Mysterious Dumbledore/Hogwarts Instructors being single

[Goddlefrood]

No: HPFGUIDX 142449

>Sharon Wrote:
Nothing was ever mentioned about any family he might have, any worst 
fears, where he came from before his life at Hogwarts, or how he 
became Headmaster at Hogwarts. His life, for the most part, is a big 
mystery.

Goddlefrood responds:

Although I have been a keen and avid reader for some years it was 
only recently that I got into the theorising and speculation that 
goes on associated with the Harry Potter canon.

Dumbledore is somewhat of an enigma and a starting point for you in 
order to find out more would be to read the various interviews JKR 
has given over the years, most of which are transcribed quite well 
at www.quick-quotes-quill.com.

We have been informed that more will be told regarding Dumbledore in 
book 7 and that enquiries into his family background would lead to 
some strong clues regarding the direction of the seventh book. In 
the course of the combined Mugglent / Leaky Cauldron interview Ms. 
Rowling (16th July 2005) said:

"You will — [pause] — you will know more about Dumbledore. I have to 
be sooo careful on this. "

Also this:

"ES: Dumbledore is unrivaled in his knowledge of magic – Where did 
he learn it all?
JKR: I see him primarily as someone who would be self-taught. 
However, he in his time had access to superb teachers at Hogwarts, 
so he was educated in the same way that everyone else is educated. 
Dumbledore's family would be a profitable line of inquiry, more 
profitable than sweet wrappers."

> Sharon: 
Also, another Dumbledore question is, why did he want to see Snape 
so badly once he and Harry returned from getting the horcrux? He was 
pleading with Snape, but the reasoning for this was never revealed.

Goddlefrood:

JKR very much enjoys leaving matters for her fans to speculate on 
and this has been perhaps the largest since HBP came out.

IMO the reason Dumbledore wanted to see Snape after returning from 
the cave was simply that he believed Snape would know the antidote 
to whatever Dumbledore had drunk there. That Snape then killed him 
has been subject to speculation. There are many good posts in HPfGU 
on this and if you look around you will find a section entitled 
greatest posts, or somesuch.

On the pleading there are arguments going on as to whether 
Dumbledore was pleading for his life or for his death and again 
there are some good posts and discussions on this site regarding 
that.

> Sharon again:
For the most part, I like Dumbledore. At times, he had the patience 
of a saint, was very wise 90% of the time, and he had a kind heart, 
especially where his students were concerned. I bawled my head off 
when Dumbledore was killed in HBP. However, it irked me when he'd 
leave Harry in the dark about a lot of information that Harry had a 
right to know.

Goddlefrood comments:

As a pointer I once more refer you to an interview, this time the 
Royal Albert Hall Interview of 26th June 2003 where JKR said:

"I don't want to give too much away, but Dumbledore is a very wise 
man who firstly knows Harry is going to have to learn a few hard 
lessons to prepare him for what maybe coming in his life, so he 
allows Harry to do a lot of things he wouldn't normally allow 
another pupil to do and he also unwillingly permits Harry to 
confront a lot of things he'd rather protect him from but as people 
who have finished Order of the Phoenix will know, Dumbledore has had 
to step back a little bit from Harry in an effort to teach him some 
of life's harder lessons."

When I get round to it I intend to write a comprehensive post on my 
views on Dumbledore and any information gleaned from books and 
interviews in this regard is always useful.

> Sharon:
Now, onto the next subject. Has anyone ever noticed that Hogwarts 
instructors aren't married or have no significant other? The 
instructors seem to lead very lonely and isolated lives, in my 
opinion. 

Goddlefrood:

Yet again you are referred to an interview, this one being from 
Comic Relief Chat on 12th March 2001 where you will find:

"Have any of the Hogwarts professors had spouses?

Good question - yes, a few of them, but that information is sort of 
restricted - you'll find out why.."

>From this we conclude that there is more to come regarding this 
matter.

Goddlefrood with a warm welcome