Dumbledore and Invisibility

[Spitf1re]

This is similar to this thread about Ron and te Mirror of Erised, but asks a different question. The matching thread can be found here: How did Dumbledore know what Ron saw... (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8119).
In the Chapter of SS/PS called "The Mirror of Erised" Dumbledore says that "I do not need an invisibility cloak to become invisible."
How can this be? Is this a form of magic that we have not heard of yet? Is this a power of Dumbledore alone, or can othersdo this also?
What are your thoughts?

[1MelissaPotter]

Well his beard is silvery and similar to an animal mentioned in Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them. Its called a demiguise. Anyway the way Dumbldore's beard and its fur or hair is described is similar. SO maybe his beard has quailities on invisibilty. He is also such an excellent wizard that maybe there is a spell to make someone invisible-not well known or everyone would do it. Or I'm just crazy, which might just be it. What do you think?

[Lestrange]

Out of the many theories that I've heard from this site, one that I really favor (apart from the 'Rita Skeeter is a man' theory) is that Dumbledore is an animagus (sp?) that can turn into a bumblebee. His name means bumblebee in latin (I think in latin...or was it French...?), and it would explain how he is able to know almost everything that happens in Hogwarts.

But of course, thats just what I believe, I could (probably) be wrong.

[Dilbert719]

Lestrange, I'm pretty sure it was Old English that you're thinking of.

I will say that the animagus theory would explain it, but I can't buy it for two reasons. First off, Jeebus, that'd be what, 274892 unregistered Animagi? Too many! Not the kind of thing I'd expect JKR to do; she wouldn't keep falling back on the same old trick. Second, it's Dumbles. The man is one of the greatest sources of good in the books; it would be pretty freaking weird for him to break that rule that casually.

[symplet]

I agree with Dilbert. The answer lies elsewhere.

My pick is that dumbledore can do wandless magic. After all, we already know that he a very powerful wizard. He changed the Grand Hal's decoration by clapping in his hands, saw Ron and Harry through the invisibily cloak, and other stuff that just don't come to mind right now.

[Jinxie Cat]

We've seen Dumbledore do lots of magical things like conjuring chairs, banners and sleeping bags with the wave of his wand. Most people seem to think he's the greatest wizard ever so I wouldn't be surprised if Dumbledore could simply make himself invisible with the wave of his wand!

[FoolOnTheHill]

I agree that Dumbledore can turn invisible just because he's a reallllllly powerful wizard. Come on, it's Dumbledore of all people! One of the greatest wizards ever, the only person Voldemort fears. It would only make sense that he could turn invisible whenever he wants just because he's so magically powerful.

[MadMagic]

There is also a thread floating around somewhere with a theory that Dumbledore is part pheonix, as pheonixs can disappear at will and become invisible.

I would tend to agree though that he can disappear becasue he is such a powerful, experienced wizard.

[Mike21]

Originally posted by OreoCookie05 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=293454#post293454))
We've seen Dumbledore do lots of magical things like conjuring chairs, banners and sleeping bags with the wave of his wand. Most people seem to think he's the greatest wizard ever so I wouldn't be surprised if Dumbledore could simply make himself invisible with the wave of his wand!


Where did he conjure the chairs?

I dont think that he conjured the bannes because he done a signal prehaps to house elves to release the banners of Grythandor.

[Dutchgirl]

Well..I dont know actually...maybe the answer is in book 5 ( 6 or 7 :s )

[Auri DeMeer]

Originally posted by Spitf1re (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=293355#post293355))
"I do not need an invisibility cloak to become invisible."
How can this be?

I don't think he was talking literally about invisibility this time. Some people just have the ability to "become invisible" - think of the House Elfs for instance; they're sort of invisible too.

And with a Harry absorbed in the Mirror, it wouldn't have been that difficult for him.

Dumbledore is a powerful wizard, but he also uses his intelligence and logic - the "human ways", so to speak.

[Weatherby]

Originally posted by MadMagic (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=293622#post293622))
There is also a thread floating around somewhere with a theory that Dumbledore is part pheonix, as pheonixs can disappear at will and become invisible.

I would tend to agree though that he can disappear becasue he is such a powerful, experienced wizard.


I agree this thread could be merged with Dumbledore- part phoenix? (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?s=&postid=295001#post295001) and Dumbledore, an Animagus? (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1281) since they all ask the same questions. :) :)

I think he does have an ability to make himself invisible if he wishes to.
Perhaps not the same as the cloak but where people don't notice him.

[Barbara Kennedy]

Perhaps it could be called "Dumbledore - A Phoenix, Animagus, or Much More?"

[aiko amaya]

It's probably a magical abbility, like being able to become animagus, very hard to do and need alot of magical power. It probably take years to do that, even longer than becoming animagus.

[Lestrange]

Originally posted by Dilbert719 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=293431#post293431))
Lestrange, I'm pretty sure it was Old English that you're thinking of.

