Welcome to Harry Potter Theory! This podcast features Harry Potter Theories, Fantastic Beasts Theories, Explanations, Top Lists, News, Character Backstories, Fan Fictions & More!
The 8 Hidden RULES of Magic Nobody Talks About ...
Welcome to another instalment of Harry Potter Theory. Today, we’ll be discussing a list of EIGHT Major things that magic simply CANNOT do.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
15 min
102
Does Hogwarts LIE to the Parents of Magical Chi...
Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today, we’ll be discussing how ordinary Muggles react when they find out that their child is magical.
The majority of Muggle-born witches and wizards do not discover that they are magical until they are invited to come study magic as a child. In the United Kingdom, this momentous occasion takes place the year of a child’s eleventh birthday by way of mail. Each young witch or wizard receives their letter of acceptance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry sometime over the summer months before the start of term in the fall. In the case of Muggleborns, Hogwarts dispatches a member of staff to travel to the home of said muggle-born student so that the letter can be properly introduced and explained.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
8 min
103
Before Voldemort: The Untold Story of Quirinus ...
The trembling stutter of a nervous man. A turban concealing a horrifying secret. And behind it all: the face of the Dark Lord himself.
Quirinus Quirrell is often remembered as the timid, stuttering Defence Against the Dark Arts professor from Harry Potter’s first year at Hogwarts. Nervous, soft-spoken, and constantly hiding behind that signature purple turban — he appeared (at least at first) to be one of the least threatening figures Harry could have encountered.
But as we later find out, appearances can be deceiving.
By the time Quirrell stood in front of Harry in the Great Hall, the man he once was had already begun to disappear. His brilliant mind, once shaped by academic curiosity, had been twisted by ambition and fear. And in pursuit of recognition he didn’t believe he could achieve on his own, he turned to the darkest source of power imaginable.
During the 1991–92 school year, Quirrell became one of the most consequential figures in modern wizarding history — not because of who he was, but because of who he allowed himself to serve.
Today, we’re going to explore the full life of Quirinus Quirrell — from his overlooked beginnings as a brilliant Ravenclaw scholar, to the fateful journey that led him into Voldemort’s grasp, and the horrifying transformation that followed.
Let’s dive into it.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
18 min
104
Inside the CHAOS of the New Harry Potter Reboot
Hey everyone, welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory.
Today’s topic is pretty simple — the upcoming Harry Potter TV reboot, and every controversy surrounding it.
The show hasn't even aired yet, but between unexpected casting choices, creative reinterpretations, and the ongoing debate over J.K. Rowling’s involvement, the series has already managed to polarize the Harry Potter fandom — especially amid rumors of a gender-swapped Dark Lord and questions about how “faithful” this adaptation will actually be. And this is YEARS before we’ve even seen a single episode.
In total there are 4 controversies I want to touch on, starting with…
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
11 min
105
The REAL Reason Harry Beat Voldemort (CONFIRMED...
Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory.
In today’s video, we’re exploring a theory that challenges one of the series’ core assumptions:
the belief that Albus Dumbledore was the Elder Wand’s rightful owner.
Because according to some fans — and a closer reading of the events themselves —
the wand’s true allegiance may not have been with Dumbledore at all.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
8 min
106
The COMPLETE History of the Deathly Hallows – F...
If we trace the origins of the most powerful magical artifacts in history — the Deathly Hallows — the trail always leads back to one family: the Peverells.
Three brothers whose story exists somewhere between myth and memory — remembered in children’s tales, but also immortalized in wizarding history.
To begin to unravel their story, we have to separate myth from memory — and uncover the truth buried beneath a thousand years of legend.
And there’s no better place to start than the story every wizard knows by heart — first written down by Beedle the Bard in the fifteenth century: The Tale of the Three Brothers.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
15 min
107
The Life of Gellert Grindelwald: The FIRST Dark...
Before he was a name whispered in fear — before Nurmengard, before the Elder Wand, before Dumbledore — there was simply a boy. A brilliant, golden-haired boy, born in Eastern Europe in the late nineteenth century — whose name was Gellert Grindelwald.
Little is recorded about Grindelwald’s family or childhood, but what fragments survive describe a wizard of exceptional promise from the very beginning. His ancestry is believed to have been of northern European descent, possibly linked to an old wizarding line with strong magical blood. Whether or not that family shared his views, however, is another question entirely.
