what was Dumbledore's plan, really?

[Mari]

No: HPFGUIDX 137940

> Sherry
> who must confess she is a sentimental reader at times and 
can't bear puppet
> master Dumbledore concocting plots and plans with everyone, 
that end up
> causing Harry more grief and pain!

Mari again:

Oh dear, lol! I certainly didn't mean to suggest that. It's not 
necessary to my theory that Dumbledore planned for Sirius to 
die, let alone James and Lily. I don't see DD as someone who 
uses people like puppets; I simply meant that there is evidence 
in canon,as I summarised, to suggest that Dumbledore's style is 
to work indirectly. Much of what he wished to accomplish 
somehow gets done, often without him appearing to be involved. 

I think there were other factors beyond DD's control at work in the 
deaths of Sirius and Cedric, and like your idea of someone ESE 
in the order working to remove Harry's protectors; its a 
possibility.
 
All I tentatively wanted to suggest is that just because 
Dumbledore has *appeared* to fail in his plans through OotP 
and HBP, doesn't mean that he actually *has* failed. The deaths 
of Sirius and Cedric do not mean failure. I have never believed 
that evil will triumph in the end in the HP universe.

Mari :-)