Harry Potter always tried to frame Albus Dumbledore as the leader of the light and a grandfather figure to Harry. It certainly helps that the Weasley family looks up to Dumbledore, too. However, was Albus Dumbledore the good person the franchise tried to make him out to be? Although the series acknowledges his past and character flaws, the Harry Potter franchise does not develop the negative side effects of Dumbledore's actions or lack of. Instead, even when Dumbledore actively ignores Harry, Harry's feelings toward the Headmaster are complicated, and he still manages to trust him implicitly in the following installments.

Considering Draco Malfoy took on the role of the school bully, and Severus Snape acted as a constant antagonist, it may have been easy to overlook Dumbledore as a potential problem. But did Dumbledore truly protect Harry from the dangers of the world as much as he could? By the conclusion of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, an argument could be made that Dumbledore may have been using Harry as bait to end a long-time war, especially when he reveals the young wizard needs to die. As complicated a person as Albus Dumbledore might be, he has been controversial among audiences. However, his presence alone is not enough to save the Fantastic Beasts franchise, which focuses on his eventual battle against Grindelwald.

RELATED: Harry Potter: Why Neville Longbottom Deserved A Bigger Role

Harry Trusts Dumbledore Immediately (Even When It Is Not Deserved)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Dumbledore and Harry
Warner Bros. Pictures

It was Albus Dumbledore's idea to leave Harry with his muggle relatives, the Dursleys. Even after McGonagall warns Dumbledore of how horrible Vernon and Petunia are, Dumbledore insists this is the best thing. His reasons may relate to the blood protection Harry would receive through living with Petunia. However, Dumbledore never protected Harry from what happened within the house. Harry was treated horribly by his relatives, so how could he turn it down when Hagrid showed up offering Harry a better life? By learning about Dumbledore being considered a wizarding world savior and hearing well of him from Hagrid, Harry easily trusts Dumbledore. But, this trust is not earned. Dumbledore was a better choice of an adult to rely on than Vernon or Petunia, and Harry was a child searching for someone to trust.

Harry's Inner Turmoil Over Learning Dumbledore's Secrets Through Rita Skeeter's Book

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 Harry
Warner Bros. Pictures

Although the films do not depict Harry's frustration as much, it is evident in the final novel that Harry struggles with handling Rita Skeeter's massive reveals about Dumbledore's life. Harry can not understand how Dumbledore was intrigued by the darker side of magic at the same age Harry, Ron, and Hermione are as they search for Horcruxes. Furthermore, Harry conflicts with learning that Dumbledore had lived in Godric's Hollow. Albus Dumbledore had been a very secretive person. However, in his privacy, he had left Harry immensely confused and angry as he tried to understand the person his mentor had been in his youth.

RELATED: Harry Potter: Major References to Ancient Mythology

Harry's Fifth Year Isolation

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry
Warner Bros. Pictures

Harry was horrified and traumatized by the end of the Triwizard Tournament. He was a witness and unwilling participant in Voldemort's resurrection and had seen Cedric die before his eyes. So, Harry may have wanted to stay in contact with his friends as much as possible if he was forced to return to the Dursleys. Unfortunately, Harry spends the entire summer without a word from his friends. Desperate for news, Harry is obsessed with knowing Voldemort's next move. It is not until reuniting with Ron and Hermione at Grimmauld Place does Harry learn why he has been kept in the dark all summer. On Dumbledore's orders, Ron and Hermione had not written to Harry.

When Harry does see Dumbledore again, the Headmaster ignores him. Dumbledore avoids looking Harry in the eyes and keeps his distance from him. Dumbledore's actions made Harry feel that he did not have as many people to rely on.

RELATED: Harry Potter: Every Death Eater, Ranked by How Evil They Are

No One Knows The Full Truth (Until It Is Too Late)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Dumbledore
Warner Bros. Pictures

Keeping secrets is one of Albus Dumbledore's biggest problems. He refuses to tell anyone the entire truth, choosing instead to be the lone keeper of the most essential secrets. But, because of this, no one actually knows the whole story about what is going on. Harry never trusts Snape because he believes the Potions Master is a Death Eater. However, Dumbledore never lets Harry in on the knowledge that Snape is a spy for the Order of the Phoenix. Anyone who had issues with Snape's bullying behavior or teaching methods is left alone because Dumbledore needs Snape at his side. Snape is not privy to essential information about Harry until Dumbledore needs him to know. Harry does not learn critical information about his fate until Dumbledore has deemed it the right time.

There were several opportunities to tell Harry the truth about Horcruxes. When Dumbledore suspected Harry might be one, he had time to explain. But instead, he chooses not to. Even if Dumbledore wished to protect Harry's childhood, Harry had already learned by the end of Fifth Year that the prophecy stated he was meant to defeat Voldemort or die. There were moments when Dumbledore could have been straightforward with the information he knew. But, in deciding against that, it meant that everyone was left rushing around trying to understand his riddles before it was too late.