From a young age, Grindelwald displayed a kind of brilliance that unsettled those around him. He was curious about everything — but especially the boundaries of magic.
Most children who show magical ability experiment with simple enchantments or charms.
Grindelwald experimented with control — the art of bending will, power, and fate to his own design.
Even as a boy, he possessed what Dumbledore would later call “a dangerous gift, the power to make others see what he wanted them to see, to make his lies sound like truth.”
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
30 min
108
HBO’s Harry Potter Reboot — EVERYTHING We Know ...
Hey everyone, welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. In today’s video, I’ll be breaking down everything we know so far about the upcoming Harry Potter TV show — from the budget and release date to confirmed casting, behind-the-scenes controversies, and even a few juicy rumours. Some of this was recorded today, while other sections are stitched together from previous videos — including the casting announcements.
Anyway, without further ado, let’s dive into it all, starting with…
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
39 min
109
What Happened to These 5 Forgotten Harry Potter...
In the past, I made a couple of videos covering WHAT HAPPENS to all of the major Harry Potter characters AFTER the books end. In fact, one such video covers the fates of 100 separate characters- exploring what they got up to when Voldemort was defeated and the dust had settled at Hogwarts.
But while making those videos, there were a number of characters I encountered whose fates (in the books, films, or both) were left…Pretty unclear. In some instances Rowling left THREADS of what may or may not have happened to them, but overall- their ultimate destinies remain a mystery.
Today we’re picking up right where we left off — looking at more familiar faces and uncovering what J.K. Rowling has revealed (or hinted at) about their fates in a post-Voldemort era.
Let’s dive in to it.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
10 min
110
The REAL Reason Dumbledore Never Became Master ...
The title of Master of Death is whispered in the wizarding world with awe and fear. It’s said to belong to whoever unites the three Deathly Hallows — the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Cloak of Invisibility — a collection of artifacts so legendary that even the most brilliant witches and wizards have spent lifetimes chasing them. To hold all three is to hold power beyond measure: the unbeatable wand, the ability to summon the dead, and the means to evade death itself. And ever since Death (or perhaps an unknown powerful wizard) created these artifacts..Few have ever come close to possessing all three.
But there is one wizard in particular who WAS close..
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
10 min
111
Why Didn’t Harry KEEP the Elder Wand? (The Dark...
Why Didn’t Harry KEEP the Elder Wand? (The Dark Truth) - Harry Potter Theory
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
11 min
112
Harry Potter Reboot Auditioning FEMALE Actors f...
Hey everyone, Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory
When Warner Bros. announced that the Harry Potter series would be rebooted as a full HBO production, fans were promised something bold: a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s seven books. More detail, more nuance, more of the cut material the films couldn’t fit.
And since it’s announcement, the series has been making headlines on a regular basis, with the latest rumor being the most controversial yet.
And it all began with Daniel Richtman, a well-known Hollywood scooper, who recently reported that HBO’s Harry Potter production is auditioning both men and women for the role of Voldemort.
“They’re auditioning both men and women for Voldemort so it’s possible we could see a female Voldemort in the Harry Potter series!”
You heard that right: Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord himself, might be played by a woman.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
8 min
113
Are the Hogwarts House Stereotypes TRUE? - Harr...
When a new student arrives at Hogwarts for the first time, one of the first things they’ll experience is the Sorting Ceremony- a right of passage in which you are allocated to one of the Four Hogwarts Houses- Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff.
And on some level, your House is meant to define the type of person that you are.
Gryffindors are brave. Hufflepuffs are loyal. Ravenclaws are smart, and Slytherins are ambitious.
At least…that’s what everybody says.
But where do these ideas actually come from? And are they really accurate, or are they just oversimplified labels that stuck around because they’re easy to repeat?
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
11 min
114
The 3 ANCIENT Deathly Hallows You've Never Hear...
Welcome to another instalment of Harry Potter Theory. Today, we’ll be discussing the Deathly Hallows…but not in the way you might think.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
8 min
115
The COMPLETE History of the Wizarding World: Ho...
Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. Today, I’ve got something really special for you- a compilation featuring the history behind nearly EVERY SINGLE magical location of significance in the Wizarding World. This video will feature Diagon Alley, Azkaban, Gringotts, the Ministry of Magic, Hogsmeade, the Leaky Cauldron, Godric’s Hollow, every Wizarding School, every Wizarding prison, the Forbidden Forest & MORE.
I’m heading off on a trip to the Harry Potter motherland this week- EDINBURGH- so I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to take a look back at years of content and put something special together.
Please note that due to the long time frame over which these videos were produced, there may be some variation in audio levels and a small amount of repeated information (though this should be minimal).
Anyway, without further ado- let’s dive into this comprehensive history of nearly every Wizarding World location.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
152 min
116
Was Barty Crouch Jr (FAKE Moody) the Best DADA ...
Today, we’ll be taking a look at the work that Barty Crouch Jr. did in his capacity as Hogwart’s Defense Against the Darks Arts Professor during Harry’s fourth year at school—and whether or not it was actually a better job than the REAL Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody could have done.
Before we dive in, I will admit that this may not be the…uhh…HOTTEST take. Across the Internet, from reddit to Facebook, fans of the Wizarding World have posted similar questions and had discussions about this very topic. And yet, I still think it worth our time in analyzing…because despite all that we feel we may know of Alastor Moody, the most amount of time spent with this character is in The Goblet of Fire…and, well, for most of that book/movie, it’s not really him that we’re spending time with but a Death Eater in disguise. As a result, fans of the series may FEEL like they know Mad-Eye…but it was actually Barty Crouch Jr. who they got to know.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
8 min
117
What Happened to the Dementors AFTER the Deathl...
Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. Imagine a creature that doesn’t die, no one can kill, and thrives on misery and despair. A creature that can’t be reasoned with, can’t be bribed, and whose presence alone makes human beings relive their worst moments.
Alright, now imagine THOUSANDS of them.
Not a great situation to deal with, right? But unfortunately, this is precisely what the Wizarding World, specifically the MINISTRY OF MAGIC- had to deal with after the fall of Voldemort.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
12 min
118
5 Harry Potter Characters with UNEXPLAINED Endi...
In the past, I made a couple of videos covering WHAT HAPPENS to all of the major Harry Potter characters AFTER the books end. In fact, one such video covers the fates of 100 separate characters- exploring what they got up to when Voldemort was defeated and the dust had settled at Hogwarts.
But while making those videos, there were a number of characters I encountered whose fates (in the books, films, or both) were left…Pretty unclear. In some instances Rowling left THREADS of what may or may not have happened to them, but overall- their ultimate destinies remain a mystery.
Did Lavender Brown actually die during the Battle of Hogwarts? Did Marietta Edgecombe ever get rid of those awful pimples left by Hermione’s jinx? And was Dolores Umbridge ever properly punished for her crimes?
Today we’ll be looking at 5 of these characters whose stories were left unfinished — the witches and wizards whose ultimate fates J.K. Rowling never revealed. If you want MORE of these taking a look at even MORE characters, then leave a comment down below.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
12 min
119
HUGE Harry Potter Reboot News: Warwick Davis RE...
Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Another week, and another exciting batch of Harry Potter news- especially for those of us keeping a close eye on the upcoming HBO reboot. Today we’ll be breaking down some major updates — including the return of an iconic cast member from the original films, a wave of new casting announcements covering both staff and students, and even some chatter about yet ANOTHER potential Harry Potter series on the horizon (I know, it sounds too good to be true..But is it?).
Before we dive in, don’t forget to subscribe to the channel if you want to stay up to date on all things Harry Potter — as I’ll be covering every new update as soon as it drops.
Anyway, I won’t dawdle any longer…let’s dive in.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
8 min
120
How The Harry Potter Movies DESTROYED Ron Weasley
Hey everyone,
Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. Over the years I’ve done a few videos taking a look at major differences between the book and film versions of different characters, but the focal point in the past has always been more of a “spot the difference” angle.
This time, the angle is different, and this video will serve as the first in a series of videos examining adaptation injustices: not just what was altered, but who got shortchanged and how those choices warped the character that we grew to love on the page.
Today, I’m making the case that the films failed Ron Weasley—consistently sanding off his courage, wit, and heart until only a comic outline remained. Basically, Ron got nerfed.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
14 min
121
SET LEAKS from the Harry Potter HBO Series (Wea...
Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. It’s been an exciting week for Harry Potter-in particular the upcoming show, with a wave of new updates hitting the internet. In today’s video, we’ll be breaking it all down — from comments by Chris Columbus, director of the original film series, to intriguing remarks from the show’s producer Mark Mylod, plus a first look at the newly-cast Weasley family, and even some fresh set leaks from the past 48 hours.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
8 min
122
Who Taught Dumbledore? And Why Was He So POWERF...
Albus Percival Wulfric BRIAN Dumbledore is perhaps the greatest Wizard in history. This much is the truth, and it’s also something that even a stubborn dark wizard like Voldemort would have to admit (although perhaps not openly).
Far from a one trick pony, by the time Dumbledore reached the tender age of 115 he had mastered nearly every branch of magic—from charms and transfiguration to potions, alchemy, and beyond.
And this mastery wasn’t just theoretical—it was proven time and time again in the real world. In 1945 he famously defeated Gellert Grindelwald, ending one of the darkest chapters in wizarding history and claiming the Elder Wand in the process. And many decades later, Dumbledore duelled the next big dark Wizard with ease- effortlessly standing toe to toe with Voldemort in the MInistry atrium in 1996.
But Dumbledore’s brilliance extended far beyond combat—he was a skilled Legilimens and Occlumens, capable of reading and shielding minds; a master of wandless and nonverbal casting, performing feats most wizards wouldn’t dare attempt; and a gifted inventor, credited with magical creations like the Deluminator. He even collaborated with Nicolas Flamel, gaining insights into the mysteries of alchemy. Time and again, Dumbledore demonstrated that his power wasn’t rooted in a single specialty but in a boundless command of magic itself.
Which begs the question: how did he become such a beacon of knowledge and power? And even more specifically- who taught the man that knew everything?
Let’s dive in to it
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
17 min
123
These Harry Potter Myths Were NEVER Canon (But ...
Hey everyone, Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. Today, we’re diving into part 2 of the moments in the Harry Potter universe that everyone remembers… but remembers wrong- a major contributor to this being the FILMS. In adapting the books to the big screen, the filmmakers took plenty of creative liberties...Personalities were altered, entirely new scenes were invented, character roles were switched and whole sections of the books were simply cut
And over time, some of these changes have blurred the lines between book and film so much that, for many fans, they’ve fused into a single version of the story.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
10 min
124
Why Was Lavender Brown Played by 3 Different Ac...
One of the strangest things about Lavender Brown’s character is that she was portrayed by not one, not two, but three different actresses over the course of the films — changing between Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, and finally Half-Blood Prince. But what’s the reason behind all of this? Why was she played by 3 different people?
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
8 min
125
Why Did Sirius Black Keep Acting SO GUILTY? - H...
By the time we’ve finished Prisoner of Azkaban we’re meant to believe that Sirius Black was INNOCENT of the crimes for which he was accused.
For those who might be a little fuzzy on the details, Sirius wasn’t just some random fugitive — he was Harry’s godfather, a loyal member of the Order of the Phoenix, and once the closest friend of Harry’s father, James Potter.
And as we get closer to the end of the book/film, it’s finally revealed to Harry that the true traitor was Peter Pettigrew, not Sirius.
It was Pettigrew who had betrayed James and Lily to Voldemort.
It was Pettigrew who had faked his own death.
And it was Pettigrew who had framed Sirius for the murder of twelve Muggles in broad daylight.
Before we as readers — or Harry — learned the truth, the version of Sirius we were given was that of a dangerous, half-mad fugitive: the first wizard to ever escape from Azkaban, a man believed to have murdered thirteen people with a single curse, and someone whose very name could strike fear into the Wizarding population.
And after these initial revelations of Sirius’ innocence come to light, Harry’s relationship with Sirius blossoms almost overnight — I’d argue, a little too quickly. In a matter of pages, Sirius goes from “the man who betrayed my parents” to “the godfather I never had,” with Harry seemingly almost immediately ready to drop the Dursleys behind and go and live with him (although we know, he couldn’t do that).
But here’s my question: if Sirius was truly innocent, why didn’t he act like it? Why did so many of his choices — from the moment of his arrest to his escape and eventual return — seem to confirm the image of a dangerous, unstable man?
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.