Dumbledore's Past? - Switching Bodies

[lealess]

No: HPFGUIDX 168905

> bboyminn:
>
> Let me summaries, Snape and Dumbledore switched bodies.
>
> Which means that on the tower when Snape killed
> Dumbledore, it was really Dumbledore killing Snape?
> Right?
>
> My first thought is, where in the series has it been
> established that people can switch bodies. That seems
> like something pretty big to drop on us without a
> single clue to its existence. Though I admit that we
> are vaguely aware of a Transfiguration 'Switching'
> Spell, but have no indication it means 'switching'
> in the sense presented here.
>
> Second, to what end? What was the purpose? Why would
> Snape and Dumbledore even conceive of such an idea?
> Dumbledore is not exactly a dunderhead, he is probably
> the greatest living wizard on earth. I can see no
> real practical reason for them to switch. The 'Switch'
> does serve the theory, but how does the theory serve
> the story?
>
> I'm not saying you are right or wrong, only that I
> don't agree. Still...alway love a good theory.
>
> Steve/bboyminn
>

Sorry, I don't have time to make a long reply. What it means is that
they switched *back* during the time it took for them to look at each
other on the Tower, sort-of in the same way Voldemort jumped out of
Harry's body in the Ministry. That last-minute switch on the Tower
would mean that Snape would have first-hand knowledge of exactly what
was ailing Dumbledore, which might have enabled him to make his
decision much more quickly.

Why would they switch in the first place? Because Dumbledore is in
failing health and Snape has first-hand knowledge of the kinds of
protections Voldemort might use to protect his Horcruxes. Snape may
have made the potion. He may have been involved perpherally in
Regulus Black's first attempt to get this particular Horcrux. And,
maybe Dumbledore really does trust Snape, and wants him to let him
have the opportunity to participate in the big adventure, too, and
get to know/teach Harry in the process.

Arguing against this is Snape's utter dislike for Harry, of course,
and his habit of handling things on his own.

You are probably right, however; to introduce a new spell at this
point would be unexpected. If we were going to see a Voldemort-type
possession again, it might have already happened. This switched-
bodies theory (not mine, by the way -- just something I thought was
interesting) does answer a lot of questions about expressed regrets
after drinking the potion and odd behaviors on the part of
Dumbledore, however.

lealess