I will say that the animagus theory would explain it, but I can't buy it for two reasons. First off, Jeebus, that'd be what, 274892 unregistered Animagi? Too many! Not the kind of thing I'd expect JKR to do; she wouldn't keep falling back on the same old trick. Second, it's Dumbles. The man is one of the greatest sources of good in the books; it would be pretty freaking weird for him to break that rule that casually.


I meant for him to be a registered animagi, not unregistered. There are only 7 registered animagi this century, according to Hermione, and after counting Professor McGonagall, that leaves 6 open spaces.

[GryffindorSeeker]

I think there are spells you can use to become invisible. I would think they'd take a lot of power, so no better person to do it than DD.

[FawkesBox]

Dumbledore could have been registered last century- he is 150 years old

[Filius Flitwick]

I always reasoned that Dumbledore used magic to turn invisible...I still don't think he is an animagus(but he has the potential if he wanted to).

[Barbara Kennedy]

His invisibilty could simply be a spell to cause a person to overlook you, not see that you are there, rather than being invisible. Rather like the way Muggles don't notice the pub The Leaky Cauldron in London.

[Green Eyes]

It's pretty unlikely that a Transfiguration teacher would not be an animagus. That is why I'm leaning towards the theory that he is a registered animagus, but was in last century's registry.

[sugarquill]

Not only can DD be invisible without a cloak but he can see people under an invisibility cloak. He's just reached a highly evolved state of magic , I think, and he is leaps and bounds ahead of other wizards. This ofcourse is why Voldi is afraid of him, he hasnt mastered magic to DD's level doesnt have the comprehensive understanding of it.

[Barbara Kennedy]

I'm betting Dumbledore understands a fair deal of the "Old Magic" and can use it.

[Charmed]

I have always presumed that Dumbledore has been the most powerful wizard, in the wizarding world. I have no doubts that he can perform highly skilled spells, etc-including the ability to turn invisable.
I hope we learn more of Dumbledore's abilities in upcoming books.

[-Fabian Bishop-]

I share the notion that Dumbledore does not become "invisible" but more or less uses trickery and manipulation to make himself go unnoticed. He could just make himself so uninteresting to everyone around him that they simply do not realise he is there (anyone who has read Phil Pullman's "Dark Materials Trilogy" will remember this as one of the Witch's abilities. [And anyone who hasn't... read them immediately they're very good and have a very interesting view on religeon, a widely discussed topic in these forums.])

-FB-

[onetruegryffindor]

i agree with Fabian... i too have read the Dark Matters Trilogy and would recomend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels...

i think it is less likely that DD can become totally invisible and more likely that he uses a spell to reflect so that you cant see him... if you get me...

ps it is possible for DD to be an animagus it would bee a nice twist if he was...

[-Fabian Bishop-]

I for one would NOT like to see DD as an animagus, I think that JKR has shown enough groundbreaking creativity in her past books to warrant an entirely revolutionary and unforeseen explanation for DD's "special abilities". I think if he were to be an animagus it would be a huge disapointment when there could be so many unexplored possibilities as to how he can do all the things he does. This goes way deeper than simple animagus abilities IMHO.

-FB-

[Virtuousdream]

We know the DD knows the dark arts and old magic, because he chooses not to use it, and he's used ancient magic to protect Harry, maybe it's the same bit of magic that has something to do with him being invisible, perhaps he can watch over Harry and choose when he wants Harry to see him?

[Snowangel]

I agree with most of you that Dumbledore just has magical power and knowledge beyond the scope of most witches and wizards. He could be capable of all kinds of things that we don't even know about.

[Gred]

Could it have something to do with the way he can see through invisibility cloaks

[Horntail]

There was another thoery in the thread about the paintings at Hogwarts. Someone mentioned that Dumbledore used the paintings throughout the castle as a sorta spy network. The paintings of the headmaster's in Dumbledor's office are allways sleeping because they spend the night going through other paintings and catching up on all the day's information. Maybe it is pretty unlikely, but it is a fun theory to think about.

[Fairydust]

maybe DD used a disillusionment charm so that Ron and Harry couldn't see him. you know, let him blend in with the back ground. :shrug:

[MoonyX]

Dumbledore is capable of many things being that he is the greatest wizard of their time. He could simply do a spell to make him invisible. Or maybe he's just so great he says to himself 'Make me invisible!' and become invisible. hehe anything's possible.

[firebolt2000]

In The Chamber of Secrets, Harry and Ron consulted Hagrid under Harry's invisibility cloak to find out whether he opened the chamber or not. When Dumbledore and Fudge came to take him to Azkaban, Dumbledore was able to see through the cloak and found Ron and Harry in hiding. The only way that I can think of him being able to see through the cloak would be him having a magical eye like Moody, minus the rolling around freaky part. Any suggestions?

[teffybob]

Or maybe his half moon glasses have magical powers including the ability of seeing throught invisibility cloaks. Oh and if I'm not mistaken Dumbledore could see Harry in his invisibility cloak when he visited the Mirror of Erised as well.

