HBP: Chapter 27 - The Lightning Struck Tower
Man where have we seen this image of the lightning struck tower before?
What was in that green liquid that Dumbledore drank in the cave? Seems to have some really weird side effects. Did Dumbledore know what he was going to be drinking before he drank it? Again when someone returns to Hogwarts sick Dumbledore insists that they be taken to see Snape rather than Madame Pomfrey. Why is it so important that you go immediately to see Snape when you return to Hogwarts Dumbledore? Is it part of a larger plan? Very insistent on seeing Severus... very picky for a man who is very sick and possibly dying.
When did the Dark Mark appear over the astromony tower? Is this what all the references to astromony and telescopes were referring to eariler in the book or do they represent something else. How could they have missed it when they returned? Seems awfully (strangely?) calm in Hogsmede even though Voldemort's sign has appears so closely by? Who cast the spell to create the Mark? Was it Draco? From his actions later in this chapter I highly doubt it.
Such a strange sight to see Dumbledore on a broom...
Okay so we know that the Astronomy tower is the tallest tower at Hogwarts (583) but which tower is it? If we go by Wizard of Oz terminology if it is North or South it represents good. If it is east or west it is bad.
So many questions about what happens on the tower in this sequence. How did Draco know that Harry and Dumbledore had returned and how did he know to attack them at that instant? Why did Dumbledore freeze Harry on the tower? Was it merely for Harry's safety? Did he want him to see what was going to happen and not interfere? Why would it be so important for Harry to be ther but not be able to stop what was happening. Why take the opportunity to defend yourself to immobilize Harry instead? Wouldnt it have been more important to keep your wand so you could defend yourself against the Death Eaters than to preform a Freezing Charm on Harry. You seemed to be expecting to see Draco Dumbledore... do you know what is about to happen to you? Why so calm then Dumbledore?
As I always suspected Draco once again proves that he is all talk and very little action. Seems depserate to absorb the attention and the praise from Dumbledore. Sure he did fix the Vanishing Cabinet which shows some intelligence and creativity but you can't finish the job and kill Dumbledore when given the perfect opportunity to do so? Is this the assignment that Narcissa was so worried about earlier? Did Draco have another job? Is this what the unbreakable vow that Snape made with Narcissa was about or was it for something else? We assume it was given to Draco on Voldemort's orders but are we correct? Seems like Dumbledore was perfectly aware of what has been going on and what Draco has been doing all year... why didn't he interfere?
Was Rosmerta really under the Imperius Curse? If she was was it Draco who put her under the curse or was it someone else? When would he have had the opportunity really? The only trip to Hogsmeade this year he was in detention with McGonagall...
Was Draco chosen to undertake the job to kill Dumbledore cause he could never succeed? Draco is worried and says "I've got to do it! He'll kill me! He'll kill my whole family!" (591) Who is this he? We assume Voldemort but could it be anyone else? Who is left in your family that you are worried about being killed? Certainly not Lucius... is it Narcissa? Is there anyone else in your family Draco? Why don't you call him the Dark Lord like the other Death Eaters if it is Voldemort you are talking about? Why is Dumbledore so worried about getting Draco to join the Order at this very moment?
"No, Draco" said Dumbledore quietly. "It is my mercy, and not yours, that matters now." Malfoy did not speak. His mouth was open, his wand hand still trembling. Harry thought he saw it drop by a fraction-" (592)
Uh... how did Snape know to arrive at this minute? Was he waiting for Dumbledore to return? Does he know Harry is on the tower too? Why was Dumbledore pleading with Snape? Was he pleading for Snape to spare his life? Pleading for Snape to kill him as part of a larger plan? "Snape gazed for a moment at Dumbledore, and there was revulsion and hatred etched in the harsh lines of his face." (595) Revulsion and hatred because of Dumbledore himself or what Dumbledore was making him do?
When Snape performed the Avada Kedavra curse why did Dumbledore's body get "blasted into the air" (596). That never happened before... why did it happen now? Very odd...