Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Grew Up… in Godric’s Hollow. Young Albus’s life at home was nothing short of traumatic. His dad was imprisoned for a horrible crime, his mother died right after he graduated from Hogwarts, and not much later, his younger sister Ariana was tragically killed. The eldest son of a broken family, Dumbledore faced a lot of hardship while growing up, which resulted in his deep levels of empathy as an adult.
Living… at Hogwarts, where he has been employed since before the 1930s. He started as the Transfiguration teacher and later became headmaster. Due to his brilliance and the reverence in which he is held within the wizarding community, he has been offered the post of Minister for Magic several times. Dumbledore has always remained at Hogwarts, however, with no ministerial ambitions.
Profession… Headmaster of Hogwarts, though this is hardly his only responsibility. Dumbledore is also Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, head of the Order of the Phoenix, and has received various honors such as the Order of Merlin, First Class – and his own Chocolate Frog card.
Interests… lemon drops, woolen socks, and raspberry jam. Though Dumbledore is a highly complex man, he still has a taste for simpler things, like Muggle candy and a thick, warm pair of socks. His eccentric personality complements his genius, and student Ron Weasley often jokes that he’s “brilliant, but mental.”
Relationship Status… single. Dumbledore never married, though later in his life it was suggested that his adolescent friend Gellert Grindelwald – the Dark wizard with whom he famously dueled and defeated in 1945 – was more than just a friend.
Challenge… guiding Harry Potter (the “Boy Who Lived”) and emboldening him with the knowledge and skills to defeat the evil Lord Voldemort. Dumbledore is without a doubt the biggest influence on the young, vulnerable Harry, who enters Hogwarts with no idea of the impending dangers he faces. Though Dumbledore does not reveal all his secrets to Harry at first, he later becomes instrumental in equipping Harry with the information needed to forever rid the wizarding world of its most evil dictator, Voldemort.
Personality… wise, calm, and powerful. Dumbledore is perhaps the most respected wizard of all time; his contributions to the wizarding world are innumerable. He often appears to have the answer to everything, and has powers seemingly beyond that of any other wizard. He rarely lets his emotions get the better of him, always solving problems with a calm and collected demeanor. Despite his rather dark, tragic past, his wisdom and kindness make the now-elderly Dumbledore the supreme role model for Harry.