UV = DDM? (was:Re: OFH! Snape again. WAS: Straightforward readings?

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 140829

> >>Betsy Hp:
> > Of course Dumbledore didn't *choose* to die!  He destroyed the   
> > ring horcrux and was mortally wounded as a result.
> > <snip>
> > No, Dumbledore didn't choose death, but when it came he did      
> > choose to not freeze in the face of it and to make sure his death 
> > was meaningful.

> >>Sherry:
> I can't find anything meaningful in Dumbledore's death.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
The death itself is not meaningful, of course.  I didn't phrase that 
well.  But Dumbledore *is* dying, IMO.  He was dying the entire 
year.  Now, he could have retired to the Bahamas and died peacefully 
on the beach.  He could have loaded himself down with explosives and 
stormed Voldemort's lair (assuming Voldemort *has* a lair) and gone 
out in a blaze of glory.  *Or* he could make sure that his death puts 
Snape as close to Voldemort as he could possibly get, thereby helping 
Harry achieve victory (and, you know, live to talk about it).

> >>Sherry:
> I am never resigned to death and never think it's a good thing.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
That's not what I'm suggesting at all.  I don't think Dumbledore was 
*resigned* to death.  He didn't *fear* it though.  As his end speech 
in PS/SS made clear.  And there is a difference.

> >>Sherry:
> I don't necessarily believe Dumbledore was either dying from the   
> injury to his hand or the potion in the cave.

Betsy Hp:
Well, that blows my entire theory. <g>  But, I'm curious, why do you 
suppose Dumbledore was in such a rush throughout HBP?  And why did he 
have a peaceful look on his face at the end.  If his trusted friend 
had betrayed him, don't you think he should have had a look of deep 
sadness?

> >>Sherry:
> <snip>
> It doesn't help to have Snape be firmly seen to be in Voldemort's  
> camp, because nobody will believe a word that comes out of his     
> mouth now. 

Betsy Hp:
Draco might.  And Harry may well believe Draco if he shows up with 
some important information.  Or, if a bumblebee  patronis suddenly 
shows up with some important information, Harry might believe that.  
Or maybe no information will show up but when Voldemort moves in for 
the kill his most trusted Death Eater may stab him in the back.  Or 
maybe Harry will receive something from Dumbledore (letter, bottled 
memory) proving once and for all that Snape is a good guy.  (Though 
frankly the last option seems too clearcut, IMO. Where's the drama?  
Where's the angst?)

There are a number of advantages to having a trusted man very, very 
close to your enemy.  Dumbledore, I'm sure, is aware of many of them.

> >>Sherry:
> And even if they could be convinced, how on earth is having Snape  
> close to Voldemort more important than having Dumbledore alive,
> the only wizard that Voldemort ever feared.

Betsy Hp:
It's not.  I've never suggested Dumbledore committed suicide.  I've 
suggested that Dumbledore sustained a mortal injury, realized he was 
dying and manuvered things so that his death would not be competely 
without use. (It's like in Aliens, when that soldier chick is 
mortally wounded so she sets off that grenade when all the baby 
aliens are on her so her crew can get away.)

> >>Sherry:
> We lose one great weapon for a not so great and not very wise      
> replacement.  It just doesn't make sense to me.  I suppose that is 
> because I cannot fathom the death ever making sense.
> <snip>

Betsy Hp:
Of course Dumbledore's death doesn't "make sense".  Dumbledore should 
have lived for many, many, more years.  But Dumbledore chose to take 
part in a war.  He chose to destroy Voldemort's ring horcrux.  And I 
believe he sustained a mortal wound.  Through Snape's skill as a 
healer, and Dumbledore's own power, Dumbledore managed to buy himself 
a year.  A year during which he put things into as much order as he 
could.  And even while dying (I seriously doubt the poison he drank 
in the cave helped matters) Dumbledore managed to save Draco and 
possibly (I think probably) Snape.  And I think he managed to put 
Snape into a position where he could most help Harry (and Draco too, 
for that matter) and therefore the Order and the WW.

Dumbledore managed to make his *life* meaningful right up to the very 
moment he died.  Not a bad eulogy, IMO.  (Heck of a lot better 
than, "Dumbledore - kinda of a trusting fool, really.")

Betsy Hp (who's on her fourth post, but couldn't help trying to 
clarify)