Albus Dumbledore

The Headmaster                 

             One usually gets scared upon hearing the word Headmaster or the name of their school's Headmaster. Yes, that's the way we were all brought up and it is still continuing to some extent. Having respect for the Headmaster is important, that the same time, the meetings with one's Headmaster should not become a nightmare. J.K. Rowling has broken all the taboos between students and their Headmaster in her world famous magical series "Harry Potter" (It would be fun, if you read it with Hedwig's theme).               

            Both the first book and the movie opens with the Headmaster, leaving little Harry at the doorsteps of the Dursleys. Little Harry struggled with his estranged aunt's family for ten years and on his eleventh birthday, he was summoned to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, through owl posts. Unfortunately, the owl posts were thrown into fire by his beefy and plumpy uncle Vernon, but was later conveyed through Hogwarts' gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid. Later, at Hogwarts, Harry comes across the mirror of Erised (If you watch it keenly, you would realize that the word has been spelled backwards for Desire) Harry gets to meet Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, the Headmaster at Hogwarts and the greatest wizard of the age, personally for the first time. Dumbledore watches over Harry and tells him about the characteristics of the mirror in his own way, which instantly took Harry a few minutes to interpret. (Of course, Headmasters are ought to have a specific style in explaining things). At the end of the first book, one gets to watch Dumbledore telling about his experience with Bertie Bott's Every Flavoured Beans to his student, Harry Potter.                

            The second book, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" reveals Dumbledore's confidence in Harry, of not petrifying the muggle-born students and the spirit Nearly Headless Nick, when the whole school accused Harry of the charges. Dumbledore, analyzed the situation thoroughly and carefully, rather than punishing Harry abruptly. Harry again saves the day by killing the memory of Tom Riddle, the heir of Slytherin with the help of Fawkes and Godric Gryffindor's sword in the Chamber of Secrets. Back at the castle, Albus Dumbledore, cools the situation and prevents the detention/expulsion of Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter, for breaking a dozen school rules.

            It is also necessary to keep in mind that, Dumbledore saved Harry and Ronald from Professor Snape for breaking into the Whomping Willow with the enchanted car. Dumbledore entered Snape's office on time with Professor McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor House and the Transfiguration teacher to hand over the situation to the Transfiguration teacher. Dumbledore's love for Harry saves him from Snape's grudge. The second movie ends with Harry handling Tom Riddle's diary to Lucius Malfoy and freeing Dobby from the harsh clutches of the Malfoy family with the Headmaster's permission. On the other hand, the book ends with the students savoring a sumptuous feast before heading towards the Hogwarts Express.            
        
            In the meanwhile, Hagrid, the gamekeeper was expelled from Hogwarts in his third year, for helping a giant spider to run into the forest. The spider was accused of killing a girl, and Hagrid, being the keeper of the spider was expelled from the castle. Dumbledore, who was a Professor at that time, restored Hagrid as the keeper of keys and grounds, after becoming the Headmaster at Hogwarts. Dumbledore, here proves that he is a great listener and a supporter of justice.    

            There are so many minor incidents in the book and the movie, where one can also tell that Dumbledore is more kind, fun, and loving. He didn't get angry on Ronald, for Errol's delay in delivering Hagrid's release papers at Azkaban. He instantly wrote to Daily Prophet, not about the Chamber of Secrets, but about the recruitment for the Defence against the Dark Arts teacher. Dumbledore, is the best example for a calm and composed mind, which one gets to know, when he was suspended from the Hogwarts grounds by the Ministry.

            

           The Harry Potter Series, has given the readers, a variety of teachers with different set of characteristics. The Headmaster, and the other teachers have got their own style. Albus Dumbledore has proved that, not all Headmasters are rude and non-friendly.

              I have described only the scenes from the first two books of the Harry Potter series, as the third and fourth books has more Dumbledore parts, which in my opinion, has to be written and explained carefully. 

P.S. Dumbledore reminds me of one of my favourite Professors at Lady Doak College, Madurai, by the name Dr. Vijayarani. She resembles Dumbledore in every possible way.

I am also waiting to hear about your favourite teacher stories.

Some words to know:

Dursleys - the surname of Harry's aunt, uncle, and his cousin

Fawkes - Dumbledore's Phoenix

Slytherin and Gryffindor - Two of the Houses at Hogwarts

Godric Gryffindor - One of the founders of The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, after                                         whom Gryffindor house was named

Ronald Weasley - Harry's best friend

Lucius Malfoy - The one who puts Riddle's diary into Ginny's cauldron

Ginny Weasley - Ronald's sister who helped Tom to regain his powers

Errol - The family owl of the Weasleys

Azkaban - Prison for the wizards

Daily Prophet - Wizard's Newspaper