Albus Percival Wulfuric Brian Dumbledore is a character in the Harry Potter book series. Dumbledore is a powerful wizard and the renowned Head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Albus Dumbledore was the eldest child of Percival and Kendra Dumbledore and the elder brother of Aberforth and Ariana Dumbledore. When his sister was six years old, she was attacked by Muggle boys who saw her using magic. The trauma of the attack caused her to have very little control over her magic. Percival found the boys and attacked them in revenge using magic. After refusing to tell anyone about Ariana's condition out of fear she would be sent to St Mungo's Hospital, he was sentenced to Azkaban. Kendra moved with her children to Godric's Hollow. Albus and Aberforth could not speak about what happened to Ariana. She was kept in the house and their neighbours had no idea that Kendra even had a daughter.
In September 1892, Albus began attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he was sorted into Gryffindor. He was an exceptionally talented and academic student. Seven years later, around graduation time, Kendra was killed when Ariana lost control of her magic, leaving Albus and Aberforth her primary guardians. Albus was forced to cancel his plans to go travelling with his friend, Elphias Doge so he could stay at home for Ariana. Aberforth wanted to drop out of Hogwarts to look after her but Albus refused to let him. Aberforth's behaviour grew increasingly wayward which left Albus to try and control him. Albus started to feel trapped in Godric's Hollow which made him angry, bitter and hoping for a way out.
Friendship with Grindelwald[]
During the summer of 1899, Albus befriended Gellert Grindelwald who was staying with his great-aunt, Bathilda Bagshot. Grindelwald wanted to find the Deathly Hallows and because he was a very persuasive person, he encouraged Albus to help. Over time, their plans grew and Grindelwald persuaded Albus that the International Statute of Secrecy was unfair and they had to change it by taking control of the wizarding world because it was the duty of wizards to rule the world.
Grindelwald was a talented and brilliant wizard and Albus was in awe. He agreed to help Grindelwald achieve his goals and through a letter, Albus proposed the slogan that they adopted; that were doing this "For the Greater Good". Albus told Grindewald that the slogan could support and justify any of the actions they needed to take.
However, when Aberforth found out about their plans, he was very upset. He thought Ariana was being neglected and abandoned, and that Grindelwald was dangerous. Aberforth pleaded with Albus that he needed to wake up to the truth about Grindelwald. Albus understood what Aberforth was saying but he couldn't accept it at the time. Grindelwald argued back with Aberforth, telling him that Ariana wouldn't have to hide away when he and Albus controlled the world. Aberforth refused to agree with Grindelwald who was angered and used the Cruciatus Curse on him. Albus was upset with Grindelwald for hurting his brother and engaged with him in a duel. Aberforth then joined in and they had a three-way duel. Ariana intervened to protect Aberforth but when she run into the fight, a stray curse hit and killed her.[2]
Grindelwald ran away and abandoned Albus. Aberforth held Albus accountable for their sister's death and punched him on the nose at her funeral.[2] Albus was devastated by her death and felt guilty about what happened to her. He was unable to find the courage to tell Aberforth that he was sorry for the part he played in her death, and so Aberforth thought he was cold-hearted and happy that he was no longer obligated to look after him and Ariana.[2]
War against Grindelwald[]
In 1926, Newton Scamander caused an incident in New York and violated the International Statute of Secrecy. During this sitution, Newt crossed paths with Grindelwald and helped capture him. Dumbledore then persuaded Newt to join him in order to defeat Grindelwald. The details of Newt's trip and subsequent involvement in the war against Grindelwald were classified under the Official Magical Secrets Act.[3]
Though there were unfounded rumours that Dumbledore had sent Newt to spy on the Magical Congress of the United States of America and had him pretend to be a Magizoologist, he did not address any speculation. Newt however did get the opportunity to deny this in a 2017 edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them when some secrets were declassified, but he would not go into detail out of respect for confidant that Dumbledore had put in him.[3]
In 1945, Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald in a legendary duel.[4]
Teaching career[]
Early career[]
In the early twentieth century, Dumbledore started teaching Transfiguration at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. One year at Christmas, his colleague Professor Herbert Beery was putting on an adapation of The Fountain of Fair Fortune for the school and asked Dumbledore to help provide the "special effects". Dumbledore created a fully functioning Fountain and a minature grassy hill, designed to fade into the stage while the actors walked up on it. Unfortunately, the rest of the performance turned into a spectacular failure when the Ashwinder playing the Worm exploded and the actors started duelling each other.[5]
In 1942, Tom opened the Chamber of Secrets and a student was killed. Dumbledore suspected Tom was responsible but he was unable to persuade the Head, Professor Dippet. In June, Dumbledore found Tom wandering near the Great Hall late one evening. He asked Tom what was up to and he told Dumbledore he had to go and speak to Professor Dippet. Dumbledore told Tom he should be heading back to the Slytherin common room because it was dangerous, sighing heavily.[6]
