A recurring theme in fanfiction is Dumbledore’s inaction. Not only is this a theme in fanfiction, I question it time and time again as Dumbledore [interacts with Riddle][Dealing_with_Riddle], with [Harry][HJP1] and the [Dursleys][DF1] , and even with [Grindelwald]. Dumbledore has three jobs, each of which is the sort of prestigious position that influences a signature line of a letter, in some cases even when someone else is signing the letter in question.1 What does he do with these positions to shape society? How does he use them to advance reform, battle injustice, or steer the wayward towards the light? Is the sum total of his accomplishments in his tenure as Headmaster at [Hogwarts] that he allowed one werewolf to be educated? Were there no other were-children in the many years he was there?
Some fanfiction works that have built on this team:
- on the idea that [Hogwarts] should offer languages because while pure-bloods might learn a second language at home, not every student at the school has that opportunity.
- secondly on the idea that [Bill Weasley] can be trusted to investigate the curse on the defence position, since [Dumbledore][AD1] has already trusted him to help with the wards on [Harry][HJP1]’s house (in this story).
Albus was truly dumbfounded. He wasn’t used to being talked to in the manner these two were doing. He wasn’t accustomed to others coming up with ideas with merit. He wasn’t used to people not taking what he said as the complete truth. He had been offering empty promises for so long he had quit trying to actually do anything about the problems.2
For several years now I have been silently observing everything and anything that takes place at Hogwarts. And every time I noticed something wrong, I often spent many restless nights thinking of how the problems could be fixed and the issues could be solved.
But it became obvious to me early on, after first year was over, that Dumbledore wasn’t going to be interested in fixing these issues until after Voldemort was gone. And the longer this lasted, the longer Dumbledore kept reacting to Voldemort’s plans instead of trying to prevent them, the more I grew to resent him.
Over and over again I saw evidence that the man would just let Voldemort do whatever he wanted.
Over and over again I saw the teachers just follow the man’s example without questioning the wrongness of it all.
Over and over again, it was up to me and my friends to do the job of the staff, to save and protect the students that were their responsibility.
Over and over again my friends and I were rewarded for our efforts, but the teachers also neglected to think of how these events might have scarred us.3
[Dealing_with_Riddle]: </Harrypedia/people/Dumbledore/Albus Percival Wulfric Brian/>dealing_with_riddle/ [Grindelwald]: /Harrypedia/people/Grindelwald/Gellert/ [TMR1]: </Harrypedia/people/Riddle/Tom Marvolo/> [HJP1]: </Harrypedia/people/Potter/Harry James/> [DF1]: /Harrypedia/people/Dursley/ [AD1]: </Harrypedia/people/Dumbledore/Albus Percival Wulfric Brian/> [Bill Weasley]: </Harrypedia/people/Weasley/William Arthur/> [Hogwarts]: /Harrypedia/Hogwarts/
Mrs. J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone p. 51. © 1998 Pottermore Limited. American Kindle Edition. (referring to the Hogwart’s admission letter)↩︎
gredandforgerock. Remus Lupin: Savior Chapter 8 Published: 2011-05-22. Updated: 2021-10-15. Last Viewed: 2021-10-15.↩︎
Venquine1990. Dumbledore’s Folly “Chapter 11. Punishment In Mind - Part 02” Published: 2021-08-31. Updated: 2021-10-31. Last Viewed: 2021-11-02.↩︎