Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
A/N: Out of everyone in the Harry Potter world, Albus Dumbledore certainly knows the most about redemption.
Albus Dumbledore believed in redemption. He believed that anyone, no matter how foolish, reckless, or cruel could be redeemed. All it would take, he thought, was someone- or something- showing the person needing redeeming the error of said persons ways.
Its why he gave the Mauraders chance after chance. Why James' Potters father never heard about what his son got into. Why he never heard about James becoming an animagus. Why he never heard about James saving a classmates life.
Its why he gave Severus Snape a chance at redemption when he came to him, begging him to save Lily. Its why he let Severus spy for him, and later teach.
its why Hagrid, even after having his wand snapped, was kept on as a grounds keeper. Its why Hagrid got to teach. And, if Hagrid just so happened need to use Magic to get to Harry Potter in order to deliver his school letter, well, Albus had given him permision to do so if needed. That it made Hagrid happy was a mere coincidence.
Its also why when Harry Potter asked how he servived the Killing Curse he was told it was his mothers love.
After all, Albus Dumbledore knew all too well what it took to redeem a person. Becuase many many years ago, when he was just a boy, Albus Dumbledore was Dark. He was in need of redemption. When his brother Aberforth got into a duel with himself and his friend and then lover Gellert Grindelwald, Albus didn't think much of it. He didn't even realize anything was amis until his sister, Ariana, stepped into the fray. With no control over her magic Ariana could only take the curses as they struck her.
Ariana died. Through her love, her attempt at breaking up her brothers fight, he was redeemed.
The greater good was still a nessasary evil. That didn't mean he couldn't give others the same chance he was given.
After all, if Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore could be redeemed any one could.