Until the end of December, the ‘Harry Potter’ series is airing weekly on Sat.1 and available for streaming on various platforms. The article delves into the complex family dynamics of Albus Dumbledore, revealing dark truths about his parents and sister. It explores Percival’s imprisonment, Kendra’s struggles with Ariana’s magical condition, and Albus’s pursuit of power that leads to tragic consequences. The narrative highlights the impact of past traumas and family secrets on Dumbledore’s legacy.
Until the End of December: The enchanting ‘Harry Potter’ series is currently being broadcast weekly on Sat.1, allowing fans to relive the magical adventures of the young wizard on free television. For those who prefer streaming, all the films are also available on Sky, Amazon Prime Video, and until New Year’s Eve on Netflix. Be sure to check out the complete schedule of ‘Harry Potter’ broadcasts!
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, portrayed by Richard Harris in the initial films and later by Michael Gambon, serves as the guiding light for the iconic character Harry Potter, played by Daniel Radcliffe. Dumbledore is often seen as the ultimate mentor, an incredibly powerful wizard who appears infallible. However, this flawless image begins to shatter in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1’.
As the story unfolds, shocking revelations about Dumbledore’s family emerge, challenging Harry’s perception of him. For instance, during Fleur (Clémence Poésy) and Bill’s (Domhnall Gleeson) wedding, Aunt Muriel (Matyelok Gibbs) reveals that Albus Dumbledore’s father supposedly murdered three Muggles out of disdain for non-magical individuals.
This information fuels the rumors propagated by Rita Kimmkorn (Miranda Richardson) in her controversial book, ‘The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore’. But how much truth is there to these allegations? Join us as we uncover the secrets of the Dumbledore family!
Percival Dumbledore: A Life Behind Bars
Percival Dumbledore, Albus’ father, is accused of harboring hatred for Muggles and committing murder against three of them. He is imprisoned in Azkaban, where he ultimately meets his demise in the 1890s. However, this narrative only captures part of the reality!
Kendra Dumbledore: A Misunderstood Matriarch
Kendra Dumbledore, Albus’ mother, seeks to start anew with her children following the tragedy involving Ariana and the subsequent imprisonment of her husband, Percival. She relocates to Godric’s Hollow, hoping to escape the shadows of her past.
As Ariana’s mental health deteriorates after the attack, her magical abilities become increasingly erratic. Kendra chooses to keep Ariana at home instead of sending her to Hogwarts, leading to speculation that she is ashamed of her daughter and trying to hide her, with rumors suggesting Ariana is a Squib—someone born into a wizarding family without magical powers.
In reality, after the trauma of the attack, Ariana’s magic has become dangerously repressed, resulting in her becoming an Obscurial, a condition that can unleash uncontrollable and destructive magic, much like the character Credence (Ezra Miller) in ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’.
As Kendra grapples with the challenges of managing Ariana’s chaotic magic, tragedy strikes when Ariana’s powers erupt in her absence, leading to Kendra’s untimely death.
Rita Kimmkorn’s narrative in ‘The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore’ falsely claims that Kendra attempted to eliminate Ariana due to the shame she brought upon the family, only to accidentally cause her own demise instead.
Albus Dumbledore: The Arrogant Prodigy
From a young age, Albus Dumbledore displays immense magical prowess, coupled with a pronounced arrogance. Following his father’s incarceration, he assumes the role of head of the family but shows little concern for Ariana’s well-being or his mother’s struggles.
With Kendra’s premature passing when Albus is only 18, he blames her for not supporting his ambitions. Nevertheless, he remains undeterred in his quest for greatness alongside the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.
Much like Voldemort in later years, Albus is consumed by the desire for immortality and embarks on a pursuit of the Deathly Hallows. With time, he realizes that his thirst for power has detrimental effects on those he loves.
Despite his past mistakes, Dumbledore dedicates himself to combating Voldemort and empowering Harry with the knowledge needed to face their common enemy. Without Dumbledore’s thorough investigations, the existence of Voldemort’s Horcruxes might have remained unknown.
What the films omit is the tale of how Dumbledore destroys Marvolo Gaunt’s ring, a Horcrux, between the fifth and sixth installments. The film merely depicts the destruction with the sword of Gryffindor, resulting in a severe injury to Dumbledore’s hand, without revealing the true circumstances.
This injury, while visible in the film, has an underlying cause. Marvolo Gaunt’s ring is not only a Horcrux but also a Deathly Hallow, containing the Resurrection Stone. Dumbledore’s fatal mistake occurs when he attempts to seize the stone, unaware of the dark magic that lurks within, leading to his grave injury. When Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) arrives to assist, he realizes the wound is fatal, leaving Dumbledore with only months to live. His desire to use the stone stems from a wish to reconnect with his sister, whose needs he neglected during his lifetime.
Aberforth Dumbledore: A Life of Solitude
Aberforth Dumbledore, Albus’ younger brother, represents a stark contrast to him. Unlike Albus, Aberforth seeks a humble and tranquil existence. He dedicates himself to caring for Ariana, being the only one able to soothe her during her magical outbursts.
Choosing to distance himself from Albus, Aberforth manages the Hog’s Head Inn in Hogsmeade. Following Albus’ passing, he watches over Harry through a magical mirror and becomes an integral part of Dumbledore’s Army. He ultimately fights bravely in the Battle of Hogwarts, thus honoring his brother’s legacy.
Ariana Dumbledore: A Tragic Innocent
Ariana Dumbledore’s life takes a tragic turn when she is assaulted by three Muggles at the tender age of six. While the books leave the details vague, it strongly suggests that the attack was of a sexual nature. This horrific event leaves her deeply traumatized and transforms her into an Obscurial, where her magic becomes a source of chaos and destruction.