Buzz
Following the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in July 2007, J.K. Rowling firmly stated that the seventh book would be the final chapter in the series. Despite this, she has continued to interact with fans, offering snippets of official information through Pottermore, yet she has kept her promise: no more Potter books (though we are still getting a play!).
As a result, fans have been left to create their own theories, filling in the narrative gaps with their own imagined solutions, relying on a mix of in-depth research, careful reading, critical thinking, and occasionally, a touch of wishful imagination. Some of these theories seem remarkably plausible, aligning seamlessly with the storyline of the seven books and providing answers to questions the original text didn’t address; others, though, are undeniably out there—but still quite entertaining.
1. THE REASON HARRY'S CLASS IS SO SMALL ISN'T A COINCIDENCE.
During a fan chat hosted by Scholastic.com in 2000, Rowling revealed to a curious reader that "there are about a thousand students at Hogwarts." This sparked fans to speculate how this could be true: if there are 1,000 students at Hogwarts, it would imply that roughly 35 students should be in each house each year. However, only around 10 Gryffindors in Harry's year seem to fit the bill. Could this be an oversight, with other unnamed members of Harry's class quietly existing in the background? One fan doesn't think so.
Tumblr user marauders4evr suggests:
What if the Hogwarts Class of 1998 had fewer students because the time period when other children would have been conceived (1979-1981) coincided with Voldemort’s peak reign of terror? During this time, many adults joined the Order of the Phoenix, countless civilians perished in Death Eater raids, and many others were reluctant to bring a child into such perilous times... It’s entirely plausible that this resulted in a 'baby drought' in the wizarding world, leading to a smaller class size a decade later.
While this theory is both intriguing and fairly reasonable, it's likely that Rowling didn’t fully consider this possibility.
2. RON WEASLEY IS ACTUALLY A TIME-TRAVELING DUMBLEDORE.
One of the most enduringly far-fetched Potter theories is the notion that the legendary wizard Albus Dumbledore is, in fact, a time-traveling version of freckle-faced Ron Weasley. This idea first emerged in 2004, known as the “Knight2King theory,” where the theorists gathered a remarkable amount of circumstantial evidence to argue that Ron and Dumbledore are essentially two aspects of the same person. The theory was inspired by the Wizard's Chess scene in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer's Stone, where Ron plays both a knight and a king—symbolic roles that align with Ron and Dumbledore's future positions in the wizarding war. While these seeds of the theory appear logical, the follow-through is far less convincing, relying on superficial similarities like their red hair, long noses, and shared fondness for sweets.
The theorists wildly speculate how Dumbledore became so all-knowing and wise (by living two lives and traveling through time to witness events twice, of course). They also suggest that Dumbledore’s preference for warm socks at Christmas comes from his youth (as Ron), where he was ungrateful for his mother’s hand-knitted sweaters. It's certainly an adventurous journey; fortunately, the theorists' extensive list of meticulously sourced claims is still available to read here.
Supporters of the Ron = Dumbledore theory occasionally resurface, whether genuinely (likely captivated by the vast amount of so-called evidence compiled by the K2K creators) or humorously (as seen in a series of tongue-in-cheek articles by Mallory Ortberg, where she coins the term “Ronbledore” for this unlikely time traveler). However, all of them seem to have missed the final word on the matter, which Rowling issued as early as 2005 in response to the growing wave of Ronbledore believers: 'These theories open up exhilarating new vistas of possibility… but they’re wrong. Could it be that by speculating Harry/Ron becomes Dumbledore, you’re seeking reassurance that neither dies young?'
3. NEVILLE WASN'T BAD AT MAGIC—HE JUST HAD THE WRONG WAND.
Clumsy, bumbling Neville Longbottom spent his early years at Hogwarts messing up spells, and despite being born to two powerful magical parents, he considered himself 'almost a Squib.' But his friendship with Harry, coupled with the escalating danger to the wizarding world, gave him the opportunity to prove himself: he mastered the difficult Shield Charm, second only to Hermione, the 'brightest witch of her age,' and held his own during several duels with Death Eaters. While much of this can be attributed to his natural maturation and growth, some fans believe that there was one pivotal factor that made all the difference: Neville’s wand.
