*When* did Dumbledore die?

[Constance Vigilance]

No: HPFGUIDX 145246

--- pippin wrote:
 
> Pippin
> who thinks that Fawkes's song proves Dumbledore is dead. On the
> other hand, we have heard phoenix song twice when there was no 
phoenix
> present. Once in CoS, where Fawkes's song is heard before he appears,
> and once in GoF during the duel with Voldemort.
>
CV: Fawkes' song may be an indicator of death, but I hardly think it 
is conclusive, for several reasons. One you posited yourself and is 
quoted above. Secondly, I believe Dumbledore consumed some Draught of 
Death. It could have been the Green Goo, or it could have been 
consumed at the bottom of the tower just after daubing on the blood 
for a faked death scene. In any regard, I believe the D of D is so 
powerful that it not only convinces wizardkind that the drinker is 
dead, but it can also convince phoenixes, portraits and hardware such 
as the Headmasters-Only lock on the Headmaster's Office.

As you have been pointing out, the blood is just too obvious to be 
unimportant. I'm smelling Red Herring. But there is something else 
that is an even stronger supporter of Dumbledore Is Alive and that is 
the presence of Dumbledore's patronus (the white phoenix) at the 
funeral. I think Dumble was sending a message to the members of the 
Order that he is alive and that The Plan, whatever it is, is operating 
according to design.

CV