Dumbledore can be alive, if you squint just right (long)<snipped>

[sugaranddixie1]

No: HPFGUIDX 151477

 
>> Najwa wrote:
<snipped>

>>  If DD was alive
>> he pulled off some fancy footwork and a great sharade. I'd love to
>> believe he still was, but I highly doubt it. On the other hand, 
he's
>> got a portrait in Professor McGonagall's new office, so we haven't
>> heard the last of him. Sure he can't do much but talk and sleep, 
but
>> he can at least be there for advice and moral guidance, much like
>> Sirius was when he used the floo network to contact Harry.



ET: My personal wild and crazy theory about this is that the potion 
DD drank in the cave was the Draught of Living Death.  I don't think 
he swapped places with anyone.  The potion put him a in a coma-like 
state that is so close to death it evoked the portrait.  
Snape's "murder" of him was a feint designed to deceive LV.  LV will 
let his guard down as a result thinking he now only has to "take care 
of" Harry. (Not discounting the remaining members of the OOP, but DD 
was the one LV feared the most.)

ET: who went down the rabbit hole with Alice, but may have landed on 
her head....she really can't recall....  :D