HBP theories...

[Nate Hennessey]

No: HPFGUIDX 159422

Re: HBP theories... 


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "x_dreamsmadeflesh_x"
<x_dreamsmadeflesh_x at ...> wrote:

> Theory #1: Dumbledore is not really dead. Maybe Dumbledore and Snape
> used polyjuice potion and switched. I was thinking that maybe Snape
> felt that he owed Dumbledore one last favor and switched because he
> knew Lord Voldemort's plans to kill Dumbledore. Does anyone else
think
> this might be true?

Nate writes:
Hi there, welcome!
I am of the persuasion that Dumbledore is definitely dead. I think
that JKR has gone out of her way to tell us this. However, I do
believe that there are intances in HBP where Snape or another
imposter is pretending to be Dumbledore.

The first occurs in Chapters 3-4, where Dumbledore arrives at the 
Dursleys and takes
Harry to see Horace Slughorn. In these chapters, there are a few
references to the current time as the action takes place, and it
would seem that around an hour passes between Dumbledore arriving at
the Dursleys and the time where Dumbledore excuses himself to use the
toilet at Slughorn's (supposedly to allow Harry to sweet-talk
Slughorn into returning to Hogwarts, but also an opportunity for the
imposter to replenish his/her dosage of polyjuice). There is also
discussion in this chapter by Dumbledore, asking Harry how he knows
that Dumbledore isn't an imposter. I think that that particular point
is quite telling.

I've picked out some quotes below to illustrate my points, however
I'm sure if you do an internet search you will come up with a more
cohesive theory than the one I illustrate below.

1st reference to the time:
"An alarm clock, repaired by Harry several years ago, ticked
loudly on the sill, showing one minute to eleven." pg 46 of HBP
(Bloomsbury, UK edition, 2005).

2nd reference to the time:
"The minute hand on the alarm clock reached the number twelve, and
at that precise moment, the streetlamp outside the window went
out." pg 47. Making the time 'Dumbledore' arrives 11pm. However,
at this point, we are not told it is Dumbledore. Harry sees:
"A tall figure in a long, billowy cloak was walking up the garden
path." 

3rd reference to the time:
"The church clock chimed midnight behind them." pg 62. Here
Dumbledore and Harry arrive in Slughorn's village. Making it exactly
one hour since 'the figure' arrived at the Dursley's, assuming the
two clocks correlate exactly (which in real life they probably would
not).

On pg 63, Dumbledore tells Harry he should have asked Dumbledore a
personal question to make sure he wasn't a Death Eater or an imposter
(which seems to draw attention to the idea that Dumbledore may in
fact be an imposter).

Finally on pg 70, right in the middle of conversation with Slughorn,
"Dumbledore stood up rather suddenly.
'Are you leaving,' asked Slughorn at once, looking hopeful.
'No, I was wondering whether I might use your bathroom,' said
Dumbledore."
It seems to me that either Dumbledore had a sudden attack of the
bladder (as old men do) or the imposter's polyjuice finally started
to wear out, and he/she had to go and retake the potion.

Another few points about the imposter, who I believe may be Snape.

On pg 48, we are told Dumbledore is dressed in a "long black
travelling cloak" which seems a bit at odds with his normal
bright coloured clothing (However, he could be wearing this for
stealth purposes - it would make sense that he wants to be concealed,
after all, he has also done something to the streetlamps, presumably
using his putter-outer). The point I am also trying to make here is
that the Dumbledore figure could be Snape - who is known for his
billowy black robes. This would also explain the references to the
time which permeate these two chapters - polyjuice use, timed to run
out around an hour later.

Also note that Dumbledore "drew his wand so rapidly that Harry
barely saw it" pg 50 - as if he didn't want Harry to identify it.
(Or, so that he didn't scare the muggles - there's at least two
interpretations of every quote I use here)

The time between Harry sighting the figure outside and the time Harry
dresses and makes it downstairs could be a few minutes, giving the
imposter time to down his polyjuice. The reason I don't think the
figure had taken the polyjuice before arrival is illustrated above -
Harry hears the clock chime twelve at Slughorn's, before Dumbledore
disappears into Slughorn's bathroom. However, it would make more
sense that Snape took the polyjuice before arriving at the Dursleys -
he wouldn't want to expose his movements to any Death Eaters, Order
Members or Ministry Officials watching the Dursley's home.

However, you have to note that if this is Snape, he is remarkably
good at a) playing Dumbledore and b) not showing his true feelings
regarding Sirius (whose property is discussed in chapter 3).

One final point - which could be taken either that Dumbledore didn't
know he was going to die (if it is Dumbledore) or an ironic statement
on the part of the imposter, on pg 58, Dumbledore tells the Dursleys:
'Until we meet again.'

Another part of the book where it has been suggested Dumbledore is
being played by an imposter (ie Snape) is Chapter 26 (pg 519).

On pg 520, Dumbledore's movements are compared to the
"Sudden agility of a much younger man."

On pg 521, Dumbledore refers to Tom Riddle as 'Lord Voldemort'
where he usually used the name Tom Riddle.

On pg 522, Dumbledore realises that he's dried his on robes, but left
Harry soaking wet (rather uncaring?)
He is also remarks about the cave's defenses being blood-bound.
'Oh surely not. So crude.'
and further on pg 523, it is stated:
"'I said it was crude,' said Dumbledore, who sounded disdainful,
even disappointed, as though Voldemort had fallen short of the
standards Dumbledore expected."
This seems to me to be something Snape would remark on, especially
since at one point he must have held Voldemort in some sort of
esteem, something that Dumbledore never seemed to do. Recall that
Snape is the man that guarded the Philosopher's stone with a complex
logic potion (although it's ironic that a first year cracked it), not
something crude like blood.

On pg 523, Dumbledore heals his own hand "it was healed instantly,
just as Snape had healed Malfoy's wounds." An interesting
comparison?

For more information on the latter theory, see Professor Mum's
theory 'Severus Stands In' on livejournal, linked below:
http://professor-mum.livejournal.com/5922.html#cutid1 - Part One 
http://professor-mum.livejournal.com/6547.html#cutid1 - Part Two

Nice to meet you, cheers, Nate!