Albus Dumbledore

WARNING, SPOILERS: Full name Albus Percival Wolfric Brian Dumbledore. Born around 1840-46, died 1997. Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in the novels by Jo Rowling. Named for the Latin for white, and an Anglo-Saxon term meaning "bumblebee", as Rowling imagined the old man humming about the school. Headed the Order of the Phoenix in both its incarnations. Campaigned for the truth about the evil Voldemort to be known, but was unimpressed by his power and pretensions; addressed Voldemort simply as "Tom" (Marvolo Riddle) whenever they met. Killed for reasons Harry Potter does not at first comprehend, but as for the question of whether we see him again, hey, this is Hogwarts, remember? Recently outed by author Rowling as gay (!!! go Jo !!!); his greatest mistake was to fall in love with Gellert Grindelwald. Wise old man who has come by his wisdom in that hallowed academy, the School of Hard Knocks. Warm, friendly, fierce when necessary, had style, truly unforgettable. Played in the movies by the late great Richard Harris (years 1&2), and subsequently by Michael Gambon. At once among the finest wizards and finest gay characters to grace the pages of fiction.