Re: Dumbledore's "“peaceful expression”? (was: Dumbledore's pleading)

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 141770

Valky wrote:
> > > I think the Peaceful expression must come directly from the
description of the portrait.
> > 
Neri responded:
> > Thanks Valky, now I see it. It's Dumbledore's new *portrait* that
is described as "looking peaceful and untroubled".
> > 
> > But I don't think this is where the words "peaceful expression"
came from. In fact, it's very easy to trace exactly where they came
from. Just type "peaceful expression" in the search box <snip> You
might find this entertaining as I did <g>. 
> 
Carol responds:

I agree that we've conflated the dead Dumbledore's expression with
that of the portrait, but not without grounds. I traced the thread
back as far as my own post number 137162

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/137162

although the idea may go farther back still for all I know.

To quote my original point:

"Dumbledore's eyes are closed and he does not wear a surprised
expression (like Cedric and the dead Riddles, all of them killed by
unquestionable AKs). Dead Dumbledore looks remarkably like
Portrait!Dumbledore, peacefully asleep."

As far as I can see, this point is still valid. Cedric certainly
doesn't look like he's asleep. He looks dead, as do the Riddles. DD,
in contrast, appears composed. And even if you don't acknowledge that
looking like he's asleep means looking peaceful (as in the portrait),
there's no way to get around the closed eyes, which appear in no other
known AK victim, and again indicate that he had time to compose his
mind and reconcile himself to death as he fell. And that would also
mean time to register shock at Snape's behavior, if that was what he felt.

The post is the one in which I originally proposed that the AK might
be a disguised Impedimenta. I emphasize *might* as I'm not fully
persuaded myself. But anyone interested in the fake AK/failed AK angle
may find it of interest.

My apologies if the post led anyone to take the peaceful expression of
the dead DD as a given. It's an interpretation (IMO, a valid one)--not
intended to be regarded as "entertaining" in the sense you imply.

Carol