Hubris: excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance.
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was many things. He was smart, kind, and an exceptional wizard and person. But the skeletons in his closet wiped his good qualities off the slate. His skeletons defined him. Dumbledore was a coward, and an arrogant one at that. Everything was his for the taking. Power, money, and fame. He would never die, for he would be immortalized in history. There was a small price to pay though, for all of those wonderful things. His family. Albus never bothered to weigh the pros and cons until it was too late. He gambled away his family for a chance at greatness.
Looking down at the cracked ring, his one last futile hope, Dumbledore couldn't help but regret. That ring would have fixed everything. He would have his family back, the guilt that had been weighing his heart down for years would be gone. Albus would no longer be lonely. The only love he had was for two people: his brother, who surely didn't return that love after all of the unspeakable and unforgiveable things Dumbledore had done, and Harry Potter. The only constant in his life. Harry would always need him, Dumbledore would always be great in Harry's eyes. In Harry, Dumbledore had accomplished all of his dreams. And that's what had led him to making that decision all of those years ago. No matter what, Dumbledore would always be selfish.
The little bundle in his arms seemed to stare into his very soul with those green eyes. Like himself, Harry Potter was all alone. Well, only technically. Harry still had his god-father, and Harry would be loved by millions. Anyone in the wizarding world would be grateful to have him as a son, to raise him as their own. But Dumbledore couldn't have that. Looking into the baby boy's eyes, he didn't feel lonely anymore. He felt needed, worshiped, and maybe someday he would be loved. Harry Potter would be Dumbledore's redemption. In Harry, Dumbledore would find his dreams, he would be able to make sure they were accomplished. He would have family, something he longed for and he was sure that, in the future, the young boy would too. Dumbledore knew he was making a selfish decision, making the boy suffer at the hands of his cruel "family". But it had to be done. Harry Potter was Dumbledore's saving grace. Because, after all, some are born great, some achieve great, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Harry feel into all three of those categories while Dumbledore feel into none. But he could live vicariously through the boy. And when death finally found him, and would die knowing that greatness had been achieved with his help, by his hand. After al, Dumbledore controlled the puppet's strings.
"I'm not so sure. I had proven, as a very young man, that power was my weakness and my temptation. It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well."
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Page 718
