Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, etc...

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Having read the Harry Potter series over 4 times since I first picked up the Sorcerer's Stone in the 2nd grade, this is not my first reread-rodeo. However, the great thing about the genius of J.K. Rowling is that every time I step back into the magical world of Hogwarts, I find new things to focus on. With each reread I find new bread crumbs of what's to come six books from now; I find myself paying attention to different character's and their motivations; I appreciate the imagery Rowling has created purely with her words.

However, while all of that is great, what I really want to talk about in this first blog post is how nutty Professor Dumbledore is! Don't get me wrong, I am very much fully aware that Albus Wulfric Percival Brian Dumbledore is clearly the greatest wizard of all time, but let's be real... he's a Grade A Wack-A-Doodle.

After finishing the seventh book, it's the older Dumbledore that you have fresh on your mind. You remember the man who nurtured Harry (except for when he barely spoke to Harry in the Order of the Phoenix, what kind of father figure is that), taught him how to defeat the Dark Lord (kind of), and was always spewing out wise sayings.

In our first introduction to Dumbledore on Privet Drive, the man is quite eccentric showing up in his purple robes and high heeled boots. While I have major respect for his fashion choices, I'm not sure any ~normal~ muggle would be ready to see that look in Vogue Magazine. We really only understand Dumbledore's importance through his encounter with McGonagall and Hagrid. The respect they show Dumbledore highlights the idea that he is some great wizard that we too should have respect for. Otherwise he's just some man in half-moon glasses and a beard that could maybe use a clipping.

Once Harry makes his way to Hogwarts, he immediately recognizes Dumbledore from his chocolate frog card. At this point, the reader (as well as Harry) is well aware of how powerful Albus Dumbledore is and the respect he receives from the wizarding world. It is for that precise reason that when his grand speech at the opening dinner is, "Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!", like Harry, you can't help but wonder if the man's a little mad! He continues his speech after the feast but it only consists of a few words, including telling the students not to go into the Forbidden Forest and not to go into the 3rd floor corridor on the right hand side.

However in just a few chapters, some of his students into the forest as punishment for being out of bed! I'm pretty sure being sent into a forest with tons of menacing, murderous creatures (including Lord Voldemort) isn't quite the equivalent punishment for being out past bed time. We are also are aware of what lie's within the 3rd floor corridor and Dumbledore wasn't kidding when he said a "die a very painful death". But this brings up the question of why would a wise headmaster bring that kind of danger into a school of ten year olds to begin with?

Don't get me wrong, I love Albus Dumbledore. He is my favorite character of the whole series. I think his eccentric personality is what makes him unique from the other characters. I just find it interesting that often times we forget about the bizarre ways of Dumbledore (especially because they are so toned down in the movies), and we only view him as the wise father figure Harry looks up to. Rowling's decision to make Dumbledore such an oddball character makes me love her even more because it just really shows that Hogwarts is a home for anyone.

And besides, who am I to judge. I'm sure Dumbledore is just as sane as I am...