GELLERT GRINDELWALD: HISTORY, RELATIONSHIP WITH DUMBLEDORE - DUDAS - 2024

Gellert Grindelwald (early July 1883 - March 28, 1998), is a character in the Harry Potter saga, written by JK Rowling. He was an English wizard of Bulgarian descent known to be the most powerful and dangerous Dark Wizard in the wizarding world, although he was surpassed by Lord Voldermort.

From an early age, Grindelwald displayed a particular talent for the Dark Arts. Years later, this was key to the quest for immortality, with the intention of establishing his power in the wizarding world and that of the Muggles.

In addition to these goals, Grindelwald also sought to experiment and deepen his knowledge in the Dark Arts, so he concentrated on gathering the so-called Deathly Hallows: the elder wand, the invisible cloak (which would become Harry Potter) and the stone of resurrection.

In the film adaptation, this character first appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and, later, in the first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

History and biography

Little is known of the exact date and place of Grindelwald's birth; in fact, some claim that he was born in 1882 and others in 1883.

However, it is known that he was English with Bulgarian descent and was born into a pure-blood family. Although this did not seem to have had much relevance years later, Grindelwald did favor wizards with the same condition, rather than those born as Muggles or as half-bloods.

He began his studies at the Durmstrang Institute, a school of magic and sorcery located between Norway and Sweden, specializing in the teaching of the Dark Arts.

In 1894 Grindelwald was accepted into the institution although the exact reason is not known: it could have been due to his family ancestry or because of his already natural inclination towards the darkest of magic.

Shortly after his admission, he became interested in finding the Deathly Hallows, in order to become Master of Death. However, during the six years that he remained there he dedicated himself to making particularly dangerous experiments against his teachers and other classmates.

This fact did not go unnoticed by the Durmstrang authorities, so Grindelwald was expelled in 1898.

Adolescence

After the expulsion of Grindelwald, the following events can be highlighted:

-He moved to Godric Valley to stay with his only living relative, his great-aunt Bathilda Bagshot, who considered him a kind, educated person and little valued by his teachers.

-Through this, Grindelwald met the Dumbledore family. He immediately formed a friendship with Albus.

-After the accidental death of Ariana Dumbledore, Gridenwald fled until his whereabouts were no longer known.

-During the time he was in hiding, he was in charge of studying and researching more about the Deathly Hallows, to the point that he found the location of the elder wand, which was guarded by Gregorovitch, a Bulgarian wand maker.

-In 1901 he stole the wand to become the new owner, despite Gregorovitch's attempts to retrieve it.

New York chaos and rise

By 1926 Grindelwald leaked into the Department of Magical Security, located in New York, in the guise of the auror Percival Graves. Grindelwald stole this identity thanks to the Polyjuice Potion.

With this he wanted to find the obscurial (a dangerous concentration of magical power), in order to take power and control of the magical world.

However, Grindelwald realized that it was not an object, but a person. In this case it was young Credence Barebone, a boy who thought he was a squib. By that point, the city was already in danger.

Before Grindelwald's plans could finish materializing, he was stopped by magizoologist Newt Scamander and a group of Aurors. During the confrontation, he revealed his true identity.

War

Despite being captured by the authorities, Grindelwald used the elder wand to conquer the magical world.

Thanks to this, he formed an army and built a prison called Nurmengad, a place where he would lock up those who opposed him. Eventually, Dumbledore learned of his old friend's intentions but did not decide to act against him (as long as he didn't make it to Britain).

Important facts

-Grindelwald managed to assemble a great army, both wizards and Muggles, which seemed to gain more and more strength. Thanks to this, the so-called Global War of Wizards took place.

-However, in 1945 Dumbledore decided to take a stand in the face of the deaths and misfortunes that had occurred by Grindelwald, so he faced him in a wizarding duel. Eventually, Dumbledore managed to disarm Grindelwald, which would be the end of it.

Prison and death

Grindelwald is transferred to Nurmengad (which would become the prison for dark wizards), and was located in the highest tower of the place.

According to the book, while there he began to reflect and repent for the damage he had caused. It is even believed that this period served to make her obsessed with death.

Similarly, he supposed that any dark wizard would seek him out to learn about the Deathly Hallows. Indeed, in 1998 Lord Voldemort searched for him in order to find the elder wand.

Grindelwald refused to tell him the location of this, so Voldermot killed him with the Killing Hex. At this point it should be noted that in the film version, Grindelwald hinted who the true owner of the wand is, so Voldemort understood that it was Dulmbledore.

Relationship with Dumbledore

Grindelwald met Albus Dumbledore through his Aunt Bathilda's friendship with Kendra Dumbledore.

By then, the Dumbledore family faced Percival's imprisonment due to Muggle-borne assault that hurt Albus's sister, Ariana, causing mental problems.

Being the same age, they managed to get on quickly and became friends, to the point that they called themselves "The invincible lords of death." The alliance arose in order to establish a new world order with the motto: "For a greater good."

On the other hand, when Abeforth saw his older brother neglect Ariana, he decided to face his friends during a duel.

During the duel they discussed the search for the Deathly Hallows and their plans to conquer. In the heat of the moment, Grindelwald cast a curse at Abeforth, inflaming spirits.

The outcome was fatal: Ariana died without knowing with certainty who had caused it. At this, Grindelwald fled.

General features

- Outstanding in the performance of the Dark Arts.

-He was known as a very skilled person during duels (although he was defeated by Albus Dumbledore in 1945).

-It is believed that he was very skilled in oclumency, as he was able to lie about the whereabouts of the wand before Voldemort.

-Before going to prison, physically he was a white, blond man, with blue eyes and of great attractiveness, with a charming and smiling personality.

-In Nurmengard he lost the majesty of his youth, becoming a thin, careless and bald man.

-In the book it is suggested that Grindelwald did have a kind of regret about his actions, unlike in the film version.

References

1. Fantastic Beasts: Who is Gellert Grindelwald? (sf). In The Thing Cinema. Retrieved: April 11, 2018. At La Cosa Cine at lacosacine.com.
2. Gellert Grindelwald. (sf). On Harry Potter Wiki. Retrieved: April 11, 2018. On the Harry Potter Wiki at en.harrypotter.wikia.com.
3. Gellert Grindelwald. (sf). At Pottermore. Retrieved: April 11, 2018. On Pottermore at pottermore.com.
4. Grindelwald: the story so far. (sf). At Pottermore. Recovered. April 11, 2018. On Pottermore on pottermore.com.
5. Durmstrang Institute. (sf). On Harry Potter Wiki. Retrieved: April 11, 2018. On the Harry Potter Wiki at en.harrypotter.wikia.com.
6. Sgherza, Mariana. Fantastic Beasts: Who is Grindelwald and what did he do to Dumbledore? (2016). In Geek Culture. Retrieved: April 11, 2018. In Cultua Geek de culturageek.com.ar.