The Headmaster's Final Act

Dumbledore knowingly walks into a trap, drinks a deadly potion to retrieve a Horcrux, and is killed by Snape in a planned sacrifice.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Weakened Hand

The Curse The Injury Albus Dumbledore obtains Marvolo Gaunt's ring, which is a Horcrux. He tries to destroy it but is cursed by the dark magic. His hand becomes blackened and withered. Severus Snape contains the curse but cannot reverse it. The Prognosis Dumbledore has only a limited time to live. He knows that his death is approaching. He begins to plan his own demise, using it as a strategic move to protect others and to ensure Snape's position as a double agent. The Secret Plan Dumbledore tells Snape that he must be the one to kill him when the time comes. This is part of a larger plan to defeat Voldemort. Dumbledore accepts his fate with calm resignation.

The Cave Ordeal

The Sacrifice The Journey Dumbledore takes Harry to a cave to retrieve a Horcrux. He drinks a potion that causes immense suffering, reliving his worst memories. He begs Harry to stop, but Harry forces him to continue, as Dumbledore instructed. The Weakening After drinking the potion, Dumbledore is barely conscious. He is attacked by Inferi, but Harry saves him. Dumbledore is now extremely weak, his life force drained. He has sacrificed his physical strength for the mission. The False Reward They retrieve a locket, but it is a fake. The real Horcrux has been stolen. Dumbledore's effort was in vain, but he does not know it yet. He is too weak to continue, and the true cost of the mission becomes apparent.

The Death on the Tower

The Planned Demise The Trap Dumbledore and Harry return to Hogwarts to find the Dark Mark above the Astronomy Tower. Dumbledore knows it is a trap, but he is too weak to escape. He sends Harry to get Snape, but events unfold quickly. The Final Confrontation Draco Malfoy disarms Dumbledore, but cannot kill him. Dumbledore speaks gently, trying to save Draco's soul. Then Snape arrives, and Dumbledore begs, 'Severus... please'. Snape casts the Killing Curse. The Aftermath Dumbledore's body falls from the tower. His death is a shock to everyone, but it was part of his plan. He trusted Snape to do it, to maintain Snape's cover. Dumbledore's sacrifice ensures that the war against Voldemort can continue.

early August, a few days before collecting Harry

mid-June, the night of the expedition

late June, immediately after returning from the cave