Are Harry and Dumbledore related?

[Eva Gaade]

This has really been irritating me, when harry is looking in the mirror, he sees his family. and then dumbledor appears. i mean when he sees the stone he gets it. maby the same thing happend with Dumbledore.:??:

[Hermione]

Dumbledore was actually in the room and Harry just saw DD's reflection in the mirror.

[Eva Gaade]

he dosen't appear in the mirror. it's the fact that Dumbledor is in the room when Harry is in it, that is annoying me.

[Katze]

Yeah, I agree. Dubmledore was standing behind Harry when Harry noticed him. D's reflection was just that, just like Harry's reflection.

Now - while I think the Mirror of Erised is a simple matter, I've often wondered if Harry and D are related. I also wonder if they are related through Lily's side.

I've thought before that perhaps a child or grandchild of D's left the wizarding world for the Muggle World. Because of him/her being a quib, or just rejecting magic altogether isn't really important. Perhaps this child/grandchild of D's married a Muggle and started a new line, resulting in Muggle children. Perhaps one of Lily's parents are from this new line?

I also thougth it strange the way the Petunia offered up that her parents were so proud to have a witch in the family. This seems odd in a sense that if they were Muggles how would they know? Wouldn't they be scared? Why would they be proud?

I'm sure Hermione parents were interested and curious and are proud of her accomplishments, but are they proud that their daughter is a witch? I believe that the Evans have had magic dealings before in the family, and magic wasn't anything new, and this is why they were proud. I do believe that her parents were Muggles, but just because they are Muggles doesn't mean they weren't aware of the magic world.

I'm thinking that through the Evan's line, Harry and D are related. The only problem I see with this is that D said that the Durlsey's were the only relatives he had left. How could this be in D is a great great grandfather or something? Perhaps the child or grandchild who left the wizarding world broke contact, and the Magic side of that family lost contact. It is conceivable that D might not even know himself.

[WhiteSlash]

You make a point.

[Ashkins]

When you get to 3rd cousins and such people say no more family because of the distance.

I do not call my 4th cousins family. and legally they are not family as they can marry.

[GodricSlytherin]

I have always thought that they are related. But the thing is that D does not know that he is related to Harry. If he would have known they he would have taken Harry with him To Hogwarts. Or possibly somewhere D's brother may come into play. Maybe they are related through D's brother. Or maybe that whole theory you came up with. Like Lily's side. MAybe that is what we find out about Lily that is so special. That she is related to DD. But how would they get to finding that information?

[Oddfellow]

I have never thought about it really, well maybe just once. But katze makes a strong arguement. Something had nagged at me about Lilly's parents being proud of her. But aren't Hermione's parents proud of her?

Liars Prosper.
-anonymous

[Katze]

Originally posted by Ashkins
When you get to 3rd cousins and such people say no more family because of the distance.

I do not call my 4th cousins family. and legally they are not family as they can marry.

Well this is for cousins, but not grandchildren. You have less in common with a distant cousin than you did with a grandparent.

D could very well be Harry's great great grandfather (he is 150 years old afterall).

[rotsiepots]

Originally posted by Katze
I'm thinking that through the Evan's line, Harry and D are related. The only problem I see with this is that D said that the Durlsey's were the only relatives he had left. How could this be in D is a great great grandfather or something? Perhaps the child or grandchild who left the wizarding world broke contact, and the Magic side of that family lost contact. It is conceivable that D might not even know himself.

So Dumbledore is related to Dudley and Petunia also? :huh: Certainly JKR wouldn't degrade the man to such an extent by making this association?!

[Ashkins]

Originally posted by Katze
Well this is for cousins, but not grandchildren. You have less in common with a distant cousin than you did with a grandparent.

D could very well be Harry's great great grandfather (he is 150 years old afterall).

good point.. but wouldn't you know your grandchildren?

[HbAznKyootie]

well, i've been thinking: maybe lily was adopted
1) Lily and Petunia look nothing alike. Lily has red hair and bright green eyes, while Petunia has blond hair and blue eyes. Yes, i know that they can inherit different features from their parents, but wouldn't have at least one thing in common? Maybe eye color, or something?
2) The way Petunia ranted on and on in PS/SS sorta implied that their parents paid more attention to Lily. Well, if Lily was adopted, wouldn't the parents spend more time with lily to make sure she feels like she's apart of the family?(im basing this on one of my friends' situation)
3) Someone said "why would muggle parents be proud if their child's a witch/wizard?" Well, maybe they were proud that Lily was a witch, because Lily is technectly not their child. I mean most muggles have a "dursley attitude" about magic(but not that extreme), but are curious. Here, the Evans would not have magic in their family, but have a chance to exam it close-up
4) It has been written and implied several times in the book, that Harry looks NOTHING like the Dursley, including petunia, and we all know that things from earlier books are bound to pop up in furture books.
5)it has been said that we will learn more about lily,and in the 6th or 7th(argh, dont remember) that we will learn a HUGE secret aboutl Lily. maybe this is it!

[Katze]

Originally posted by Ashkins
good point.. but wouldn't you know your grandchildren?

I speculate that if you lost track of a child or grandchild, and they went off and made a new family, and you met up with someone from the new family - you wouldn't recognize them.

Just because people are genetically related doesn't mean they always look alike. The men in my family definitely look alike, but there are only a few of the woman who resemble each other. My sister and I don't even look alike.

[OrioCookie]

I do kind of believe that Dumbledore is harry's Great-grandfather or great Unlce or something but I doubt it.

[HbAznKyootie]

Originally posted by Katze
Just because people are genetically related doesn't mean they always look alike. The men in my family definitely look alike, but there are only a few of the woman who resemble each other. My sister and I don't even look alike.

Yes, but you do share some, even a little, physical traits with your sister. Its just that Lily and Petunia seem to be physically nothing alike. I mean, one has red hair, the other blond; one has green eyes, the other blue;one has a horse-like face, the other doesn't.(i'm assuming, because harry never pointed Lily had one, but he did point out that Petunia did.)

[Katze]

Yes, but you do share some, even a little, physical traits with your sister. Its just that Lily and Petunia seem to be physically nothing alike. I mean, one has red hair, the other blond; one has green eyes, the other blue;one has a horse-like face, the other doesn't.(i'm assuming, because harry never pointed Lily had one, but he did point out that Petunia did.)

My sister has dark brown hair, I have light brown hair. She has brown eyes, I have hazel eyes. She's 5', 5'5".

The only similarity that my two nieces have (same parents) are the eyes. There is nothing else in their face that looks the same. S is going to be very tall, and A is going to be really petite.

I agree that relatives can look alike, but if you don't know people are relatives and just saw two people hanging out, would you know they were related?

Don't get me wrong, I agree that there would be some similarity, but after 5 generations, a great great grandfather and great great grandson may look nothing alike.

I wonder what D looked like as a child - did he look like HArry only with brown hair and blue eyes? What color eyes did James have?

The other similarity between people is the red hair between Lily and the Weasleys.

[rotsiepots]

Originally posted by Katze
I wonder what D looked like as a child - did he look like HArry only with brown hair and blue eyes? What color eyes did James have?

The other similarity between people is the red hair between Lily and the Weasleys.

Dumbledore had auburn hair as a younger adult, so we can only assume that this trend extends back to his childhood.

[Bilbo]

I would love it for Harry and Dumbledore to be related. Sadly, we don't always get what we wanted. Although it is possible, especially with JKR writing, it is highly unlikely.

[Katze]

I think it's more likely to have Harry and D related than Harry and V related. The latter is just overused. Everyone is expecting the hero and the villain to be related. Rowling always surprises us though - so I'm hoping.

There is something special about Lily though - we've been told this - and I'm hoping it has to do with family ties.

