"Lemon drop!"

"It was a large and beautiful circular room, full of funny little noises. A number of curious silver instruments stood on spindle-legged tables, whirring and emitting little puffs of smoke. The walls were covered with portraits of old headmasters and headmistresses, all of whom were snoozing gently in the frames. There was also an enormous, claw-footed desk, and, sitting on a shelf beside it, a shabby, tattered wizard's hat-- the Sorting Hat...

Standing on a golden perch behind the door was a decrepit-looking bird that resembled a half-plucked turkey. Harry stared at it and the bird looked balefully back, making its gagging noise again."

                                           -- Chapter 12, Book 2

         Dumbledore-- an enigma for sure: the greatest wizard alive whose powers rivaled those of Voldemort's at the height of the Evil One's power and yet, a rather quirky old codger who delights in silly words, lemon drops, and anomalous explanations. Someday, he is going to explain everything-- or it will be explained for him(!), but I believe that in further books, he will spill all about the past: Harry, Voldemort, the Potters, and All that is Yet Unknown.

         New Engimas to Ponder: Is Dumbledore all the "sugar and spice" he likes everyone to think he is? Somehow, that strange look in his eye in Book 4 has managed to drive me crazy ever since I read it. Check it out for yourself: Chapter 26 of Book Four, page 696 in the hardcover version:

       "For a fleeting instant, Harry thought he saw a gleam of something like triumph in Dumbledore's eyes." Now put that in the context of the story here, and you yourself will begin to wonder just as I have about the real and intimate nature of Albus Dumbledore. Perhaps there's a reason why every other wizard including Voldemort fear him...

The Only One He Ever Feared...

        And for good reason apparently. In Book 5 we learn (not surprisingly really) that Dumbledore can evade the Minister of Magic (well Fudge isn't really a competitor anyway--rather a bumbler, but still) as well as Aurors and Dementors and disappear into thin air inside of Hogwarts (where, as Hermione is always reminding us, "you can't apparate on Hogwarts grounds!!"). He is a force to be reckoned with, in intellect as well as magical strenth. Many of Rowling's most profound lines belong to this venerable wizard...As I reread through the series, I'll try to put up the best quotes Dumbledore has. The serious ones anyway. I'll do the funny ones when I reread the series the next time...

Book One: The Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone

"To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure."--p. 297

"--the trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them." --p. 297

"Always use the proper name for things. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself." --p.298

"The truth...It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution." --p. 298

"There are all kinds of courage...It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends." --p. 306

Book Two: The Chamber of Secrets:

"...the best of us must sometimes eat our words." --p. 331

"It is our choices...that show what we truly are, for more than our abilities" --p. 333