Both J.K. Rowling’s original text and the Warner Bros. film adaptations make one thing abundantly clear when it comes to wand lore: the wand chooses its wizard. A visit to Ollivanders Wand Shop is the ultimate personality test for any witch or wizard, as the seemingly lifeless wands ‘choose’ whether the person holding them is meant to be their true master. When the right witch or wizard comes along, sparks fly, and the wand binds itself to a single master.
The corollary to this mysterious selection process is that a wizard using a wand that has not chosen him will never be able to access its full power. A wizard may use another’s wand out of necessity, like Ron Weasley borrowing his brother Charlie’s old wand to avoid buying a new one. In such cases, the wand will work adequately, but never to its highest potential.
Unlike Ron, who reluctantly accepted a family hand-me-down as a matter of course in a financially struggling household, Neville chose to take his father’s wand. Frank Longbottom had used it to perform powerful magic during his time as an Auror, even during his final confrontation with the Death Eaters, which led to his brutal torture and subsequent madness. Knowing the wand would remain unused while his father languished in the wizarding equivalent of a psychiatric hospital, St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, Neville claimed it as his own. And so began his early struggles with faulty spells, trying to make magic work with a wand that was never meant for him.
Though we can’t separate fact from coincidence, placing this theory firmly in the 'sounds plausible, but we may never know' category, some fans believe that Death Eater Antonin Dolohov did Neville a major favor by breaking his—or more precisely, his father’s—wand during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. This forced Neville to undergo the wand-choosing process for the first time, finally obtaining a wand he could truly call his own. From that point on, Neville’s magical abilities grew by leaps and bounds, allowing him to lead Dumbledore’s Army in Harry’s absence, duel some of the most formidable Dark wizards at the Battle of Hogwarts, and even become an Auror, following in the footsteps of his parents and making even his notoriously stern grandmother proud. It would be an oversimplification to credit all of Neville’s remarkable growth to his wand, but it’s hard to deny that the 13-inch cherry and unicorn hair from Ollivanders played a key role.
4. DUMBLEDORE IS DEATH.
In 'The Tale of the Three Brothers'—from The Tales of Beedle the Bard, which is the wizarding world's answer to Mother Goose—three unnamed siblings meet Death, who offers them a choice of gifts. The first brother, arrogantly sure of his superiority, picks the Elder Wand, the most powerful wand in existence; the second brother asks for the ability to bring loved ones back to life, and is given the Resurrection Stone; the third brother, humbly, requests that Death not pursue him and is given the Cloak of Invisibility to hide under. Together, these three artifacts make up the Deathly Hallows: real magical objects that were once possessed by the Peverell brothers and have been sought after for centuries after their deaths.
As if the line between myth and reality weren’t already blurry enough, some keen readers have pointed out striking similarities between the original three brothers and another trio: Harry, Snape, and Voldemort. In this interpretation, Voldemort represents the first brother, obsessed with power and relentlessly chasing the Elder Wand; Snape is the second brother, consumed by his desire to reclaim his lost love; Harry takes the role of the third brother, ready to face Death and thus welcomed as 'an old friend.'
This theory suggests a fourth key character behind all the Hallows: Death, otherwise known as Dumbledore. The Headmaster is the only person, before Harry, to have owned each of the Hallows: he first gives Harry the Cloak, then the Stone, and is disarmed of the Elder Wand by Draco Malfoy, who then loses it to Harry in a duel. Dumbledore is indirectly responsible for both Snape’s and Voldemort’s deaths, and when Harry 'dies,' who is there to meet him? Dumbledore, greeting him as an old friend.
The theory draws clever parallels between a magical folk tale and real-world events from the Second Wizarding War, but is it literally accurate? Not exactly. While 'The Tale of the Three Brothers' is a magical legend, in Rowling’s universe, the Peverell brothers truly existed, with historical records to confirm it. Cadmus and Ignotus both had children, passing on the Peverell bloodline, meaning Harry and Voldemort are actual descendants of the brothers. So, no, they aren’t literally their own many-times-great-grandfathers, and Dumbledore isn’t literally Death, either. Ultimately, some things are just symbolic.