First Wizarding War[]
James and Lily were found and killed by Voldemort when Peter betrayed them. But when Lily was killed, he gave her the chance to step aside per a promise he made to Snape. Her death caused an ancient force (a blood protection) to shield and protect Harry. The Killing Curse bounced back and struck Voldemort instead. Dumbledore worked out what had happened and knew that Voldemort had Horcruxes that ensured that he could not be killed. He worked out too that a piece of Voldemort's unstable, broken soul had latched to Harry, making him another Horcrux. But Voldemort no longer had a body: he was now powerless and he run into hiding.[7]
Knowing that Voldemort would be back one day, Dumbledore began to put a plan together. He wanted Harry to be kept safe and for Lily's protection to stay strong. He thought that sending him to be raised by the Dursley family was the best option because Petunia Dursley was the only blood relative that Harry had and the closest relative to Lily. He had Hagrid take Harry from Godric's Hollow to Privet Drive.[8]
He went through 12 parties to confuse and escape anyone who might have followed him. He used a Put-Outer to dim the lights of Privet Drive. He noticed Professor McGonagall in Animagus form nearby. They had a short conversation about the Dursley family, the celebrations now the First Wizarding War had ended, and Dumbledore confirmed that James and Lily were killed. McGongall shared her doubts about Harry being given to such a family, but she accepted it when Dumbledore pointed out that it was better to Harry to grow up not knowing the level of attention he would get.[8]
He advised McGonagall that it was time to start saying Voldemort instead of "You-Know-Who", pointing out she was smarter than that. Hagrid then arrived and handed them Harry. McGongall pointed out that Harry had a scar and Dumbledore told them he would have that scar for life. They each said their goodbyes to Harry and he advised McGonagall and Hagrid to join a party. He then put the lights back on, said good luck to Harry and Apparated.[8]
By 1990, Dumbledore was very popular with the wizarding community and they wanted him to be Minister for Magic. Dumbledore had the opportunity to accept the role many times but he didn't want it and kept declining. Cornelius Fudge eventually received the job instead but he didn't have much confidence and many thought he was incompetent. Fudge sent many, many owls to Dumbledore to ask him for advice.[9] Dumbledore also had sources who kept tabs on potential locations of Tom Riddle. He found out that Tom was hiding in the forests of Albania.[10]
Philosopher's Stone[]
Dumbledore using the Deluminator
In the summer of 1991, Dumbledore suspected that Voldemort was going to steal the Philosopher's Stone. He and Nicolas Flamel put the Stone in Gringotts and then Dumbledore began securing Hogwarts for the Stone to be kept there. He asked Professors to put their own security in each section of the underground chambers. Rubeus Hagrid loaned him Fluffy to guard the trapdoor to the underground chambers in the third-floor corridor.[11]
Dumbledore wanted to put the Stone in the Mirror of Erised. He wanted to enchant it to give the Stone to a person who wanted to save the Stone rather than use it. He put the mirror in the fourth-floor classroom until he found a way to enchant it.[12][11]
In September, Dumbledore welcomed new students including Harry Potter, who saw him at the High Table for the first time. He informed the students that the third-floor corridor was out-of-bounds unless they wanted to suffer a "painful death". Harry was one of the few who laughed, but thought Dumbledore was very eccentric and crazy.[13] In October, Harry was given special permission from Dumbledore through Professor McGonagall to be a Seeker in the first-year.[14]
During the Hallowe'en feast, Professor Quirrell run up to Dumbledore's chair at the High Table totell him that a troll was in the school and then fainting. Dumbledore calmed the school and asked them to go to their common rooms. Professor Quirrell had feigned fainting, hoping to use the event to sneak away to the third-floor corridor. He was intercepted by Professor Snape, who was bitten by Fluffy in the process.[15]
Harry and Dumbledore speak about the Mirror of Erised
In December, he sent Harry the Cloak of Invisibility and a note to "use it well".[12][11] Later, Dumbledore found out that Harry knew about the Mirror of Erised. He went the mirror on the third night to tell Harry how it worked, and gave him the advice that it "does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live". He then had the mirror taken to the underground chambers, and put the Stone in the mirror. He asked Harry not to go looking for it again.[12][11]
Dumbledore was sent a note from the Ministry of Magic asking him to go and speak to them. Quirrell, possessed by Voldemort, put a plan in action to steal the Philosopher's Stone.[16] Dumbledore eventually worked out that he should go back to the school, and he went to the underground chamber that contained the Philosopher's Stone in time to save Harry from Quirrell. He dragged Quirrell away from Harry, and Voldemort abandoned him and fled. Harry woke up three days later, and spoke to Dumbledore in the Hospital Wing.[11]
