In the grand scheme of things, Albus Dumbledore was not, strictly speaking, a good man. He was vicious sometimes. Cruel. He manipulated and played his games of chess with real and living people. Some might say he cared. Some might say he didn’t. What is known is what he did.
What he did, when he was young, was this: left his family - his brother and his disabled sister - to survive on their own when he put his learning above them. Participated in the death of his sister, along with his then-best friend and brother. Let his love for his once-best friend make him postpone actions, despite all the harm and hate he did and caused.
What he did, when he was older, was this: spoke for the muggles and muggleborns, who would be harmed by laws the ministry could pass without their knowledge. Allowed a werewolf to school, when others would not. Made accommodations for the werewolf, so he could live as close to a “normal” life as possible.
What he did, even then, was this: let the werewolf’s friends get away with almost killing another student. Manipulated someone into turning spy on someone who would kill him if they learned. Made a useful ally in a war, that he might save lives.
Those last two are the same.
What he did, later even than then, was this: ignored the treatment of students under his spy’s care. Ignored the treatment of his students under a ministry-sent employee. Claimed the actions of students as his, that they might not be hurt more.
What he did, further on than that, was this: taught someone what they would need, to end a war. Trusted the safety of his organisation to a man gone mad from isolation and despair. Entrusted key items to strangers, because they were beloved of the one who was to end it all.
What he did was this: wrongs, that might one day produce a right. Rights, that might help some few.
What he did, in the end, was not good or bad alone. They were both, intermingled, comingled, and depending on what you count, and what you consider he could be hero or villain, but in the end, he was neither. He was a man. He made bad decisions, he made good ones. He made cruel decisions, and he made kind.
And ever, oh, ever was he an enigma, to those who thought they knew him.
Albus Dumbledore by daPatches
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