Aberforth Dumbledore wasn’t as popular as his brother, Albus.
In fact, he had quite an infamous reputation following him.
But did you know he’s got an interesting backstory?
It actually gives a tear-jerking look into the Dumbledore family.
And it’s time Aberforth got a chance under the spotlight as well…
Continue reading to discover:
- What happened between Aberforth and Albus Dumbledore.
- Why Aberforth Dumbledore was an unsung hero in Harry Potter.
- 19 extraordinary facts about Aberforth that will change your mind about him.
- And so much more…
About Aberforth Dumbledore
Born | Between 1 September 1883 and 31 August 1884 |
Purity | Half-blood |
House | Gryffindor (Likely, but not proven) |
Character Traits | Odd, Harsh, Caring, Witty |
Patronus | Goat |
Wand | Unknown |
Zodiac Sign | Gemini (Likely, but not proven) |
Aberforth Dumbledore background
Aberforth Dumbledore was born sometime between September 1, 1883, and August 31, 1884.
And he was the 2nd son of Percival and Kendra Dumbledore.
Aberforth also had 2 siblings.
Albus Dumbledore was his older brother.
Plus, a little sister, Ariana Dumbledore.
Like the rest of his siblings, Aberforth was a half-blood.
Because their mother, Kendra Dumbledore, was a Muggle-born.
And she originally came from a family who didn’t know anything about magic.
The Dumbledores were a happy family.
They lived peacefully in Mould-on-the-Wold. A small village in England.
In fact, Kendra would read them bedtime stories from Beedle the Bard.
And Aberforth’s favorite was Grumble the Grubby Goat. A wizarding story about a goat that attracted flies.
Unfortunately, Aberforth never became close with his brother, Albus.
The 2 boys were far too different.
But, on the bright side, Aberforth had his little sister.
And they were very fond of each other…
They even bond over feeding goats together.
A great tragedy
One day, their family met a cruel fate.
You see, Ariana was outside practicing her magic.
But what she didn’t know were the eyes around her.
And that a group of Muggle boys caught her using spells.
Surprisingly, the young Muggles just wanted to see her do a few tricks.
However, when Ariana couldn’t use magic again because she was still inexperienced…
The boys attacked Ariana and left her scarred for life.
Aberforth’s father couldn’t accept what happened to his daughter.
So he set out to look for the Muggle boys…
And he hurt them just as they did to his daughter.
As a result, Percival was punished for his crimes and sent to Azkaban.
Worse, he would die in the magical prison during his sentence.
And while Albus would have to fill the shoes of his father soon…
It was Aberforth Dumbledore that helped his mother and took care of their little sister.
In fact, it’s 1 of the memories he always struggled with:
“I could get her to eat when she wouldn’t do it for my mother, I could calm her down, when she was in one of her rages, and when she was quiet, she used to help me feed the goats.”
In his brother’s shadow
Aberforth went to Hogwarts in 1895.
And while he wasn’t the best wizard the school could ask for…
He knew his way around duels much better than a lot of people.
In fact, he can be ranked as 1 of the more powerful wizards in Harry Potter too.
But did Aberforth ever get the chance to shine? Not in the slightest.
You see, everything he did…
Albus Dumbledore did a million times better.
Sure, Aberforth knew how to fight.
But even Albus Dumbledore could beat him at his specialty.
As a result, being compared to Albus wasn’t something Aberforth could avoid.
And he’d always be 10 steps behind his brother in every way possible.
Of course, it didn’t have that much of an effect on their relationship…
Because there wasn’t that much of a relationship anyway.
But there would always be an uneasy strain between the Dumbledore brothers.
Something that research points out to be a huge problem
Because strong family bonds tie into a family’s well-being…
And it would’ve been better if they confided in each other.
Tragedy’s grip on the Dumbledores
While Aberforth was away from home and studying at Hogwarts…
Ariana had 1 of her outbursts.
And since he wasn’t there to calm her down…
Aberforth’s little sister accidentally killed their mother.
Aberforth was heartbroken by the news.
But it didn’t stop him from seeing reason.
In fact, he was willing to drop out of Hogwarts…
So that he could be the one to look after Ariana.
Albus was against his idea.
And while annoyed he couldn’t travel the world with his friend, Elphias Doge…
He didn’t want Aberforth to lose out on education.
