The Man Behind the Myth: Albus Dumbledore (Part - 1)

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, the wizard with the distinctive crooked nose, whose seasoned gaze and warm smile provided a sense of security to all Potterheads, even in the midst of darkness that shrouded the magical world. Regarded as the greatest and seemingly flawless figure in our inquisitive eyes, one might ponder: was he inherently perfect from birth, or did the tragedies of his life mold him into the compassionate, sensible, and loving figure we came to know? Let's delve into the life of this greatest wizard of the century and draw our own conclusions.

Albus Dumbledore resided with his parents, Kendra and Percival, as well as his younger brother Aberforth, and his younger sister, Ariana. Ariana, the youngest of the siblings, at the tender age of six, was performing magic tricks in the backyard. Unfortunately, this drew the attention of three muggle boys who, upon being unable to comprehend her magic, assaulted her. The traumatic incident left lasting scars on Ariana. The trauma of the attack utterly destroyed her. Subsequently, she refused to actively use magic, yet she couldn't escape its influence. Instead of being directed outward, her magical abilities turned inward, causing her mental instability. It became a force she couldn't control, erupting unpredictably and contributing to her descent into madness.

It is plausible that Ariana was an obscurial. During a time when wizards were still living openly before retreating into hiding from muggles who persecuted them, young wizards and witches often attempted to suppress their magical abilities to avoid persecution. According to Rowling, an obscurus forms under specific conditions, including trauma associated with the use of magic, internalized hatred of one's own magical abilities, and a conscious attempt to suppress those powers. Ariana's case aligns with these conditions, as she likely suppressed her magical abilities due to the trauma inflicted upon her during the attack by muggle boys. The internalized fear and the conscious effort to avoid using magic may have led to the development of the obscurus within her.

Percival Dumbledore, Dumbledore's father, took matters into his own hands after the attack on his daughter Ariana. Seeking retribution, he pursued the three boys responsible and, in a fit of anger, ended their lives. This act became a scandal for the family, leading them to relocate. However, the Ministry of Magic swiftly intervened, sentencing Percival to a lifetime in Azkaban. He chose to remain silent about the motive behind his actions, understanding that revealing Ariana's condition would likely result in her confinement at St. Mungo's, the Wizarding hospital, as she posed a threat to the International Statute of Secrecy due to her instability.

The family shifted to Godric’s Hollow and concealed the truth by portraying her as simply "ill". Kendra, Ariana's mother, dedicated the rest of her life to maintaining Ariana's peace and happiness within the confines of their home, striving to prevent any more explosive outbursts or obscurus incidents. Tragically, when Ariana was fourteen, a violent episode led to a devastating accident that claimed Kendra's life, leaving the family to cope with the aftermath of this profound loss.

At the age of 18, Albus Dumbledore, the eldest of the three siblings, had just graduated from Hogwarts with a multitude of accomplishments, awards, and honors, setting the stage for what appeared to be a promising future. Ready to embark on a grand tour with his devoted but dim-witted companion, Elphias Doge, whom he had befriended at Hogwarts, Dumbledore found himself at the Leaky Cauldron, preparing for an adventure that was meant to take them to Greece the following morning.

However, their plans took an abrupt turn when news arrived that Dumbledore's mother had passed away. The responsibility of caring for his younger siblings, Aberforth and Ariana, fell upon Dumbledore, forcing him to abandon his travel plans with Doge. Despite the familial duty, Dumbledore couldn't hide his resentment. Returning to Godric's Hollow, Dumbledore felt trapped and frustrated, perceiving his potential as wasted. However, a significant shift occurred when Gellert Grindelwald, the nephew of his neighbor Bathilda Bagshot, visited the village. This encounter marked a turning point for Dumbledore, altering his perspective on being home and setting the stage for the complex and influential relationship that would develop between him and Grindelwald.