Albus Dumbledore, Part 1: Unveiling Lighter Fan Theories

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a HUGE Potterhead. I even have both the Deathly Hallows and the Dark Mark as tattoos. So it’s honestly no surprise that I’m bringing forward fan theories from Harry Potter. As with any decent fandom, Harry Potter has a lot of plot holes that fans have filled with hundreds of thousands of fan fiction. That number is very much a real number, if you have ever searched on Archive of Our Own or FFN you have seen the sheer number of fics written! FFN alone has near 850 thousand. Even with some stories being cross posted, there’s still a high number of them out there, and that’s not even including some of the private blogs that people use to post their fics.

These plot holes that Ms Rowling left wide open for us Potterheads has brought about a giant spiral of theories, many of which despite it being a plot hole has plenty of supporting proof in canon that makes it easily believable! If you notice I said “part 1” it’s because there are so many theories surrounding Albus Dumbledore that I will definitely have to split them down; especially the ones that are a bit darker in nature. However, anyone who is submerged in the world of fan fiction will tell you that there are many Dumbledore bashing fics because so many theories surrounding him are darker and more sinister.

Today, though, I’m going to try to bring some of the lighter fan theories out. Many of these (okay, ALL of them) are theories that I have seen going around online. The reason I can’t say any of these are my own personal theories are because, honestly, I am a huge Dumbledore bashing fan. It’s my personal opinion that he is a horrible, horrible old man; BUT that is for another day and another post. Let’s get started!

Death Predicted

While this is considered more of a “lighter theory” I won’t label it dark since he does, in fact, die in the series. However, this theory is one that I can personally see being quite legit and agree completely with it.

Despite some characters (Hermione) considering Divination to be a ridiculous subject, there is some obvious evidence across the fandom that it is not as ridiculous as it seems. Many people agree with this in real life as well, believing that Palm Readers and Tarot Readers are just scammers; however, I, as a Tarot Reader, can tell you that there is some truth and realism behind Divination, you just have to know where to find it. Divination in Harry Potter is the same way.

If you recall at Christmas Hols in Harry’s third year, Trelawney makes a comment about how she can’t join the table because there will be thirteen at the table which is unlucky and that at a table of thirteen the “first to rise is the first to die”. (Prisoner of Azkaban, Ch 11, page 228) While Professor McGonagall’s attitude of “we‘ll risk it” is very flappish, she was sound in her annoyance. Physically looking around, it states that the table was set for twelve: six staff and six students. When Trelawney sits down, she makes thirteen, which by the visible counter she has rights to be worried as a seer.

This is where there can be heavy debate about this theory because when she sits down, she technically actually makes FOURTEEN as Scabbers is, of course, Peter Pettigrew; therefore “debunking” the theory that she predicted Dumbledore’s death. However, her prediction of his death is actually solid and sound because when she enters the room to the thirteen around the table it is Dumbledore who stands to greet her. Upon him standing just to greet her, he is the first person to rise at a table of thirteen. Thus, her nonsensical words about the first to rise comes to heed before she even states them making this probably the soundest fan theory in the Harry Potter fandom.

He Repaired Hagrid’s Wand

This is a theory that really takes some thinking to notice, as it was something I never thought about until I had come across it randomly. The reason why is because it combines several revelations, the biggest of which is revealed at the end of Deathly Hallows. Keep in mind that this is entirely a book-based theory as the way they ended Deathly Hallows Part 2 was vastly different from the book. Now, I may seem like I’m going to go in six directions with this one, but I implore you to keep following as everything I bring up is the background and proof into why this theory has validity.

If you recall at the end of the book, when Harry discovers the power of the Elder Wand, he repairs his own Holly and Phoenix wand before returning the Elder Wand back to Dumbledore’s tomb. Hermione’s biggest fear in book 1 is getting expelled, the reason is because your wand is snapped if you are expelled; remember in book 2, when Tom framed Hagrid, it is said that his wand was snapped. In conversations all across the series, it is a pretty decently well-known fact that a snapped wand cannot be repaired. The proof of this is also in book 2 when Ron’s wand breaks, and he had to spell-o tape it because you cannot repair a wand after it breaks which is why when you are expelled, they snap your wand to “prevent you” from using magic.

Now, in the book no one is aware yet that Hagrid has been expelled when he first is casting in the shack; it is only revealed after he gives Dudley a tail. However, it is also early enough in the series that we aren’t aware yet that being expelled means your wand is snapped, only that you’re not allowed to do magic.

