Top 5 Harry Potter Fan Theories

(WARNING! THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T READ THE BOOKS)

1. Draco is a Werewolf

What it says: After the fifth book, Voldemort is displeased with Lucius for failing to retrieve the prophecy. While we know that he sent Draco on a dangerous mission to kill Dumbledore, this theory says that he also told Fenrir Greyback to bite him and turn him into a werewolf.

What proof do we have?:

• You-know-who often sent werewolves to bite children of people who didn’t do what he wanted
• Whenever we see Draco in the sixth book, he is described as “pale” and “a little ill”, with “dark shadows under his eyes and a distinctly grayish tinge to his skin”. In the third book, Lupin was also described as “pale” and “ill-looking” with a “tired, gray face”.
• In “HP and the Deathly Hallows”, Voldemort mocks Tonks and Lupin’s marriage and asks Draco if he will “babysit the cubs“. This is quite a random comment (why not ask Bellatrix, Lucius or Narcissa?), but would fit perfectly is Draco was a werewolf.
• In “HP and the Half-blood Prince”, Draco shows Borgin something on his arm, then says “Tell anyone, and there will be retribution. You know Fenrir Greyback? He’s a family friend. He’ll be dropping in from time to time to make sure you’re giving the problem your full attention.”
• There are many references to something on his arm. The first is when Madam Malkin touches his left arm and he jumps up, shortly after that he shows Borgin something on his arm. Harry believes that this is the dark mark. The problem here is that the books never explicitly state that Draco was a death-eater. The films show his dark mark, but the books don’t. If he wasn’t a death eater, the thing on his arm might have been where Fenrir had bitten him.
• JKR once said that there was a moment in the third film that foreshadowed something she knew was coming that gave her chills. In that film, Draco impersonates a werewolf and howls.
• In the sixth book, when Dumbledore says he is surprised Draco invited Greyback to Hogwarts, he seems scared of him.

” “I didn’t,” breathed Malfoy. He was not looking at Fenrir; he did not seem to want to even glance at him. “I didn’t know he was going to come —” ”

• The Malfoy’s decision to stop actively fighting for Voldemort and his pure-blood ideals is never fully explained in the books. It is implied that Narcissa and Lucius got scared because of the mission he set Draco and realized that they didn’t want that. In the battle, they stopped fighting the moment they knew that Draco was safe. If, however, Draco had become a werewolf (a “filthy half-breed”, as Narcissa’s aunt would have put it), this would have easily shattered their pure-blood beliefs.

Can it be true?: If JKR hadn’t disputed it by tweeting “Draco definitely isn’t a werewolf“, then yes.

There’s nothing to prove that Draco was indeed a werewolf as all of these points have alternative explanations-Voldemort had already punished Lucius by setting Draco on a mission to kill Dumbledore, Draco was pale and looked ill and grey because of the stress of his mission and his fear of (not) succeeding, the cub comment might have been thrown at him because Voldemort wanted to humiliate him, he was a death eater and had the Dark Mark, JKR’s moment in the film could have been anything else (it has been theorized that it was Snape protecting the trio) and it’s normal for people to be scared of Greyback. But there’s also nothing to prove that it isn’t true. If we knew the moon phases in the 6^th book, we could check if we ever see him at Full Moon, but the only time the moon is mentioned in that book is at Aragog’s funeral and at the night Dumbledore is killed. In the first situation, it isn’t specified whether or not the moon is full, in the second, we are told that it isn’t.

Is it any good?: Draco being turned into a werewolf adds an interesting dimension to the series. In a way, it symbolizes everything that Draco was already going through-being punished by Voldemort, shoved into a new world of fear and loneliness, alienated from his friends by things he can’t openly speak of, forever changed and destined to a difficult life because of his family’s actions.

More info: http://www.dracomalfoyisawerewolf.com/

Rating out of 10: 8 and three quarters

2. Ginny Dosed Harry with a Love Potion

What it says: The reason that Harry fell in love with Ginny is that she used a love potion on him.

What proof do we have?:

• Harry doesn’t show any romantic interest in Ginny until the 6^th book, and only perceives her as a friend. Then, he suddenly falls for her without much explanation. The first time he mentions her in any way that could maybe be taken as romantic is when she goes off in search of Dean on the Hogwarts express where “he felt a strange twinge of annoyance as she walked away, her long red hair dancing behind her”.
• We see Fred showing Ginny the range of love potions in his shop

Can it be true?: First of all, we need to decide what exactly the love potion should have done. Fred says that the love potions from his shop only work for up to twenty-four hours. If Ginny had kept on regularly dosing Harry with love potions throughout the 6^th book, she wouldn’t have been able to do so throughout the 7^th book where she is at Hogwarts and Harry is far away searching for horcruxes. She would have either had to get her hands on a much more powerful potion (and who knows if a potion to produce eternal love even exists in the Harry Potter universe?) or maybe she dosed him once and that was enough to make him realize that he loved her.

