Given author J.K. Rowling's online presence lately, it can be argued that the Harry Potterbooks haven't aged as well as other fantasy works. The author's belated revelations about Dumbledore's sexuality among other topics were also criticized as queer-baiting. Still, Dumbeldore remains one of the most controversial and frequently discussed figures in the series, and newcomers who somehow managed not to get spoiled are bound to wonder: did Dumbledore really die in The Half-Blood Prince, and if so, why?
There was a time shortly after the publication of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince that talking about Dumbledore's death was the worst spoiler one could make. "Snape killed Dumbledore" was not a thing to say publicly, since it would spoil newcomers' experience but many did talk about it, to the point that it's now nearly impossible to come to the fandom for the first time without this knowledge.
It was only two years after The Half-Blood Prince that The Deathly Hallows came to explain the circumstances and reasoning behind the fan-favorite character's death. So, did Dumbledore really die?
The short answer is yes. The short answer to the question of who killed him and why, would be that Snape murdered him, being a traitor all along. At least that's what fans thought until the seventh and last book of the series came out. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, however, came to tell a very different story.
In the finale of the fantasy, series readers got access to Snape's memories about several events that happened during or before the timeline of the books – including the circumstances of Dumbledore's death.
It is revealed that Snape, who felt guilty for unintentionally allowing the death of Lily Potter whom he loved, decided to act as a double spy; Dumbledore's people believed that the former Death Eater had joined their side, while the Death Eaters believed that Snape was only spying, while actually being devoted to the dark side.
The series provides plenty of opportunities to question Snape's loyalties and only at the moment of his death are we 100% certain that he was actually loyal to Dumbledore. From Snape's accounts about Voldemort and the Death Eaters, Dumbledore was able to organize his counterattack.
It turns out that Dumbledore's plans reached further than most fans could guess; as far as his death and beyond. Shortly before the events of The Half-Blood Prince began, the headmaster of Hogwarts had come in content with a powerful ring which was actually a Horcrux. While Snape managed to contain the ring's evil power, part of it remained in Dumbledore's body and was going to kill him very soon.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore was informed that Draco Malfoy had been tasked by Voldemort with murdering him. Believing that Malfoy wasn't beyond saving, the already dying Dumbledore decided to pass on his own terms. Dumbledore ensured that Snape would kill him instead.
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This was a strategic choice that consolidated Voldemort's trust in Snape, allowing the latter to keep secretly working for the good side from a position of power. But Dumbledore's plans reached beyond his death. Through his clever manipulations, his death caused a chain of seemingly unimportant events which all turned out to be linked, allowing the defeat of Voldemort.
For fantasy fans, Dumbledore's death is one of the most memorable twists. The truth behind the reasons for his death is even more complex and frankly hard to take in at a first read. No matter how we feel about the books now, it's hard to forget that time when "Snape killed Dumbledore" was the worst form of spoiler.
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Albus Dumbledore was the most beloved wizard, professor, and Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He was also one of the greatest wizards who ever lived.
Dumbledore was the master of the Elder Wand, the most powerful wand in the wizarding world. He also founded and led the Order of the Phoenix, a group dedicated to fighting against Lord Voldemort.
Unfortunately, we know that he does die. All the students and professors at Hogwarts grieve deeply and miss him, and so do all of the fans and readers.
We all hope he could survive the killing curse or find some other way to come back to life and cheat death.
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Sadly, Albus Dumbledore does not come back to life. Some fans dispute this because in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter sees Dumbledore in a vision, and they discuss whether or not Harry should go back or join Dumbledore in this version of the afterlife. However, Dumbledore does not come back to life after that event.
Additionally, after his death, Dumbledore’s enchanted portrait hangs at Hogwarts and provides help to Harry and his friends.
Again, this does not mean Dumbledore is alive, as the portraits of deceased witches and wizards at Hogwarts are magically enchanted.
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Why Did Dumbledore Have to die?
It was necessary for Albus Dumbledore to die for a few reasons. Firstly, Dumbledore was dying anyway, and he only had about a year to live. Secondly, Lord Voldemort likely thought that if he was going to be defeated, it would be because of Dumbledore himself. Finally, Dumbledore’s death inspired Harry more than anything else could.
The reason Dumbledore was dying already was because he had one of Lord Voldemort’s seven Horcruxes. This Horcrux was a cursed ring, and Dumbledore touched it directly, cursing himself. Professor Severus Snape inspected Dumbledore’s hand and determined that he had, at best, a year left.
When Dumbledore was murdered, Voldemort probably thought he had the upper hand, and this made him even more vulnerable. He wouldn’t know that Harry Potter was hunting down Horcruxes and slowly getting closer to defeating him.
Dumbledore loved Harry like his own flesh and blood. Dumbledore could have chosen to die a slow death through the poison from the ring. But his death was the push that Harry needed to carry him through to taking down Voldemort for good.
Who Is the Headmaster of Hogwarts After Dumbledore?
After Professor Severus Snape killed Dumbledore, Professor Snape himself became Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
However, we must remember that Dumbledore had asked (or begged) Professor Snape to kill him. Professor Snape was ultimately loyal to Dumbledore and Hogwarts. Additionally, he died still loyal to his mission of conquering Voldemort because of his love for Lily Potter.
Later on, Professor Minerva McGonagall became the Headmistress of Hogwarts. Previously, Professor McGonagall stepped in as acting Headmistress when Dumbledore was away. However, she takes on the role permanently after both Dumbledore and Professor Snape died.
Which Book Did Albus Dumbledore Die In?
Professor Albus Dumbledore was killed in the sixth book of the series, Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince. He was murdered by Professor Severus Snape.
Snape raised his wand and pointed it directly at Dumbledore.
“Avada Kedavra!”
A jet of green light shot from the end of Snape’s wand and hit Dumbledore squarely in the chest. Harry’s scream of horror never left him; silent and unmoving, he was forced to watch as Dumbledore was blasted into the air: for a split second he seemed to hang suspended beneath the shining skull, and then he fell slowly backwards, like a great rag doll, over the battlements and out of sight.
Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince
“After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” – Albus Dumbledore
After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure, is a quote by Dumbledore from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
The context for this quote is that Dumbledore visits Harry in the hospital ward and explains to him that Nicholas Flamel must die in order to destroy the resurrection stone.
In some ways, he could also be alluding to the fact that Harry and Dumbledore himself will have to die for the greater good and that’s okay.
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