5. HARRY'S LOVE FOR GINNY IS A DRUG-INDUCED ILLUSION.
This is a tough theory to approach with care, so let’s be straightforward: some readers (perhaps those still holding out for a Harry/Hermione romance) propose that Ginny Weasley must have used a love potion on Harry to explain his sudden affection for her. They question the speed of Harry and Ginny’s romance, which seems particularly strange given that the two have known each other since Harry first met the Weasleys at Platform 9 ¾ on his way to Hogwarts, when Ginny was a starstruck child and Harry was indifferent. From their perspective, a relationship should have blossomed earlier between them, considering Harry's constant visits to the Burrow and their repeated encounters at school. The only plausible explanation for the sudden romance during Half-Blood Prince is the intervention of a love potion.
The sixth book certainly sets a precedent for the use of love potions: Merope Gaunt uses one to make the handsome Muggle Tom Riddle fall in love with her, which leads to Lord Voldemort's birth and his lonely childhood; Romilda Vane tries to use a love potion to capture Harry's heart but accidentally doses Ron instead. Ginny, given her proximity to these events and access to her brothers’ joke shop, would have had the means to procure a love potion herself, or even brew one if necessary.
That provides means and maybe even a motive, but the theory overlooks the serious implication that Ginny Weasley would be committing a very grave crime—effectively using magic to manipulate someone's will, a magical equivalent to administering 'roofies.' While some fans may be content to accept this version of events, others argue it undermines a key theme of the story: the triumph of love over darkness—the maternal love that made Harry Potter the Boy Who Lived, and the absence of it that steered Tom Marvolo Riddle towards evil. Ultimately, this interpretation seems harder to accept than the idea of a teenage boy suddenly developing feelings for his best friend’s sister.
Rowling put the theory to rest in February 2014 when she confirmed during a talk at Exeter University that 'Harry did love Ginny.'
6. HARRY AND SIRIUS ARE RELATED BY BLOOD.
In the magical world, Harry possesses a unique form of social privilege: not only is he known as The Boy Who Lived, but he is also the son of James Potter, a member of the prestigious pure-blood Potter family. However, due to his upbringing in the Muggle world, Harry pays little attention to his own blood status, let alone that of others. Still, wizarding genealogy suggests that the son of Muggle-born Lily Evans and the nephew of the decidedly non-magical Petunia might trace his lineage back through generations of pure-blood wizards. While J.K. Rowling briefly mentions James Potter's parents as a wealthy couple who had him later in life, some astute fans have pieced together clues and believe they know exactly who Mr. and Mrs. Potter are.
The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black is the epitome of pure-blood fanaticism, with a family tree meticulously documenting their exclusively magical heritage dating back to the Middle Ages. The family took pride in disowning any 'blood traitors' and kept their motto, Toujours pur ('Always/Still pure'), proudly displayed. When anyone in the family was considered impure, their name was burned from the family tree, leaving only a hole in the tapestry. This tree not only connects the Blacks to other pure-blood families such as the Malfoys, Weasleys, and Prewetts through marriage, but it may also link Harry Potter to them through Dorea Black’s marriage to Charlus Potter. Fans speculate that these two are the elderly parents of James Potter, thus making them Harry's grandparents.
Another possibility is that James’s father was the unnamed son of Charlus and Dorea, making Dorea Black Harry’s great-grandmother. Either scenario would create direct familial connections between Harry and many of his closest companions: Ginny might be his third cousin; Sirius, his godfather, could be his second cousin, twice removed; and Arthur Weasley, Andromeda Tonks, Bellatrix Lestrange, and Draco Malfoy might all be various forms of cousins. The third possibility is that Charlus Potter was a more distant relative of James, leaving Harry unconnected to the House of Black altogether. However, without further canonical details, each scenario is just as plausible as the other.
7. THE HORCRUX IN HARRY IS WHAT MADE THE DURSLEYS HATE HIM.
While the arrival of a baby unexpectedly dropped on your doorstep is undoubtedly a heavy burden, the Dursleys’ extreme hatred for the orphan they were tasked with raising has always seemed disproportionate. Although Harry was an unwanted responsibility thrust upon them, there is no real justification for their treatment of him as subhuman—unless some external force was influencing their behavior and clouding their own humanity.
