[ccmovrwc]

Ok, I have been re-reading OOTP with my son, and now I have a question that I don't think has been addressed as yet.

Since Dumbledore was the secret-keeper for the location of the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix, what happens now that he is (theoretically, anyway) dead? Can anyone -- Kreacher, for example -- now disclose the location?

[kevkrom]

Since Dumbledore was the secret-keeper for the location of the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix, what happens now that he is (theoretically, anyway) dead? Can anyone -- Kreacher, for example -- now disclose the location?

Good question. I'd guess that the secret is now permanent. My first thought was the opposite, but that doesn't make logical sense from a consistency standpoint -- the whole point of a secret-keeper is choosing someone who would die rather than reveal the secret, but if by dying the secret can be revealed, then what's the point?

[retrokitten]

Since Dumbledore was the secret-keeper for the location of the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix, what happens now that he is (theoretically, anyway) dead? Can anyone -- Kreacher, for example -- now disclose the location?

I am listening to HBP on CD (Costco has it for $38!) and thought of that very question the other night.

But kevkrom's answer makes sense. I don't remember if it's in the book or not, but in the PoA movie Wormtail asks Sirius what he would have done if Voldie were after him. Sirius yells that he would have died rather then betray his friends. It does make sense that now the secret is safe forever.

[grellis]

Was the Grimmauld house used at all, by anyone, in HBP? It was very early in the book when DD had HP test Kreacher, and I don't recall the house being mentioned again after that, unless it was in passing.

I just finished OOTP again, I'm going to start on HBP today. I'm going to be reading every word very carefully!

[kellynch]

Since Dumbledore was the secret-keeper for the location of the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix, what happens now that he is (theoretically, anyway) dead? Can anyone -- Kreacher, for example -- now disclose the location?

I don't think Kreacher can do that. He belongs to Harry now and, even though he hates Harry and hates being owned by him, he cannot really betray him. He MUST obey everything Harry tells him, as we found out when DD tested him at the Dursleys'. Remember when Dobby worked for the Malfoys, he wasn't able to tell Harry anything at all about his Master and his Master's activities.