[HPforGrownups] Re: Harry without Dumbledore

[Bart Lidofsky]

No: HPFGUIDX 169125

Lauren:
>A concern I have with the upcoming DH is that if
>Dumbledore is really gone, how will Harry get the help
>he needs? So far, Dumbledore has always helped Harry.

Lynda:
>Harry is no longer 11. He is also very self-reliant, due to his mistrust of
>adults, courtesy of the Dursleys. And, from some statements she's made, dead
>or alive, and I do think he's dead, Dumbledore is still around in some form.

Bart:
And, he DOES have help. Professor Snape, when running away, gave Harry a set of instructions on what he needs to do to defeat Voldemort. If this is by accident, well, he still got them. 

However, whether or not Dumbledore expected not to survive, it is very hard to believe that he didn't have a backup plan. The only reason I can think of for not passing his Horcrux theories to others (and note that Ron and Hermione know it based on Dumbledore's explicit instructions for Harry to share the information with them, and Slughorn has almost certainly guessed), help will be available from OOP members, at least those whose brains have not been addled by being knocked unconscious too many times.

Looking at this as a story instead of real life (always a good idea), and, as a strong adherent to the DDM!Snape theory because, although it makes less sense real life, it makes more sense as a story device, at least to me, I will make the following predictions (some of which have been mentioned before):

1) Snape will prove himself to be against Voldemort, making a move (I'll give 75-25 that it results in Snape's death) that, while it won't defeat Voldemort, it will give Harry an extra edge (like the old cop movie cliche of the supposedly dead cop shooting at the bad guy, missing, but giving the hero an extra bit of time through the distraction).

2) I suspect that even if ESE!Snape is true, the same thing will happen, although it may be inadvertent on Snape's part.

3) Peter will have an opportunity to stop Harry, but will not take advantage of it (either through choice, or hesitating). 

4) Harry will NOT find all the Horcruxes personally. 

5) I WAS going to make a "death list", but I think that deserves its own thread.

Bart