However, I have doubts about whether Dumbledore was truly needed for Harry's development. We discussed that Dumbledore was a guiding figure for the Hogwarts student, much like Merlin was for King Arthur or Gandalf was for Frodo. Yet throughout the books and movies, he does not have much interaction with him. He is there at the beginning, occasionally in the middle, and at the end he provides a final conclusion for the events that took place under the school. Otherwise, at least in the first book, you only ever see him during dinner time or at a quidditch match.
From my perspective, he does not truly aid Harry. At least, not in any way that another professor would have. Take McGonagall for example. She could have easily replaced Dumbledore for most of his scenes. Like when he was explaining the mirror. Professor McGonagall would have been able to tell the young hero the same things he needed to know.
If you put that in comparison to Gandalf, it is easy to tell that no one could have replaced him. The only character mentioned with equal power as a wizard was Sauron and he was needed as a bad guy! Gandalf was needed to find the ring initially. How would a hobbit even know of the rings of power? He was needed again to fight the Balrog. None of the other heroes could have done that. And again, he was the only one who could have gone off to find the riders of Rohan in time because of his connection with the horse, Shadowfax. Likewise, with Merlin there was no one who could have taken his place. How many educated, politically connected prophets do you honestly think could be walking around the earth at one time?
Now, I know a counter argument for this will be that Dumbledore was needed for his power. He is built up as a powerful wizard through out the story, what with his picture being a collectible card and him having the elder wand. And yet, he rarely uses it. We do see him use it in the Order of the Phoenix as he duels with Voldemort to save Harry; however, again I have to say that someone else could have stepped in. It is stated that the aurors are on their way. Had they interceded instead, the same conclusion could have been reached.
But what about his knowledge of the horcruxes? This might be one of the hardest points to counter. Yet, the author could have made Hagrid know since he went to school with Tom Riddle. That development was at the authors discretion and that is really the only way to counter that.
So, if Dumbledore is not the guiding figure...who is? That is answered by looking at the people Harry surrounded himself with: Ron and Hermione. It is often said that a person's friends help morph who they are and what they can accomplish. In this case, I think it is very true. They are his support, his foundation. It is evident in the last book just how fundamental they are; Dumbledore is dead and they persevere together. If any characters are Harry's guiding light, it is those two.
To sum it up, I believe Dumbledore was not integral to the story. He was put in for feel goods and nothing more where as Gandalf and Merlin are needed. There is no story without those two but with the Harry Potter series, he could have been left out.
...Again, not saying I do not love Dumbledore. :)
