What Dumbledore Knows

Doesn't it seem odd that Dumbledore always knows things that normal wizards wouldn't? In book 1, he got the Sorcerer's Stone out of Gringott's just before someone broke in to steal it. In book 2, he knew that Harry was wondering why he can speak Parseltongue. He also "happened" to be going downstairs for a cup of hot chocolate. In book 3, he knew that Sirius was telling the truth (even though he had said himself that Sirius was James and Lily's secret keeper.) In book 4, he knew that Moody was really Crouch before the potion wore off, having asked Snape to bring Winky up to the DADA classroom. In book 5, after Harry had the vision of Mr. Weasley being attacked by the snake and Harry, Ron, and McGonagall were in Dumbledore's office, Dumbledore didn't seem the slightest bit surprised to see them there. In fact, chapter 22, page 467-

"Oh, it's you, Professor McGonagall . . . and . . . ah."
Dumbledore was sitting in a high-backed chair behind his desk; he leaned forward into the pool of candlelight illuminating the papers laid out before him. He was wearing a magnificently embroidered purple-and-gold dressing gown over a snowy-white nightshirt, but seemed wide awake, his penetrating light-blue eyes fixed intently upon Professor McGonagall.

I have been thinking about this for a while, but there is no other explanation for it. Dumbledore was already in his dressing gown and sitting in his chair. It was pretty much the middle of the night when Harry had the vision and told McGonagall. Wouldn't he have been asleep? Now, I know how people's minds work (somewhat), and I know that people are going to try to say something about Professor McGonagall warning Dumbledore that they were coming or something like that, but she couldn't have. Why not? Because McGonagall was with Harry and Ron from the time Harry told her about the dream to all of them being in Dumbledore's office. Harry or Ron would have heard or seen her sending a message or talking to herself with her wand out (saying an incantation). I also don't think that McGonagall has any mental powers that can send warning signals when she wants to tell someone something. I just think it's a little odd for Dumbledore to be on top of things so easily. Surely, he can't be everywhere and watching everyone. I don't know, it's just something to ponder as you work your way through the Harry Potter books over and over again until the sixth book comes out.

By: Martha Cosky

Want to react on this column? write your reaction to Martha