Did Dumbledore ever kill anyone?

Question

At the end of HBP, I was wondering how such a powerful and feared wizard like Dumbledore could've died so easily. I was also wondering if he had ever killed anyone, thus enabling him to create a horcrux (ex: Fawkes the phoenix.. this would explain more deeply the meaning of the name, "Order of the Phoenix"). I was thinking that possibly Snape killed Dumbledore in order to gain trust back from Voldemort, allowing him to truly be a spy from the order, fully knowing that Dumbledore is not really dead. Snape's skill in Occulemens (sp?) would also be an asset to his spying due to the fact that this would prevent Voldemort from reading his true thoughts and/or possessing him. Any thoughts??

Answer 1

That seems completely out of Dumbledore's character. Good try though.

Your thoughts about Snape though, you have to remember that Snape is Snape. He is beyond the sort of simplistic categorization as "good" or "evil", IMHO. I do believe he is not as evil as he appeared at the end of HBP. It would take too much space to really go into this in detail, but consider this:

It is well known that Snape played the double-agent prior to the death of Harry's parents, and there is no reason to believe he wasn't still a double agent on the anti-Voldemort side. Why then did he bind himself to the success of Draco's mission and then actually kill Dumbledore?
My answer: Dumbledore knew that destroying Slytherin's ring had fatally wounded him and Snape knew so too. Therefore he allowed himself to be bound to Dumbledore"s death, a death he knew was imminent and against which he knew Dumbeldore had taken precautions to ensure that his death would not derail the anti-Voldemort movement.

Now, on the other hand, if Snape has turned coats; why did he not kill Harry* or disable him and take him helpless to Voldemort? JKR made it clear that Harry is no match for Snape as a wizard (yet). If you look at Snapes "taunts" at Harry and put them into anyone else's mouth, they're very good advice on what Harry needs yet to learn to fight strong adult wizards on anything like equal terms.
My answer is that Dumbledore at some point shortly after Harry was orphaned made Snape take an unbreakable vow to protect Harry. This fits in perfectly with Snape's actions toward Harry in the books thus far. Yes, Snape is a mean SOB to Harry, but that is Snape's personality, and he didn't vow to be nice to Harry after all.

My conclusion is that in Book Seven, Snape will act covertly and eventually overtly to aid Harry, that he will likely live, and that Harry will be just as in the dark over Snape's motivations as when Harry entered Hogwarts. (BTW, the above is why I don't think Harry will die. If I'm right, then Snape dies too if Harry dies, and Snape is the ultimate survivor).

*My reading of the prophecy is that there is no requirement that either has to directly kill the other, just that one no longer lives, so I think Snape certainly could have killed Harry and talked his way out of it afterwards

Answer 2

1. Dumbledore never made a horcrux. He believed there were worse things than death. He may very well have killed someone but it is not actually killing that rips the soul but "..the supreme act of evil. By commiting murder." that enables you to create the horcrux. This is something I do not believe of Dumbledore.
2. If Dumbledore were real I don't think he would have agreed that his death was easy. He was suffering from the effects of a curse that could have killed him if Snape hadn't stopped it's spread. He had just drank 10 goblets of poison that was also slowly killing him. On top of that he had no wand although I am sure he was powerful enough to overcome that. I do believe he is good and dead but there is more of Dumbledore to come. As he and Harry said "He will only be gone from the school when none here are loyal to him."
3. Snape already had Voldemorts trust, well as much trust as Voldemort has for anyone. I do believe Snape was telling Bellatrix the truth when he gave her the answers he gave to Voldemort. His skill as a Occlumens could work just as well against Voldemort as against Dumbledore. Although I think Snape will turn out on the good side in the end and that he may have killed Dumbledore because Dumbledore insisted he follow through with it.

Answer 3

We don't know that Dumbledore has ever killed anyone - no hint of this is ever given, and personally I don't think it's likely. His "defeat" of Grindewald could mean he killed him, or it could mean Dumbledore neutralized him, took away his powers, put him in wizard jail, etc.

Dumbledore certainly would NEVER create a Horcrux, because he explains to Harry that it is a sad and terrible thing for a person to split their soul like that... that true power comes a soul that is whole and complete, like his and Harry's. I think it is more likely that Fawkes is Dumbledore's familar (like a Patronus for adults or the pet owl/cat/rat for children).

It's definitely unclear whose side Snape is really on, and whether he is acting as a double agent for Voldemort or Dumbledore; his skills as an Occlumens is very helpful here. It's possible that Snape's reluctant promise to Dumbledore was to protect Harry from harm, and protect Malfoy from becoming a murderer (and thus going over to the dark side), and to kill Dumbledore himself if need be. Dumbledore is wise enough to know that death is not the end of the fight, merely "the next great adventure."

But we'll find out for sure next month!

Answer 4

I think he died easily because you know how snape and him had a fight, I think it was snape telling dumbledore that he had made an unbreakable vow to kill him, but didn't want to but dumbledore told him he had to. So when snape looks disgusted at dumbledore, he is really disgusted at what he has to do and when dumbledore says please he is not begging him not to kill him but begging snape to kill him. Although the horcrux idea is good jk has said dumbledore is not coming back, he is definitely gone. If he was still there then harry would have some protection, but he has to be completely alone (both sirius and dumbledore died)

Answer 5

Yes, During the scene that will be in part 2 when Snape dies and gives Harry his memories, Harry sees Dumbledore making Snape agree to kill him, if needed.

Answer 6

Redunicorn is right in 1945 Dumbledore defeated Grinelwald.Guess he killed him .
I don't think Dumbledore "died so easily" thou ,
I think he told Snape t....oh sorry Snape fans "Professor Snape" LOL I think Dumbles told Professor Snape to kill him if it would save his spying career.
Also I think Snape did not wont to kill him and that is why dumbledore begged him.
He was not begging him to "not "kill him.He was begging him "to" kill him.Older people are wiser they know what's for the best.
Maybe he was ready to die ,After all "deaf is only the next great adventure" LOL Or at least thats what I think .Its Rowlings story ask her.....or you can wait intill July 21 first and find out for your self.........yeah that might be easier. LOL

Answer 7

In 1945 Dumbledore defeated the Dark Wizard Grindelwald, so I assume that means he killed him.

Rawlings says that Dumbledore is dead but that there is a problem with him. I think Snape was asked to kill Dumbledore to get in good with Voldemort. The rest we shall see in a month.

Answer 8

he killed grindelwall.n he defeated many supporters of G.
it's in Hogwarts:A History.
besides tht sure he killed some of voldie's death eaters,never said who.
snape killed D cuzhe preyed on an old man's weakness/kindness/compassion.he sure is downright evil.
why can't anyone aceept tht?harry is right.