Let’s do a tricky time jump in our thoughts now: we’re in the Forest of Dean with Hermione and Harry. We know that Hagrid’s wand has been snapped but he is still performing magic, Ron had spell-o taped his wand because it couldn’t be repaired, and now Harry is sitting with a broken wand and failed at fixing it with Hermione’s. So now we start to wonder how Hagrid is able to do magic still. As (almost) normal, when it comes to anything super powerful, there is one of three answers: Voldemort, Harry, or Dumbledore. Voldemort is obviously ruled out because he is the reason Hagrid’s wand is snapped, and Harry is ruled out as well as he cannot repair his own wand. This leaves it to Dumbledore.

“But Harry DID repair his wand!” YES, but only after he came into possession of what? The Elder Wand, which was Dumbledore’s. Now that we’ve wound our way through the proof, let’s look at the theory that it’s proving:

Dumbledore had an issue with Tom Riddle, Tom is the reason Hagrid got expelled, Dumbledore obviously did not believe that Hagrid was at fault. Therefore, Dumbledore used that power of the Elder Wand to repair Hagrid’s wand and steadfastly hid it in an umbrella. As he knew that Hagrid was innocent, he made sure he could still do magic; and hired him as the Groundskeeper and Keeper of Keys to keep the knowledge hidden.

While a very long-winded theory, it is completely sound as by the proof that Harry fixed his own wand with the Elder Wand in the end, proving that only the power of the Elder Wand could repair a non-repairable object.

Dumbledore is Death

While some people may label this as a darker theory, I do not. To me, “dark” theories are the ones that contain… Let’s call them troubling subjects like abuse and such. This theory is, realistically, very light when placed next to some of the other theories.

A fun fact about this one, Ms Rowling herself actually backs this theory. In 2015, a fan tagged her on Twitter (now X) and asked her what her favorite fan theory is. Her reply was “Dumbledore as death. It’s a beautiful theory and it fits.” (Twitter/X @jk_rowling, OP by @AbbieOJ_ 21 AUG 2015 0602) The validation of fan theories from creators is just so satisfying, that then members of the fandom forget that it’s a theory and not canon. Let’s look at this theory, though.

The theory behind this stems from multiple factors, the biggest one being The Tale of Three Brothers. It has been confirmed that Harry is a descendant of the youngest brother, the absolute proof being his Invisibility Cloak. Comments are made multiple times about how those types of Cloaks do not last long as the spells wear off over time; yet Harry’s is a literal family heirloom that has been passed down for generations. The next confirmation is a piece of very obvious canon, when Tom shows up in his 7th Year with the Gaunt Family Ring; a ring that is embedded in stone with the sign of the Deathly Hallows (also known at the time as Grindelwald’s sign) carved into it. The stone was the middle brother’s. 

As the Elder Wand changed allegiances based on conquest, it is unknown if there were any descendants from the eldest brother; keep in mind that the time the Peverell’s were alive it was not uncommon for men to “sow their oats” and therefore probably had several illegitimate children out there, which is how the middle brother’s descendants wound up in the Slytherin line. Therefore, it’s not farfetched that the eldest had some descendants somewhere. (My next favorite theory that ties in with this one is that Severus Snape is also related, and the Prince line is descended from the eldest brother, but I will actually tie that in with this too.)

So, the theory goes that Voldemort represents the eldest brother (rather than the middle one he is descended from) in his quest for power and the fact that he sought the Elder Wand with a vengeance. Severus and his obsession with Lily represents the middle brother in his need to be with her no matter what. Meanwhile Harry, like his ancestor, defied Death and is in possession of the Cloak.

Dumbledore borrowed the Cloak from James, not to study it but to hold onto it so as to reunite the Hallows with his Master (as we have put him in the role of Death). Harry, much like his ancestor, walked to his death with the Cloak, only to drop it and sacrifice himself where he meets (who else?) Dumbledore like an old friend in King’s Cross. Just as the story said his ancestor did.

While this theory is fairly sound, there are many other theories that overshadow this one in validity. However, having Ms Rowling herself say this is one she enjoys I’m sure has brought a lot of joy to the person who initially thought of it.

As you can see, some of these are very plausible when linked with the proof throughout the series. These are probably, honestly, the only theories out there that have me liking Dumbledore at all. That’s a story for next time, though! Until then, keep thinking those theories!