Warning: This is a discussion of one of the main characters of Harry Potter. If you have not read the series, you will probably have no idea what I’m talking about. However, if you have read only some of the books, this will be a bit of a spoiler for you. It really is best if you have read all of the books. But please, continue.
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was the wise, but eccentric headmaster of Hogwart. The best way of describing him is Percy Weasley’s: “’Mad?’ said Percy airily. “He’s genius! Best wizard in the world! But he is mad, yes. Potatoes, Harry?’” A genius, the best wizard in the world, but never arrogant. Why? Perhaps it was because of his sorrowful past, which he kept very secret, but unfortunately after his death it was blow out of proportion.
When he was eighteen or so, he became an orphan, sole provider for his younger brother and sister, and friends with Gellert Grindelwald , who went on to become the second greatest dark wizard. After being friends for a few months, Dumbledore, Grindleward, and Dumbledore’s little brother got in a fight and in the confusion, Arianna, Dumbledore’s little sister, was killed. Before this, Dumbledore planned on overthrowing the muggles, or non-magic folk, and ruling the word with Grindlewald. After Arianna was killed, Dumbledore saw how cruel the plan was and devoted his time to protecting the muggles and teaching the young, while Grindlewald tried to complete their plan. Grindlewald became more and more powerful and Dumbledore was the only one who could stop him. Yet, Dumbledore hesitated. In the seventh book, Dumbledore admits that he didn’t want to face Grindlewald because none of them knew who had killed Arianna. He was afraid that Grindlewald would tell him that he, Dumbledore, was the one to cast the killing curse. But the cries of the wizarding world forced him into dueling Grindlewald. Dumbledore won the fight without being told that he was the killer of Arianna. Grindlewald was imprisoned and Dumbledore went home with the knowledge that no one knew about his family and his old friend.
His greatest desire was to have his family together. One of his greatest strengths was his willingness to give people second chances. He was the greatest wizard in the world, but after Arianna’s death, he wasn’t arrogant or self-important. He was eccentric, but in a good way. He truly cared for his students and staff. His best quotes, in my opinion, are “Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!” and “Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”
All in all, I think Dumbledore is a very good character, enough good and bad qualities to make him believable, especially towards the end of the books.