[HPforGrownups] Dumbledore's family

[Kemper]

No: HPFGUIDX 166510

> Julie wrote:
> ...has anyone given much thought to JKR's comment that
> Dumbledore's family would be a good avenue to explore?
> I figure she meant one of two things:
>
> 1. She was referring to Aberforth, of whose existence
> we are already aware from the first OotP photo, and
> who is very likely the current Hogs Head bartender.
>
> 2. She was referring to someone else.
>
> It could be that she is merely referring to Aberforth,
> which does seem a bit odd to me, since we are already
> aware of his existence. But he hasn't had much part in
> the story, so maybe she is hinting that he will have
> a much more critical role in DH. ...
>
> Or could it be someone else, someone in the story (as
> JKR said she wouldn't be introducing any major new
> characters in DH) whose relationship to Dumbledore
> hasn't yet been revealed? ...
>
> Other thoughts?


Kemper now:
I have one.  Albus and his brother, Aberforth, have a sister, Arabella.

What is Mrs. Figg's maiden name?  Dumbledore, I say!  It is obvious
Arabella Figg grew up in a loving/accepting Wizarding family.  If she
were not, she would most likely be more involved in the Muggle world,
perhaps an untalked about cousin(uncle?)  who's an accountant.
Dumbledore is the most liberal/progressive wizard we've seen in the
Wizarding world.  He accepts werewolves, half-giants (and sought the
support of whole-giants), half-bloods, Muggle-borns, Centaurs,
Merpeople, probably more not the least of whom are Squibs.  He allows
them to be themselves (see Lupin's school years at Hogwarts and the
Shrieking Shack).

It is amazing the power those who rear us have.  In the US, one is
most likely to vote as his/her parents voted, even when one is at odds
with them.  Albus seems to accept everyone.  Aberforth seems to accept
any clientelle (a downside to accepting freely, one might think).
Arabella seems to accept herself as a Squib in the Wizarding community
(and a successful one to boot!).  She is defiant of those who don't
accept her.  While the other Squib we see is envious of the Witches
and Wizards around him.  He hates himself so much that he lies by
commission to that toad, Umbridge, when she instructs Filch to avoid
casting certain spells against firework like display of the Weasley
twins, too ashamed to admit to being a Squib.  That kind of shame is
rooted in a family that is ashamed of their magicless son.

Arabella isn't like that.  She sees herself as an equal as evidence by
hitting and berating Mungdungus.  Her fierce belief in herself and
Albus' fierce belief in a being's character seem to be qualities of a
similar upbringing.

But I could be wrong.  They didn't seem like bro and sis at the
Hearing, of course Albus and I believe Arabella would hold that card
close to their chest.

Kemper, too tired to look up any page numbers in canon