BestGrindelwald friendsdeveloped a close, intense, but short-lived, friendship with Albus Dumbledore when the two were teenagers. The relationship ended abruptly, leaving many unanswered questions as to why it suddenly collapsed. <!-- Note to editors: re: "Dumbledore loved him, unknown if the feelings were returned", or in fact about any relationship bigger than mere friendship, between Grindelwald and Dumbledore: This is a kids book, we have decided that issues of sexuality will go in the Greater Picture area only. -->
Grindelwald had been expelled from [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Places/Durmstrang Institute|Durmstrang]], apparently for practicing Dark magic. It is possible that he had followers at Durmstrang, much as [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Tom Marvolo Riddle|Tom Riddle]] had at [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Places/Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]], but apart from his relationship with Dumbledore, it is uncertain if he had any real friends at all.
Though he livedstayed with his great-aunt, Bathilda Bagshot, whileafter hebeing wasexpelled visitingfrom thereDurmstrang, herBagshot's memories as published in [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Rita Skeeter|Rita Skeeter]]'s book lead us to believe that Bathilda was not in his confidence. She seems to haveapparently had no idea what he was planning with Dumbledore.