[*Jess*]

Hmmm...it's a good idea, but I don't really think it could be true. While I don't think Dumbledore has a magical eye like Moody's, I do think there must be other ways of seeing THROUGH invisibility cloaks..after all, Dumbledore can become invisible without one:

'I-I didn't see you, sir.'
'Strange how short-sighted being invisible can make you,' said Dumbledore, and Harry was relieved to see that he was smiling.
'So,' said Dumbledore, slipping off the desk to sit on the floor with Harry, 'You, like hundreds before you, have discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised.'
'I didn't know it was called that, sir.'
'But I expect you realise by now what it does?'
'It-well-it shows me my family-'
'And it showed your friend Ron himself as head boy.'
'How did you know-?'
'I don't need a cloak to become invisible,' said Dumbledore gently.

If Dumbledore can become invisible without a cloak, what's to say he can't see through invisiblity cloaks? Just a thought.

[firebolt2000]

Teffy, that is actually a really cool idea. I never though about that. It seemed like in the movie he looked down through his glasses at Harry and Ron while they were under the cloak, but then again that was the movie and not J.K.'s plan.

[Hermione]

Dumbledore does seem to have many tricks hidden up those billowing sleeves of his. For someone with all his accomplishments it doesn't seem far-fetched that he could see through invisiblity cloaks without the aid of a magical eye or glasses.

[roberto]

I like the idea of DD's glasses allowing him to see through invisibility cloaks, but I think that its a skill DD picked up along the way. With Occlum is it a constant defense, one you don't have to think about, or do you alway have to concentrate on it (perhaps a mixture of both)? If it is a constant defense, the same thing could hold true for DD and invisibility cloaks.

[persian85033]

I think maybe Dumbledore might be a little more than a wizard. He seems to be able to do and know things no other wizard knows. Maybe that's why Lord Voldemort is afraid of him.

[rotsiepots]

Dumbledore is, presumably, very skilled at Legilimency. He can probably "hear" thoughts and therefore "see" people even when they're invisible. You can't stop the stream of emotion that runs through your mind, after all, even if you are wearing a cloak.

There may be something more to it, though, I'm not sure.

[juggieburger]

Hey...I searched for this topic and i didnt find anything related to it, so hopefully you won't close it.

Anyways, I was thinking why couldn't Dumbledore be part demiguise
he fits into the category perfectly...these are the reasons why i think DD is part Demiguise :

1- Demiguise can turn invisible at will and were sure DD has a way of knowing everything, but we dont know it yet, so it might be that he can turn invisible at will.

2- Demiguise are known to be peaceful creatures and we all know how DD is very humble and peaceful.

3- Demiguise are covered in long silky silver/whittish hair and so is dumbledore.

and i just wanted you to know that Demiguise hair is sewn into invisibility cloaks.


So these are the reasons supporting my theory, so give me you ideas about it....


(By the way if you notice any spelling mistakes I'm sorry about it my spelling sucks)

[Loz]

Could you tell us where you have got this information on the Demiguise, juggieburger? Is it in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" or a non JK Rowling source?


3- Demiguise are covered in long silky silver/whittish hair and so is dumbledore.

Ahh, but Dumbledore only has long silvery hair because he is an old man, in the Chamber of Secrets flashback he had Auburn hair. :D

[Barbara Kennedy]

Dumbledore and Invisibility (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=8556) This thread investigates your possible connection of Dumbledore with the abilities of the demiguise.

[Nycade]

It's in Fantastic Beasts:

DEMIGUISE
M.O.M. Classification: XXXX
The Demiguise is found in the Far East, though onnly with great difficulty, for this beast is able to make itself invisible when threatened, and can be seen only by wizards skilled in its capture.
The Demiguise is a peaceful herbivorous beast, something like a graceful ape in appearance, with large, black, doleful eyes more often than not hidden by its hair. The whole body is covered with long, fine, silky, silvery hair. Demiguise pelts are highly valued as the hair may be spun into invisibility cloaks.

I think juggieburger was suggesting that Dumbledore was PART Demiguise, Loz, which would account for some of the differences. Still, the only significant similarity between the two seems to be the invisibility ability Dumbledore has, and I'm far more inclined just to think he's able to do that as one of the two most powerful wizards in the world.

Nonetheless, interesting theory. I can't wait to see where it goes!

[anstar]

I think when DD said he "didn't need a cloak to become invisible" he was talking about something like a disillusionment charm, or that he's animagus or something. I don't know if, in JKR's magical world, crossbreeding is all that common. We know of one example. Hagrid and Madame Maxime are half-giant. Is there anyone else who is decribed as half anything? I know she uses descriptive text alot, ie: Krum as birdlike, Madam Hooch as hawklike, that Slytherin quidditch player as looking like a troll. To me those were meant to be descriptive. Anything is possible but I don't really see creatures like the demiguise or lethifold or dementor, or whatever, mingling with a wizard or witch to create offspring.

