[Jerrbear]

One aspect of all of this that I am surprised no one has picked up on is the prominence of the Phoenix. It is a thread that runs throughout all of the books. What is a Phoenix about if it isn't rising from the ashes, ultimate triumph over apparent defeat.

I would be very surprised, given Dumbledore's association with the Phoenix if he didn't come back in the last book. His unshakable confidence in Snape leads me to believe that he deliberately stalled Draco until Snape appeared on the scene to "kill" him. And if Dumbledore can come back, why not Harry? Harry may indeed be a horcrux, but perhaps a dip in the dirt can purge him of that.

[Jerrbear]

Ooops, guess I'm not the only one tuned into the part about the Phoenix. Good work folks.

[TightyRighty]

I don't think Dumbledore is coming back. Per Rowling:

"Magic cannot bring dead people back to life…. Once you’re dead, you’re dead."