[Trigger Happy]

In the Chapter "The Mirror of Erised", on one page, when he first notices the Mirror, it says the words: Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi. There is clearly a pattern in it, and I just figured it out:

Not your face but your hearts desire.

Does anybody else get that? And what does it mean?

[Katze]

Welcome to the boards Trigger Happy!

It means that you'll see in the mirror what you most desire.

Harry saw himself with his family, because that is what he most desires.

Ron saw himself with the Quidditch Cup, and various other 'esteem' raising type things. He's always been the underdog, and would like some glory of his own.

Dumbledore said that he sees socks. A pair of wool socks. I guess to keep his feet warm!

The mirror does show what's in the room, but it also adds in what your heart desires.

[Sirius Black]

I think Dumbledore used an ancient magic to insert the stone into the mirror. It oculd only be extracted if you desired it, but not use it.

[Essbee]

DD and Harry could be related, yes. But if they are then he doesn't know about it (either he!) because Dumbledore never lies, and he told McGonagol (sp) that the Dursleys were the only family that Harry had.

Still, I think it's possible. Mind you, the only clue to this would be that he had red hair in his younger days, and that detail didn't make it into the film (the Riddle flashback was in black and white) so I'm not so sure.

It'd be cool though!

[sillygirlzam]

Here's my take on the Harry and Dumbledore relationship. Sorry it is kind of long and purely speculation, let me know what you think. Some of the ideas here have already been discussed:

1) Dumbledore has a great passion and really sticks up for muggles. Could it possibly be that he once loved a muggle woman and perhaps had a child with her? If recollection is correct, Petunia looks nothing like Lilly. IF Lilly is related to Dumbledore, it would explain his great admiration for muggles and close relationship to the Potters (I can't think of any other reason why he would be so close to the Potters other than the loyalty that they have for him according to the books. But why the loyalty?). The fact the Lilly was a powerful witch could be hereditary in part, just like Harry.
2) The following link has information about Dumbledore http://www.i2k.com/~svderark/lexicon/dumbledore.html
It states that he had auburn hair in his youth, and blue eyes. If you know anything about inherited traits (please correct me if I'm wrong), red hair and green eyes are recessive genes and you can only get them if a) both parents have red hair and green eyes, or b) both parents have one gene for red hair and one gene for green eyes. (blue eyed people can have a blue and green eyed gene because the dominant gene is blue, I think) Do we know anything about Mrs. Evans, Lilly's mother? Where did Lilly get the red hair and green eyes? By the way Dumbledore was also in Gryffindor, just think about the Weasleys.
3) In the SS/PS, when Harry looks into the Mirror of Erised, he sees his family, many with green eyes (Lilly's side), many with noses like his (James' side) and only saw one (1) little old man. Later, Harry sees his mother, father and "one of his grandfathers nodding happily." (direct quote from the book) Where's the other grandfather? Perhaps he's behind Harry and also looking into the Mirror of Erised to see his daughter? Also, doesn't it strike you that Dumbledore is sad when he talks about Lilly in his flashbacks?
4) (This one is way out there) would Voldermort want to kill Harry because he was not only the heir of Gryffindor (yes, I think this is possible) but also the grandson of the great Dumbledore, a combination that could make little Harry powerful when he grew up? If you think about it, if Dumbledore was powerful enough that Voldermort was afraid of him, what better way to hurt Dumbledore than to kill Dumbledore's last heir. The death of Lilly and Harry would hurt Dumbledore enough to cripple any person.
5) "Dumbledore invoked an ancient magic, to ensure the boy's protection as long as he is in his relations' care." (direct quote from GF spoken by Voldemort) Didn't it say that Harry was only safe at the Dursley's and at Hogwarts (whose headmaster is Dumbledore)?

As to why Dumbledore didn't say that he is related to Harry, perhaps he thinks that it shouldn't be common knowledge that he had a child outside of marriage.

[Eva Gaade]

Do you read my mind. I have been thinking the exact same things like you do. So far that I know you are right about the genetically things. I am starting on my study to be a Biologisk next year. so thats wy I know a bit about that.

[felicity]

he could be..but the whole mirror thing was just u noe...luck i guess!

[Potterjohn]

No way L:0

[lanifiel]

Enough of the Are they related things, Dumbledore is Harry from the Future come back in time to correct past mistakes. We already know that time is bendable to Wizards...

[rotsiepots]

Originally posted by lanifiel
Enough of the Are they related things, Dumbledore is Harry from the Future come back in time to correct past mistakes. We already know that time is bendable to Wizards...

Just how far back in time did future Dumbledore-cum-Harry go, according to your theory? We already know of Dumbledore's independent existence in relation to his defeat of Grindelwald, work with Nicolas Flamel and position at Hogwarts during Tom Riddle's attendance. Why would he live two lifetimes...and have different coloured hair and eyes? :huh:

[Sirius Black]

I'm sure Dumbledore isn't the fututre of Harry. I'm with Rosiespot. But about Lily being Dumbledore's daughter, it could be true but probably whatever we guess will suprise us when we read teh actual thing and see how wrong we were.

[MissPotterHead]

I could see it. I've always wondered. Since Dumbledore is really old, like I think JK said in this 160? Somewhere around there.. It's possible that he could be his great grandfather, or something. Has anyone ever wondered if the Elixer of Life has anything to do with Dumbledore's age? Anywas, getting off topic. I may make that a new topic after I think about it for awhile..

[JoFaye]

I think it is entirely possible that Harry and Dumbledore are related. Although, I don't think it would change the way Dumbledore feels about Harry. His kindness extended to Hagrid when he was a child much like Harry in situation. He just has a very large heart.

[Guardian Angel]

I don't believe in this although I have some theories... :)



If Dumbledore is Harry's great grandfather (he couldn't be grandfather... he's too old!), it would make sense that he had James' Invisiblilty Cloak.

Maybe he ended up with a lot of James' things after James and Lily died, most likely, if he was a direct relative. And it would make even more sense that he would feel strongly compelled to give it back to the boy...

~And when Harry went back in old Hogwarts through Tom's diary we saw Dumbledore with auburn hair . Lily had a dark red hair as well. (I jumped to theory that Dumbledore could be Lily's grand father too, but I don't believe in it much. Dumbledore/James thery seems better to me!)~

One more thing, Dumbledore seems to love Harry very much. He cares about him a lot.I am starting to believe that this could be true... You never know!

[Eva Gaade]

well hopefulley we´ll get this thing cleared in the future books. on one point I hope it´s true. there is so many things pointing this way. But then again it would mabey be tomuch Star Wars over it.

[Kale]

I was thinking that DD has too much of a parent like attitude towards Harry. We know because of his name that he is not his grandfather, but what about great grandfather. The Potters were a wizarding family why can't DD be related in some way. This would explain why DD and Harry are so close besides the obvious prophecy business.

[Summergurl]

hmmm...I have thought of this too, but i am not quite sure. You can really see dumbledores love for Harry, specially at the end of Ootp...and he does seem to love and care about harry in a parent type way...but is this cause of who he is? like if Neville was the "boy who lived" would he be like this towards neville instead? or is it for other reasons?

[ravstardeluxe]

Is it ever mentioned in the books about DD's children? It's easy to speculate otherwise. Possibly. It would make a lot of sense.

[Phoenix_Fawkes]

I always thought he cared about harry as like a son....But because he knows Harrys been threw alot! And he was good friends with James and lily. So i dono i dont think that the are related though!

[mercury1122]

I really doubt that DD is related to Harry. I think DD's interest in Harry has a LOT to do with the prophecy and a lot to do with the character that Harry has shown throughout his trials during his years at Hogwarts. However, I think that this is a rather interesting speculation and now I'm suddenly very curious about DD's family. We don't know anything about a wife or children.....right??...or am I forgetting something?

