Welcome to Harry Potter Theory! This podcast features Harry Potter Theories, Fantastic Beasts Theories, Explanations, Top Lists, News, Character Backstories, Fan Fictions & More!
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DARK History of the Death Eaters (Est. 1938) - Harry Potter Explained
Tuesday, January 3, 2023 • Duration 24:11
Where did the Death Eaters come from? What name did they operate under originally? How did their hierarchy work? And where did the Dark Mark come from? For answers to these questions and more check out today's video of Harry Potter Theory.
Today we're going to be discussing the history of Voldemort's faithful servants - the Death Eaters. Specifically- we'll be looking at their founder, how they formed, what name they ORIGINALLY operated under, how you can become a death eater, why some members WEREN'T pure-bloods, their role in both wizarding wars, and what happened to the Death Eaters AFTER the second wizarding war had ended.
Let's get in to it.
It all started with a young orphan boy by the name of Tom Riddle who began attending Hogwarts School in 1938. Though on the outside Riddle appeared to be a normal young man, deep down he had an unimaginable number of demons- demons that haunted him every single day of his life. Why? Well, Tom didn't exactly have a normal chi*ldhood- he was abandoned by his witch mother Merope Gaunt at the steps of Wool's Orphanage right at the time of his birth. -
Because Tom Riddle Jr never had a mother or father figure- he also never had any concept of love, or family. Like many powerful, evil, and enigmatic figures of history - Riddle had a rough start to his life- and this paved the way for the dark path that he was destined to follow. But, when Riddle eventually began to act on his dark nature, and began pursuing dark endeavours- he wasn't alone, and he was able to bring many other dark witches and wizards along for the ride.-
Queue the FIRST iteration of the Death Eaters...
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Are House Elves ENSLAVED by Santa? (+ Why They Serve Wizardkind) - Harry Potter Theory
Saturday, December 31, 2022 • Duration 11:56
Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're discussing the probability of whether or not Santa's elves have any relation to the House Elves that appear throughout Harry Potter. As I'm sure you can appreciate, this is a somewhat complicated topic. First of all, there's an absurd amount of elven lore that has existed over the centuries. Of course, the elves that are rumoured to reside in the North Pole with jolly ol' Saint Nick are just one of many because, of course, elves are a common component of just about any fantastical realm created by novelists. One really doesn't have to think very hard or for very long to come up with a list of books and movies that include this magical species. Lord of the Rings, The Witcher...these are just a couple of the most popular and commonly known series and universes that include an elven people.
So, why compare the House Elves of Harry Potter with Santa Claus' elves? Well, in my opinion, there are just one too many similarities between these two sets of elves to ignore. If we are ready to accept that both these creatures exist within the same universe – which I assume we are, since Christmas is acknowledged by the characters of Harry Potter throughout the books and the films, and in a world where magical beings clearly exist, it'd be rather ridiculous to rule out that Santa also exists – so, IF we are ready to accept that both sets of elves exist in the same universe, then it's only logical to assume that they are related, however distantly.
Let's start with the obvious. Since, we're not simply comparing these two elven populations in the video – we're actually looking to uncover whether or not they are indeed related, linked, or what have you – that means that we must first establish how Santa, the North Pole, and his elves would fit into the Harry Potter universe and Wizarding World as a whole.-
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What If Cedric Diggory SURVIVED? (The Next Villain) - Harry Potter Theory
Thursday, December 29, 2022 • Duration 11:18
Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're discussing none other than popular Hufflepuff student Cedric Diggory. More specifically- however, we're going to be discussing his untimely death at the hands of Wormtail aka Peter Pettigrew during the penultimate moments of the Goblet of Fire. This video will NOT consider the events of the Cursed Child.
