Becoming Albus Dumbledore: Judge of Beards #MNBHP

I did warn you,” said a deep, amused voice, and everyone turned to see Professor Dumbledore coming out of the Great Hall. He surveyed Fred and George, his eyes twinkling. “I suggest you both go up to Madam Pomfrey. She is already tending to Miss Fawcett, of Ravenclaw, and Mr. Summers, of Hufflepuff, both of whom decided to age themselves up a little too. Though I must say, neither of their beards is anything like as fine and yours.”

GoF

Fred and George, along with some of their peers, have broke Dumbledore’s specific warning and decree for underage wizards not to submit their names into the Goblet. He could be livid—certainly if this were Umbridge the boys would be carving, “I Shall Not Break Arbitrary Rules,” into their hands. But, Dumbledore chooses instead to complement the boys’ beards. Why?

I have a few reasons, first of which is that Dumbledore, though strict when need-be, is not a legalistic man. He is also not insecure about his authority so he doesn’t feel the need to put the boys in their place. But mostly I think Dumbledore acts the way he does because he has learned that love is patient, forgiving, and long enduring—and we all know Dumbledore values love.

Dumbledore sees the boys’ actions in the frame of the whole picture. Did they try to break a rule? Yes. But they didn’t and the motivation behind their actions was a competitive drive. A thriving to earn money to start their joke shop—which I am convinced Dumbledore knew about. Dumbledore didn’t want to suffocate the twins’ drive by being overly harsh on them. Rather, I think, being an inventive mind himself, he valued Fred and George’s ingenuity. He allowed them to make their attempt to thwart the age line, and he didn’t punish them for it.

Rules are important to facilitate peace and order and create a thriving environment. When they stifle creativity and love, they have neglected their purpose. A fact Umbridge will likely never understand because she is legalistic, insecure, and devoid of love.

CHALLENGE

Become Dumbledore. Step back and look at the whole picture. Don’t rule monger to assert your own authority for authority’s sake—that is being Umbridge. When someone breaks a rule or warning you’ve given, don’t punish or mock them, compliment their beard. Don’t look at what someone has done wrong and judge them harshly, rather laugh with them (if they’re laughing) when they get up off the ground and realize they’ve messed up.

Remember—love is the most powerful form of magic there is. Patience, forgiveness, and long enduring are all parts of love. Try to wield them more often than not.

Next Week: Becoming Hermione Granger: Toast Deliverer