG!Ab is a resource and friend for Harry who may help
him on his quest. ESE!Ab could still prove useful in finding the
Locket and ESI!Ab can at least serve as part of the memory of Mung
selling stuff from Sirius place helping Harry to sniff out a trail.

Personally I like the notion that this locket was DD's clue to Harry
that he is not alone in going after Voldie's Horcruxes and that along
the way he will find others like R.A.B and Aberforth who are willing
to share his burden with him.

Valky