As a result, Albus stayed at home instead.
However, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
You see, Aberforth’s brother fell in love.
But he was head over heels for Gellert Grindelwald.
A dark wizard with a dream of ruling over all Muggles.
And when Aberforth tried to make him see reason…
A fight broke out, and 1 of their spells killed Ariana.
Aberforth blamed his brother for what happened.
In fact, he even broke Albus’s nose during the funeral…
Destroying whatever little of a relationship they had left.
And if research states that grief is the greatest stress a person can experience in life…
I can only imagine what pain Aberforth went through losing everybody he held dear.
Aberforth Dumbledore occupation
Unlike his famous brother who went on to become Headmaster of Hogwarts…
Aberforth chose the simple life.
And after graduating in 1902.
He became the proud owner and barkeep of the Hog’s Head Inn.
A small pub in Hogsmead Village where many other wizarding families lived.
However, while it did have the benefit of being close to Hogwarts…
It wasn’t the brightest of places to be.
The Hog’s Head Inn attracted a lot of dangerous customers at times.
And if you want to know what it looked like…
You can see it in the Fantastic Beasts movie series:
But what about anything after that, you ask?
Unfortunately, we’ve got no clue.
We only meet Aberforth much later in the Harry Potter series…
And he was still running the Hog’s Head Inn.
So it might be safe to say he kept the place all throughout his adult life.
Aberforth Dumbledore character
Aberforth was a rough person.
And he had a weird obsession with goats as well.
But while many have described him as a strange person…
He’s actually a lot smarter and braver than he lets on.
For example, Aberforth was a big help on Harry’s hunt for Horcruxes.
He seemed to know a lot about the powerful artifacts.
Not to mention that he knew these made the evil Lord Voldemort immortal.
And even way before that…
Aberforth was also a member of the Order of the Phoenix.
A secret organization led by his brother.
So Aberforth knew how to set aside differences…
Especially if it meant there was something much greater at stake.
Which goes to show his bravery.
Of course, it wouldn’t be fair if just showed all the good parts.
Aberforth could get nasty as well.
For instance, he was known to throw goat poop at people he didn’t like…
And even at his neighbors.
Which really makes you question how he’s brothers with Albus Dumbledore at all.
More facts about Aberforth Dumbledore
#1: Fought in the battle of Hogwarts
Although he was a bit reluctant to help Harry at first…
Aberforth did warm up in the end.
And he fought alongside everybody else in The Battle of Hogwarts.
The peak battle between good and bad in the Harry Potter series.
#2: Supplied Dumbledore’s army with food
Aberforth didn’t have any thought-provoking quotes like his brother.
But what he lacked in wisdom…
He gave back in many practical ways.
For example, he kept food supply lines for Dumbledore’s Army.
And the secret organization inside Hogwarts couldn’t have kept fighting…
If it weren’t for Aberforth’s help.
#3: Saved Harry Potter and his friends in Malfoy manor
People think Dobby saved Harry Potter.
But can you guess who sent him to Malfoy Manor?
Well, it was none other than Aberforth.
And he deserved just as much credit too.
#4: Stopped Albus Dumbledore from becoming an evil wizard
Albus Dumbledore was madly in love with Gellert Grindelwald.
And if Aberforth hadn’t knocked him to his senses…
The great Dumbledore would’ve become a dark wizard.
So it’s a good thing Aberforth had the courage to step in between them.
Read more: Is Albus Dumbledore Gay? 5 Real Reasons Why…
#5: Cunning and sharp-witted
Aberforth might not look like the intelligent type.
But while he might not be as wise as his brother…
He can be cunning and sharp-witted when necessary.
For example, when dark wizards were hot on Harry’s tail.
Aberforth convinced them that they saw his Patronus of a Goat.
And mistook it for a defensive charm of someone else.
Bonus: He’s got an illegitimate son
Although Aberforth doesn’t look like the family type…
We actually found out he’s got an illegitimate son.
“Wait, how did that happen?”
During his younger years, he fell in love with a woman.
Unfortunately, she left for America.
But what the young couple didn’t know at the time…
The woman was actually pregnant.
As a result, when the girl gave birth to a son…
He grew up as Credence Barebone.
And just like Credence’s aunt, Ariana.
His powers became uncontrollable.
Because he was abused for his magic.