Dumbledore the parselmouth?

[steven1965aaa]

No: HPFGUIDX 151147

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Peggy Wilkins" <enlil65 at ...> 
wrote:

 The reason this topic interests me so much is that it has an impact 
on the characterization of Dumbledore.  I find it difficult to 
imagine a "squeaky clean" Dumbledore who would never, under any 
circumstances, do anything that is considered "dark" or that 
has "dark" associations.

Steven1965aaa:

Interesting to see how far this has gone from the simple inquiry I 
made yesterday morning re: did DD understand it and, if so, how. I 
still think its an interesting question because IMO from what the 
books say about it, it doesn't seem that you could learn it by 
studying, its characterized an an ability or power that one is born 
with (and even if you could learn it who would teach you, a snake?). 
However, I don't think this has anything at all to do with DD's 
character or with good vs. evil.  Remember, it was just Ron who said 
that speaking Parselmouth is associated with dark wizards; DD on the 
other hand says there have been great and good wizards who can do it 
(not to diminish Ron but he's just speaking from what he knows at 
his age/experience which is the general feeling about PM's in the 
WW).  I also don't think that there is any question that DD has used 
what some would consider "dark" magic, for example when 
DD "persuaded" Kreacher to give him the information in OOP I don't 
think that means he gave him some milk and cookies and asked him 
nicely.  DD in many cases has done what's necessary for the greater 
good, notwithstanding that in doing so he is breaking the law, as 
has Harry (for example DD refusing to "come quietly" in OOP, DD 
creating an unauthoized portkey right in front of Fudge in OOP, 
Harry/Ron/Hermione (and also DD) aiding and abbetting a fugitive 
wanted for a mass murder, Harry aparating without a licence) and 
Harry may have to do more of that before the end.  The lines are 
somewhat blurred, its not black and white, but it does not make DD 
evil.