Dumbledore's Last Act

[Milz]

No: HPFGUIDX 133052

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Penny Brooks" 
<pennygbrooks at y...> wrote:
> I'm along with those who believe that Dumbledore asked Severus 
Snape 
> to kill him, as some sort of pre-agreement (along the lines of 
those 
> he made with Harry).  However, I believe that there is more than 
one 
> reason for the request.
> 
> The first is that Dumbledore is weakened, and that he must 'take 
> himself out' before anything further can happen.  In addition, 
> perhaps in his portrait he has full use of his faculties and can 
> serve better in this form.  Just a thought.
> 

I agree with you to a point. I think that Dumbledore's sacrifice 
added to some protection magic for Harry. Rowling has borrowed from 
mythos around the world. So the sacrifice idea isn't too much of a 
stretch. C.S. Lewis used the herioc sacrifice in Lion, Witch, 
Wardrobe, where the ailing Aslan was sacrificed on the Stone Table 
and was reborn (yes, the Christ symbology is there). Within the HP 
books, Lily sacrificed herself for Harry, thus giving Harry 
protection.

So, I think Dumbledore's sacrifice will add to Harry's 
power/protection/(luck) in the Final Battle.

> The second is that he has to protect Draco Malfoy.  He knows that 
> Draco can't kill him, and was just going through the motions 
> throughout the school year so that Voldemort won't hurt his 
family.  
> However, with the Death Eaters there in the end, Dumbledore knows 
> that Draco will be pushed to do what he has been requested to do.  
> So, Dumbledore has Snape do it, so that Draco will not have to do 
> the terrible deed.  This will not only save Draco's (mental, and 
> perhaps physical) life, but also perhaps help him see where his 
> allegiances should lie in future battles and scenarios.
> 
> All right everyone:  dissect, and discuss!  Isn't this fun?
> 
> --Penny

Draco didn't have the ability to kill---at this time. But who knows 
what Book 7 will bring. Moreover, Draco's inability to kill might not 
bode well in the Death Eater culture. If we take a note from Ancient 
Greece, particularly the city-state of Sparta, those who embraced the 
fight to the death were the heroes. In other words, the DE's share 
the "with your sword or on it" mentality of the ancient Spartans. So 
Draco's inaction might be detrimental to his health and the health of 
the other Malfoys.

Milz (who hasn't posted here since the last book--lol)