i found this on msn:

Rowling: They think Dumbeldore’s a goner. Well, I will say that I have actually never said that a major character is going to die.

and for this, i am still hoping…though my tears have fallen already…

(but i’m still holding on to a lot of conspiracy theories about dumby not really pleading for his life but pleading for snape to do what is right/good. i still refuse to believe he’s dead. he just can’t die that easily. no way.)