What really happened on the tower.

[Ken Hutchinson]

No: HPFGUIDX 155472

> Eggplant wrote:
> I predicted right after book 4 came out that Dumbledore would die at
> the end of book 6, and not a comic book death (see lord of the rings)
> where the wizard dies and then somehow comes back, Dumbledore will
> really and permanently be dead. For artistic reasons JKR had to do it,
> when Harry and Voldemort have their apocalyptic fight in book 7 he
> must do so alone. 
> 

Gandalf's resurrection may seem comic book to you, it isn't if you know
the backstory though. You can be forgiven if you don't since I don't 
think Tolkien gives much of it in the main story. There may be enough to 
piece it together in the material at the end for those who bother with it.
DD and Gandalf are in no way equivalent. DD is a human wizard, Gandalf
only appears to be one. Like the evil opponent, Sauron, Gandalf is a 
spirit being, a lesser angel. Sauron is a fallen angel, Gandalf remains
true to the cause. There is nothing comic book about Gandalf's 
ressurection, the destruction of his physical body did not harm his
essence and he was merely sent back to Middle Earth to coninue his
mission. Sauron himself returned from the death of his physical body,
possibly more than once, I forget now.

If Gandalf's ressurection is comic book than LV's is no less. It is only 
the lack (we presume) of a horcrux that prevents DD from making a 
comic book return of his own. For all we know DD does have a horcrux.
He "defeated" the dark wizard Grindlewald. We know nothing about 
this event except that it may have presented DD with the opportunity
to make a horcrux. I know many here would find the idea abhorrent.
I know it doesn't seem like the DD we know and I know that DD hates
horcruxes. Yet it is possible. Ex smokers are often the strongest 
supporters of anti-smoking laws after all.

I tend to think that DD is playing possum. There are "clues" in the 
text that point every which way so I don't see any way to hold a 
firm opinion of DD's fate. I agree that he and JKR feel that Harry 
needs to face LV alone so dead or alive I don't expect him to try
to help Harry face to face. I expect that he will help Harry behind
the scenes either in person, or if dead, by means of plans he set
in motion before his death. The resurrected Gandal did not appear
to Frodo and Sam but he did help them by creating the most 
excellent diversions.

Ken