[nicoley13]

I've thought about that, but I'm thinking that they're probably not related. We don't know anything about Dumbledore having a wife or kids... Although he wouldn't have to to be related to Harry. But I think their relationship is just because of the prophecy and all of the character Harry has shown.

[bwaybound83]

We all know the DD is attatched to Harry somehow. untll book 5 we have not scene him feel sad. In bok 5 he cries. What do you think it means , do you think he is still holding something from Harry. Is Dumbledore harry Great grabdfather ( Lily's granddad) what do you all think?

[Sarmi]

That is interesting. I am still curious as to why he did cry at that time.

DD has got to be related to Harry in some way, at least I hope he is. DD stated himself that no one has watched Harry more closely than he has.

See ya!

Sarmi

[Mad-I Moody]

I don't think Lily and Dumbledore can be related, unless it is very distantly. Lily is Muggle-born, remember? So unless the wizarding gene skipped a generation or two, I don't think Dumbledore can be Lily's grandfather. But, we don't know how all of that stuff works exactly, so I could certianly be wrong.

[Isin Dule]

In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, we learn that Dumbledore had auburn hair before he got really old. Maybe it's more than a coincidence that Lily's hair is dark red as well.

[zent]

Dumbledore could have been Harry's greadt-grandfather on James's side. He's old enough, and we don't know much about James's mother. She could have been Dumbledore's daughter. We really don't know enough about the Potter lineage to say.

He could also be an uncle, or great-uncle, or something else. I do believe he's somehow related to Harry.

[Veritaserum]

I don't think that Dumbledore is related to Lilly. It just seems impossible, I mean she is a muggle born and all of her family are muggles.

I just think Dumbledore thinks of Harry as the son he never had. I mean we know from J.K that the professors don't have siblings and so I think that the reason he loves Harry so much is he's taken him under his wing and treated him like a son. Hence the tear,I think the only think that can make a grown man cry is a threat to his, or his family's life.

Veritaserum

[KeLiSiTing]

Dumbledore strikes me as the kind of person who cares about almost everyone. He cares about all of his students. I don't think Dumbledore is related to Harry, but i think Dumbledore feels guilty about Harry's fate in a way.

Dumbledore is the one who heard the prophecy, and he probably feels responsible for Harry's destiny and such. I don't thinkI'd like it if they were related by blood somehow. I like their relationship as it is.

[jmk623]

I think Dumbledore simply thinks Harry as a son; but not related. Dumbledore has taken care of Harry when he was attacked by Voldemort at the age one. He also placed charms on the Dursleys' home and always watched Harry from a distance. Harry must seem like a son to him; due to the fact Dumbledore has taken care of him and taught him things in preporation to fighting Voldemort. He really cares about Harry, and to tell him the biggest burden, the prophecy, probably broke his heart.

[Runes]

Nah, Dumbledore isn't related to Harry. That would be too creepy. But DD is someone who's taken care of Harry ever since he was one-year old. Since he's watched over Harry more than anyone else, he has a very big attachment to him. But telling someone you care so much about, that they are supposed to be the one to destroy the most evil Dark wizard of all time who's threatening the entire Wizard community... its just too much. I wasn't really shocked or anything to see Dumbledore cry. Actually, it emphasized how harsh Harry's fate is.

[Prof. Burns]

Or, Dumbledore knows that Harry has to die, fighting Voldemort.

That scar means a lot, you've read it in the books. What if, as long as Harry lives, Voldemort will never die. The scar is a strong connection between the two, with a lot of background we know nothing about, yet. So, who knows? Maybe there's a part of the prophecy that Dumbledore didn't have the heart to tell Harry. If both Harry and Voldemort die, at the same time, in one of the greatest duels ever...that'll be heroic. I think I would like that ending...

And how do we know Harry is even going to kill Voldemort, at all? Don't forget Neville.

[marspeach]

The tear was so sad. I cried.

[Moonstone]

Dumbledore is deeply attached to Harry, understands the big picture, and realizes that there is probably not going to be a happy ending for Harry.

I thought it was a wonderfully human moment. Despite all the past tragedy and the rising danger ahead, Dumbledore has been fretting over not making Harry a prefect, a relatively insignificant matter in the course of events. It is indicative of how much Dumbledore cares that such a trivial thing could still be on his mind after everything else that occured, and that he felt the need to explain it to Harry.

[fairygirl121129]

I still don't get why DD cryed. I had to re-read that chapter over and over again and I still don't get it. If anyone can tell me what it meant can you tell me please. I am guessing that he cared to much and didn't want to tell Harry about the Prophecy, and I just have one more question will Harry play Quidditch next year?

[MadMagic]

I think he was just so upset about what he had just told Harry. I mean, Dumbledore had been carrying this information around for 15 years, not wiling to tell Harry because it is such a huge burden. Finally he was forced to reveal "all" and it was probably tough for him. He didn't want to be the one to have to put such pressur on Harry, who he has always tried to protect. I don't think it signifies any family relation though.

[dantares]

I thought DD was crying for Sirius. He felt responsible for Sirius's death. I mean if he had told Harry the truth earlier and taught Occulmency to Harry himself, Harry will never go to the DoM and Sirius would never have to die. I believe that DD is truly related to Harry, he cares too much about him.

[Tarawyn]

I'm going to merge this with a similar thread :)

[You-Know-Who]

Originally posted by Veritaserum (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=408551#post408551))
I mean we know from J.K that the professors don't have siblings


But Dumbledore does have a brother Aberforth or something like that...

He already has been mentioned twice...

[Llopin]

Yes, he has a brother, who apparently is very weird. Wonder if we're going to see more of him. It'd be interesting.

[You-Know-Who]

Probably he already has been mentioned twice in two seperate books. He seems like a funny character, not sure why...

[JenJen]

I think it'd be really cool if Dumbledore was related to Harry, but whether he is or not, he still looks after Harry as if he were a son or grandson. Harry has also looked up to Dumbledore as almost a father figure, so whether or not they're blood-related doesn't really matter. They've chosen to view each other as family, so they are.

[EvilRaven]

Yeah ... I think Dumbledore is related to Harry distantly. Theres just something odd about his relationship with Harry. I know his the boy who lived and everything, the Saviour of the world. But this relationship also spans back to Harry's father. They seemed to have had a storng connection. Why did Dumbledore have James invisibility cloak and not Remus?

Why does Dumbledore care for Harry so much more then a student who had defeated the dark lord?

I think he is related and just won't say it for know so Voldemort won't have another weakness he could use against Harry.

[Emmeline]

I have also been thinking if Dumbledore could be related to Harry. I'm not in any way convinced, but it is at least possible. The auburn hair could be a clue, Dumledore's behaviour at the end of book 5 another. I work with children so I know it's possible to get very attached to a child you're not related to and all, especially if that child had had/has a tough life in some way, like Harry, but DD hasn't really spent that much time with Harry, only "watched from a afar" so he seems to love Harry even if they don't spend that much time with each other.

I have also been wondering about a few other things:

Why did James leave his invisibility cloak with DD?

Why was it up to DD to arrange Harry's future? In our world if there are no relatives, no will from the parents, no god parents, it would be up to the social services or the like to arrange it. But this was up to DD (not some department of the Ministry of Magic!) only hours after Lily and James were killed. Sure, there was the prophecy and all, and sure DD seems to have an awful lot of authority, but we have also seen that the MoM can over rule him (Umbridge etc). And Voldemort uses the words "when it fell to him (DD) to arrange Harry's future" at the end of GoF.

DD has said that he knew James very well, both at Hogwarts and later.

