As the book ends it remains unclear if Dumbledore is truly dead or merely in some deathlike state. This led to much speculation among readers as to whether or not he would return in some form in the next book. Voldemort is not the only one who knows how to create Horcruxes, and there may be other magical means for a resurrection in Book 7. There are certainly many clues that he may return. Dumbledore was acting uncharacacteristicallyuncharacteristically when he pleaded with Snape just before he killed him. Was Dumbledore begging for his life or asking Snape to strike him according to some prearranged plan? Readers have noticed that the Avada Kedvra curse that Snape used reacted differently than others seen in the series. Also, Dumbledore has always been associated with a Phoenix, a bird that dies and is reborn from its own ashes. The smoke from Dumbledore's funeral pyre appears to briefly assume the image of a Phoenix. Whether all this means that there will be a corporeal resurrection or only a spirtualspiritual one, it is certain that Dumbledore will return in some form. J. K. Rowling'sstatementhad stated, following this book's publication, that Dumbledore iswas definitely dead; while we do see him again, he is correct.not resurrected.
Also, it is unknown where Dumbledore's portrait appeared from or how it was hung in the office. Presumably, no one had entered itthe office since his death, and yet it is already hanging on the wall when [[../../../Characters/Minerva McGonagall|Professor McGonagall]] and Harry arrive there. However, it is highly possible that the portraits magically appear when a headmaster or headmistress dies. It is also unclear how closely associated portraits are with those they represent. They may merely be talking autobiographies of their subjects, or they may retain their essence, including the ability to develop mentally and/or gain new insights. Later evidence does suggest that portraits remain able to think and reason, as it seems that the portrait of Dumbledore is still advising Snape and Harry in the final book of the series.
