Dumbledore and Death

[mcjuels]

No: HPFGUIDX 137941

After reading HBP twice and listening to the tapes, I keep going 
back 
to three Dumbledore quotes from "The Lightning Struck Tower."

1  "Well, I certainly did have a drink...and I came back...after a 
fashion."  Could mean "I drank poison, I died, and I came 
back...sort 
of."  

2. "He cannot kill you if you are already dead."  Could mean "You 
can't kill me because I am already dead."

3. "No Draco, said Dumbledore quietly, "it is my mercy, and not
yours, that matters now."  Could mean "I have sacrificed my life and 
you won't have to kill me."

Here's what I wonder.  Could the potion in the cave be turning 
Dumbledore into an Inferi?    

So...go ahead and tell me why I am wrong.  Please!

McJuels