For most of the characters and all of the audience members, Dumbledore always seemed like this steady, invincible presence, and the notion that he could die never crossed their minds. So it was with a crushing disbelief that they reacted to his death. Dumbledore gave everything in the fight against Voldemort: he cursed his hand and mortally wounded himself in procuring the ring horcrux, and was further weakened by his quest with Harry to find the locket. By the time they returned to Hogwarts, he was in no fit state to fend off the onslaught of Death Eaters that infiltrated the school. He died there, killed in a pre-arranged murder scenario by Professor Snape. And while his death is sad, the reaction of everyone at Hogwarts is even worse. They just can't process what they're seeing. But slowly, they begin to raise their wands in tribute for the fallen headmaster, and the light from their wands makes the Dark Mark that the Death Eaters left in their wake disappear. Cue a barrage of tears that lasts pretty much until the credits roll.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.