J.K. Rowling Reveals Dumbledore and Grindelwald Had An ‘Incredibly Intense’ Sexual Relationship

Within the special features for the upcoming ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ on Blu-ray, J.K. Rowling took fans a little deeper into the complicated relationship between Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald. The author revealed that there was a “sexual dimension” to the character’s bond, confirming that Grindelwald reciprocated Dumbledore’s affection at times.

During the ‘Distinctly Dumbledore’ feature, Rowling said, “Their relationship was incredibly intense. It was passionate, and it was a love relationship. But as happens in any relationship, gay or straight or whatever label we want to put on it, one never knows really what the other person is feeling. You can’t know, you can believe you know.”

She continued, “So I’m less interested in the sexual side, though I believe there is a sexual dimension to this relationship than I am in the sense of the emotions they felt for each other, which ultimately is the most fascinating thing about all human relationship.”

In 2007, Rowling inadvertently confessed that Dumbledore was gay during a Q&A with Harry Potter fans. That revelation was followed by her also revealing Dumbledore’s love for childhood friend turned dark wizard Grindelwald became his “great tragedy.”