“Death Is But the Next Great Adventure”

Albus – In Latin, it means “white” (maybe for white beard). Wisdom. Albinus was Governor of Britain at the death of the Emperor Pertinax. Decimus Clodius Albinus attempted to seize the throne but ended up in alliance with another imperial contender, Septimius Severus. After Severus defeated two other rivals (Voldemort and… maybe Slytherin?), the now expendable Albinus was forced into another attempt at usurpation, an attempt that came to an end at the bloody battle of Lyon.

Dumbledore – Means “Bumblebee” in Old English. J.K. Rowling has said that she chose this name because she imagined Dumbledore walking around the castle, humming to himself.

Too make up for the feels of last week, I’m going to try and keep this post mostly uplifting, no promises though. Also, I’m sorry if this doesn’t make any sense.

tumblr_m5zf4okDaz1qb56kso1_500_largeI just love Dumbledore. I know, I say that about every character, but with Jo’s amazing-ness, can you blame me? But Dumbledore is great. There are just so many cool factors about him. He’s like the epic grandpa that takes you on adventures because he can. Which, in a sense, is true. It’s like his second chance because he feels like he let down Ariana and Aberforth. I wish we could have seen more about Dumbledore’s past. I know there’s Rita’s book, but I don’t think it’s the same. Rita was trying to make Dumbledore seem like a terrible person and it just made me so angry. Sure, Dumbledore screwed up. He was a teenager. Do you honestly expect him to be perfect? UGH. That made me hate Rita even more. (Plus, she practically destroyed Bathilda Bagshot because she just wanted the information. So rude.)

I love Dumbledore’s name. It’s just perfect. Albus, with the white beard, clearly awesome-ness. I think it’s so cool that the Albinus and Severus were buddies. I wonder who the two rivals would be…obviously one is Voldemort because he betrayed him, but the other one…hm…if you have any ideas, let me know! Pretty much how I see the parallel between these characters: Albinus and Severus were partners in crime sort of thing, then Severus defeats the bad guy, Severus “turns” on Albinus, Albinus is killed by Severus. In other words, Albus and Severus worked together to bring down Voldemort, Severus defeats Voldemort because he is the one person who got away with betraying him, and then Snape killed Dumbledore (but it was all part of the plan!) and Severus wins by becoming one of the most loved characters of all time. Also, Dumbledore humming to himself is just perfect.

62051_471808799506457_823079691_nSo, I’m going to get this sad part over with…the only way that I have come to accept Dumbledore’s death is by knowing that without it, we never would have gotten Snape’s story. I also like that it saved Draco’s soul – Dumbledore still cares about his students so much. Plus, I sort of love Draco so that’s part of it. I loved how they did the part after Dumbledore’s death in the movie, but I hate that they didn’t show the funeral and also they totally ruined the grave. It’s much too creepy for Dumbledore and his legacy. tumblr_mhfmj9ugab1r19909o1_500 tumblr_mhhzwlSZvp1r19909o1_500Dumbledore has always been amazing in my eyes. I never really wondered about him never revealing stuff about his past to Harry. I think that’s because it was always so important that we learned about Harry’s life. Also, it wouldn’t have worked. Sure, Harry trusted Dumbledore with his life, and Dumbledore felt the same, but wouldn’t it have been awkward if one time Dumbledore just started telling Harry about his childhood? I would have been like “um…what’s happening?”

601326_601479126532666_1925490658_nSo many things about Dumbledore are just plain fascinating. Honestly, who owns a pet phoenix? Dumbledore, of course. But really. I kinda love the fact that Dumbledore has such a murky past. It makes his character seem so much more real. It also makes sense that he has such a terrible past, it seems to justify why he’s so utterly good now. I love that he kinda dabbled in the dark arts. I think it gave his character perspective and it’s just part of his awesomeness.

tumblr_mf1j9jmDEE1r19909o1_500I LOVE LOVE LOVE that Dumbledore is gay. Though, I’m not going to lie, I totally shipped him with McGonagall for a while. But when I found out, it just made sense. I’m not sure why. I love that Jo added that. It also makes sense for his relationship with Gellert. Clearly, Dumbledore put off facing Grindlewald as long as he possibly could because who would want to face their (possible) old flame and have to put him in prison?? Can you say awkward? Hahaha.

485662_476795402341130_801650765_nI’m not going to lie, sometimes I wanted to smack Dumbledore. Like when he finally reveals stuff that Harry needed to know ages ago, but at the same time I kinda appreciate why he didn’t. But at one point, Harry was throwing a tantrum and destroying his stuff, Dumbledore was way too calm in my opinion. But, looking back, with the knowledge of his past, I get it.

So the actors. I loved them both, but Richard Harris was just the perfect Dumbledore. I had a moment of silence when I heard about his death. I was so sad. I think Michael Gambon did a beautiful job with what he was given, but he was too angry and loud at times, but I’m not entirely sure that was all him.

tumblr_mepkkjbM4s1r19909o1_500 tumblr_mflnymCVqD1r19909o1_500I’m not sure why Dumbledore is such a fascinating character to me, but he just is. Plus he has some of the most epic quotes ever. (Plus, Dumbledore loves music – see below)

3688_481952001825470_2141234339_nI want Jo to publish a biography of Dumbledore’s life, without the jaded/skewed-ness of Rita’s book. PLEASE.

Read more about this wonderfully fabulous character here!

Now here are some wonderful Dumbledore quotes:
“I believe your friends Misters Fred and George Weasley were responsible for trying to send you a toilet seat. No doubt they thought it would amuse you.”

“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.”

“After all to the well organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.”

“Do not pity the dead Harry.  Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love.”

“Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.”

“It is a curious thing, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it.  Those who have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well.”

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”

“It is important to fight and fight again, and keep fighting, for only then can evil be kept at bay though never quite eradicated.”

“Dark times lie ahead of us and there will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right.”

“It is our choices…that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

“Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

“It’s the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.”

“Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love.”

“By all means continue destroying my possessions. I daresay I have too many.” (anger at this moment)

“Don’t be silly, Dawlish. I’m sure you are an excellent Auror, I seem to remember you achieved ‘Outstanding’ in all your N.E.W.T.s, but if you attempt to — er — ‘bring me in’ by force, I will have to hurt you.”

“Fear of a name increases fear of a thing itself.”

“Humans have a knack for choosing precisely the things that are worst for them.”

“Ah, music,” he said, wiping his eyes. “A magic far beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!”

And so many more! Find some here!