The Five Best Dumbledore and Harry Moments
After the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, fans changed their tune when it came to Dumbledore. Where before he was seen as a noble, protective teacher, now Dumbledore has been called a “puppet master.” A popular opinion among fans is that Dumbledore manipulated and lied to Harry, instead of telling Harry the truth earlier in the series. Yes, Dumbledore isn’t perfect and he made several mistakes. However, I think we’re forgetting about all the times Dumbledore was a friend, mentor, and father figure to Harry.
1. Dumbledore shuts down the Dursleys.
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore visits the Dursleys to take Harry away for a meeting with Slughorn. When Dumbledore arrives, he flaunts his magic, which intimidates the Dursleys. Dumbledore then proceeds to say, in an icy tone that even scares Harry, that the Dursleys treated Harry abominably. The Headmaster doesn’t hurt Harry’s aunt and uncle, but he scares them just enough to keep them on their toes. This moment reminds us that Dumbledore is always watching out for Harry’s safety when it comes to the Dursleys. I’m forever annoyed that this amazing moment wasn’t in the movies!
2. Dumbledore doesn’t question the trio.
After Sirius is captured in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Dumbledore visits the trio in the hospital wing of Hogwarts. Harry and his friends have just learned that Sirius is innocent and wrongfully imprisoned. Frantically, Harry and his friends start shouting to Dumbledore that Sirius is innocent. Dumbledore immediately believes them and doesn’t question their excited state. This blew my mind the first time I read Prisoner of Azkaban. Dumbledore puts his trust in the trio, and that’s when I felt that I could trust the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
3. Dumbledore reassures Harry.
In Harry’s first two years at Hogwarts, he has a difficult time coming to terms with almost being Sorted into Slytherin House. Harry doesn’t become confident in his Hogwarts House placement until Dumbledore reassures Harry in a wonderfully kind moment.
Harry feels that he has to know if he would be a better Gryffindor or Slytherin. Dumbledore comforts Harry with the famous line “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Harry chooses to be brave, selfless, and strong, and that makes him a Gryffindor. Then, in case Harry needs even more convincing, Dumbledore points out that Harry did use the sword of Gryffindor, and that only a true Gryffindor could wield it. Dumbledore was a real comfort to Harry in this situation and provided his student with the confidence he needed moving forward.
4. Dumbledore gives Harry the Invisibility Cloak.
This is the moment that began the friendship between Harry and Dumbledore. After learning about how much the Deathly Hallows mean to Dumbledore, we know that it must have been a difficult choice handing over one of them to Harry. It was definitely the right thing to do! Still, power is one of Dumbledore’s weaknesses, so that fact that he was able to part with the Cloak and trust Harry with it was amazing.
Also, when Harry later gets caught breaking the rules with the Cloak, Dumbledore then returns it to him. The Invisibility Cloak goes on to be an important object to Harry in the series since its one of the few things he has that used to belong to his parents. Dumbledore bequeathing the Cloak to Harry in the first place allowed their relationship to become really strong.
5. “I am not worried, Harry. I am with you.”
This is my favorite moment between Harry and Dumbledore. The words that are exchanged are powerful and emotional. The reader understands how much these two characters mean to each other. After years of Dumbledore being a pillar of strength, wisdom, and guidance for Harry, the situation is reversed. In Half-Blood Prince, Harry is helping Dumbledore destroy Horcruxes. The pair returns from their mission with Dumbledore in a horrible state. As Harry reassures Dumbledore that he will lead his teacher to safety, Dumbledore speaks about how much he trusts Harry.
I am not worried, Harry,” said Dumbledore, his voice a little stronger despite the freezing water. “I am with you.”
There is so much unsaid here, but these words hit the reader hard. With what little strength he has left, Dumbledore is saying how much he believes in Harry and trusts his life in his hands. Half-Blood Prince has the best Dumbledore and Harry moments. This one is a real tearjerker!