Now, whether you're a film-goer or a book-reader, the untimely death of Cedric Diggory was no doubt impactful. It happened during the third challenge of the triwizard tournament- just after Harry and Cedric simultaneously clutched the triwizard cup. Unbeknown to them, however, the triwizard cup was actually a portkey- a portkey that sent them to straight to Wormtail, Voldemort, and the Little Hangleton Graveyard. It was here that Cedric lived out his final moments- ultimately reaching his fate at the hands of Peter Pettigrew and his killing curse. This is outlined in chapter 32 of the Goblet of Fire- Flesh, Blood and Bone.
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The Most EVIL Witch Nobody Talks About - Harry Potter Explained
Tuesday, December 27, 2022 • Duration 11:13
Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. While there are likely many WIZARDS that come to mind when you think of Harry Potter and EVIL – Gellert Grindelwald and Lord Voldemort to name a few – the title of most evil WITCH may not be quite so obvious. So, in this video, we're going to be discussing why I believe that the most evil witch in the Harry Potter universe is...
Now, I know what you may be thinking. WHO in Merlin's Beard is Gormlaith Gaunt?! Wouldn't Bellatrix Lestrange be the obvious choice for most evil witch? How could a witch who many may not have even heard of deserve the title of the MOST evil witch? Could she possibly be MORE evil than Bellatrix, the literal mistress of Evil Reincarnate? (More on that in just a second.)-
Well, of course, Bellatrix was a truly evil b– er, witch. She performed some incredibly cruel and heinous acts of magic – and non-magic, for that matter – in the name of being one of Lord Voldemort's Death Eaters. In fact, the rumour is that Bellatrix was so devout to Voldemort and the Dark Arts that she actually fell IN LOVE and was intimate with the Dark Lord himself, producing a daughter named Delphi – taking the vows of a Death Eater quite above and beyond, if you ask me...But anyway, in addition to her ABSOLUTE loyalty to Voldemort, Bellatrix was also involved in some of the most disturbing acts of Dark Magic described throughout Harry Potter. For example, she took part in the torture of Aurors, Frank and Alice Longbottom, an act which drove them both mad and permanently landed them in St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries for the remainder of their lives. She also committed many a murder, including that of beloved House Elf, Dobby, her own cousin, Sirius Black, and her niece, Nymphadora Tonks – and she did all this in the name of pure-blood supremacy and the Dark Lord's vision of the wizarding world. So, yes, of course, it's true – Bellatrix Lestrange was a monstrously evil witch.
But, hundreds of years before there was Bellatrix Lestrange, there was an Irish witch by the name of Gormlaith Gaunt, whose acts of unspeakable evil rival Ms. Lestrange's to the point in which I must admit that, in my opinion, she was indeed the more evil of the two.
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What Happens to Wizards When They DIE? (The Entire Afterlife Explained) - Harry Potter Explained
Sunday, December 25, 2022 • Duration 13:12
Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're discussing the Wizarding Afterlife- taking a closer look at what exactly happens to witches and wizards when they die.
The line between the living and the dead is unquestionably a blurry one in Harry Potter. This is reinforced by the prevalence of beings that skirt these two planes of existence- Ghosts and Dementors are some of the first that come to mind.
And with these blurred lines, the topic of death (which is also a key thematic element in Harry Potter) becomes even more alluring.
In fact, one of the main messages of the Harry Potter books is that death is NOT absolute. It's also reinforced that it's not anything we should be worrying about.
We're continually reminded that death is simply a part of LIFE, and that rather than obsessing over it we should instead shift our focus on seeking love and friendship- enjoying the time that we do have.
Voldemort infamously tried to evade death - which is why his name is aptly derived from the french 'vol-de-mort' meaning 'flight of death'.
But the lesson the books teach surrounding the inevitability of death is one that never quite resonated with our immortality-obsessed antagonist. Rather than embrace life at it's own pace, Voldemort devised all sorts of plans to achieve the ever-elusive goal of immortality.-
On a side note- there are actually FIVE methods of achieving immortality in Harry Potter. If you're curious about them, check out my video 'all 5 methods of immortality in Harry Potter'.