A theory put forward by Tumblr user graphicnerdity suggests that the Dursleys’ cruel behavior could be traced back to magical forces, specifically the Horcrux within Harry. The idea is that the Horcrux, over the span of Harry’s decade at Privet Drive, exerts such a strong negative influence that it could corrupt even the best of people, turning them into cold, unfeeling individuals. For instance, just as the Horcrux within Slytherin's locket drove Ron to a fit of jealousy that led him to abandon Harry in the woods while they were both in mortal danger, it's entirely feasible that the Dursleys, too, were influenced by this dark magic, resulting in their heinous behavior.
But there's a simpler reason behind the Dursleys' hateful treatment of Harry: They just deeply loathe him. Petunia’s contempt for her nephew is likely rooted in her resentment of Lily, her magical sister who seemed to have everything—beauty, talent, and a place in a world Petunia was forever shut out of. Harry’s presence, with his green eyes mirroring Lily’s, is a constant reminder to Petunia of what she could never be, making him the focus of her bitterness and envy.
As for Vernon, his dislike for Harry is linked to his feelings toward Harry's father, James Potter, whom he never forgave for an embarrassing encounter. According to a Pottermore story, at a dinner where Petunia introduced her fiancé to her sister and her sister's boyfriend, Vernon attempted to belittle James by asking what car he drove and assuming wizards lived off unemployment benefits. James, however, casually mentioned his racing broom and the Potter family's fortune in Gringotts, winning the one-upmanship battle. Unable to swallow this humiliation, Vernon and Petunia stormed off. Although James promised Lily he'd mend things, their untimely deaths prevented any reconciliation, leaving Harry to endure an awful childhood.
8. HARRY IS IMMORTAL.
This theory comes from a careful analysis that would impress even the most meticulous literature professor. The prophecy spoken by Sybil Trelawney, which was stored in the Department of Mysteries due to its world-altering significance, is extremely precise. The prophecy says, 'either must die at the hand of the other, for neither can live while the other survives.' The most obvious interpretation, and the one that the series ultimately confirms, is that Harry is destined to either kill Voldemort or be killed by him—there’s no other possible outcome.
There’s an alternate interpretation of the prophecy that was pointed out by Imgur user HPWombat: If either Harry or Voldemort is meant to die at the hands of the other, it could mean that the survivor is immune to death by any other means. Harry’s defeat of Voldemort fulfilled the prophecy's requirement, but it’s possible that Harry himself is now effectively immortal. Those familiar with the Greek myth of Tithonus and Eos will recognize the tragic nature of such a fate. What makes Harry's situation even darker is that his immortality also means he can never be reunited with his loved ones, even in death—a truly heartbreaking conclusion.
9. GILDEROY LOCKHART GOT HIRED AT HOGWARTS BECAUSE DUMBLEDORE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUNNY.
Despite his complex motives and questionable actions, Dumbledore was known for his excellent sense of humor. Some fans have speculated that the Headmaster’s completely out-of-character choice to hire the flamboyant, self-absorbed, and often insufferable Gilderoy Lockhart as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was merely a prank. This theory suggests that Dumbledore did it simply for the entertainment value of seeing how Lockhart’s egotism would play out in a position of authority.
While this interpretation is relatively harmless, it raises the question of how responsible Dumbledore’s decision was in hiring such a ridiculous candidate for a serious teaching role. However, J.K. Rowling clarified this point in a character profile of Lockhart on Pottermore. Dumbledore knew full well that Lockhart was a fraud who had fabricated his tales of defeating dangerous Dark creatures. Having known two of the wizards whose accomplishments Lockhart had falsely claimed as his own, and being familiar with Lockhart’s lackluster performance as a student at Hogwarts, Dumbledore decided not to expose him directly. Instead, he chose to place Lockhart in the very environment where he had once failed and let him reveal his incompetence on his own.