James and Lily were "too close to DD" to have anything to do with the dark side (Hagrid in PS)

A side point: if Dumbledore is 150 years old he is old enough to be Harry's great great great grandfather or something like that, presuming that every generation has children in their 20's or 30's, which we don't know anything about.

About pure-blood, muggle-borns etc: We don't know anything about DD's family, if he is pure-blood or not. But one of his middle names was Brian. I don't know, but it sounds pretty muggle to me, at least very out of place with the other names: Albus Percival Wulfric...

[Emmeline]

Sorry EvilRaven, just mentioned some of the same things you did, didn't I?

[Mrs. Biggerstaff]

i have noticed that there has been a lot of people that think harry and DD r related and u know that DD relaly cares for harry as has said so himself but i just doubth that he his!

i mean if he was wouldnt he hvae given Harry christmas and B Day presents for the 15 years of his life so far! maybe he doesnt wanna give away or something, plus he is also always tlking bout not favouritising students! which to be far he doesnt not including punishments (for certains things that we all know of or chorse...certain trap doors).

oh yeah and another thing in PS/SS when harry is looking in the mirror of erised he seesall of his fmaily but hang on a min wouldnt he have seen the main man DD. but then again he is like Alive so that might play a big factor!

but as you can see that i have basically contraidcted everything ive said but i dont want to upset anhone. but i really dont think they are related!

[sindatur]

I'm not convinced that they're related either. I can easily accept it if JKR says so, but, I'm not ready to accept it yet.

I would imagine it "fell" to Dumbledore, because he was the "Head Voldemort fighter" and he knew Harry would be the only one able to defeat Voldemort when he rose again (I think most of the Original Order members have been expecting him to rise again ever since the AK backfired on him, even Neville's Gran has been waiting for it to happen). Also Dumbledore has lived that life (Grindlewald in WWII, Voldemort in the 70s, maybe even before Grindelwald) and Harry is his successor.

[turbotriple_power]

Yeah i don't beleive that either...
Because even if they were related why didn't Dumbledore let Harry live with him??
I mean Dumbledore is the only wizard LV ever feared.

[wbp9999]

OK, I know this is really far-fetched, but what if Dumbledore knows some kind of spell that puts himself into a trance or only half living state. He would not age during this time but he would also not truely be living either. He might be a couple of hundred years old if thiswere the case and be Harry's great, great, great, great,... grandfather. Maybe the spell is removed when a horrendous evil comes into existence. Anywho, that's a theory I thought of but I don't really think that it is plausible.

[turbotriple_power]

But even thow he was his great, great, great, great... grandfather wouldn't they heve the same family name??
Well except if Dumbledore was in Lily's side but Lily's parent's were muggles so i wouldn't think they were related or unless cousins or whatever.
But is Dumbledore pureblood???
Because since all purebloods are related well maybe he is somehow related to James and Harry.


___________


http://monsite.wanadoo.fr/lagazette/images/4-picture2.jpg"I told you!" Ron hissed at Hermione as she stared down the article. "I told you not to annoy Rita Skeeter! She's made you out to be some sort of-scarlet woman!"
Hermione stopped looking atonished and snorted with laughter. "Scarlet woman?" she repeated, shaking with surpressed giggles as she looked around at Ron.
"It's what my mum calls them," Ron muttered, his ears going red.:lol:

[lisalouii]

I don't think Dumbledore is related to Harry, but there is definitely a strong connection to him. Good questions brought up here if DD is not family. Why did he feel compelled to shelter Harry? Or to place him with the Dursleys? DD had to have been deeply involved with James and Lily, but again, why? This must all be answered when we finally hear about the Potters. Aaaarrrrggghhh!!! So many questions! And no real answers so far :no: ! When is the sixth book due out!!?? :sad:

[Ellefire]

Obviously there remains a lot to be answered concerning DD and Harry. If DD was related to Harry it would be on James' side wouldn't it becasue as far as we know DD is a pureblood as is James.
But why in the world did it land on DD to take care of Harry. Why did DD send Hagrid to go get Harry. Why no do it himself as it had been a very eventful night and when getting a baby out of a disaster zone I would want to make sure the job was done properly, atleast by someone who can do magic, not that I'm dissing Hagrid.
But the question still remains why did DD care so much about Harry, is just because his parents were Order members? Or is it something else?

~Ellfire

[bakbam]

I completely agree wiht u ellefire:but harry has got to have family close to him someone in harry cicle is a relative it could be DD (that would be great)but it may be someone we would never suspect but i am guessing that DD knows who it is and it is about time for harry to know as well.

[PlaceboAddict]

I can't even begin to tell you where this is wrong. I mean, not only would that be just.... too weird and predictible, it's impossible - unless Dumbledore hates Harry in some way we're unaware of. Think of it logically. Dumbledore sends Harry to Petunia because she is blood related to him, and that's essential for the charm he's putting on him (to protect him from V-Dawg) to work. So if he's related to him, why wouldn't he just let Harry stay with him, instead of putting him through 11 years of emotional torment? The charm would still work the same....

Yes they have a connection. Yes, Dumbledore is fond of Harry. Sirius treated Harry in a fatherly fashion too, doesn't mean he's related to him..... it's an interesting theory, but it just doesn't make enough sense to be believable....

[wbp9999]

Dumbledore could have had a daughter who married someone named Potter. THen they wouold have different names and still be on James's side

[Emmeline]

But why in the world did it land on DD to take care of Harry. Why did DD send Hagrid to go get Harry. Why no do it himself as it had been a very eventful night and when getting a baby out of a disaster zone I would want to make sure the job was done properly, atleast by someone who can do magic, not that I'm dissing Hagrid.
But the question still remains why did DD care so much about Harry, is just because his parents were Order members? Or is it something else?

~Ellfire

We seem to be asking a lot of the same questions... I definitely think there is more to the story here. About James and Lily, and I think there is more to the relationship between Dumbledore and Harry and DD and James and Lily, whether or not that has anything to do with them being related.

[roberthan]

i don't think DD is related to harry because in book Harry saw he's family members in Mirror of the Erised and would mnow if DD is on there

[sindatur]

Actually Roberthan, I don't believe Dumbledore is related, but, don't use Harry not seeing Dumbledore in the Mirror of Erised as proof of no relation.

It's very possible the family in the Mirror of Erised was "stacked" according to age or closeness of relation. In which case, Dumbledore's image could've been way in the back behind numerous people and he just was never seen. Remember the Photo of Moody's of the Old Order, the people in the photo had to shift their positions so the ones in the back could come forward and be seen.

[isntlifejUiCy]

I'm not sure what I really think on this. It could be true that they are related, but then again, I have some reason for thinking it's not true.

Everyone wants to know why Harry wouldn't have gone with Dumbledore when LIly and James died. Well, even if Dumbledore was his relative in some way, could he really care for a little kid at Hogwarts?

But, disproving that, here's another key fact. Dumbledore would want to make Harry as safe as possible, because he heard the prophecy before Harry was born. He knew Harry was "the one." The most protective way for Harry to stay safe was going to Petunia's care, becuase the BLOOD OF LILY RAN THROUGH HER. If Dumbly was Lily's great-great-grandfather or something to that effect, wouldn't he also have that blood running throug him? I know he was a busy guy at Hogwarts, and may have wanted Harry to have a sheltered life so he wouldn't grow up and turn out to be something like Dudley, but still, Dumbledore said Petunia was his mother's ONLY blood relative, so that protection was needed.

There still could be a connection between James and Dumbledore, but I really dont have any new thoughts on that. It just seems like if they were related, dumbledore couldn't have taken Harry as he had a busy life, and Harry would grow up knownig he was the "boy who lived." If they aren't related, then that fits into the whole petunia having the only blood for the protection theory...

Anyway, I'm confusing myself again.

