The Most Bizarre Harry Potter Fan Theories Debunked

While the Harry Potter fandom is rich with imaginative theories, some are more bizarre than others. One of the most intriguing and debated theories is the suggestion that Dumbledore is Death. Let's delve into the key points of this theory and provide some evidence to debunk another far-fetched theory that has gained traction.

Dumbledore as Death: A Detailed Analysis

The theory that Dumbledore is Death is one of the most intriguing in the Harry Potter universe. This theory delves into the depths of symbolism and philosophical themes, suggesting a deeper connection between the two characters.

The Three Brothers: The tale of the three brothers encountering Death with their gifts is often seen as a parallel to Dumbledore's interactions with Harry. This suggests that Dumbledore, like Death, offers life-giving advice and guidance in exchange for something. Mastery of Death: The series often explores the themes of mortality, power, and sacrifice. Dumbledore's quest for the Hallows and his mastery over them are seen as a means to have a special relationship with death itself. Symbolism: Dumbledore's white beard and his position as a wise guiding figure mirror traditional depictions of Death as a wise and inevitable force. This further reinforces the idea that Dumbledore may be a manifestation of Death in the Harry Potter universe. Philosophical Themes: The exploration of life and death, power, and sacrifice in the series suggests that Dumbledore's actions reflect a deeper understanding of these themes, akin to Death's role in the tale.

Unraveling the Most Ridiculous Fan Theory

While the theory that Dumbledore is Death has been debated, another fan theory that has gained traction is even more absurd. The infamous 13 Christmas Lunch theory suggests that Peter Pettigrew was in Ron's pocket during the 13th Christmas meal in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

However, this theory is not supported by evidence. Here's why:

Textual Evidence: J.K. Rowling never explicitly stated in the books that Scabbers (Peter Pettigrew's Animagus form) was in Ron's pocket during the Christmas meal in the Great Hall. The evidence is purely speculative and fan-made. On-Page Presence: On the morning of Christmas, Ron stowed Scabbers in his pajama pocket. However, the next mention of Scabbers is after the Christmas meal, when Harry observes Scabbers looking skinny and losing fur. This implies that Scabbers was not with Ron during the entire meal. Counting the Guests: If Scabbers were at the table during lunch, there would have been 14 guests: Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Sprout, Flitwick, Filch, Student 1, Student 2, Sullen-faced Slytherin, Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Trelawney. This contradicts the theory of 13 guests.

Moreover, Trelawney's statement that Harry and Ron were the first to leave the table and the mention of triskaidekaphobia (the fear of the number 13) further debunk the theory. If Ron got up first, there would have been 14 people at the table, and if both Harry and Ron got up at the same time, there would still have been 12 people. Thus, the curse would not have applied, and 12 is a more auspicious number in this context.

Triskaidekaphobia: The fear of the number 13 is a superstition, often related to the Last Supper where 13 were present and one died. In the context of the 13th Christmas meal, the presence of 13 guests would have invoked triskaidekaphobia, leading Trelawney to be concerned. However, the number 12 is a more harmonious number in this scenario, as it avoids the superstition.

Conclusion

The theories surrounding Harry Potter may be rich and imaginative, but some fan theories can be far-fetched and unsupported by textual evidence. While the idea of Dumbledore being Death is a fascinating concept to explore, the theory that Peter Pettigrew was in Ron's pocket during the 13th Christmas meal in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is purely speculative and unsupported by the canon.

Keywords

Harry Potter Fan Theories, Dumbledore, Triskaidekaphobia