10. DRACO MALFOY IS A WEREWOLF.
One particularly outlandish theory completely reimagines Draco Malfoy’s role in the sixth and seventh books. The theory, presented by ‘Brittany & Nick,’ claims that Draco is secretly a werewolf. They are so convinced of this idea that they even went as far as to purchase a domain name to promote their theory to the world.
The first step in convincing other Harry Potter fans of the Werewolf Draco theory is to challenge a widely held belief: Draco Malfoy is not a Death Eater. At no point is Draco shown to bear the Dark Mark that signifies loyalty to Voldemort. Though he briefly hints at ‘something on his arm’ to the dubious proprietor of Borgin & Burkes, the fact that the specific nature of this ‘something’ is left unclear suggests it’s not what most would first assume.
If Draco isn’t a Death Eater, then what marking could he possess that would make a seasoned Dark artifact dealer like Borgin so intimidated? Brittany and Nick propose that Draco’s mark is actually the result of a werewolf bite. During his encounter with Borgin, Draco mentions Fenrir Greyback, a notorious werewolf and loyal follower of Voldemort, whom he claims is a ‘family friend.’ This could point to Draco’s werewolf status, though it’s unlikely Draco is proud of it—his pale and sickly appearance in *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince* could be a sign of his transformation. The theory suggests that Draco was bitten by Fenrir as punishment for his father’s repeated failures, including mishandling Tom Riddle’s diary, which led to the loss of a piece of Voldemort’s soul. Voldemort may have chosen to punish Draco rather than Lucius, who was deemed more valuable as an ally.
Brittany and Nick’s theory is further supported by Narcissa Malfoy’s surprising decision to defy Voldemort at the pivotal moment, claiming that Harry Potter was dead while knowing full well he was still alive and fighting. A mother, especially a pure-blood mother, would have little reason to betray the Dark Lord unless her son’s status had been compromised in some way. This act of defiance could suggest that Draco was no longer seen as ‘pure’ and was thus unwelcome in Voldemort’s ideal world.
Of course, movie fans can easily challenge this theory by pointing out that in the films, Draco is clearly shown with the Dark Mark on his inner forearm, a detail he demonstrates to Dumbledore in the Astronomy Tower. (It's worth noting that the sixth film came out a few years after the final book, during which time Brittany and Nick likely formulated their theory.) If the films are considered canonical—given that they were approved by J.K. Rowling—this cinematic moment effectively disproves what was once an intriguing theory. Additionally, a December 2014 update on Pottermore provided crucial backstory, confirming that Draco did indeed accept full membership in the Death Eaters, motivated by his desire to restore the Malfoy name in Voldemort’s regime.
Despite the Dark Mark, the events of the war significantly changed Draco. While he didn't transform into a werewolf, he evolved from a pureblood elitist into a man who was ultimately better than his father. His familial love remains unwavering, and though his disdain for Muggles fades, Draco marries a fellow Slytherin who shares similar reformed views, much to the disappointment of his parents. Rowling has expressed hope that Draco will raise his son, Scorpius, to be a kinder and more tolerant Malfoy than he himself was in his youth. Unlike the werewolf theory, this transformation is undoubtedly for the better.
11. HERMIONE'S CAT, CROOKSHANKS, IS HALF-KNEAZLE.
To the delight of fans and the smug satisfaction of a few, J.K. Rowling has confirmed several long-standing theories. One such mystery that puzzled readers was the true nature of Hermione's peculiar orange cat, Crookshanks. Thanks to the release of *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them* and a later confirmation on her personal website, Rowling verified that Crookshanks was indeed half-Kneazle, a breed of highly intelligent magical cat known for its lion-like plumed tail, which can interbreed with normal non-magical cats. This explains Harry and Ron's surprise when they first saw the cat, describing it as either a very large cat or a small tiger. Crookshanks’s Kneazle traits also explain his unusual behavior, especially his hostility toward Ron's pet rat, Scabbers, who was later revealed to be Peter Pettigrew in Animagus form. Rather than a typical cat-and-mouse rivalry, Crookshanks aggressively pursued Scabbers due to sensing he was a fraud. Still, true to his cat side, Crookshanks spent most of his time chasing gnomes, catching spiders, and enjoying the occasional petting.
12. PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL IS A DEATH EATER.
The theory suggesting that Professor Minerva McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor House and one of Dumbledore’s most trusted allies, might secretly be a traitorous Death Eater deserves attention—not for its truthfulness, but for the audacity of the assumptions it makes based on a series of minor details. From the first chapter of *Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone*, McGonagall’s supposed “pureblood elitist ideals” are supposedly visible in her dismissive attitude toward Muggles, referring to them as ‘not *completely* stupid.’ While this remark is harsh, the belief in wizarding superiority over Muggles is quite common in the magical world and doesn’t automatically indicate a desire to exterminate Muggles.
Similarly, the theorist points to McGonagall’s fondness for Quidditch—a sport that stirs up house rivalries and ill will—as a sign of her hidden malevolence. However, her fellow Quidditch fans, such as the Weasleys, Madam Hooch, and Oliver Wood, hardly seem like the sort to harbor any evil intentions.
The theorist also portrays McGonagall's chosen field of Transfiguration as one filled with the ‘shape-shifting and manipulative’—neglecting the fact that Albus Dumbledore began his own celebrated career at Hogwarts as the Transfiguration professor.
The main argument presented for McGonagall’s supposed allegiance to dark forces is her apparent indifference to Harry’s safety. This includes her decision to recruit him onto the Gryffindor Quidditch team and provide him with an exceptional racing broom; her failure to prevent the basilisk attacks that plagued the school in *Chamber of Secrets*; and her consent for Harry to participate in the potentially deadly Triwizard Tournament. It’s clear that this theory fails to grasp the nature of sports-related violence, which most athletes—magical or Muggle—survive without lasting harm. It also overlooks how little influence one professor could have over 1) a magical creature that is so rare, even among wizards, and 2) a magical contract that even Dumbledore, a much more powerful wizard, would not dare to alter. While it’s true McGonagall didn’t shield Harry from certain dangers, doing so was neither her responsibility nor within her power.
If Professor McGonagall were truly the most successful double agent at Hogwarts, she would need to be an incredible actress. While Dame Maggie Smith plays the role of the elderly witch with finesse in the films, the Death Eater theory argues that McGonagall’s emotional reactions in the books reveal cracks in her disguise. For instance, when she is watching over the Dursleys’ house immediately following the Potters’ death, her response is oddly detached, merely acknowledging the tragedy as ‘all very sad.’ She shows no emotion upon Cedric Diggory’s death and moves swiftly into Dumbledore’s office to take up the position of Headmistress after his passing. Some might call this stoic, yet she does display real emotion at times, such as when Harry, Ginny, and Ron emerge from the Chamber—her dramatic reaction of taking ‘great, steadying gasps’ as she clutches her chest suggests real concern. At other intense moments, however, she becomes a ‘blubbering ball of emotion.’
So what should we make of these emotional inconsistencies? The Death Eater theory proposes that McGonagall’s emotional outbursts are merely a well-crafted act, a calculated distraction designed to mask her true disappointment whenever one of Voldemort’s murderous plans is thwarted. For example, when Harry, Ginny, and Ron emerged from the Chamber, they had just destroyed one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes—possibly explaining McGonagall’s labored breathing. ‘The other characters... show their deep emotion in much simpler ways,’ like a change in tone or a single tear, unlike McGonagall who becomes a total emotional wreck. But why should her emotional expression be any less valid? Perhaps she is simply a person with a complicated inner world, expressing her feelings in a way that others don’t understand. Or perhaps, in the eyes of the theorist, she must be a Death Eater.
The ‘true’ emotions of Death Eater McGonagall seemingly emerge in her interactions with one character in particular: Sybill Trelawney, the Professor of Divination and the Seer who delivered the prophecy linking Harry’s destiny to Voldemort’s. The author suggests that McGonagall’s overtly harsh disdain for Trelawney stems from a deep-seated dislike, which can be interpreted as contempt for her ineffectiveness as a teacher, her disapproval of such questionable practices being taught in an academic environment, and a fundamental personality clash. Of course, merely disliking someone doesn’t make one a Death Eater, and as demonstrated in *Deathly Hallows*, Minerva McGonagall was anything but one.
