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.โ They looked at each other, the old man still beaming. "Not?" repeated Harry. "Not," said Dumbledore. "Butโฆ" Harry raised his hand instinctively toward the lightning scar. It did not seem to be there. "But I should have diedโI didn't defend myself! I meant to let him kill me!" "And that," said Dumbledore, "will, I think, have made all the difference.
J. K. RowlingThe realization of what would happen next settled gradually over Harry in the long minutes, like softly falling snow. "I've got to go back, haven't I?" "That is up to you." "I've got a choice?" "Oh yes." Dumbledore smiled at him. "We are in King's Cross, you say? I think that if you decided not to go back, you would be able toโฆlet's sayโฆboard a train." "And where would it take me?" "On," said Dumbledore simply.
J. K. RowlingTrust me," he said. "I know what I'm doing... or at least" -- he strolled confidently to the door -- "Felix does.
J. K. RowlingDonโ you worry, Harry. Youโll learn fast enough. Everyone starts at the beginning at Hogwarts, youโll be just fine. Just be yerself. I know itโs hard. Yehโve been singled out, anโ thatโs always hard. But yehโll have a great time at Hogwarts โ I did โ still do, โsmatter of fact.
J. K. Rowling