[Alohamora]

this is just a theory here but what is dumbledore is james's godfather? well anywayz i know that it is far-fetched but you know it really could happen! i mean dumbledore has acted like a father to james by giving him a safe place to hide and the secret - keeper and all that. what d you think?

[Liselle]

Alohamora that actually a good point, on the topic of godparents, who is Harrys godmother???

Liselle

[daz]

JK gas now we will find out who his godmother is but it is not importent to the plot

[tk_ravenprime]

HELLO FELLOW FANS
as fans of JKR and HP we all have our own predictions and theories of how we think things mean or are going to turn out. I had originally post this in a separate thread of my own. I was refered to post in this forum. I want to apologize for not having done a more complete search for keywords.
For the purposes of reference (not having to type it spelled out) I am going to use 6 book abreviations SOC, COS, POA, GOF, PHX & GW (for galadriel waters 'ultimate unofficial guide'. Also I am using US version paperback, except for PHOENIX
I am also going to use abreviations for characters names.

DUMBLEDORE

Clearly a central figure in the fight against TMR/LV and in keeping HP alive.

Here is a list of what we know of him so far:
> Dd is 150 years old (gw 2002), possibly born 1850-52. He is described as "old" not "ancient" like Prof Marchbanks his NEWT examiner (phx 710)
> Dd is described as having had AUBURN hair (a shade of red)
> Dd has blue eyes (gof 36- 893/phx 37-837), described as "penetrating light blue (phx 22, 467) and as "clear blue" (phx 22, 474).

My question to you my fellow fans is: would you consider "light/clear blue" as being pale in color. This I find important b/c Petunias eyes are described that way..."her large pale eyes, so unlike her sisters (lily)" I believe this is important when you consider that DUMBLEDORE means "bumblebee", and bees pollinate flowers. How many family lines has he pollinated thru his children?
I believe we are going to find out that Lily AND Petunia are related to him, and by extension HP

> Dd is described as Nick Flammel's partner...why is he considered his partner? compared to NF he is very young. The logical inference is that he used the elixir himself or has his own supply. And since they were partners at some point, what else did they partner on? I believe this will be important to resolve some story line clue or information later on.


> Dd is house Gryffindor, and was professor of transfigurations....was he also head of house like McGonagall is now?

I personally have come to believe that prof McG is his daughter, granddaughter. GW tells us that McGonagall means "SON OF MOST VALOROUS ONE" and through out the story we are hit over the head that Dd is "the only one he feared (LV)"....
Or is McG another Gryffindor bloodline....? She has to be brave to take on 5 Aurors by herself (PHX, ch OWLS)....and we really havent seen her in action at all....When you consider 5 books worth, we have seen more of PEEVES and MRS NORRIS than we have of her. I make her out to be part of the OOTP as either a reserve group, or a "special" group....Does she maybe have a Phoenix core wand? We know from OOTP that Dd now has 2 additional feathers to use. I figure that in 6 we wont see much action, but a lot of studying and running around (stealthly). I didnt say any, just not much.

In what book /chapter does this magic quill that writes down born wizards and witches show up???? could some one owl me please?
that is it...lets compare notes

[Bee]

It seems to me that it's just so predictable that Harry is related to Dumbledore... it sort of fits in a way, I guess, but I think the only way he could be related to him is through Lily, since he DID have auburn hair, and so did Lily, however Lily also had green eyes, which seem pretty important, and Dumbledore doesn't have those... Harry also saw his grandparents in the Mirror of Erised, and Dumbledore wasn't in there.

I think the wizarding world is a little different from ours... after all, Harry is friends with Hagrid, who is pretty old, and Dumbledore and Flamel were partners, and Flamel was over 500 years older than Dumbledore. I also think that wizards have a smaller community, and obviously there are a lot more "society" type things going on there, I don't think it's wierd that Lily and James were really close to Dumbledore without being related, I think that they worked for the Ministry or Hogwarts somehow, or anyways, they were in cahoots with Dumbledore in some businessy way, and I really don't think they're related... they're just good friends.

I do think that somewhere in the series someone will be related to another in a way that we don't expect... especially if Dumbledore is a pureblood (we also don't know that for sure) than he'll be in some way related to the Weasleys, the Blacks, the Malfoys (perhaps THAT'S why he's let a lot of DE's kids stay at Hogwarts? He's related to them?)... I don't know if it'll be too important a link, though.

Unless he's related to the Weasleys in some way. The auburn hair comment is a little too vague for me to believe that just because Dumbledore had slighty red hair he is related to the flaming-haired Weasleys... he is probably very close to the family, though (probably more than Ron expects) because they are a very old wizarding family, and then there was the Order too, and they were in that. And all their kids went to Hogwarts and were quite successful there.

Now I'm no further than when I started... but that's okay. Consider this post my Pensieve of sorts... I just had to get all my thoughts down!

[RavenclawsFinest]

To HbAznKyootie: There was something you said earlier in the Thread about Lilly being adopted? How can that be when the only thing saving Harry from Voldemorts' wrath is Petunia's blood?

[Fenella Evangela]

All pureblood wizards are related, Sirius said that. Harry and DD must both have some pureblood, so they have to be related. However, I don't think it is significant...
And may I just say to everyone who thinks that they have to be related through Lily just because she has red hair, for Pete's sake, anyone could have auburn hair, its not a sign of paternity! Anyway, couldn't Harry's great uncle on his dad's side have red hair? How would we know?

[Morgan LeFay]

All pureblood wizards are related, Sirius said that. Harry and DD must both have some pureblood, so they have to be related.


I still think Sirius was generating - just like Hagrid when he said that "every wizard who joined LV was in Slytherin". In this words is another meaning - some people cares about pure blood, some not. But if all wizards families are related there are still a lot of wizards that care about pure blood marriages. And it doesn't sound good for DD and his supporters.

[mr.berts'n'botts]

hah well IF dumbledore and harry were related its like who cares?
their relationship is like realli strong anyways

[tk_ravenprime]

hello fellow fans...
this may sound far fetched, even wild, but I believe that Harry is Dd's
grandson. For the purposes of clarity I abreveiate the book titles in order of print in the following was SOC, COS, POA, GOF, PHX. all references US version paperback except for phx -- US hardcover.

>> Dd is 150 according to JKR
>> Dd means "bumblebee" and bees pollinate flowers...how many family lines has Dd pollinated thru his children? When moody in PHX shows harry the picture to the first order of the phoenix, only dd brother is shown, no other family (and we know JKR is very tight lipped b/c it will blow the plot...

>> when harry is cleaning with sirius, sirius smashes the spider with a book titled "nature's nobility: a wizarding genealogy (phx, p116)

>> sibyll is the great-great-granddaughter of CASSANDRA TRELAWNEY, whom Dd aknowledged had the gift...thats 5 genenrations.....Sirius is the great-great grandson of phineas, also 5 generations. Sirius and James were classmates, making harry 6th generation.....1=25, 6=150 (ask jeeves--rootsweb.com)

>> also consider how long harrys wand wairted for him at olivanders:
tmr/lv got his wand at 11, the COS opened 54 years later (11 + 4 + 50 = 1999), MINUS the year harry got his, is 53 years. Thats how long Olivanders had his wand.
In GOF 36, 697 dumbledore clearly states that both feathers are from fawkes and that Olivanders notified him of the wand the moment Harry left his shop 4 years ago. Why was it important to be notified that quickly? afterall it was just a wand sale, wasnt it?

>> Dd would have been around 95-100 years old, when olivanders received the feathers from fawkes.

>>Dd, Phineas, and Cassandra were probably classmates, and Dd did say she had the gift. The question that comes to my mind is what did she see in Dd future?

and thats it...

