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Dumbledore's Horcrux
by Jan-Marie Spanard
How does a wizard learn about the existence and properties of Horcruxes? Who knows what they are, how to make them, what they can do? What wizard would make a Horcrux? Under what circumstances? And for what reasons? And why are they so evil? Hermione is working very hard to answer these questions. As Hogwarts virtual library search-engine, she is coming up empty. But Tom Riddle did it, somehow.
> Read the full articlePages: << < 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 > >> Reader Comments: (Page 19) Jan-Marie,
Albus Dumbledore not come back to �life� the way we know it, because he would not have created a horcrux.
He mentioned that life with a split soul was no life, and that �For the organized mind, is just another great adventure�.
Remember that a horcrux is �Evil magic�, something that even if he knew how to perform, he would never do, no mater what.
That doesn�t mean he not be in the 7th book, he can �come back� through his own memories in the pensive, through conversations that Harry have with the other members of the order of the phoenix, especially with Albus�s brother Abeforth, as a kind of specter or ghost (although I don�t think this be the case) or as something that we have not yet have contact with. Posted by Emilio from Mexico City, Mexico on March 8, 2007 10:24 AM
you know what, i think that given all of this amazing information you have put together, you raise an excellent point. there is no reason your wrong. good thinking! Posted by Lewis from Australia on March 10, 2007 8:30 PM
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I debated this very theory with my best freind shortly after we read Half-Blood Prince. This article illustrates her side exactly! And I see some of the comments illustrate my argument, or parts of it anyway; good to know we're not the only ones to do so.
First and foremost, the act of ing may be evil, but if was the only evil thing about it, then books would likely say something along "of the Avada Kedavera curse we neither make mention nor give instruction" and it would also be banned and "Moody" would not have been allowed to teach it. I think the Moste Evil part of the horcrux is that the soul is stored OUTSIDE the body, and not inside where it belongs. I consider part of what made Tom Riddle unrecognizable after years of experiments was this mutilation AND EXTRACTION of his soul. While I do not think Albus would be above ing should the situation deem it nessisary, to believe that Albus would do something so horendous and against the very fabic of nature and the universe itself as to remove a part of his soul is to set myself against eveything I read in the cannon about his character. Consider this exchange between Minerva and Albus in the first chapter of Philosopher's Stone: "Lord Voldemort has powers I never have." "Only because you are too, well, noble to use them." I do believe that Albus is, sadly, . I knew it would eventually happen as soon as Cedric was ed. But one does hope the signs are wrong.
"To the well organized mind, is but the next great adventure." Now does that sound like a man who would 1) plea for life, (different thoery, I know) 2) take desparate strives to preserve/restore it. Not to me. I am, however, of the opinion that Albus is not in spirit, and he play a key part in ly Hallows. "He only truely be gone when none are loyal to him."
Please forgive me if the quotes are not exact. I'm doing this from memory. Posted by monkeeshrines from Orlando, fl on March 15, 2007 11:24 AM
It says Dumbledore "destroyed" Grindlewald, but it doesn't say how. Dumbeldore has stated that there are worse things than . This is why I don't believe that he created a Horcrux.
Though, if he did create a Horcrux, it could possibly be Hogwarts. Posted by William from Virginia on March 15, 2007 1:46 PM
Actually, the Chocolate Frog card says Dumbledore "defeated" Grindelwald... Posted by Dave Haber from Los Angeles, CA on March 15, 2007 4:03 PM
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So many comments have focused on Albus Dumbledore's theoretical inability to execute any dark magic. I really can see why readers want to believe that Dumbledore is not a flawed man but some sort of god, or perfect parent, or infallible being. It is always so tempting to see a character in this light.
But JKR has made it very, very clear that Dumbledore is a brilliant, good man...who is flawed. Whose mistakes and selfishness resulted in Sirius Black's , for example.
I know some of you feel outrage at this. And I can understand why. But JKR has given us a Dumbledore who makes mistakes and is not perfect. He is profoundly intelligent and quirky and clever and poised. But he is quick to tell us that he is human, he makes mistakes, he is not pureply rational and logical. He has a heart and that has caused him to act not with his mind but from his feelings.
We do know (from an interview JKR gave) that Grindlewald is definitely . Defeated, destroyed, whatever -- I think it has become clear that Dumbledore finished Grindlewald.
We also see, several times in the books, first in the very opening scene of Book 1 and later in conversations Harry has with Dobby, the subject of Dumbledore executing dark magic being brought up. I think there is a very good reason for this. I think we are meant to consider whether there might have been or might be in the future, instances in which a good wizard needs to use dark magic.
Why do you think it is that there is no text in the books that explores whether others at Hogwarts have ever used dark magic? Why is this point just raised in regard to Dumbledore?
