Uncharacteristic Dumbledore

[Chris]

No: HPFGUIDX 138074

   Several things have plagued me after re-reading HPB for the second 
time, and they have everything to do with Dumbledore and his demeanor 
throughout this book. First let's discuss what we know about 
Dumbledore up to the beginning of book six.
  
  (1) He is always kind and thoughtful, and has a playful sense of 
humor.
  (2) He is polite to the extreme.
  (3) He doesn't fail to admit when he has made a mistake, and will 
be the first to admit "the trappings of an old man."
  (4) He has an extreme amount of patience with Harry, and shows a 
generous amount of compassion and caring towards him.
  (5) He is widely known as the most powerful wizard in the world.


   Now, take each item above and contrast it with his demeanor in HPB.

  (1 and 2) His sense of humor and politeness are a bit out of whack 
in two instances, first at the Dursley's and then with Slughorn. He 
forces his way past Vernon and into the house, forcefully sitting all 
three of them on the couch, and then proceeding to knock them about 
their heads with goblets full of mead. Now, this could be a sign of 
his disgust at the way Harry has been treated all his life, but 
Dumbledore has never struck me as the type to make such a point.
   When he figures out Slughorn has transfigured himself, DD pokes 
him very hard with the tip of his wand, hard enough to cause Horace a 
little pain. This is a former professor, with whom DD seems to be 
friends with, and he does this in front of Harry. Very 
uncharacteristic of Dumbledore.

  (3) He is very adamant about his trust of Snape, no matter what 
Harry tells him. He will not flinch in this regard, even when Harry 
tells him about the overheard conversation between Draco and Snape. 
To not even consider Harry's suspicions, especially when we come to 
find out that even Minerva has brought it up in the past, is very 
suspicious to me.

  (4) When he orders Harry to retrieve the memory from Horace, he is 
very angry and short with Harry when Harry tells him he has failed to 
do so. He is also short with Harry when it comes to discussing 
Severus Snape.

  (5) Perhaps the most important of all...regardless of how old he 
is, or whether his reflexes are failing him, DD is a powerful wizard. 
When facing LV in the Ministry, he was very casual, without fear, and 
was in complete control. Now comes HBP...he allows a ring to nearly 
kill him, gravely injuring him in the process. A potion weakens him 
to the point of death. He is disarmed by a mediocre, teenage wizard 
with no real talent.

  These things all are all mysterious to me, and I would appreciate 
any theories you may have. The DD we knew throughout the series was 
absent in this story, and I am wondering why. Where was Fawkes 
throughout the whole thing...how could Malfoy (Malfoy!!!!)get the 
best of him...why on earth would DD proclaim that he was not worried 
because he was with Harry? Very uncharacteristic...


Chris
who right now is so puzzled about a powerful wizard that seems to 
have lost his power