[Loz]

Since this thread does seem to be questioning the invisibility aspect of Dumbledore only, I am going to merge it with the thread Barbara Kennedy provided a link to (thanks Barbara)!

[Nycade]

Anstar, while it isn't a humanoid example, we do know that Crookshanks is part Kneazle (source: JK Rowling's website). I honestly don't think such crossbreeding is terribly uncommon, but I doubt it applies here. Thus far, all crossbreeding seems to happen with two species which are relatively similar (giants and humans, kneazles and cats - in both cases, the two are physically close except for minor differences).

[juggieburger]

But the doesnt have to mean that humans can crossbreed with demiguises (kinda weird, but could be lol) and u forgot humans crossbreeded with veela's (we found that out in GoF because fluer has veela blood in her)

[Silkeng]

I like the theory that he can still sense people through Legilimency. It would explain how he knows someone is there without having a magical eye like Moody. Hoever, I usually take what DD says as fact, if he says he doesn't need an invisibility cloak i assumed he knew a spell, charm, or whatever to make himself invisible. The disillusionment charm seems a good answer, but with all of DD magical abilities i had hoped it was something highly advanced that only DD knew how to use it. Would be a bit disappointed if it was some simple trickery or animagus sort of explanation.

[anstar]

Veela. I *knew* I was forgetting one. But, aside from when they get cranky, they appear to be beautiful humans. They also aren't listed in the Fantastic Beasts book as 'beast' or 'being' or whatever.

Those classifications, like demiguise, would appear to me to equate with "animals" here in the muggle world. Some, like lions, tigers and bears (oh, my) ;) are dangerous and some, like turtles, seals, and puppies, are not. I would never look at someone and wonder if they were part chimpanzee or something. That's the equation I come up with anyway. Giant and veela are the equilivant of races ie: oriental, occidental, etc. and demiguise, lethifold, are different species altogether.


:shrug: I think I just confused myself.

[tyro]

I think I just confused myself.
you can't have, even I understood you!

This is such an interesting question. I glazed over a fanfic somewhere - are we allowed to promote non-MN HP sites? - and they had the idea of DDore using some variant of the penseive (sp?) and looks into rooms. But that's different to invisibility.

The dissillusioment charm is a very persuasive answer. It would be cool if DDore used a different spell, I like the notion of "Old Magic".

Oh, someone else asked where DDore summoned chairs from nowhere, he did it in The Hearing scene, McG did it as well, but hers weren't as nice as DDores.

[anstar]

you can't have, even I understood you!


:) Thanks. I knew what I wanted to say, but somewhere between my brain and the keyboard, it kind of fell apart. I'm glad it didn't come across as total nonsense.

[koli]

eh i dont like the idea of Dumbledore being able to see through invisibility cloaks w/o help, it seems to superhero-ish. I dont know though. Eh i wish we knew all these answers, they boggle people for too long lol

[Nycade]

Can he do it by just thinking about it or does he use the thestrals secret to achieve invisibility?

I doubt Dumbledore uses the thestrals' secret. After all, wouldn't it then mean that Harry would be able to see him if he were invisible? :huh: That's what makes sense to me when all's said and done. If he knew the thestral's methods, it doesn't make much sense that it would be more widely known. Wouldn't Hagrid be most likely to understand, with his relationshp to magical creatures, since to learn the method, one would probably have to communicate with thestrals?

Personally, I'm under the impression that he's merely able to do it as an exceptionally talented wizard. But juggieburger definitely deserves commendation for realizing the parallels - also, you're right, I did miss Veela. I was just back now since I realized that! :)

[Neddlie]

Hi. Maybe Professor Dumbledore makes an invisibility potion out of dragon blood.

[Elrod Ubramowic]

I agree with Dilbert. The answer lies elsewhere.

My pick is that dumbledore can do wandless magic. After all, we already know that he a very powerful wizard. He changed the Grand Hal's decoration by clapping in his hands, saw Ron and Harry through the invisibily cloak, and other stuff that just don't come to mind right now.

I don't believe Dumbledore saw Ron and Harry through the invisibility cloak in the room with the Mirror of Erised. Harry definitely came from under the cloak, and I think Ron must have since Harry could see Ron's paisley pajamas when Ron was standing in front of the mirror. Before Mrs. Norris enters the room Ron threw the cloak over them. It was not necessary for Dumbledore to have the ability to see through the invisibility cloak; he could simply watch them and listen to their descriptions of what they saw in the mirror.

That was a simple explanation for the events with the Mirror of Erised, but how did Dumbledore find the cloak of invisibility when Harry and Ron left it on the tower roof after giving Norbert to Charlie's friends? Presumably only Harry and Ron knew the cloak was left there, but they did not retrieve the cloak. It was returned to Harry with a note, "Just in case".

