Choosing between Gandalf and Dumbledore is like deciding between Charizard or Bulbasaur as your starting Pokémon.

It’s not an easy decision. Yet, as a die hard Harry Potter fan I can’t abandon my love for Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. Dumbledore was absolutely one of the finest multi-dimensional characters in modern day fiction. Hands down.

He was wise, self-less, aloof, forward thinking, loving and a bit mad. Not only did he epitomize all that is wizard, also bore an incredible sense of humanity. Dumbledore had a deep capacity for love and was highly perceptive to one’s true personality.

He was also incredibly forgiving. Elphias Doge said, “He could find something to value in anyone,” and that was true. While some have said Dumbledore’s sole intrigue is his immense power, I would argue that it is his mortality.

Dumbledore was human. He had his soft spots for wool socks, knitting patterns and lemon drops.  Although he was the greatest wizard of his time, he was not above love and loss.

He was a man who made tragic mistakes in his past, recognized his faults and chose to change for the better. To quote the great wizard himself, “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” I believe that we can all relate to Dumbledore, and it is because of this accessibility that we feel so deeply for him.

In my opinion, it was his belief in the human spirit, combined with his cunning intellect that allowed Dumbledore to turn the better aspects of humanity (such as trust, love and friendship) to Voldemort’s disadvantage. This is one thing that the HP series will always hold against the Lord of the Rings. That all of Rowling’s characters are truly relatable.  

I mean honestly, how many of you cried when Gandalf fell through that bridge? I know I didn’t.  However, I do remember the three and half hour spent crying in my mom’s lap after reading about Dumbledore’s death.

Albus Dumbledore is a character you grow to respect and love. Gandalf is a character you can only grow to respect.  So, if you ask me who is the richer more well-rounded wizard, I would tell you Dumbledore every single time.