[RubberSoul]

In GOF 36, 697 dumbledore clearly states that both feathers are from fawkes and that Olivanders notified him of the wand the moment Harry left his shop 4 years ago. Why was it important to be notified that quickly? afterall it was just a wand sale, wasnt it?

Hm...I'm not sure I understand, but I thought that Dumbledore was notified simply because Harry had bought a wand with the same core as Voldemort's, which is significant in itself.

I seriously doubt that Dumbledore is more than distantly related to Harry. It would just be too much for the story for Harry to find his missing great-great grandfather or whatnot, when the rest of his family is theoretically dead.

I think Dumbledore was taking responsibility for Harry's welfare because he was the only one who had heard the prophecy and knew he needed to have Harry protected so that he could one day destroy Voldemort. He obviously cares about Harry too, but I don't think his reason for giving Harry protection is some underlying secret.

>>Dd, Phineas, and Cassandra were probably classmates, and Dd did say she had the gift. The question that comes to my mind is what did she see in Dd future?
That's actually a really interesting concept, but when Dumbledore mentions Cassandra when he talks about his job interview with Trelawney, it doesn't sound as though he knows her.
"The applicant was the great-great-granddaughter of a very famous, very gifted Seer and I thought it common politeness to meet her." (p. 740, British version)
Dumbledore doesn't speak about her in a personal way...I don't know, that's just my thought.

Also, if wizards live longer than Muggles, and Dumbledore is 150, then how come Cassandra and Phineas are dead? And Phineas has been dead for at least 50 years, because Dippet was headmaster 50 years ago. The three of them could be from the same generation, but it just doesn't seem likely that they were all at Hogwarts at the same time.

[Luna27]

If they are related, they must be cousins or something. JKR has already said that Harry's grandparents are dead and that there isn't much info to pass along about them. I think if they were related that Dumbledore would have told him at the end of OotP when he was fessing up to everything else.

[Dru Malfoy]

I do believe that Harry and Dumbledore are related. Dumbledore cares for Harry too much. And he's always had a very special relationship with him that far surpasses the relationship between a student and a headmaster. Maybe he's his great-grandfather or something...

[Luna27]

My only question is, if Dumbledore were related to Harry, if he is his great-grandfather or uncle or whatever, why wouldn't he take Harry in? If they are related, he could have performed the charm he used with Petunia to keep Harry safe. But Dumbledore says, "I put my trust, therefore, in your mother's blood. I delivered you to her sister, her only remaining relative." This occurs in the Lost Prophecy chapter in OotP. Dumbledore may have kept information from Harry, but he has never outright lied to him. Unless people are willing to believe that he would do such a thing, I think it rules out him being related to Dumbledore on Lily's side.

I think Dumbledore's affection for Harry can be attributed to the fact that Harry is an orphan and an innocent. He was a baby and he had the most evil wizard of their time after him. Top that off with the fact that he had to be raised by people who hate all things magic...he's a very sympathetic character. The entire wizarding community has (at some point) affection for Harry (well, the non-evil ones anyway). Mrs. Weasley tries to protect him, but it's not because they are blood relatives. It's because she knows he has already suffered a lot in his young life and she would like to keep any more grief from him. It's the same way Dumbledore feels about Harry...he says as much in chapter 37 of OotP.

Additionally, we have already learned (in GoF when Dumbledore said he volunteered to be the Potter's Secret Keeper) that he was close to Lily and James. He also told us in SS that James left his invisibility cloak in his possession. I would think that if any of us had a close friend pass away and left behind an infant, most of us would feel a desire to protect the child to some degree.

All this being said, we really haven't heard much about James' family. That's really the only possibility left open thus far. But one can deduce from JKR's comments (that Harry's grandparents are dead) that Dumbledore is not Harry's grandfather and therefore not James' father. Could he be his great-grandfather? Sure...but I don't think so. The most likely is a cousin or uncle, but again...I don't think they are related at all. I don't see what is gained from him keeping this bit of information from Harry when he is finally telling Harry the truth about everything else.

One last thing, Dumbledore's comment that only a true Gryffindor could have pulled out Godric's sword. It seems that this is something people point to as evidence that Harry is related to Gryffindor and also Dumbledore. I took it to mean that only someone who is truly brave and has the other qualities Godric desired in his students would be able to pull the sword out of the hat. Obviously, you don't have to be an heir of any of the founding wizards to be put sorted into their house. If that were the case, there would have been an 'heir of Slytherin' incident every year.

[Pumpkin Juice]

I finally got into Rowling's site and noticed in her rumors section she addressed this rumor:

Professor Dumbledore is Harry's real grandfather/ close relative of some description.

Rowling's answer was:

"If Dumbledore had been Harry's grandfather, why on earth would he have been sent to live with the Dursleys?"

Though I think if Dumbledore were a grandfather of Harry's, he'd be more like a great, great, great grandfather.

Why would Harry have been sent to the Dursley's if Dumbledore was in fact his relation? I can think of a few reasons.

1. If Dumbledore is related to Harry on his father's side, then he couldn't use the magic of his mother to protect him - thus there would be a certain protection he could not offer Harry that the Dursley's could.

2. Dumbledore's old and has a school to run. And with the continuing threat of Death Eaters and Voldemort still out there somewhere, he really wouldn't have time to raise a baby and small child. And if Dumbledore's at Hogwarts all day, where would Harry have gone in his early years to school? Does Hogsmead have a school? For the life of me, I can't see Dumbledore changing diapers.

3. I'm not sure if he said it in the book, I know he said it in the movie, that Harry would be far better growing up away from all the attention he'd receive in the wizarding world. If Dumbledore raised Harry at Hogwarts he'd have grown up being treated like a celebrity and would most likely be so full of himself by the time he turned 11 that no one could really stand him.

So I find Rowling's answer to that rumor to be unsatisfactory. There are plenty of reasons why Dumbledore wouldn't keep infant Harry to raise.

[ErickGama]

Dumbledore was actually in the room and Harry just saw DD's reflection in the mirror.

Thank you! I was just about to say that because in J. K. Rowling's official website, she said: "Is Dumbledore Harry's grandfather?" the she said "If he was, why did he had to go to live with the Dursleys?"

[tk_ravenprime]

hello fellow fans...
quote by rubbersoul:

Hm...I'm not sure I understand, but I thought that Dumbledore was notified simply because Harry had bought a wand with the same core as Voldemort's, which is significant in itself.

The significance of the wand relates to the prophecy. Voldemort marked HP as an equal, but at HP's age (1 year) it was strong suggestion that they were linked. when harry got his wand at olivanders it was futhering the prophecy by linking him more closely to voldemort.

also bear in mind the results of the fight in the graveyard in GOF....when they faced off wand to wand, it resulted in "PRIORI INCANTATEM" which was explained in the hospital when HP returned from from the maze.

Also bear in mind that Olivander tells harry what his parents had, and what they were good for (charms, transfigurations), but doesnt tell harry what his is good for, just that we can excpect great things from him because of his wand....I found this very odd. Harry at this point knows nothing of his heritage, while everyone else seems to. to use an analogy it would be like him buying a hotwheels play car and being told that the last person to have bought that model play car became a great driver. sure the wand core is very rare, and been sitting in his store 54 years, so where is "great things" expectation coming from? We the readers pass it off as salesmanship on his part in book one, but when you read GOF and are told that " I was notified the moment you left the store" you have to think hard about it.

Conjecture on my part, but I think that when in book 7 they face off for the last time, Harry will channel the power of the phoenix core in order to overcome the one that must not be named.

by luna 27:
I think it rules out him being related to Dumbledore on Lily's side.