So life and death have blurred lines- but what exactly does that mean? What happens to a witch or wizard when they die? Why do some become ghosts? Is there an AFTERLIFE?
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Why Are Some Wizards POOR? - Harry Potter Explained
Thursday, December 22, 2022 • Duration 11:23
Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're discussing wizarding economics- specifically, why and how a MAGICAL world would still have impoverished people. With the advent of magical capabilities, how can there possibly be witches and wizards living derelict lifestyles? At the very least, shouldn't every witch / wizard be able to source clean clothes?
In Harry Potter, there are many passages alluding to the lack of economic stability in certain wizarding families- with a particular focus on the Weasley's.-
From their house to their to their hand-me-down robes, it's certainly no secret that the Weasley's were financially stretched. Draco Malfoy even makes a comment towards Ron where he suggests that the Weasley family name is synonymous with this sort of thing.
"Think my name's funny, do you? Well, no need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand-me-down-robe? You must be a Weasley."
And when Harry first witnesses the Weasley Family vault, he's at a loss for words:
"Harry enjoyed the breakneck journey down to the Weasleys' vault, but felt dreadful, far worse than he had in Knockturn Alley, when it was opened. There was a very small pile of silver Sickles inside, and just one gold Galleon. Mrs.Weasley felt right into the corners before sweeping the whole lot into her bag."
But the Weasleys weren't the only characters in the Harry Potter story that were lacking in funds. In fact, in my opinion one of the most EXTREME examples of poverty in Harry Potter is Remus Lupin. It's reinforced over and over and over that his clothes are tatty and that he looked sickly.-
The first time that we're introduced to Lupin's character, he's described as follows:
"The stranger was wearing an extremely shabby set of wizard's robes that had been darned in several places. He looked ill and exhausted. Though quite young, his light brown hair was flecked with gray. [...]
"It's on his case," she replied, pointing at the luggage rack over the man's head, where there was a small, battered case held together with a large quantity of neatly knotted string. The name Professor R. J. Lupin was stamped across one corner in peeling letters."
Then, again at the sorting ceremony:
"Professor Lupin looked particularly shabby next to all the other teachers in their best robes."
When Harry encounters Lupin for the second time, after their arrival at Hogwarts, the passage even suggests that Lupin had eaten properly for the first time in a while:
"Lupin smiled vaguely and placed his tatty old briefcase on the teacher's desk. He was as shabby as ever but looked healthier than he had on the train, as though he had had a few square meals."
Was Lupin SO POOR that he couldn't afford FOOD? How can this be a reality in Wizarding Society?
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Is There RELIGION in Harry Potter? (+ Harry Potter Christmas Explained)
Tuesday, December 20, 2022 • Duration 12:55
Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're discussing RELIGION and Christmas in Harry Potter . We'll also be more broadly addressing the topic of religion in Wizarding Society- including it's prevalence, diversification and whether or not witches and wizards celebrate GOD-like figures.
- peeling back the layers to uncover if Christmas means the same thing in the MAGICAL world as it does in the MUGGLE world.
We're going to start with Christmas then segue in to religion.
Let's get in to it.
Christmas time at Hogwarts meant that it was time for Hagrid and the other professors to outfit the Great Hall with Christmas decorations. -Twelve large decorated fir trees, mistletoe, and holly were among the decorations that Hagrid and the other professors helped put in the Great Hall for the Christmas holidays.-
On the surface, Christmas in Harry Potter appears to be celebrated very much the same way that it's celebrated in Muggle Society- with eggnog, carols, lights, trees, presents and Christmas feasts.-
"Harry had never in all his life had such a Christmas dinner. A hundred fat, roast turkeys; mountains of roast and boiled potatoes; platters of chipolatas; tureens of buttered peas, silver boats of thick, rich gravy and cranberry sauce - and stacks of wizard crackers every few feet along the table..."
