Dumbledore
Hogwarts: I'm Tom, Not Voldemort
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Albus Dumbledore 1 |
| Alias(es) | Old Dumbledore 105 |
| Species/Race | Wizard 5 |
| Gender | Male 1 |
| Affiliation | Hogwarts 1 |
| Occupation/Role | Headmaster of Hogwarts; honorary president of the International Confederation of Wizards 1 234 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 1 |
Appearance
Dumbledore is tall and thin, with an appearance that draws attention even outside the wizarding world 1.
- Silver hair and a long beard that can be braided 1.
- Bright blue eyes behind half-moon spectacles 1.
- Floor-length purple robes embroidered with stars and moons during his visit to Tom Riddle 1.
Background and Story Role
Dumbledore visits Tom at the Lewisham Children's Home and invites him to Hogwarts. Tom's name, orphanhood and influence over the other children remind him of Voldemort, but he refuses to judge the boy on those similarities alone. After seeing Tom cast through sheer will, he recognizes his unusual talent and guides him through Diagon Alley 1 2 4.
At Hogwarts, he continues to distinguish Tom from the earlier Tom Riddle. He tells Severus Snape that a shared name is not proof of shared identity and urges him to guide his student rather than treat him with suspicion. Dumbledore nevertheless worries about the new Tom's readiness to use force 12 14 15 48. He lends Tom books from his private collection and helps him contact Newt Scamander about unicorns 54 75 122 123.
Dumbledore keeps the Philosopher's Stone at Hogwarts as bait for a would-be thief despite McGonagall's objections about student safety. He promises that no student will suffer irreversible harm 75. Later, after Tom enters the Forbidden Forest and fights a hooded figure, Dumbledore questions him about the encounter and deducts one hundred points from Slytherin for breaking school rules 136. His attempt to give Gryffindor the House Cup by awarding Harry one hundred points fails when Slytherin retains its lead 149.
During the following school year, Tom confronts Dumbledore over hiring Gilderoy Lockhart. Dumbledore admits that he knew Lockhart was a fraud and had hoped students would expose him, while also saying that few candidates sought the Defense Against the Dark Arts post 226. After parents and governors demand action, he dismisses Lockhart and publicly takes responsibility for the appointment 231. He subsequently tests applicant Ross Wilkinson's magical ability before considering him for the vacancy 234. Dumbledore later announces assistant-prefect positions for students in Years One through Four, with selection tied to academic and dueling performance 260.
Personality
Dumbledore is gentle in conversation but deliberate in his judgments. He resists Snape's suspicion of Tom and reflects on how his guarded treatment of the earlier Tom Riddle may have contributed to that student's path 12 48. Tom's appeal for friendship between Slytherin and Gryffindor moves him to tears 75.
His decisions can also place strategy ahead of immediate safety: he refuses to move the Philosopher's Stone while using it to draw out a thief 75. When the Lockhart appointment becomes untenable, he acknowledges his mistake before the school 231.
Abilities and Skills
Transfiguration and spellcasting
Dumbledore is described as an exceptionally powerful Transfiguration master and an Epoch-ranked wizard 5 108.
- Moves and neatly stacks books with a snap of his fingers 1.
- Has transfigured large creatures, including fire dragons, in duels with Grindelwald 108.
- Can use transfigured living creatures to counter a Killing Curse 134.
- Uses the Eagle Eye Technique to observe Tom and Snape's duel from a castle tower 120.
Judgment and observation
- Identifies Tom's deliberate use of magic before enrollment as rare, while withholding judgment about his resemblance to Voldemort 1 2.
- Recognizes Grindelwald's fighting style in Tom's duel with Snape 121.
- Notices the change in Tom's aura after he begins studying Ancient Magic 259 260.
Relationships
- Tom Riddle — Recruits and assists him, while monitoring his conduct and growing power; their relationship becomes strained over school discipline and Lockhart's appointment 1 54 121 136 226.
- Severus Snape — Urges him not to mistake the new Tom for Voldemort 12 48.
- Minerva McGonagall — Disagrees with her over keeping the Philosopher's Stone at school 75.
- Gellert Grindelwald — Former dueling opponent; Grindelwald devised a spell specifically to counter his transfigured dragons 108 121.
- Newt Scamander — Admired acquaintance whom he helps Tom contact 122 123.
- Nicolas Flamel — Friend whose alchemical writing is among the books Dumbledore lends Tom 54.
- Aberforth Dumbledore — Brother who openly resents and curses him 244.
- Fawkes — His phoenix 207.