Unfortunately for Dumbledore, Lupin is not as forthcoming about Sirius as one would hope. Lupin does not tell Dumbledore the most crucial bit of information: that Sirius is an Animagus. Why? Lupin confesses, “It would have meant admitting that I'd betrayed his trust while I was at school, admitting that I'd led others along with me. . . and Dumbledore's trust has meant everything to me.” (PA356)
But Dumbledore gets something even better out of Lupin’s appointment: Lupin’s mentorship of Harry. In this, Lupin acquits himself stupendously, teaching Harry Defense Against Dark Arts and reining in his more reckless impulses.
Dumbledore would have loved to keep Lupin around for another year, but he knows he cannot because of the curse. When Lupin hands in his resignation at the end of the year, Dumbledore somberly accepts it—a sharp contrast to his refusal of Hagrid’s resignation half a year later.
Dumbledore’s actions throughout Harry’s third year don’t really need explaining, until the fateful events of June 6, 1994. By examining what occurs that night, we not only get a further feel for how Dumbledore operates, we also examine his evolving relationship with two people: Harry and Snape.
The Matter of Buckbeak
When looking at the climaxes of the Harry Potter books, this is the one that I believe has generated more discussion than any other. It takes up a full quarter of the entire book and is largely viewed as the point where the series grew up. Many essays have been written about Dumbledore’s seeming omniscience at the end of Prisoner of Azkaban. Fans theorized that maybe Dumbledore has a Time Turner of his own, which allows him to go back in time to tell himself things, which is a big headache for all of us.
I do not subscribe to this Time Turner theory (nor am I a fan of the “everyone has a Time Turner” gimmick used in Cursed Child). I think that everything in Prisoner of Azkaban can be explained by Dumbledore just being incredibly clever and always thinking many steps ahead.
First, let us look at Buckbeak’s would-be execution. Dumbledore decides to join Hagrid for Buckbeak’s execution, he “said he wants ter—ter be with [Hagrid].” (PA328) Is Dumbledore already scheming to send Harry and Hermione back in time to rescue Buckbeak? No. I think that Dumbledore really did want to comfort Hagrid. But also, Dumbledore probably thought that if there were a way to save Buckbeak, it would help for him to be onsite.
Once the Ministry officials arrive at Hagrid’s hut, Dumbledore does not do anything at first, other than watch the proceedings. But then Dumbledore begins stalling for time just as Harry and Hermione are freeing Buckbeak.
“One moment, please, Macnair,” came Dumbledore’s voice. “You need to sign too.” The footsteps stopped. Harry heaved on the rope. Buckbeak snapped his beak and walked a little faster. [. . .] Harry could still hear Dumbledore’s voice talking from within the cabin. (PA401)
Does Dumbledore know what it going on? Not necessarily. He does not need to.19 He knows that there is a certain trio of students who care very much about Hagrid and who have an Invisibility Cloak. He knows that if there were an attempted rescue of Buckbeak, it would have to happen in the short interval between Macnair seeing Buckbeak tied up and all the paperwork being filled out. Therefore, it’s just good sense to delay things a bit and give any would-be rescuers an additional bit of time. So Dumbledore stalls for time, just in case. And what do you know, he was right to do so!
“Where is it?” said the reedy voice of the Committee member. “Where is the beast?”
“It was tied here!” said the executioner furiously. “I saw it! Just here!”
“How extraordinary,” said Dumbledore. There was a note of amusement in his voice.
[. . .]
“Someone untied him!” the executioner was snarling. “We should search the grounds, the forest—”
“Macnair, if Buckbeak has indeed been stolen, do you really think the thief will have led him away on foot?” said Dumbledore, still sounding amused. “Search the skies, if you will. . . . Hagrid, I could do with a cup of tea. Or a large brandy.” (PA402)
To Harry, and to readers who believe in Dumbledore’s omniscience, this certainly looks like Dumbledore knows everything that’s going on. Why else isn’t he surprised? How else would he know to badly advise Macnair to “search the skies”?
Because Dumbledore is exceedingly clever, and a master of deductive reasoning. To reiterate, he knows there are three students with an Invisibility Cloak who would very much want to free Buckbeak and who are the adventurous sort that would attempt to do so. It’s not difficult to deduce that the Trio managed to free Buckbeak in the time that Dumbledore bought them.
Dumbledore is also relying on the Ministry’s stupidity here. In fact, Dumbledore relies on this a lot that evening and later in the series as well; he will later deride the idea that “Harry and Hermione are able to be in two places at once” (PA420) in front of the Minister of Magic, assuming correctly that Fudge would not consider the possibility of Time Turner use. If one thinks about it, no thief in his right mind would try to fly away on Buckbeak right after stealing him. The execution was to take place “at sunset,” (PA325) so one could still see in the twilight. There is almost no chance that a hippogriff could fly fast enough to be out of the field of vision in a minute.
Therefore, the logical conclusion is that Buckbeak was led away on foot. Dumbledore realizes this and banks on the Ministry officials not thinking it through. In their minds, of course a thief would fly away on a stolen flying animal. Dumbledore also realizes that Buckbeak would not be covered by the Invisibility Cloak and is likely still close by. He therefore hurries to get Macnair and company back inside