On lilys side, yes, not james. Dumbledore, james & harry are house Gryffindor, Lily was Ravenclaw. Dumbledore explained to HP that it was "old magic, that he [LV] knew of but underestimated at his cost". and also that voldemort "overcame that barrier", and in PHX he explains to harry that he knew that WHEN voldemort returned to power his most powerful spells and charms would not remain invincible. this tells us 2 things:
1 because of the prophecy he knew LV would return, 2> bc of the prophecy he knew only LV could really kill HP so he had to ensure hp future and education by protecting his gr-gr-gr-grandson.

Also, and Ive written this elsewhere, "the truth" with Dd is a slippery concept. When he told harry about the prophecy he only told the truth about that year (phx), he left lots of blanks to be filled in (bks 6 & 7).

Hes holding back on their relationship in other to prepare harry for the fight and not distract him with "why didnt you....?" questions.

As for the JKR interview.....it was a red herring on her part. By raising that question she makes you doubt it could be, and also wants to see your creativity in coming up with her answer .

[Daveydee]

As for the JKR interview.....it was a red herring on her part.
It was? You're sure?
By raising that question she makes you doubt it could be, and also wants to see your creativity in coming up with her answer .Or she was debunking the theory, which seems eminently reasonable, given that it was in the "theory-debunking" section of her website.

There comes a point at which some theories have to be dropped, and the nod from the author should be sufficient enough. There are plently of other theories still to be resolved one way or another.

As far as I can see the question in the title of this thread has been answered by JKR. End of conversation. Give it up. Move on.

[GryffindorGr]

hello fellow fans...

On lilys side, yes, not james. Dumbledore, james & harry are house Gryffindor, Lily was Ravenclaw. Dumbledore explained to HP that it was "old magic, that he [LV] knew of but underestimated at his cost". and also that voldemort "overcame that barrier", and in PHX he explains to harry that he knew that WHEN voldemort returned to power his most powerful spells and charms would not remain invincible. this tells us 2 things:
1 because of the prophecy he knew LV would return, 2> bc of the prophecy he knew only LV could really kill HP so he had to ensure hp future and education by protecting his gr-gr-gr-grandson.

Hey tk_ravenprime! :) Just to clarify, Lily was in Gryffindor and not in Ravenclaw.

Q: Which house was Lily Potter in, and what is her maiden name?

JKR: Her maiden name was Evans, and she was in Gryffindor (naturally).
from: http://www.quick-quote-quill.org/articles/2000/1000-scholastic-chat.htm

I would have to agree with Daveydee above. Dumbledore has no relation with Harry or else why would he put Harry with the Dursleys (as stated in JKRowling's official site)

[SilverStar]

On JKR's official site she denies they are close relatives (she denies that he is Harry's grandfather) but that doesn't mean they aren't distant relatives....

[GryffindorGr]

On JKR's official site she denies they are close relatives (she denies that he is Harry's grandfather) but that doesn't mean they aren't distant relatives....
So why wouldn't Dumbledore take him in?
Would there be a plot purpose for this? Because in my opinion, Harry living with the Dursleys are horrible conditions. No love, no nurture, nothing but meager scraps to survive.

[LumosSoleil]

Not to mention that DD sealed Harry's protection charm when Petunia took him in. Because DD is not a blood relative, or relative whatsoever, he had to get someone of Harry's mother's blood, who is Petunia her sister. He also said in OotP that he wanted Harry to be away from the limelight as a new victor over LV. He wanted Harry to have a normal life, although that didn't happen.

[Pegasus]

Are we really still discussing this? After that website, I seriously thought this thread would be over for good.
Rowling has most clearly stated they're not related. How much better can she explain it?

[p0is0n]

And may I just say to everyone who thinks that they have to be related through Lily just because she has red hair, for Pete's sake, anyone could have auburn hair, its not a sign of paternity! Anyway, couldn't Harry's great uncle on his dad's side have red hair? How would we know?

I agree. As soon as you realize that two people have similar haircolors, you immediately think "Oh! They must be related!" Yes, there is a possibilty that they could be related, but I still don't think so. Anyone could be related to Lily, no matter what their haircolor. Heck, I have dark brown hair and my brothers a blondie! I think that someone's related to Lily, but I have know idea who.

[Silkeng]

Are we really still discussing this? After that website, I seriously thought this thread would be over for good.
Rowling has most clearly stated they're not related. How much better can she explain it?

I agree that all who still think they are related should paroose the website and see that it is fact that they are not related, no matter the clues that you think you have found. Was surprised this thread isn't closed! :huh:

[Venus_77]

JK Rowling made it clear in her website that they are not related. She even said that people are constantly saying that Harry looks just like his father? (Except his eyes. Lily's eyes.)

And why on earth would he let Harry live in the Dursleys if they are related???

[tk_ravenprime]

by daveydee:

Or she was debunking the theory, which seems eminently reasonable, given that it was in the "theory-debunking" section of her website.

I might have mis-read it on her site, but it was in the rumor section and she just raised the question as to why WE (the fans) think they are related, unlike other theories that she states straight out "....that is not so...".

Ive written b4 how slippery the truth is when it comes to Dumbledore saying truthful things. I dont think she makes him LIE outright, she just uses him to bend the truth in unusual ways. let me give you an example: in POA towards the end, after the rescue of Sirius, Fudge comes into the hospital wing, furious about buckbeak and sirius and how they escaped and how Potter must be involved. Dumbledore calmly inquires from Fudge if he thinks Harry can be in 2 places at once in order to rescue buckbeak and to help Sirius escape. We the fans know thats exactly what he did--be in 2 places at once, thanx to the gizmo. He never actually denied harry could have done that--which would have been a lie, he just raised the question and made fudge doubt Harry's involvement in the rescue/escape.

another example is in PHX: in the chapter that Umbridge gets harry for DA, Dumbledore raises the point that he was under the impression that Harry was being accused of having a DA club meeting 6 months after clubs were banned, not that there were club meetings for 6 months--he never denied that there had been club meetings for 6 months- that would have been a lie, he just made dolores doubt the information she received. Shacklebolt altered the memories...that was the lie. it was a convienient way to cover for Dd...by making her "unremember".

And b4 someone says so, yes, I am cutting a fine line of word interpretation. Isnt that what for five books jkr has made us do?

Dumbledore (JKR really) is very devious that way....and five books later we still love her work.

by gryffindorgr:

Hey tk_ravenprime! Just to clarify, Lily was in Gryffindor and not in Ravenclaw.

thanx I appreciate it

[Woodstock]

Now I know JKR already answered this question in the 'rumour' section of the website, but all she says really is
Quote:
If Dumbledore was Harry's grandfather, why on earth would he have been sent to live with the Dursleys?

Some people read this as if she says DD and Harry are NOT related. I agree, IF she says no. My point is she didn't actually say no! She just asked us WHY...I'll try to give an explanation why


My comment on that note is this: In OoTP, when DD explains all about the prophecy and why he has to stay at the Dursleys he says:
Quote:
She gave you a lingering protection he never expected, a protection that flows in your veins to this day. I put my trust, therefore, in your mother's blood. I delivered you to her sister, her only remaining relative


OKay so that explains that Dumbledore can't be Harry's relative from MOTHER'S side, as it is his mother's blood that protects him. It doesn't say anything about his Dad's side though. Could DD be related to James maybe?

[Starz2000]

When re-reading the Goblet of Fire, in the chapter named The Madness of Mr Crouch I noticed something that Crouch says to Harry. First he says "You're not...his?" than "Dumbledore's?". To me this seems very significant but I have no idea what relation Dumbledore and Harry could have - whether its family or some sort of magical connection? Any ideas?

[offca]

his - LV's=DE
Dumbledore's - on the side of DD/students from Hogwarts, means not from among DE
that what I understand from it
Crouch had no idea he was talking to Harry Potter. otherwise he woud not say about "some Harry Potter" but would say straight to Harry that he is in danger.

