Alchemy (Was: Re: Okay, Who Dies?)

[Goddlefrood]

No: HPFGUIDX 170694

> Bruce Alan Wilson:

> I think that Hagrid and Fred will die.
 
> Hagrid because of his first name--Rubeus. The third and final 
> stage of alchemical transformation is the Rubendo, or Red Stage.  
> The first two are the Nigrendo (Black) and the Albendo (White).  
> So far we have had Sirius BLACK and ALBUS Dumbledore die.

Goddlefrood:

Obviously we shall see if there is any merit in the above in a 
very short time. I think there is very little in the alchemical 
based theories to predict death and I'll explain why in this 
post. An alternative way of linking alchemy to the series is 
also offered.

First, Nigredo - it means blackening, sorry to be pedantic. 
This stage of the alchemical process refers primarily to what 
happens before there can be any progress. All that has been 
formed is broken apart and becomes dark and dead. It would be 
more appropriate to compare the stages to Harry's reactions to 
death rather than to try to make it into a pattern of how the 
deaths roster would proceed.

In other words, Sirius's death leads to a shattering of all 
Harry's beliefs in the inherent underlying goodness in the 
wizarding world. Black's death marks the end of Harry's wonder 
of all things wizarding. From that point on he is focused to 
his task of tracking down and destroying Lord voldemort and 
all his evil works.

Second, Albedo - it refers to the whitening or enlightening of 
the process. Albus Dumbledore throughout HBP has been preparing 
Harry for what lies ahead. Harry is being taught and through that 
teaching he reaches the point by the end of HBP that he is aware 
of what he must do to move forward in his quest.

The wise old wizard must be got out of the way for the hero to 
proceed, this hads been achieved and JKR has also referred to it 
as something that had to happen. The upshot is that Albus had 
to die, but not because his name means white, as Albedo on a 
literal translation does not.

Albedo in fact has its roots in washing or cleansing. Harry has 
gone through the process of cleansing himself to proceed by both 
coming to terms with the deaths of his mentors and by accepting 
what he must do.

The final stage, Rubedo has its roots in love, despite it being 
interpreted as the reddening phase for the alchemy based death 
prediction theories. It will be through love that Harry conquers 
Lord Voldemort. There doesn't seem to be much real dispute about 
that and it has been a theme that has run throughout the series 
to date. Love being the power Voldemort knows not will be his 
ultimate downfall.

Rubeus will be fine, Madam Maxime will make sure of that. We 
shall all soon see though.

On others who might die I would offer the opinion that HRH will 
not but Severus Snape will. He will sacrifice himself, in my 
opinion, at a time crucial to the quest and Harry will ultimately 
believe that Snape was helping him and be grateful for it even if 
he does not forgive Snape completely. If not then heaven help 
Harry because he'll have few powerful wizards on his side.

Other than Lord Voldemort another major character who will die in 
my divination will be Arthur Weasley. He does have red hair and 
the alchemists can also claim they were right on the deaths if he 
dies ;-)

Goddlefrood