Extra Credit Dumbledore

Dumbledore is one of the most changed and developed characters as we finally reached the end of the last book.  In the beginning of the series we only seem Dumbledore as an incredibly wise old wizard.  Dumbledore appears to be a trustworthy(although secretive), role model for students and a face of safety and power in the eyes of the wizarding community.  We had never heard of Dumbledore's younger days until Rita Skeeter's book came out about him.  We learn that there is a lot of mystery surrounding his sister as well as her death.  It is rumored that they had been hiding and locking her in their house.  After Dumbledore's mother dies he then becomes gardian of Ariana.  He became close friends with a wizard who later turns dark, Grindelwald, comparable to Voldemort.  We find out from Aberforth that Albus did not give Ariana the care that she needed.  He was off planning to take over the world, to seize control "for the greater good".  Grindelwald later used that phrase as his slogan when he was taking over parts of the world, except for Britain, because he feared his old friend Dumbledore.  When Albus formed this friendship his brother Aberforth knew that he was more concerned about being brilliant and their schemes than taking care of their unstable only sister.  A duel broke out between the brothers and Grindelwald which resulted in a killing curse hitting and taking the life of Ariana.  We never find out who sent the killing curse whether it was Grindelwald or Dumbledore but Aberforth never forgave Albus and even broke his nose during Ariana's funeral.  Harry felt that Dumbledore was always too trusting (especially of Sanpe) but we learned he never trusted people with full details, he never fully trusted anyone will all the facts, only clues that in some cases he hoped his trusted colleagues and friends would figure out.  We also find out why Dumbledore always turned down the position of Prime Minister.  He never trusted himself with that much power, and I think that him telling Harry why he always turned it down helped Harry to refuse the Elder Wand and return it to Dumbledore's tomb.  Dumbledore was a role model and knowing his flaws helped him from straying to the dark side like his at one point good friend and kept him from becoming a dangerous powerful wizard.  Dumbledore changed from the beginning of the series but only because we find out who he was before he was at Hogwarts and what made him that way.