Thank You Dumbledore

Standing at Platform nine and three quarters. Harry James Potter along with his wife Ginny Weasley Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermoine Jean Granger-Weasley all stand together as proud parents watching their children board the Hogwarts Express as they begin their new year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry himself could not be more proud to watch his children start their new journey of life the same way he began his 26 years ago.

As the quartet stand together with their hearts full watching their children Harry looks across the platform and spots a familiar face in the distance. It is a face that only he can see as he and the being in the distance lock eyes and study each other. Harry’s mind is occupied with the sight of the person in front of his eyes. The man in his sights is Albus Percival Wolfric Brian Dumbledore, his hero and mentor.

As Harry looked upon Dumbledore’s face, Dumbledore looked back at him with a somber smile. The exchange was marred by silence. No words were verbally spoken, but Harry could just hear in the back of his mind that Albus was saying the same words to him that he said when he greeted him at Kings Cross Station on the night of May 8th, 1998. “Harry. You wonderful boy, you brave man.” Harry was smiling inside and out as he looked across at Dumbledore. His heart was overwhelmed with joy that his mentor was sharing this heartfelt moment of watching his children begin their journeys to incredible lives.

Albus glanced over to the children as they all sat together on the Hogwarts Express. He let out a chuckle of joy as he watched the children joke, play and perform minor spells of magic among each other. The site reminded him of Harry, Ron and Hermoine when they were children. He then looked back over to Harry with a smile of appreciation. Harry’s eyes then began to water. He knew that the smile on Dumbledore’s face was one of pride. He knew that Dumbledore was proud of him for the man and father that Harry had become over the past 19 years since the Battle of Hogwarts. He was also honored that Harry had named his youngest son after him, Albus Severus Potter.

Though Harry was smiling and was genuinely happy, Dumbledore’s spirit could sense that something was troubling Harry even among his genuine happiness. Harry’s smile was now slightly straightened by a thought of worry. He thought to both himself and Dumbledore “What if I fail to prepare my children for the world that lies ahead? What if they have to struggle just as I did? After all, it wasn’t easy for me growing up as ‘The Boy Who Lived’ and their lives will only be more public growing up as the children of ‘The Boy Who Lived’.

Dumbledore's spirit could hear the troubling thoughts lingering in Harry’s mind. As Harry looked back at Dumbledore he knew that Albus could sense his trepidation. Albus’ spirit then began to walk closer into Harry’s view. Staring deeply into Harry’s eyes, Albus lightly nodded his head forward and winked his eye with a sense of affirmation. Harry knew what this gesture meant. He understood that Dumbledore was telling him everything was going to be alright.

Harry’s eyes suddenly started to wander as he began having flashbacks of the love and support he had from people in his life like Albus, Ron and Hermoine when he went through his struggles in his youth. His life was no easy journey, much like everyone else in the world, but at least he did not have to travel that journey alone and with that love and support he eventually did win the uphill battle of life that was his childhood. He then focused his eyes back on Dumbledore who’s smile had now grown bigger. Harry knew in that moment that Dumbledore could sense the peace in his heart from his warm thoughts. A tear then rolled down Harry’s right cheek as his eyes continued to water in joy and he shook his head to Dumbledore in agreement

As his heart was once again filled with joy he turned his attention to the Hogwarts Express as it was now departing. As everyone around him waved and cheered in excitement Harry then turned his attention back towards the place where Dumbledore’s spirit stood, but found that Albus was now gone. With a smile still on his face, Harry raised his head to the sky with appreciation as his heart uttered “Thank you Dumbledore.”

The end.

Earlier today I received the news that Dumbledore actor Michael Gambon had passed away. This story is dedicated to Michael and the iconic memories he gave us as Hogwarts greatest headmaster.