The same can be said for when Harry, Ron and Hermione took the cloak off after putting Fluffy to sleep. No mention of what they did with it. A simple explanation is that Ron or Hermione carried it. However, if they left it behind how did Harry get it back? He was unconscious for three days (he missed a Quidditch match in which Gryffindor suffered their worst loss in 300 years). I just find it amazing that Harry, who had nothing growing up, would be so casual with a rare and valuable gift from his father.

[RyuKid]

Dumbledore is a pretty powerful Wizard, where his magical powers are limitless (Voldemort is even scared of him!) He may have spells that can turn him invisible or see anything in Hogwarts.
I guess we'll find out in books 6 or 7

[Elf]

I really like the idea that Dumbledore is good at Leglimency as well, but I have a feeling he is blending into his physical surroundings more than we know too. I have posted these ideas in another thread, but they apply here too...

I found it interesting that in the room where Harry encounters the Mirror of Erised there are very few other things, but one of those items is an "upturned waste-paper-basket." Seems odd that JKR would mention a garbage can, and even weirder that she included the detail that it was upside down. There are two things that came to my mind when I read this:

1) An upside down trash can makes a good stool to sit on. The way it was casually mentioned, one could picture a person sitting invisible and unnoticed on top of it. When Harry later encounters Dumbledore in the same room he is perched on an old desk.

2) Can some wizards transform themselves into inanimate objects? We've encountered animagi who turn into animals, metamorphmagi who change their appearance, but is there a form of Transfiguration where wizards can become objects (or does this fall under metamorphmagi and we just have not encountered it yet?)? Could you not just picture Dumbledore transforming himself into something as trivial and funny as a dirty old garbage can? This would fit his quirky style.

Definitely I think that Dumbledore, as the greatest wizard of his time, and a former Transfiguration teacher would both be able to transform himself into something else and/or become invisible.

[Gwenog Jones]

I really like the idea that Dumbledore is good at Leglimency as well, but I have a feeling he is blending into his physical surroundings more than we know too. I have posted these ideas in another thread, but they apply here too...

I found it interesting that in the room where Harry encounters the Mirror of Erised there are very few other things, but one of those items is an "upturned waste-paper-basket." Seems odd that JKR would mention a garbage can, and even weirder that she included the detail that it was upside down. There are two things that came to my mind when I read this:

1) An upside down trash can makes a good stool to sit on. The way it was casually mentioned, one could picture a person sitting invisible and unnoticed on top of it. When Harry later encounters Dumbledore in the same room he is perched on an old desk.

2) Can some wizards transform themselves into inanimate objects? We've encountered animagi who turn into animals, metamorphmagi who change their appearance, but is there a form of Transfiguration where wizards can become objects (or does this fall under metamorphmagi and we just have not encountered it yet?)? Could you not just picture Dumbledore transforming himself into something as trivial and funny as a dirty old garbage can? This would fit his quirky style.

Definitely I think that Dumbledore, as the greatest wizard of his time, and a former Transfiguration teacher would both be able to transform himself into something else and/or become invisible.

wow great observations! An upside down garbage can would be a perfect stool!

As for how DD becomes invisible, he is said to be the greatest wizard of this time. We only began to see some of his powers at the end of book 5, I'm sure he has many more.

[Thorofasgard13]

It's in Fantastic Beasts:

DEMIGUISE
M.O.M. Classification: XXXX
The Demiguise is found in the Far East, though onnly with great difficulty, for this beast is able to make itself invisible when threatened, and can be seen only by wizards skilled in its capture.
The Demiguise is a peaceful herbivorous beast, something like a graceful ape in appearance, with large, black, doleful eyes more often than not hidden by its hair. The whole body is covered with long, fine, silky, silvery hair. Demiguise pelts are highly valued as the hair may be spun into invisibility cloaks.

I think juggieburger was suggesting that Dumbledore was PART Demiguise, Loz, which would account for some of the differences. Still, the only significant similarity between the two seems to be the invisibility ability Dumbledore has, and I'm far more inclined just to think he's able to do that as one of the two most powerful wizards in the world.

Nonetheless, interesting theory. I can't wait to see where it goes!


As this states only wizards skilled in its capture can spot them, maybe dumbledore: who is very old and may have had many other jobs, was once a hunter of these creatures and since he can see them it would only be logical that he can see those hidden by its hair in an invisibility cloak.

I sort of had a little theory that came along after reading many different books....... Maybe Dumbledore is a halfbreed, Which would explain why umbridge really hated him so much, - a mix of house elf and human -kind of like merlin was. we have seen dobby do pretty powerful magic without a wand just imagine what he could be capable of with a wand and proper training......anyway its just a thought.

[Elf]

It just seems to me that we have encountered Dumbledore's wisdom quite a bit, but we really haven't seen much in the way of these great magical powers he supposedly possesses. I think it's worth noting that Dumbledore tends to use reason whenever he can rather than magic, which is probably part of why he is a great wizard--he uses his brain and not just his wand.

However, as he is supposed to be the greatest wizard of his time, it would seem incomplete to me if there was not some huge revelation about the mysterious Dumbledore and the astounding things he can do...