In fact, the emphasis placed on Christmas traditions in Harry Potter is so significant that the franchise (in some ways) has transcended the page- becoming immortalized in the real world as a story that's become synonymous with Christmas itself. As soon as the snowy-season hits, it's inevitably time to hunker down in some blankets and throw on Harry Potter.
But besides all of the warm jumpers, gingerbread houses and Christmas pudding- what is the ACTUAL significance of Christmas in Harry Potter? Is Christmas in Harry Potter driven by religion, or is it a secular holiday?
First I'm going to take a look at what Christmas means to witches and wizards, then I'm going to dive in to the role of religion in the wizarding world as a whole.
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How Are Muggleborns Told That They’re Magical? - Harry Potter Explained
Sunday, December 18, 2022 • Duration 10:51
Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we’re discussing Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it’s student population, how students are selected for the school, and how muggleborns are told that they’re magical!
Since the tenth century, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (located in the Scottish Highlands) has been the PREMIER destination for you*ng witches and wizards to learn magic. At least, in THAT part of the world.
And since the school was founded, it’s been filled year after year with new batches of promising youn*g witches and wizards. Over the centuries the school has produced copious amounts of talented witch and wizard alumni.
“The finest school of witchcraft and wizardry in the world”
But my question is- how are these students chosen to attend this famous wizarding institution? How do they find out that they’ve been chosen? We know they get an acceptance letter- but who decides that THEIR NAME gets put on that letter? And how does this process differ for muggle-borns- youn*g witches and wizards with no prior knowledge of the vast wizarding world?
Let's dive in!
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The 10 Biggest Creatures in Harry Potter (RANKED)
Friday, December 16, 2022 • Duration 13:36
Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're discussing the 10 LARGEST magical creatures- the behemoths of the wizarding world. This list was particularly difficult to make as the exact specifications of each creature (height, weight etc) are not easy to come by. Suffice to say, the honourable mentions list following the main list is pretty long as well.
I don't think you'll be able to guess all 10, but leave a comment down below before you start and see if you're right at the end.-
Anyway, I won't dawdle, here are the 10 most ENORMOUS magical creatures from both Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts.
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History of Fenrir Greyback: From Wizard to Werewolf - Harry Potter Explained
Wednesday, December 14, 2022 • Duration 24:43
Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're discussing notorious werewolf Fenrir Greyback- digging in to his past and uncovering some things that you may have never known.
Believe it or not, once upon a time, Fenrir Greyback was just a regular wizard. He didn't have sharp teeth, long yellow nails, whiskers, or hair sprouting from every part of his body. He also didn't transform in to a horrible, dangerous magical creature when a full moon filled the sky.
There is speculation out there pertaining to whether or not Greyback was ever a wizard at all. But as it happens, Rowling has confirmed that ONLY wizards are able to transform in to werewolves after being bitten by one, and that muggles simply die. This (if it wasn't clear already) confirms the fact that Greyback was indeed a wizard.
In fact, though information on him is sparse, the available evidence would suggest that Greyback was perhaps even once a student at Hogwarts just like Harry, Ron and Hermione. This fact would explain his magical skills, his connections within the Death Eaters, and his hatred of 'normal wizards'.
But on one fateful day, presumably after his wizarding education had finished, wizard Greyback (who likely was already of dubious morality) had an encounter with a werewolf where he was bitten.
At this moment Fenrir was infected with Lycanthropy by the un-named werewolf, a magical affliction that transforms witches and wizards in to werewolves. One who is infected with Lycanthropy is henceforth known as a 'Lycanthrope'.
There are two ways to become a Lycanthrope, but regardless of HOW it is contracted, it is still considered to be a curse (for which there is no cure) that will completely alter the victims existence.
The first (and most common) way to contract Lycanthropy is through being bitten by a werewolf, though in some circumstances the bite can/will kill you. You must also be bitten by a werewolf in their wolfish form at the time of the full moon- ensuring that the werewolf's saliva mingles with the victim's blo*od.
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