Is it any good?: While a lot of people feel that a love potion would be the only thing to explain Harry’s sudden feelings for Ginny, I think that jealousy does the same thing. Throughout the first couple of books, Harry grew used to Ginny having a crush on him and seeing her with Dean made him realize that he loved her. This makes the theory seem a bit pointless. Also, a lot of people have pointed out the moral implications of love potions.

More info: https://www.reddit.com/r/harrypotter/comments/1bo79d/the_crazy_theory_that_ginny_weasley_dosed_harry/

Rating out of 10: 4

3. Pluto Stopped Being a Planet Because Luna Blew It Up

What it says: In “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”, Luna says she “used the Reductor Curse and blew up Pluto in his face” during The Battle of the Department of Mysteries. That’s why Pluto is no longer considered a planet.

What proof do we have?: Pluto stopped being officially classified as a planet on August 24, 2006

Can it be true?: Yes, it can, although that depends on how you interpret the planet room. Some people think that the room is only a model and wouldn’t affect the real solar system. Others argue that blasting a planet would make it disappear and Pluto still exists. However, if the room only showed planets (and Luna never mentions anything else having been in there), then Pluto being blasted could just mean that Pluto stopped belonging to the planets.

Is it any good?: The really interesting thing about this theory is that while “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” was published in 2003, Pluto only stopped being classed as a planet in 2006, three years later.

Rating out of 10: 7 and a half

4. Harry Meeting the Weasleys at King’s Cross Was a Set-Up

What it says: Dumbledore and Mrs. Weasley planned for Harry to meet the Weasleys when he went to King’s Cross in his first year.

What proof do we have?:

• We know that Dumbledore manipulated a lot of events in Harry’s life, but we never find out to what extent he did that. Did he plan for Harry to encounter all the obstacles to reach the philosopher’s stone? How much of the plot of the seventh book was planned beforehand? Compared to everything else, making plans for Harry to meet a family who would take care of him seems small and easy.
• Dumbledore had plenty of motives: The Weasleys could take care of Harry and ensure his well-being, especially during the holidays when he was out of Dumbledore’s sight and Harry would be ensured a loyal friend to join his quests.
• The Weasleys would have wanted it too. Some people think that Dumbledore paid Mrs. Weasley, I don’t think she would have said no to taking care of an orphan in need.
• Harry seems to have been the only first year who wasn’t told how to find Platform 9 ¾.
• “ “Now, what’s the platform number?” said the boys’ mother. “Nine and three-quarters!” piped a small girl. “ Whyever would Molly, who had gone to Hogwarts herself, have to ask what the platform number was? But it would fit right into this theory-she wanted Harry to overhear her mentioning Platform 9 ¾.
• Harry runs into the Weasleys THRICE at Platform 9 ¾. The first time is when he’s wondering how to get on the platform, the next is a couple of minutes later when he needs help with his trunk and Fred and George suddenly appear, the third is when Ron asks if he can join him in his compartment. It’s all a bit much to just be a coincidence.

Can it be true?: It can. We know that Dumbledore has orchestrated events many times in the books.

Is it any good?: Every book needs some way of introducing a protagonist to his or her allies. Harry meeting the Weasleys at Kings Cross is probably just a necessary plot device, which, even though it is unlikely, is definitely still possible. Saying that Dumbledore orchestrated it makes it a lot more likely and makes the story seem more realistic.

More info: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9873249/1/Better-Be-Ravenclaw

Rating out of 10: 7

5. Bellatrix Wasn’t Aiming to Kill Sirius

Harry saw Sirius duck Bellatrix’s jet of red light: He was laughing at her. “Come on, you can do better than that!” he yelled, his voice echoing around the cavernous room. The second jet of light hit him squarely on the chest.

What it says: Bellatrix was actually trying to stun Sirius-he only died because he fell through the veil.

What proof do we have?:

• The books make it clear that the killing curse causes a jet of green light. Red light or sparks can be caused by a number of spells, most notable Stupefy.
• Bellatrix was very family- and blood-conscious. Would she have wanted to kill the last remaining Black?

Can it be true?: It could. People might argue that Bellatrix was intentionally trying to push Sirius into the archway, but why wouldn’t she have simply used the killing curse, which she uses on many other occasions?

Is it any good?: This theory doesn’t necessarily add a lot to the story, but it makes Bellatrix’s murder seem a lot less brutal.

Rating out of 10: 8 and a third

Theory Credits:

1. Draco is a Werewolf: Brittany & Nick
2. Ginny Dosed Harry with a Love Potion: Nuit and Exiled Rain
3. Pluto Stopped Being a Planet Because Luna Blew It Up: my own/multiple sources
4. Harry Meeting the Weasleys at King’s Cross Was a Set-Up: unclear/multiple sources, thank you to Dragon_Tamer166 for suggesting it!
5. Bellatrix Wasn’t Aiming to Kill Sirius: my own

Picture Credits:

Draco; Hermione and Ginny: http://harrypotter.wikia.com

Ginny kissing Harry: Pottermore

Luna pointing wand: http://degrassi.wikia.com

The Weasleys at King’s Cross: harrypotter.wikia

Sirius and Bellatrix: fanpop

These images belong to Warner Bros and are used under the fair use provision of copyright law.