[edina_monsoon]

I think the key to Dumledore's powers is his mental ability. He can make people believe he is not there. At least that's how I imagine JK would explain it. He is the greatest wizard in the world and has powers way beyond changing the decorations in the hall or conjuring chairs. I think we have to accept that Dumbledore has so many powers we cannot understand.

End.

[Remus Black]

Really powerful wizards can probally do whatever they want. :p

[red_fairy]

I think that he is extremely powerful, and if you add that to the fact that he is 150 years old, he probably knows a boatload of cool and powerful magic.

[Lirio]

I think he [Dumbledore] knows more or less everything that goes on her, you know.
- Harry, PS/SS, pg 219

We know that Dumbledore knows everything that goes on in Hogwarts, so he must get around somehow. I'm sure after living on this planet for 150 years he would have stumbled across a spell to make him invisible.

Wait, brilliant mind stroke! What if he uses the Concealment charm that Moody puts on Harry in OotP? Its described as making the person a walking chameleon. If Dumbledore used that charm, he could blend into the walls and no one would know he was there...what do you think he does all day?

[Jessica]

I think the key to Dumledore's powers is his mental ability. He can make people believe he is not there. At least that's how I imagine JK would explain it. He is the greatest wizard in the world and has powers way beyond changing the decorations in the hall or conjuring chairs. I think we have to accept that Dumbledore has so many powers we cannot understand.

End.

I've always thought the same thing. It's like a Jedi Mind trick. He just makes people's brains not see him. :)

[hermeeownninny]

There was another thoery in the thread about the paintings at Hogwarts. Someone mentioned that Dumbledore used the paintings throughout the castle as a sorta spy network. The paintings of the headmaster's in Dumbledor's office are allways sleeping because they spend the night going through other paintings and catching up on all the day's information. Maybe it is pretty unlikely, but it is a fun theory to think about.

This is the most plausible theory I've seen so far. . there are an awful lot of paintings at Hogwarts, and they do communicate with each other and with Dumbledore. I can't see JKR using the unregistered Animagus thing again. . and I can't see how else Dumbledore could be invisible without a cloak. If he saw Ron at the Mirror of Erised, though, why hasn't he been present at other, more important scenes? Like Harry's detention with Umbridge? If he did see it, why didn't he put a stop to it?

[APoetsInstinct]

Dumbledore wouldn't have wanted to stop the detention because he wants to see how Harry will be able to put up with the punishments he recieves. He knows he can't always be there to stick up for Harry. Anyways, Dumbledore probably wouldn't have been able to stop them because I'm sure he knew that Umbridge would eventually take over.

[muggledeedee]

-Wait, brilliant mind stroke! What if he uses the Concealment charm that Moody puts on Harry in OotP? Its described as making the person a walking chameleon. If Dumbledore used that charm, he could blend into the walls and no one would know he was there...what do you think he does all day?

This is excatly what went through my mind. He isn't actually invisible but - did anyone see "Predator"? The alien had a cameleon-like cloak, almost impossible to see - actually was impossible to see when it was not moving. He blended in perfectly with his surroundings.

I think this is a great theory - can you imagine it? Has there been any mention in any of the books that anyone can think of where someone ran into something that wasn't really there - or had a feeling that they were being watched but no one was there? Nothing comes to mind at the moment - can anyone else think of anything like that? :huh:

[Elf]

Originally Posted by Lirio
-Wait, brilliant mind stroke! What if he uses the Concealment charm that Moody puts on Harry in OotP? Its described as making the person a walking chameleon. If Dumbledore used that charm, he could blend into the walls and no one would know he was there...what do you think he does all day?

Very interesting theory! Often when JKR introduces something that seems small like this it is because it will play a bigger part later on. The Concealment Charm seemed like an interesting little detail in OotP, but its role was relatively small and I bet you are right to assume we will find out it is more important than we think.

[deathfairy87]

I think DD is just really experienced and can become invisible at will

[DougJohnston]

My opinion on the matter is that it is an extremly advanced line of magic and not many people bother to learn it because of the risk involved. I think that if the magic is done incorrectly horrible things could happen like completly losing visibility and being stuck as invisible person...that type of thing. Dumbledore is an extremely powerful wizard and I think there are only a handful of them out there that are capable of spells like this...However I may be completely wrong...

[londonknight]

I would say that Dumbledore is in touch with magic that has long since been forgotten by the wizarding world. Dumbledore appears to be in touch with nearly every detail of what is going on in the wizarding world and it could be that because of this, Dumbledore is capable of performing natural magic without a wand similar to some of the other magical creatures that have been acknowledged.

[fubby]

He is just a powerful wizard, that's all. I mean it's probably just some spell we haven't heard of yet. Like before order of phoenix we didn't even know about that chameleon spell or whatever that lets you blend in with the background. It's probably just something like that. Who knows Dumbledore might have invented a spell to do it. If hermione can invent the point-me spell in 4th year, no doubt Dumbledore could come up with his own spell too.

