Oh, I don't think that Dumbledore's going to pull a Gandalf. I mean, okay, there's the whole Phoenix thing, so it's conceivable, but I think that runs counter to what he stands for and I think that it goes against the kind of story she's telling; the mentor figure dies so that the boy can do the whole Rites of Passage becoming a man thing. But I totally think that Dumbledore knew he was going to die - he's spent the whole book preparing Harry to take over when he's gone, helping him understand his enemy rather than teaching him useful skills. I think Snape has told him about the Unbreakable Vow and that he's making damned sure that Snape keeps to it. I don't know whether it will turn out that Dumbledore was actually dying slowly of his injuries already, but either way I think he knows he's going to die and that he's consciously accepted this as a worthwhile sacrifice. It puts Snape in an untenable position, but it really consolidates his position with the Deatheaters, and I think that's what the argument is about - Snape saying that D is asking too much, taking too much for granted etc.

I don't think that there's any question of JKR lying to the kids, but I think that Chapter 2 misleads them, in the same way that all the Mad Eye Moody stuff misleads them. All the data that tells us Snape is a good guy is right there in plain view, but because Harry still doesn't trust him, and because he clearly doesn't LIKE Harry, we're supposed to assume he's actually a villain. That's what Harry assumes. But I think Harry's wrong. Much like the Mad Eye Moody stuff, where there were clear pointers that he was NOT a good guy - but because he was nice to Harry, because the child he transfigures into a ferret and beats to a pulp is Draco, Harry's rival, Harry thinks he's a good egg.

Two things:

Has it been discussed that Snape possibly made an Unbreakable Vow to DD? Can the party who you made the vow too let you out of it?

And I agree with Knut and Fay. Rowling IS a better storyteller than that. DD is dead and might continue to help out via Fawkes or his portrait in the headmaster's office. And because she's a great storyteller, I am totally on the wave that Harry AND Voldemort die.

I've heard that theory bandied about, and it's plausible. Maybe more so than my own romantic Snape/Lily interpretation of events.

Astonishingly, I now do think it's possible that Harry might be dead as a doornail by the end of Book 7. I don't think it's likely, but I do think it's possible; if you'd asked me a month ago I wouldn't have, but now? Who knows.

(Incidentally, this whole 'OMFG!!!111!! YOU BITCH!!!!' response from the 'shippers post HBP boggles my mind.)

(Incidentally, this whole 'OMFG!!!111!! YOU BITCH!!!!' response from the 'shippers post HBP boggles my mind.)

It's Kitten Board all over again. Extra Deluxe Craxo.

I like the Snape was following Dumbledore's orders theory, though I have not yet decided if it's the one I subscribe to. I was discussing it with a coworker, and she didn't believe it, because why would Dumbledore immobilize Harry and make him watch Snape kill him? Apart from the fact that it's yet another awful, traumatic event to which Harry has borne witness, she thinks that Dumbledore must understand that if Harry saw Snape kill Dumbledore, there's no way he could ever trust Snape again. In other words, this is the most unforgivable thing that Snape could possibly do, in Harry's eyes, and Dumbledore must know that. So if it turns out that Snape is still loyal to the Order of the Phoenix after all, Harry is still never going to believe him. I still haven't made up my mind one way or another. But this same coworker insists that Sirius/Remus has no basis whatsoever in the books, so we clearly don't see eye to eye on all things HP...

t waves wand at HBP "Kittens"

Accico Craxy!

Kate, as for your coworker's question: it helps that Harry doesn't trust Snape, for Snape to be more trusted by Voldemort.

Misdirection, yes. There is lots of that. And, OK, I'll concede that there might have been some scheming going on between Dumbledore and Snape, although in part I think the theory comes from a place of Snape-worship. (Ducks.) But, nope on the second chapter. Not saying the first chapter was strong, but as Fay said, it's in keeping with the other books. The second, on the other hand, was uncharacteristically clumsy and heavy-handed misdirection, if misdirection it was. I stand by my opinion.

And I like Aimée's ending.

Ok, I have a Snape/Lily question:

In OotP, Harry sees his dad being a butthead and doesn't Snape, when Lily helps him, call her a "filthy mudblood" or summat?

All white font:

I was thinking about the "Harry won't believe it no matter what" factor, and then I remembered the Pensieve.