Why do you think Dumbledore changes the subject and "blushes" in Book 1 when McGonagall says she knows he would never use dark magic, even though he is quite versed in it? Posted by Jan-Marie from New York on March 15, 2007 5:07 PM
I think Fawkes is dumbledores horcrux and i believe dumbledore has made a horcrux because i believe he has ed....in book 6 he says to malfoy "I don't think you me, Draco. ing is not nearly as easy as the innocent beleive..." he speaks as though he has done it before......and in book 4 GoF he introduces the penseive and says to harry... " i find it very useful when you want to clear your mind of things you dont want"....or something like that......but he could have easily ed someone made a horcrux and taken the memory out of his head.......that is a good possibility...can't wait for the ly Hallows book7 Posted by Jackie from Canada on March 15, 2007 10:35 PM
Some very good points, Jan-Marie!
I don't know about the others, but I personally do not think Albus has never used "dark" magic. I'm sure there are occations where he may have had to, like the Grindelwald thing everyone keeps mentioning. I note that our hero Harry has used some "dark" magic himself, and has even attempted (even though he failed) to use an Unforgivable Curse a couple times in anger. I just don't think that Albus has made a horcrux. I have no theories one way or the other about any other "dark" magic that Albus may or may not have committed.
I actually have an e-mail I sent to my friend (about this site!) that includes this: "For the record, I believe and want Albus to truly be at this point, if for no other reason than I would be disappointed that Jo would �sell out� like that. It�d be a much better bit of story-telling if he truly is ."
So that's my opinion. Posted by monkeeshrines from Orlando, fl on March 16, 2007 10:01 AM
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Jan-Marie and Monkeeshines, I think you are right in your contention that Dumbledore never made a horcrux. It would just be so totally out of character. To someone may, depending on the circumstances be inevitable. To take advantage of it for your personal gain, especially to use that person's loss of life to extend your own - to me that seems to be heading down a very slippery slope. I know plenty of people here have read Lord of the Rings - there is a very similar paralell in the character of Saruman. Saruman thought he could study the black arts of Sauron including the lore of the Ring, supposedly the better to understand the enemy and defeat him. Unfortunately that sort of power is seductive. It drew Saruman in and brought about his destruction. Gandalf on the other hand rejected the Ring and its power, even refusing to attempt to use it to bring about good. Same with Galadriel. (Boromir on the other hand did try to take the Ring. And he fell, although in repenting and then saving Merry and Pippin he did redeem himself.) I think for Dumbledore, using the Dark Arts, making a horcrux, would be on that level. It's the sort of power that cannot be used without compromising your soul. I believe that is a line Dumbledore would not cross. It is not a matter of making a mistake in handling people, or an error of strategy; it is a matter of moral choice. I just don't see any way around it. Posted by Elizabeth from Australia on March 18, 2007 03:00 AM
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Elizabeth,
I completely agree with your excellent summation of Dumbledore's character and reason for not using the Dark Arts. I see a similarity between Gandalf refusing to take the ring from Bilbo, and when Dumbledore stated he would not remove Harry's scar, even if it were possible. To tamper with the Dark Lord's mark would be to meddle with the forces already in play and insert himself into the midst of the battle which Harry is destined to lead. I think Dumbledore planned carefully for the prophecy to be used as a weapon, with Harry pulling the trigger when the time came. To change any detail would cause unknown changes, such as when the AK curse rebounded because Voldemort failed to take into account the detail of a mother's love and sacrifice.
I could never imagine a Dumbledore who could make a Horcrux for himself, even in the interest of doing good in the future. Once you start on the slippery slope of the Dark Arts as you say, where does it end? Posted by Patty from Quincy,Massachusetts on March 19, 2007 06:14 AM
I like your theory, but I don't think so. JKR has stated flatly that Dumbledore is .
Was Voldemort when he became less than the meanest ghost? By JKR standards, he wasn't .
But I can say one thing, this makes for a very nice fanfic story, but it's only wishful thinking. Harry is going on alone in the final book. And there can be so much to absorb at once in a single book and trying to squeeze in Dumbledore's horcrux into the last book would probably break a forth grader's wrists. Posted by Inirini from Venice, FL on March 19, 2007 9:08 PM
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Patty, the point about Dumbledore refusing to remove the scar is excellent. He doesn't want to tamper with destiny. Again similar to Galadriel's warning about not turning aside because of what is seen in her Mirror. It may trigger the very thing you wish to avoid.
Harry sparing Pettigrew's life is also important. Rather like both Bilbo and Frodo sparing Gollum - without him the quest to destroy the Ring would have failed. Dumbledore says to Harry when H is blaming himself for Pettigrew's escape, that foretelling the future and trying to second guess the consequences of actions is a very tricky thing. Harry did what he felt was right. Not what was expent. This is a major difference between Harry and Voldemort. And Harry and the Ministry for that matter. Gotta love politics!
Inirini - I agree that Dumbledore is , but I'm not sure Harry is going on completely alone. Somehow I don't see Ron and Hermione letting him get away with that. Not to mention Remus Lupin, Tonks, Neville, Luna. And if Harry thinks he's managed to get rid of Ginny Weasly so easily, he's in for a major shock. JKR didn't spend six books building that character and the relationship just to have Harry tell the girl it's too dangerous to be around him! Posted by Elizabeth from Australia on March 19, 2007 10:21 PM
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