[Cat]

He means student, I think. I also think 'his' refers to Karkaroff, who Crouch disliked and distrusted.

[Stephie]

Maybe a magical connection, they're much closer as Headmaster and student than anyone else in the school. JKR stated Harry and Dumbledore aren't family related.

[Vequihellin]

Hi :welcome: to the boards. You may have a point, but to be honest, in my opinion Crouch was a) Raving like a lunatic, not in control of anything he was saying really and b) Not close enough to Dumbledore to know anything about whether or not Harry is a relation to Dumbledore. (also consider that if Harry was a relation to Dumbledore why would he have been sent to the Dursleys???)

You will find that there are a large number of threads regarding who Harry might be secretly related to scattered all over the place as well as a couple dealing with the madness of Crouch Sr.

Try:
Heir to Gryffindor - This has a lot of discussion regarding evidence that either Harry or Dumbledore is Heir to Gryffindor and possible random theories in between.
Are Harry and Dumbledore related?


The moddys like it if you do a thorough search before posting new threads since there are so many discussions on these forums that you are bound to find your topic. Just a friendly Heads-up.

Veq.

[Hali Felton]

his - LV's=DE

:agree: never thought of it that way, but that would make sense. I just thought Crouch was saying "your not. . .his?" like in dispair, because he had been hoping to find one of Dumbledore's students, then said "Dumbledore" because he realized Harry didn't understand him. . . goodness. that makes me sound really stupid. maybe because i am. geeze Hali! Why would a crazed man correct himself for others' full understanding?! he wouldn't have even understood himself! okay, forget i said all of this and lets go back to pretending that i'm really not all that stupid. k? . . . .eek. i'm so dumb. i mean, i've read the books scores of times each, and i thought ^that? ^ :rolleyes: well, it's been a while. . . i really should read them again. . . .i really should. . .

[offca]

stop whiping yourself! you cannot think about yourself this way! why??? you haven't said anything stupid at all! believe me :)

there are no stupid questions. there can be only stupid answers. :)

[Vequihellin]

When re-reading the Goblet of Fire, in the chapter named The Madness of Mr Crouch I noticed something that Crouch says to Harry. First he says "You're not...his?" than "Dumbledore's?". To me this seems very significant but I have no idea what relation Dumbledore and Harry could have - whether its family or some sort of magical connection? Any ideas?"You're not...his?" Could very well be interpreted to mean 'You're not Voldemorts' followed by "Dumbledores?" meaning "You're one of Dumbledores? Thank God, get help."

Don't worry Hali, you don't sound stupid, that is the trouble with disjointed insane raving ramblings - they are difficult to understand. :lol:
Have you ever been delerious with a fever and tried to get someone to understand that you are thirsty? I have and wasn't very successful! :lol:

Veq.

[mrsmichael6300]

JKR states on her website under "rumors" that DD is of no relation to Harry (and she says we're all too obessessed with Star Wars :angel: )

[Vequihellin]

JKR states on her website under "rumors" that DD is of no relation to Harry (and she says we're all too obessessed with Star Wars :angel: )
Indeed she does. I had overlooked that.

I expect that this thread will be closed/merged soon.

[dobydoo]

I thought the Dursley's were his last living relatives. Shouldn't that be the answer then?

[lewis8604]

I like the idea that LV said that he couldn't touch Harry at the Dursley's or Hogwarts, but maybe that was just because he is scared of DD If they are related could it be on either side? A half blood considered the greatest wizard of their time woukd be interesting...

[Kazza]

Now I know JKR already answered this question in the 'rumour' section of the website, but all she says really is
Quote:
If Dumbledore was Harry's grandfather, why on earth would he have been sent to live with the Dursleys?

Some people read this as if she says DD and Harry are NOT related. I agree, IF she says no. My point is she didn't actually say no! She just asked us WHY...

Yes! This is what I was thinking too!

If you look at the question directly beneath about Voldemort and Harry being related, she firmly says "No no no no no!"
But when she answers the question about Dumbledore and Harry, she gives us a somewhat cryptic answer!

JKR states on her website under "rumors" that DD is of no relation to Harry (and she says we're all too obessessed with Star Wars :angel: )

No she doesn't. She says that about Voldemort not Dumbledore.

[Liv4Sirius]

Well this is for cousins, but not grandchildren. You have less in common with a distant cousin than you did with a grandparent.

D could very well be Harry's great great grandfather (he is 150 years old afterall).


I think that if this was so, Harry would have lived with DD after his parent's death. I doubt seriously that a grandfather would place his great great grandchild with people who would abuse and neglect him. Besides, DD has made it clear several times that Harry's only living relatives were the Dursleys

[grawp66]

Yes! This is what I was thinking too!

If you look at the question directly beneath about Voldemort and Harry being related, she firmly says "No no no no no!"
But when she answers the question about Dumbledore and Harry, she gives us a somewhat cryptic answer!



No she doesn't. She says that about Voldemort not Dumbledore.

She says " if Dumbledore was Harry's realitive, why on earth would he have been sent to live with the Dursleys?"

Not really cryptic if you ask me. That's just JKR's writing style. And she wouldn't have adressed the question at all if it was really true.

[Remus Black]

Exactly. DD would have never left Harry to the Dursleys if he was related.

[CraziedLilGirl]

if they were related, why would Dumbledore not keep him when James and Lily died?

[Lavender Brown]

Besides the fact that Dumbledore would have taken Harry, I don't think she'll pull something as cheesy as this, but I guess she could tell us anything and we'd enjoy it...

[SiriusBlack22]

No, JK said on her site he wasn't.

[LexiBlack]

If Dumbledore was related to Harry, I don't think he would have made Harry live with his horrible aunt and uncle all of this life. I think that Dumbledore would have had Harry stay with him. All Harry needed was to live with a person who is related by blood or something like that. And if Dumbledore was Harry's relative then Dumbledore would have let Harry live with him. Plus I think that we would have learned this from Dumbledore by now. Keeping something like this from Harry would be one of the worse things he could do. I think Dumbledore has learned his lesson in this matter during the fifth book. I don't think he will be keeping things from Harry anymore and if they were related I think we would have learned about it in the talk Dumbledore gave to Harry at the end of the OoTP.

[TurKisH]

no.

[Snout]

I think JK said Harry and Dumbledore aren't related. She said why would he live with the Dursleys if he was?

[rjade829]

JKR already answered this on her site...
No.

[Snout]

Actually she didn't answer the question, she asked a seperate one. She said "why would he live with the Dursleys if he was". Maybe she wants us to think they aren't, only to surprise us and tell us they are.

I however don't think they are and i believe JK was saying no.

[Princess_Sara]

If the Potters and Dumbledores are pureblood families, than Harry and Professor Dumbledore could be related, albeit very distantly. They'd have to be fifth cousins four times removed or something.

[Durandal]

This has really been irritating me, when harry is looking in the mirror, he sees his family. and then dumbledor appears. i mean when he sees the stone he gets it. maby the same thing happend with Dumbledore.:??:

No, there is no way they can be, otherwise (as JKR herself said) Harry would have lived with Dumbledore and not the Dursleys. We know this is impossible in real life, but the books are set up this way to take advantage of classical literary devices that really don't make sense in real life but work well for telling a good story.

It works the same for Tom Riddle: surely some relative, friend, acquaintance, landlord, coworker, someone was named in his mother's will to take care of Tom after she died, unless she didn't bother changing the will after her husband left her. But even then, you'd think someone she knew would want to come keep her company after the delivery and would then know that something went wrong... And any relatives of Tom Riddle, however distant would also be heirs of Slytherin, so he really isn't the last one.