Chapter 27: The Lightning-Struck Tower

Harry Apparates himself and a severely weakened Dumbledore to Hogsmeade. Madam Rosmerta alerts them to the Dark Mark above Hogwarts. Dumbledore orders brooms and tells Harry to wear the Invisibility Cloak, insisting Snape is the one he needs. They fly to the Astronomy Tower, which appears deserted beneath the Mark.

At the tower, Dumbledore sends Harry for Snape, but footsteps approach. Dumbledore silently petrifies Harry as Draco Malfoy bursts in and disarms Dumbledore. Dumbledore remains calm and engages Draco, asserting Draco is not a killer. Pressed, Draco reveals he repaired the Hogwarts Vanishing Cabinet to connect with its twin in Borgin and Burkes, allowing Death Eaters entry, and that Madam Rosmerta has been under the Imperius Curse to pass the necklace and poison the mead. He used enchanted coins to communicate.

Dumbledore offers Draco protection for him and his family, urging him to switch sides. Draco admits fear that Voldemort will kill him if he fails. Fighting rages below. Four Death Eaters—Amycus, Alecto, Fenrir Greyback, and a brutish accomplice—force their way onto the ramparts, demanding Draco finish the job. Draco wavers; Greyback attempts to move in but is checked by the brutish Death Eater, who insists Draco must kill Dumbledore.

As the defenders below blast at the blocked stairs, Severus Snape arrives. Dumbledore, for the first time, pleads softly, “Severus… please.” Snape steps forward, pushes Draco aside, and, with evident revulsion, casts Avada Kedavra. The killing curse strikes Dumbledore, who is thrown into the air and falls over the battlements to his death, while Harry remains frozen, forced to witness the murder.