The killing of Albus Dumbledore, headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during Harry Potter’s student life, under the hands of Potions professor Severus Snape, has become one of the most heartbreaking moments not only in the “Harry Potter” novel series but in the history of literature.
It offered a paradigm shift to readers who were surprised that a strong and good-willed character like Dumbledore would be decided by the author J. K. Rowling to get killed in the story. This PVP Live discussion will revisit this moment and break down the facts, answering the questions you might still have in your mind right now.
The Killing Of Dumbledore
Because readers have invested their emotions in such a noteworthy character like Dumbledore, seeing him gone in the last chapters of the sixth installment, “Half-Blood Prince,” is hard to accept.
A fan, TheStellarPirate, posted on Reddit, “His death was something completely unexpected and by the hands of Snape, to say the least. A complete shocker. It hit me way harder than even Sirius’s death and really gave a signal of how dark the journey was about to become.”
So, let’s revisit. What exactly happened during the time Dumbledore was murdered by Snape?
It all began when Dumbledore and Potter made their way back to Hogsmeade via the Side-Along Apparition charm after getting weakened by the potion in the cave, where they found the fake locker of Salazar Slytherin, one of Lord Voldemort’s Horcruxes. Then, they saw the Voldemort’s Dark Mark hovering above Hogwarts’ Astronomy Tower. They then rushed back on brooms borrowed from Madam Rosmerta.
But, the tower was empty. At Dumbledore’s command, Potter wore the Invisibility Cloak to fetch Snape. However, hearing footsteps, the headmaster froze Harry just as Draco Malfoy burst in and disarmed him. The Slytherin student hesitated, and the headmaster attempted to reason with him when four Death Eaters, including Corban Yaxley and Fenrir Greyback, arrived and pressured Malfoy to murder Dumbledore. But Draco couldn’t do it, so Snape arrived, intervened, and killed Dumbledore just like that.
Potter was in shock, watching as Snape, Malfoy, and the Death Eaters left the scene. He froze Yaxley and entered the battle, blasting Greyback and Amycus Carroy aside to protect Ginny Weasley. Potter then pursued Snape and Malfoy, but the murderer deflected all curses and prevented Potter from getting harmed, saying it was Voldemort’s orders. As the rest of the Death Eaters were escaping, Potter rummaged for his wand, which Snape blasted away, and was left to process the tragedy he’d just witnessed.
Those who are looking closely may anticipate that Snape could be up to something important, as he was revealed to be the Half-Blood Prince, which was the title of this part of the series where the killing of Dumbledore happened.
Why Was It A Shock? Why Would Snape NOT Kill Dumbledore?
Looking at the surface, it would seem that this incident shouldn’t come as a surprise. Snape had always been a villain from the beginning, keeping a cold heart against Potter and his friends (though he was later revealed to have romantic connections with Lily, Harry’s mother).
But it was a shock, not just for Potter but for the entire wizarding and Muggle world (Muggle, meaning the readers). Here’s why Snape would not kill Dumbledore if he had a choice.
First of all, Snape wasn’t at all evil. He wouldn’t kill Dumbledore if he had a choice because you know how he was deeply loyal and had profound respect for the headmaster. Dumbledore was Snape’s mentor who forgave him and gave him a second chance after Snape’s dark past as a Death Eater.
Furthermore, Snape had this commitment to protect Potter, albeit subtle, because he still loved his mother. But here’s the twist.
Snape may have been “acquitted” of his wrongdoing as it was later revealed that Dumbledore was already dying from magic cancer, and the Potions professor did that to also spare Malfoy from becoming a murderer and to keep Snape’s cover within the ranks of Voldemort.
Some schools of thought say Snape’s act was an act of obedience and sacrifice rather than a personal choice.
Why Did Snape Kill Dumbledore?
But, the truth would remain. A killing happened regardless of whether Snape was loyal to Dumbledore and Dumbledore already had a “cancer.” He could still enjoy the rest of his life, eh!
1. Dumbledore May Have Wanted It All Along
There are a lot of theories surrounding this historic scene, just like how sports or political commentators would gather to talk about an event. One theory said that Dumbledore wanted to die all along.
Aside from the fact that he was already suffering from pain from the curse he received when he wore the Gaunt ring, he was also weakened by the potion he drank in the cave.
That was why Dumbledore said, “Severus, please,” those theorists said.
2. Snape Had To Be A Double Agent
Others also looked closely and related the killing to how he needed to succeed as a double agent. He had to remain a trusted Death Eater, Voldemort’s right hand, but he also needed to stay in those ranks to remain an insider and help Potter and his friends on their quest, such as when Snape sent his doe Patronus to the lake when he hid Godric Gryffindor’s sword.
3. It Was Pure Evil – No More, No Less
But others wouldn’t let go of the fact that there was no hint of goodness in Snape’s deed, not even a drop. They pointed out the scene at the beginning of the sixth book when Snape was with Draco’s mom and former Azkaban prisoner Bellatrix Lestrange. Draco’s mom feared what killing would do to her son, so Snape promised to protect Draco and do it instead. This was the Unbreakable Vow deal. So, all along, the assassination of Dumbledore had been carefully planned.
Re-watch “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” now on streaming platforms like HBO GO, Peacock, and Netflix.
