Harry Potter and the Ultimate Reread

Today’s chapter: Deathly Hallows, Chapter Thirty-Five - “King’s Cross.”

“But you’re dead,” said Harry.

“Oh, yes,” said Dumbledore matter-of-factly.

“Then … I’m dead too?”

“Ah,” said Dumbledore, smiling still more broadly. “That is the question, isn’t it? On the whole, dear boy, I think not.”

They looked at each other, the old man still beaming.

“Not?” repeated Harry.

“Not,” said Dumbledore.

“But …” Harry raised his hand instinctively towards the lightning scar. It did not seem to be there. “But I should have died — I didn’t defend myself! I meant to let him kill me!”

“And that,” said Dumbledore, “will, I think, have made all the difference.”

This is the only way this story could have ended. Harry Potter, the boy who lived.