Dumbledore explained what he had done to keep the Stone safe and what had happened that evening. He and Nicolas agreed that the Stone had to be destroyed. He warned Harry that Voldemort will try to get be back in power one day. He wouldn't tell Harry why Voldemort targeted him in the first place, even when he told him about Lily's protection. Harry asked him about Snape. Harry found out that Snape and James Potter hated each other, and that Harry's father saved Snape's life. He lied to Harry, telling him that Snape probably saved him earlier in the year to pay back that debt.[11]
At the End-of-Year Feast, Dumbledore gave Harry, Ron and Hermione fifty points each for saving the Stone, and gave Neville Longbottom ten points for having the courage to stand up to friends.[11]
Chamber of Secrets[]
After the position of Chairman in the Board of Governors was filled by Lucius Malfoy, Dumbledore received a request from him to ban the story of The Fountain of Fair Fortune at Hogwarts. Lucius thought the story was promoting wizard-Muggle marriages and felt that it could influence his son into sullying their bloodline. Dumbledore refused to remove it from the Hogwarts library, reasoning that every wizarding family has a Muggle ancestor and he wouldn't prevent children learning this by giving into the hypocrisy of those denying the truth.[5]
Lucius did not appreciate the response and sent several further letters to disparage Dumbledore's parentage, sanity and hygiene. The exchange triggered a campaign on Lucius's half to ruin Dumbledore's career by having him sacked from the position of Head of Hogwarts. In return, Dumbledore wanted to have Lucius removed from the position of what he called "Voldemort's Favourite Death Eater".[5]
On the first day of the new school year, Dumbledore learned that Harry and Ron had flown a flying car to Hogwarts and broke the International Statute of Secrecy. Dumbledore and Professors Snape and McGonagall spoke to them where he told them he was not going to expel them. However, he also gave them a warning that he would have to expel them if they committed another serious infraction. He then McGonagall choose the punishment they would receive. Harry and Ron felt ashamed in front of Dumbledore and apologised to him for their behaviour.[17] Dumbledore wrote letters to their families.[18]
In October, Dumbledore was called when Argus Filch found Mrs Norris had been Petrified in a corridor. Her body was strung up by a warning that the "Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir beware". Filch thought Harry had killed her but Dumbledore told him that Harry would not have the skill to produce such Dark magic. He infor,ed everyone that the petrification could be reversed by brewing the Mandrake Restorative Draught.[19]
In November, Dumbledore was going to get a hot chocolate when he discovered Professor McGonagall shaken at the foot of Hospital Wing's stairs where the Petrified body of Colin Creevey lay. They took him to Madam Pomfrey together. Dumbledore looked at the film in Colin's camera but it has been completely destroyed. Dumbledore told McGonagall it was proof that the Chamber of Secrets was indeed opened again and she asked him who would do such a thing. Dumbledore confused her by asking not who, but how.[20]
In December, Professor McGonagall took Harry to Professor Dumbledore after he was discovered at the scene of two more Petrifications. Dumbledore arrived after Harry watched Fawkes die and assured him that the bird would be reborn out of the ashes. While they were talking, Hagrid arrived to tell Dumbledore that Harry was innocent. He told Hagrid to calm down and that he also thought Harry was innocent. However, before Harry left, he asked him whether had had anything he wanted to tell him. Even though Harry had lots of things he wanted to ask Dumbledore, he told him there was nothing.[21]
In April, two new students were Petrified. Cornelius Fudge decided it was time to take action with the Board of Governors and arrest Hagrid, who was suspected of opening the Chamber of Scerets the first time. Fudge wanted to speak to Hagrid so Professor Dumbledore accompanied him to Hagrid's Hut. Fudge explained that he had to take Hagrid to Azkaban for the time-being. Dumbledore told Fudge that he had full confidence in Hagrid's innocence, and Fudge told Hagrid he would release him if that was proven. However, the Chairman of the Board, Lucius Malfoy then showed up to speak to Dumbledore. He informed everybody that they had voted to suspend Dumbledore and gave him a signed Order of Suspension.[22]
Hagrid correctly deduced Lucius had threatened the other people on the Board and Fudge objected to Dumbledore's suspension, but the Board's decision was final. Dumbledore accepted the order but announced that wouldn't truly gone at Hogwarts so long that people there were loyal to him, and that help will given to anyone at Hogwarts who asked for it. He looked in the direction of Harry and Ron when he spoke implying he knew they were there hiding under the Cloak of Invisibility.[22]
Professor McGonagall was temporary Head in his absence.[23] Dumbledore left her instructions to keep the school running normally and ensure education continued.[24] By the end of the month, Ginny Weasley was taken into the Chamber itself and the Board admitted that Lucius had threatened them. Dumbledore returned to Hogwarts and was reinstated the Head. In response to Ginny's apparent death, he and Professor McGonagall comforted Arthur and Molly Weasley in her office.[10]
While they were talking, they were interrupted by the arrival of Harry, Ron, Ginny and Professor Lockhart. Dumbledore was smiling when Harry told him the story of how he found the Chamber of Secrets, killed the Basilisk, destroyed the Diary of Voldemort and rescued Ginny. Dumbledore told the group what he knew about Tom Riddle and that he had enchanted Ginny into opening the Chamber by using the Diary. He sent Ginny to the Hospital Wing and Professor McGonagall to organise a great feast to celebrate of the closing of the Chamber of Secrets.[10]