[Elf]

original post by DougJohnston
My opinion on the matter is that it is an extremly advanced line of magic and not many people bother to learn it because of the risk involved. I think that if the magic is done incorrectly horrible things could happen like completly losing visibility and being stuck as invisible person...that type of thing. Dumbledore is an extremely powerful wizard and I think there are only a handful of them out there that are capable of spells like this...However I may be completely wrong...

This could very well be true. Lupin explains in POA that part of the reason the Ministry keeps tabs on animagi is that the transformation can go terribly wrong. I think it would be safe to assume then that horrible things can happen when other advanced magical transformations (such as becoming invisible) are botched.

[fubby]

This could very well be true. Lupin explains in POA that part of the reason the Ministry keeps tabs on animagi is that the transformation can go terribly wrong. I think it would be safe to assume then that horrible things can happen when other advanced magical transformations (such as becoming invisible) are botched.

Please even Fred and George made a hat that could make people's heads invisible by extending the field of invisiblity. If they can do it with no horrible side effects then no doubt it would be absolutely no problem for Dumbledore to extend the field further and have no complications.

[voltaic]

...

[Miss OliverWood]

It's silly to think the DD, after being a Transfiguration teacher, wasn't a registered animagi. McGonagall is. And he is the most powerful wizard ever (Woo!) But I don't think that that it it. I agree, maybe some "old magic" or just making it so no-one really thinks he's there. I like the idea of half demiguise, but we'll see. Isn't DD great? :)

[flinton]

i sear that cuncelament charm only works on muggles and thats y lupin and co could see harry as they were flying. i also thought that dd was the charms teacher but im prob wrong. i think it is some spell that he can do that can make him invisable. i think the spy idea is reallly good and could work and the rason y dd could seei in to umbriges room is beacuse of that she didnt have any hogwarts pics in there.
and hiw does dd do magic with out sayin the words ??

flinton
dyslexics rule ko

[Nymph]

I am all for the Dumbledore is an animagus theory. A bumblebee (old english).
Or he may literaly not need a cloack to become invisible.

I have to say I love Edina Monsoon's theory.

[N Save Evans]

Dumbledore sees so much and knows so much because he's "been there before." Another popular theory is that at some point in the future, Ron Weasley will go back in time and "become" Albus Dumbledore (See thread "Ron Weasley is Dumbledore and Flamel due to Time Travel" or something like that).

1) Explains Dumbledore's knowing what Ron and Harry saw in the mirror.

2) Explains the statement that Dumbledore can become invisible without a cloak (where invisible is figurative, not literal).

3) Explains why Dumbledore looked knowingly at the kids when they were hiding under the invisibility cloak in Hagrid's hut in the "arrest" scene of CoS.

4) Explains why Dumbledore knew to send the owl delivering Harry's Hogwarts letter to the Weasley's in CoS, even though Fred, George and Ron had just busted him out of the Dursley's the night before... "Doesn't miss a trick!"

5) Explains how Dumbledore has been able to watch Harry "closer than [he] could imagine." I don't imagine that Harry would ever guess that Dumbledore was once his best friend Ron!

Etc, etc... Don't want to debate this theory here, since it's in another thread. But it does explain how Dumbledore is "invisible." Invisible is figurative -- Dumbledore is essentially invisible because he's hiding inside Ron's head! Well -- not really, hiding -- but "there, but not there" so to speak...

[no1 potter fan]

He would have done it the way Moody made Harry invisible I forgot what spell it was now.

[Lord Nicholai]

the problem with that spell...i forget the name too :p...is that itd only work effectivly from a distance. when a chamelion moves, no matter how well its blended into the background, your going to see it if your close enough. For harry and the gang on a broom, at night, high in the air, sure itd make you seem invisable. up close though?

I think DD has other tricks up his sleeve. Frankly i like the idea of it being a complete mystery. DD is much much cooler when he just knows

[morgiana]

Why does DD have to be invisible to know whats going on at Hogwarts?
DD is a very powerful wizard I'm sure he has some sort of magical surveillance system. There are all those portraits and I bet every room has at least 1 portrait. DD would also be able to detect the invisibility cloak. He's probably the one who kept it for James and gave it to HP. Maybe before he gave it to HP he put a spell on it so he could detect when it was being used.

DD is like a parent to everyone at Hogwarts and parents just know things. Did you ever do something and your mom knew about it; even though there was no way for her to know?

[Lord Nicholai]

yes but my mum never knew specifics...DD does.

[Flee From Death]

Well, Dumbledore says "I don't need an invisibility cloak to become invisible" (or something very similiar) in PS.

I think it's very likely that Dumbledore is an animagus, but I don't think that's the only way he can become invisible. I think he's an animagus for the reasons everyone's brought up before, but the reason I think that's not his only method of concealment is because in some scenes we never see or hear him.

