Why I'm not convinced DD is dead (long)

[gelite67]

No: HPFGUIDX 148403

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Gregory Sopko" <gsopko at ...> 
wrote:
>
> Angie:
> <big snip>
> >> All of the above combined with all of the statements DD has made 
> about death (especially right before he "died" telling Draco how 
well 
> they could make the other side believe he was dead), certainly 
leaves 
> room for speculation, which is what I believe JKR intended, even if 
> it turns out that DD is truly dead.  On the other hand, I will 
concede 
> that all of the phoenix references and imagery support DD coming 
back 
> from the dead, not the appearance of being dead.  Hmmmm . . . . <<
> 
> 
> Gregory:
> A wonderfully lucid and well made argument for DD not being dead.  
> I believe that Rowling deliberately is making it vague to some 
> degree to keep us guess about the end of the story.  I remain 
> convinced DD is dead.  The whole story has been about Rowling 
> taking away people from Harry's life who could help him defeat 
> Voldemort.  In the end it's going to be a one on one confrotation 
> in which Harry will kill Voldemort.  DD said there are things far 
> worse than death.  Voldemort's greatest weakness is his fear of 
> death.  If DD cheats death even by pretending to be dead, it 
> vindicates Voldemort in his pursuit of trying to cheat death 
> himself, and I feel strongly that Rowling is not going to paint 
> herself into that moral dilema.  We will have to see when book 7 
> is released to see who is right but I have to applaud your effort 
> and your ideas.
>

Angie again:
Interesting point, but I don't agree that DD would be cheating death 
by faking his death to help defeat LV.  We know DD doesn't fear death 
and he hasn't attempted to avoid death or achieve immortality simply 
b/c he may have faked his own death.

If that's your take, then what do you make of all of the pheonix 
references and imagery -- is that cheating?  Should we expect DD to 
return in any manner (other than his portrait) if he is dead? It 
would be terribly inconvenient for Harry to have to run to HW to 
consult DD's portrait all the time.  I know Harry has to do some 
things on his own; that's part of his journey, but IMO, he's not 
ready for what's to come in Book 7 without further instruction -- for 
example, he doesn't know how to destroy a horcrux, does he?

BTW, I agree that the final battle will be Harry v. LV -- I don't 
expect DD to save the day, even if he's present. But that doesn't 
mean that DD can't help Harry get there and help him prepare for the 
final showdown. 

One last thought that just now came to me, which may weaken my 
theory.  As long as DD is alive, part of LV's energy/plans would be 
focused on, if not eliminating DD, at least protecting LV from any 
plans DD came up with.  If LV believes DD is gone, then he can focus 
more energy/plans on eliminating Harry -- yikes!  But then again, 
that may be what DD wants, to lull LV into a false sense of security 
about DD being gone.  It is conceivable that LV would implement some 
plan in DD's absence that he wouldn't if he knew DD was alive.  
Hmmm.  On second last thought, maybe this doesn't weaken my theory at 
all?