It's more complex than that....

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 164836

In a recent interview in the 'Guardian - Observer', Dan
Racliffe has given a very nice interview. In the 
interview, he speaks of JKR visiting the set of the 
movie to take a break from her writing.

Dirty Harry
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,2008889,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=1

Here is a quote -

"But honestly, he (Dan) says, he has no idea of how the 
series will end. Nor does he want to. He's a Potter fan,
like everyone else. 'Jo came down to the set at one point
and I said, "Oh hello, why are you here today?" And she 
said, "Oh I just needed a break from the book - 
Dumbledore's  giving me a lot of trouble." And I (Dan) 
said, "But isn't he dead?" And she said, "Well, yeah, but
it's more complex ..." I was like, [briskly] "OK, I'm not
gonna ask anything else!""

"Dumbledore is giving me a lot of trouble". I don't think
for a minute that this means that Dumbledore is not dead.
I'm sure he is quite dead, but I always expected him to
be in the last book even if he is dead. Harry's parents
are dead and they have made several appearances in the
Series.

We already know that Dumbledore has one enduring presence
in the remaining book; his portrait. That will be 
something. I just can't imagine Dumbledore's portrait
being there and Harry not talking to it a time or two.
In addition, I suspect there are penseive memories and
perhaps some letters. So, that represents Dumbledore's
presence in the book. 

In some way the wise old now-dead mentor alwasy finds
a way to make his presence felt, but that doesn't mean
he will be jumping out from behind the curtain saying
"Just kidding". 

So, as naturally assumed by me, and as vaguely confirmed
by JKR, Dumbledore will have some role to play in the
final book. I'm looking forward to it.

Just passing it along. (also, it 2am, I'm probable the
first to read the article and make the inevitable 
comment)

Steve/bboyminn