Dumbledore rewarded Harry and Ron with two-hundred House points each and a Special Award for Services to the School. He then asked Professor Lockhart why he was being so quiet and learned from Harry that Lockhart had erased his own memory when he tried to attack Harry and Ron. Dumbledore told Lockhart he was impaled on his own sword. Lockhart told him he doesn't have a sword but that Harry does, and so Dumbledore sent Ron to take Lockhart to the Hospital Wing.[10]
Dumbledore thanked Harry for being so loyal and that he imagined Tom was very interested in Harry, which he was. Dumbledore told him that the evening Tom had tried to kill Harry and failed, he unknowingly transferred his powers to him which included speaking Parseltongue. He reassured Harry that he wasn't Tom and he could still choose what kind of person he wanted to be. He told Harry to join a feast in the Great Hall so he could compose a letter to Azkaban to get Hagrid back.[10]
Before he could leave, Lucius walked in after learning Dumbledore had returned. He thought that he had broken the rules of suspension but Dumbledore and Harry told Lucius that they knew he was responsible for everything, including giving Tom Riddle's Diary to Ginny and threatening the governors to get Dumbledore suspended. Lucius gave up and walked away. After he left, Dumblrdore gave Harry permission to give the destroyed Diary back to Lucius. At the feast, Hagrid returned and Dumbledore told the cheering student body that Lockhart wouldn't be teaching at Hogwarts next year.[10]
Death[]
Dumbledore writing notes on The Tales of Beedle the Bard
At some point, Dumbledore wrote forewords for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Quidditch Through the Ages, which are included in republished editions of the books. They have been released in the Muggle world and were published a few years after his death.[25] The republishing of Quidditch Through the Ages was Dumbledore's idea to raise funds for the charity Comic Relief.[26]
Some time after his death, Professor McGonagall discovered a set of notes that Dumbledore had written on The Tales of Beedle the Bard, among the many papers that he had left left in his will to the Hogwarts Archives. The notes were completed eighteen months before his death. She gave permission for his notes to be printed in a new edition of the book, alongside a brand new translation of the tales by Hermione Granger, in 2008.[27]
Life achievements[]
Dumbledore was thought to be the greatest wizard that ever lived after he defeated Gellert Grindelwald in 1945. Academically, he was known for many important achievements, including finding twelve uses of dragon blood. He and his good friend, Nicolas Flamel worked together on Alchemy.[4]
Appearance[]
In his middle age, Dumbledore has long auburn hair.[6] In his elderly age, Dumbledore wears half-round glasses and has silver hair.[4] He is very tall[6] and has a long crooked nose.[4]
Trivia[]
- Dumbledore was known for having an eccentric character. He loved chamber music and tenpin bowling. He was fond of the Muggle sweet, sherbet lemon.[28]
- Dumbledore saw his whole family alive and well again in the Mirror of Erised. Ariana was happy and in control of her magic and he and Aberforth had reconciled.[29] Even though he claimed that he was holding a pair of woollen socks when he looked in the mirror, it is that likely he lied to persuade Harry not to go looking in the mirror.[12]
- His possessions include:
- After absentmindedly doodling in a Hogwarts library book, Theories of Transubstantial Transfiguration, he triggered a curse the librarian Irma Pince put on it. The book started attacking him and beating him on the head.[26]
- He is a fan of Puddlemere United.[26]
Notes and sources[]
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 17
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 35
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2017 edition): Foreword by the Author
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 6
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 The Tales of Beedle the Bard: Albus Dumbledore's notes on The Fountain of Fair Fortune
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 13
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 33
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 1
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 5
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 18
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 17
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 12
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 7
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 9
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 10
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 16
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 5
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 6
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 9
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 10
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 12
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 14
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 15
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 16
- ↑ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Foreword by Albus Dumbledore
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Quidditch Through the Ages: Foreword
- ↑ The Tales of Beedle the Bard: Introduction
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 1 - "A sherbet lemon. They’re a kind of Muggle sweet I’m rather fond of."
- ↑ J. K. Rowling's Bloomsbury web chat