With tons of plot twists in the series of Harry Potter, nothing is more shocking than the death of Dumbledore. But why did Dumbledore have to die?
Dumbledore dies in the sixth story of Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Harry Potter movie franchise was based on book series by J.K. Rowling. The adaptation to the screen has released 8 Harry Potter movies, not including the spinoffs.
The first movie was released back in 2001, while the latest movie was released in 2011.
Dumbledore is played by Richard Harris in the first two Harry Potter movies, but then Harris passed away. Michael Gambon took over the role after Harris’ death until the sixth movie when Dumbledore is dead.
Dumbledore is the headmaster of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry, but he is obviously more than that. He has a huge significant role in the wizardry world. After all, he is the only one that Voldemort has ever feared of.
Dumbledore is pictured as a very powerful and wise wizard, and being a mentor for Harry since Harry finds out that he is a wizard. Dumbledore also helps Harry a lot in his adventure to defeat his sworn dark enemy Lord Voldemort.
Ultimately, in the climax of the sixth movie, Dumbledore has to die, in a very tense and shocking scene, as Dumbledore has planned his death with Severus Snape.
In what looks like a battle in a Hogwarts tower—or what is called The Battle of the Astronomy Tower—Severus Snape cast the deadly spell that leads to Dumbledore’s death.
But why did Dumbledore have to die? What’s the logical reason behind Snape killing Dumbledore?
Here are some theories and explanation to answer the reason why did Dumbledore have to die.
To Save Draco Malfoy
In the summer between the fifth and the sixth year at Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy is given a task to kill Albus Dumbledore. This is the way in order his family to gain back the trust from Voldemort. Draco is given with the Dark Mark as well.
But unfortunately, Draco apparently isn’t man up enough to assassinate Dumbledore. And if he fails, Voldemort can get super mad to the Malfoys or even kill them.
So Dumbledore asks Snape to take over the task and kill him, in order to save Draco from Voldemort’s anger.
To Make Voldemort Trusts Severus Snape
The second reason why did Dumbledore have to die is to make Voldemort trusts Severus Snape. After being a double agent and is about to lose Voldemort’s trust, Dumbledore sacrifices himself as a solid proof of Snape’s loyalty towards the Dark Lord.
We may always think of Snape as a bad person, but instead Snape tries to protect Harry Potter and works together with Dumbledore to keep all the secrets. Snape later in the sixth book is also revealed as the Half-Blood Prince.
Dumbledore was Cursed
But maybe one of the ultimate reason why did Dumbledore have to die and sacrifice himself is because Dumbledore is not in his best health.
Dumbledore was failed when he tried to collect the Deathly Hallows himself, and that’s why he asks Harry to do that. He is then cursed by one of the horcrux, Marvolo Gaunt’s Ring, that makes his hand blackened. The curse is spreading through his body and threat his life.
Snape has tried to limit the power of the curse, but at that time it is too late. Dumbledore and Snape knew that sooner or later the curse will torture Dumbledore. So killing him can be seen as an act of mercy to stop Dumbledore from being tortured.
To Release The Elder Wand
The last reason why did Dumbledore have to die is to release the Elder Wand.
Dumbledore was the master of the Elder Wand—another Deathly Hallows—since 1945 to 1997. The most powerful wand ever exists, the Elder Wand is passed on through battle. Dumbledore gets the wand when he defeated Gellert Grindelwald in 1945.
One of the way someone can control the wand is by killing its former master, that’s why Voldemort wants to kill Dumbledore. Not wanting the wand to fall into the hands of the Dark Lord, Dumbledore then asks Snape to kill him instead.
This is what Voldemort didn’t know. He thought that Snape was the one who killed Dumbledore and therefore the wand belongs to him. After killing Snape, Voldemort takes the wand out of Dumbledore’s grave, thinking that now it belongs to him. But he’s dead wrong.
Little did he know, Draco Malfoy has disarmed Dumbledore before Snape kills him, and therefore the Elder Wand belongs to Draco. Later on, Harry Potter snatches the wand from Draco, thus the wand switches allegiance to Harry.
At the end of the eight movie, Harry breaks the wand and throws it away, considering how powerful and dangerous it is if it falls into the wrong hands.