In many scenes we hear Harry say that he's heard a buzzing sound, or that there were insects buzzing around (waiting for his divination exam in 3rd year, for example); but at other times he makes no mention of this, yet Dumbledore seems to be there. There is never any mention of a buzzing sound or bugs when Harry is at the mirror. Recall how carefully JKR put a beetle into every scene Rita Skeeter was in in GoF, and it doesn't seem to completely add up.

On a side note, the first time Harry's at the mirror "He looked and looked until a distant noise brought him back to his senses." Did anyone else ever wonder whether that was Dumbledore clearing his throat, trying to tell him it was time to go?

There's another scene where I think Dumbledore was, though there is no actual proof of this. When Harry's in the library looking in the restricted section "The hairs on the back of Harry's neck prickled." He also hear s a "faint whispering." Now, it's possible this is just a spell on the books, but I've always wondered if Dumbledore was there watching him. It would mean that he may actually have been able to guide Harry to the mirror, which he needed to see to defeat Voldemort.

I really hope JKR gives interviews after book 7, so we can get all these niggling little questions answered.

[Lord Nicholai]

is every other wizard an animagus now? how very boring :(

[Nymph]

the problem with that spell...i forget the name too :p...]

desillusionment charm, for the record.

[Lord Nicholai]

showoff :p

thanks

[Danluver182]

I'm sure we have heard every spell known to Wizard kind in the books. So maybe there is one that DD can use to make himself invisible.

[Baron_G]

The Weasley twins created Headless hats that made their heads invisible. Hermione guesses it to be an Invisibility Spell of some kind and was impressed that they managed to "extend the field of invisibility beyond the boundaries of the charmed object". So there are Invisibility spells and I reckon Dumbledore can do it to his entire body.

[leoguy72388]

I'm sure we have heard every spell known to Wizard kind in the books. So maybe there is one that DD can use to make himself invisible.

I don't think we have seen every spell known to wizard kind in the books. Probably far from it. I mean the spells that are in the books are ones that JKR has decided to use or create. There could be infinite amounts of spells in the wizarding world. And if wizards are able to create their own spells that would mean that the amount of spells would be unbounded.

[Elf]

original post by fubby
Please even Fred and George made a hat that could make people's heads invisible by extending the field of invisiblity. If they can do it with no horrible side effects then no doubt it would be absolutely no problem for Dumbledore to extend the field further and have no complications.

I was not implying that Dumbledore would have problems becoming invisible, rather exactly the opposite. And to say that Fred & George can do it doesn't necessarily mean that it is simple. After all, Fred & George are often compared to James & Sirius in their cleverness and mischief making.

[Aurum]

I hope i'm not repeating what somebody else may already have suggested (I haven't read this entire thread) but I think Dumbledore may be talking about the camouflage thing Moody does to Harry when they escort him to Grimmauld Place.

[crumseekerlynch]

Maybe its a spell like what Moody used on Harry in OotP.

[gena7180]

I have a couple thoughts. First I was say that we know that you can desguise yourself like Moody did harry as mentioned above so you can be invisible without a cloak.
But that being said I have never thought that this reference was to being literally invisible. The lesson the Mirror is to not be so caught up in what could be and miss out on what is going around you. That is what DD is trying to teach Harry about not going back and staring at the mirror for hours on end any more. But when you are that caught up in the something you miss things in the world around you, they become be default invisible to you because you can't see what is going on around you. I have always sort of that that is what DD meant that just because he isn't under a cloak doesn't mean Harry will see him. I always have thought of it as a life lesson for Harry on paying attention to the world around you...Just my two cents.

[Selene Sedai]

Do you remember the Weasley twins Invisible Hats that they were selling in Ootp? Well maybe Dumbledore has a pair of socks like those, exept that the spell (charm? I don't remember witch) that expands invisibility, covers his entire body, or enough so that he can hide sufficiently. Thats why he's so upset he looses socks all the time... :)

[phrodo]

remember . . . the story unfolds completely from harry's point of view. We know what harry knows, and very little more. DD could easily be a registered White Bumblebee animagus. And how would harry know anyway? DD generally keeps his distance from Harry these days.

[Spathic]

OOtP page 540 (us version) in regards to Weasly's Headless Hats
"How do those hats work, then?" said Hermoine, distracted from her homework and watching Fred and George closely. "I mean Obviously it's some kind of Invisibilty Spell, but it's rather clever to have extended the the field of invisibility beyond the boundaries of the charmed object.... I'd imagine the charm wouldn't have a very long life though...."

i think this pretty much points out that there are spells in this field. They may be exceedingly difficult to cast on something as complex as animals...

EDIT
ok it had been mentioned by someone before me... heh heh

[BlackHeart]

remember . . . the story unfolds completely from harry's point of view. We know what harry knows, and very little more. DD could easily be a registered White Bumblebee animagus. And how would harry know anyway? DD generally keeps his distance from Harry these days.
I think they would know. Hermione did a search on animagi and I don't think she found DD on the list of registered animagi. Unregistered maybe...