Dumbledore's father, Percival Dumbledore, committed the crime of attacking three Muggle boys who had assaulted his young daughter, Ariana. This act of retaliation led to his lifelong imprisonment.
The Crime of Percival Dumbledore
Percival Dumbledore, the husband of Kendra Dumbledore and father to Albus, Aberforth, and Ariana Dumbledore, was imprisoned for a serious offense against Muggles. His actions stemmed from a deeply personal and tragic event involving his daughter.
The Catalyst: Ariana's Assault
The fundamental reason behind Percival's crime was the severe trauma inflicted upon his daughter, Ariana. At a young age, Ariana was attacked by three Muggle boys who witnessed her performing magic. This horrific experience left her deeply scarred, unstable, and unable to control her magical abilities, often resulting in dangerous outbursts.
The Retaliation
Consumed by grief and a fierce desire for justice and protection for his family, Percival Dumbledore sought out and attacked the three male Muggles responsible for assaulting Ariana. His actions, while driven by paternal love and rage, constituted a serious breach of wizarding law, which strictly prohibits the use of magic against Muggles, especially in such a violent manner.
Key Facts About Percival's Crime
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Culprit | Percival Dumbledore |
| Victims | Three male Muggles |
| Motive | Retaliation for the assault on his daughter, Ariana Dumbledore |
| Nature | Attacked them using magic |
| Consequence | Imprisonment in Azkaban |
Imprisonment and Aftermath
Percival Dumbledore's attack on the Muggles did not go unpunished. He was quickly apprehended by the Ministry of Magic and subsequently sentenced to imprisonment in Azkaban, the wizarding prison. He chose not to reveal the true reason for his attack—to protect Ariana and his family from further scrutiny and possible institutionalization for her uncontrolled magic—meaning he suffered his fate in silence.
His incarceration had profound and lasting effects on the Dumbledore family:
- Family Relocation: To escape the stigma and scrutiny, Kendra Dumbledore moved her family, including Albus, Aberforth, and the increasingly unstable Ariana, to Godric's Hollow.
- Albus's Burden: Albus Dumbledore, as the eldest, had to assume significant responsibility, contributing to his later conflicted views on power and responsibility.
- Ariana's Seclusion: Ariana's condition deteriorated, and she was kept hidden from the wizarding world to prevent her from being sent to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, or worse.
- Percival's Death: Percival Dumbledore eventually died in Azkaban sometime after 1891, never having been released.
Percival's crime, though born of a desperate attempt to protect his daughter, set in motion a series of tragic events that shaped the lives of his children and had far-reaching implications for the wizarding world. For more information on Percival Dumbledore and his family, you can refer to resources like the Harry Potter Wiki.
