15 Times We Cried While Watching the Harry Potter Movies

9. Dumbledore Dies

In Half-Blood Prince, we learn that Voldemort ordered Draco Malfoy to kill Dumbledore. Of course, Dumbledore eventually becomes aware of the plan but sees it more as an opportunity. Further, Dumbledore’s health is already failing. So, with Snape’s help, he devises a plan to keep up appearances and set the plan in motion. Obviously, this plan was to end the war. But it was a long, tedious battle, both before and after Dumbledore’s death.

Leading up to the Battle of the Astronomy Tower, Malfoy repairs the vanishing cabinet in the Room of Requirement. With it, he smuggles Death Eaters into the school and confronts a weary Dumbledore at the Astronomy Tower while Harry hides nearby. Dumbledore barely puts up a fight, but Draco can’t bring himself to do it. Snape arrives and asks Harry to remain quiet as he confronts the group. Just as Dumbledore requested, Snape fulfills the Unbreakable Promise and kills the Headmaster.

Afterward, the Death Eaters traipse through the school wreaking havoc. Then, they burn Hagrid’s hut before Harry attacks Snape. Without seeing the big picture, Harry Potter views Snape as an outright traitor. He doesn’t learn the truth until much later in Deathly Hallows. Once the school learns what’s happened, the professors and students lift their wands into the air in an act of solidarity.

Unlike Sirius Black, Dumbledore’s death has more impact because of who he is as a literary character beyond his role in Harry’s life. For the most part, Dumbledore is like the puppet master of Harry’s life. Further, after announcing that the character was gay in 2007, Albus Dumbledore was one of the most beloved LGBT characters to bite the bullet.

Movie: Harry Potter and the Half-Brood Prince