Gellert Grindelwald
If that name isn't familiar to you here's a name you may recall, Harry Potter.
Gellert Grindelwald was mentioned during the 7 book series as being a long time friend turned enemy of Albus Dumbledore. He was defeated in a duel between the two and sent to prison. It was discovered by Voldemort that he was once in possession of the Elder Wand. This wand was one of three objects considered to be what was called The Deathly Hallows. If one were to get all three, he would be the master of death.
Grindelwald was considered during his prime to be "among the most powerful and dangerous Dark Wizards of all time, second only to Lord Voldemort".
Dumbledore, as we found out, had a traumatic past and when he unexpectedly was forced to care for his brother and sister it left him resentful and angry. Naturally, when he met Gellert Grindelwald it was an escape from what he believed was a mundane life.
Gellert was charming, charismatic and provided him with a distraction especially with the grand ideas of power and fame. He wanted to start a revolution. Of course it would be attractive to a young unwise Dumbledore.
I am unsure of Dumbledore's true role though. Uncommon kindness was attributed to him by many. He was naturally drawn to the outcast. He was one. Even in his early days at Hogwarts it was only after he proved himself a brilliant wizard that people began to truly see him and not his past. He may not have treated his family kindly but one can sympathize, I think, with why he was aloof when it came to them and why he continued to be.
Needless to say, I don't believe that he would've gone through with the revolution the way Grindelwald wanted even if his sister hadn't accidentally been killed. It was that event, however, that woke him up early on to the truth of what he was allowing himself to become. By then, it was too late to seek forgiveness from Aberforth and so the two became estranged. It did not mean he did not love them.
I believe that Dumbledore's past and all that transpired helped mold the great and wise man we loved from the beginning of the series. After the death of his sister and undoubtedly burdened by all the things he could not fix, he dedicated himself to being the one that protected those who couldn't protect themselves. I suppose one could even say, he spent his life trying to fix his past mistakes even if along the way he made a few more. I wholeheartedly believe if he were presented with the ring of power, he would pass. Grindelwald would not. Note: It's my blog I can make worlds collide if I want.
I believe that Dumbledore's past and all that transpired helped mold the great and wise man we loved from the beginning of the series. After the death of his sister and undoubtedly burdened by all the things he could not fix, he dedicated himself to being the one that protected those who couldn't protect themselves. I suppose one could even say, he spent his life trying to fix his past mistakes even if along the way he made a few more. I wholeheartedly believe if he were presented with the ring of power, he would pass. Grindelwald would not. Note: It's my blog I can make worlds collide if I want.
I don't know if Gellert truly loved Albus. If one is to believe what later came out from JK Rowling, you would be told to believe they were lovers. I don't believe that. I think she was pandering. That aside, he may have cared for Albus but I don't know to what extent. Did he feel remorse for Albus' sister being killed or was he more upset that his plans were frustrated when Albus left?
I personally believe he was a manipulator and he had found himself someone hurt and lost and used him.
This is further proven through the movie The Crimes of Grindelwald. I watched with such a feeling of sadness as one by one people fell for the crap he was cooking. He was a master at his craft. He used people's feelings, their hurts, their dreams to get them to trust him. He told them half-truths. I was especially angry when he used Queenie's love and desire to marry Jacob to convince her to join his side. I hold out hope for Queenie though.
I was especially enthralled at the end when he showed them flashes of a war he said would be started by the muggles. It was just another manipulation. By saying the muggles started it, he convinced them they would need to strike first which was always the plan. It was his war he was showing them.
We know what becomes of him though. We know that Dumbledore was eventually able to defeat him. We know he lived the remainder of his days imprisoned until his death. For all Grindelwald was known for, he at least died without cowardice, never having divulged the location of the Elder Wand to Voldemort. Ten points to Grindelwald I guess.
I see it taking place today. I see the same tactics, the same twisting of truth. The same use of emotional control. The tactic used to the convincing of followers that if you join the collective you will get what you want too, convincing everyone they've been a victim of something.
Here's a nugget of wisdom, the only one who will get what they want is the one who is doing the manipulating.
Here's a nugget of wisdom, the only one who will get what they want is the one who is doing the manipulating.
Who of the two was the more devious villain, Voldemort or Grindelwald? One would outright kill you, the other could convince you to kill yourself.
