Dumbledore's death

[Derek Thorburn]

No: HPFGUIDX 139190

I have twice read HBP, and must confess that I was shocked by the ending - 
it just left you feeling floored.

On my second read, however, I felt there was something very strange about 
DD's death.  When Snape's curse hit him, after being blasted off his feet, 
we read that he stayed under the dark mark for a second, then slowly fell 
over the tower and out of sight.  I have read some of the editorials on 
Mugglenet and there is doubt as to whether DD is really dead and a few 
people I have spoken to feel that there's a twist to it and that we'll see 
him returning in the next book.  Let's not forget that DD is a most skilled 
wizard, was once transfiguration teacher and can perform magic without his 
wand.  I have to say I agree with them, as the only people who knew about 
the horcruxes and Harry's private lessons were DD, Harry, Ron and Hermione. 
Dumbledore has not authorized Harry to tel anybody else, hence the reason 
Harry refused to tell McGonigalwhere they had been that night.  However, if 
DD is really dead, and Harry returns to Hogwarts, DD's portrait will surely 
need to brief McGonigal, who, as we know, is now Headmistress.

Derek