19 times Dumbledore turned out to be the King of Sass in Harry Potter

Professor Albus Dumbledore is one of the most prominent characters in the Harry Potter series. He is not only a powerful wizard, but his wisdom and strength are the major cornerstones of the whole saga. Dubledore is often known for his calm demeanor, which is subtle and at the same time, impactful. In this list we will take a close look at 19 times Dumbledore turned out to be the King of Sass in Harry Potter.

1) "Curiosity is not a sin Harry"

When Harry is deeply hurt by Cedric’s death, he is desperate to know more. Recognizing Harry’s emotional turmoil, Dumbledore allows Harry to explore his memories. However, when Harry emerges after viewing the memories from the Penseive, Dumbledore remarks that curiosity is not a sin, stating, "Curiosity is not a sin, Harry. But we should exercise caution with our curiosity... yes, indeed."

2) ⁠Silence

We cannot forget Dumdledore’s loud “Silence”, which instantly quelled the chaos among the students when they were panicking after the news of the troll’s escape. One word in an authoritative tone was enough to restore order. Though he is not typically known for his outbursts, this instance added a sense of authority to his character and added a bit of sassiness in it.

3) ⁠"Back again Harry"

When Harry revisits the Mirror Of Erised reminiscing about his parents, Dumbledore approaches Harry and in a reprimanding tone, says, “Back again Harry.” This moment showed Dumbledore expected Harry's return to the mirror. This moment from the headmaster has a touch of cheeky playfulness, that only a wizard of his stature could afford.

4) ⁠Sees through the invisibility cloak

Harry and Ron visit Hagrid to question him about the Chamber of Secrets when Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge arrive to take Hagrid away. Harry and Ron quickly hide behind the invisibility cloak, however, even though they are not visible to others, Dumbledore can see them and cheekily communicates to them that help will be given at Hogwarts.

5) ⁠Lights a candle with a wave of an arm

During the introductory speech in the Prisoner of Azkaban installment, the way Dumbledore lights the candle without even using his wand showcased a moment of absolute sass. He does that while giving a deep and symbolic speech focusing on the themes of hope, faith, and light in the face of darkness. The scene is quite dramatic and adds to the magical spectacle.

6) Casually asks for brandy

In the movie Prisoner Of Azkaban, when Buckbeak’s execution was called off, the situation was emotional and tense. However, Dumbledore calmly requests for a drink. The unexpected calmness creates a situation of dry humor and a subtle suggestion acknowledging the successful outcome of the whole ordeal.

7) ⁠The moment when Harry and Hermione arrive after saving Sirius

This scene is where Dumbledore's sassiness peaked. When Harry and Hermione return after saving Sirius Black using the Time-Turner, Dumbledore pretends to be oblivious of their quest and bids them goodbye with a dry touch of humor. The sheer sense of amusement in this scene has been a fan favorite.

8) “⁠Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?”

Dumbledore’s reaction after Harry is chosen by the Goblet Of Fire as a contender for the Tri-Wizard Tournament can also be classified as one of his sassiest moments. Another key detail to note here is that the books had a completely different narration to this whole episode. In the books, Dumbledore stays calm and patient while addressing Harry.

9) ⁠Dismisses Hermione before the first task

When Hermione visits Harry in the tent before the first task in the Goblet Of Fire, Dumbledore visits the tent to give a speech to the contenders. Before she could escape, Dumbledore notices Hermione and he instantly questions what she was doing there in quite a sassy tone. The scene was hilarious and much loved by fans of the franchise.

10) ⁠Search the sky

In the movie Prisoner of Azkaban, when Buckbeak’s execution is cancelled, Dumbledore and the Minister visit Hagrid’s house with the executioner. They find that Buckbeak has fled, which causes the Minister to request for a search operation, to which Dumbledore, in a sassy tone, replies that they should search the sky instead. This was a hilarious scene and shows Dumbledore’s humor and wit.

11) ⁠Appears on the subway

Dumbledore appears on the subway to meet Harry in the movie Half-Blood Prince. The way in which this scene is shot showcases his character's flair and sassiness. His conversation with Harry, especially telling him that he has been reckless, adds to his sassiness. Dumbledore’s appearance in this manner created an air of intrigue and a layer of mystery in this scene.

12) Dumbledore talks about Harry’s secret

When Dumbledore visited Harry in the infirmary after the latter’s encounter with Professor Quirrell, his witty and funny comments showcased his sassy side. His line saying that what happened between him and Professor Quirrel is a secret, which naturally the whole school knows, shows the humor and the irony of secrets within the school. The subtle mocking tone just adds another layer of sass to Dumbledore's character.

13) A Fiery Escape From His Office

When the power-hungry Cornelius Fudge comes to arrest Dumbledore, the powerful wizard displays his ultra-sassy side that shocked the audience. In this scene, Dumbledore uses Fawkes as a distraction as he vanishes with style in a puff of emerald smoke, leaving everyone surprised. This scene shows Dumbledore’s magical flair and immense power.

14) Recruiting Horace Slughorn

Dumbledore’s recruitment of Horace Slughorn in the movie Half-Blood Prince by using his charm and charisma portrays his sassy side. He is well aware of Slughorn’s desire for fame and prestige and he uses it to his own advantage. Viewers have acknowledged Dumbledore’s masterful manipulation skills and his use of wit to achieve desired goals.

15) Dumbledore’s speech

During Dumbledore's introductory speech in the movie Philosopher’s Stone, his sassiness can be felt when he says that the third-floor corridor is out of bounds to those who do not want to die a painful death. Stating such a deepy serious message to new first year students in such a calm manner enhanced his character's arc, thus adding a bit of sass to it.

16) Dumbledore’s confusing reply to Harry

When Harry and Dumbledore talk about the Mirror Of Erised, Harry asks Dumbledore about the things that the mirror is capable of showing, to which Dumbledore gives a vague and confusing answer, saying “Yes and no”. Viewers have found this scene to be quite subtle and filled with playfulness.

17) Not acknowledging Harry after court

Dumbledore’s lack of acknowledgment towards Harry when they were in court in the movie Oder Of The Phoenix has been classified as sassy by some viewers. Dumbledore came to defend Harry during the hearing of his case where he used magic outside of Hogwarts in order to protect himself against a Dementor that had attacked him. It turned out that Dumbledore’s reaction was a strategic move to protect Harry.

18) Dumbledore’s curiosity about Harry and Hermione’s relationship

During a conversation between Dumbledore and Harry in the movie Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore becomes curious about Harry’s relationship with Hermione Granger. He asked Harry about his activities outside the classroom, hinting towards his relationship with Hermione, which made Harry defensive. This scene shows Dumbledore is highly observant of his surroundings.

19) “Where would that take me?”

In the movie Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows part 2, after getting struck by Voldemort’s killing curse, Harry finds himself in an empty version of King’s Cross Station. Then, Dumbledore appears. During their conversation, Dumbledore mentions that if Harry wanted, he would even be able to board a train from there, to which Harry asks where would it take him. Dumbledore being his usual self answers “On” - which hints at his playful detachment and wise demeanor.