10 Harry Potter Theories You Won't Be Able to Wrap Your Head Around

The last Harry Potter book came out nine years ago, but that hasn't stopped Potterheads from analyzing every aspect of the series. Plenty of theories surfaced in 2016, like Draco Malfoy possibly being a werewolf, a plot twist about what the Deathly Hallows stands for, and heartwarming ideas about Neville Longbottom. Before you reread the series again, check out the favorite theories we read about this year, many of which have been around for ages.

01
Hermione knows all.
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Hermione knows all.

A Reddit user caught a tiny detail about just how much information Hermione retained in all her classes. During their fifth year, Harry and Ron almost drink Wizard Baruffio's Brain Elixir, but Hermione remembers that he's not a clever wizard and quickly gets rid of their drink.

02
Cedric could've almost lived.
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Cedric could've almost lived.

One theory speculates how Slytherins may have joined the rest of Hogwarts in the fight against Voldemort if one key detail changed in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. A Tumblr user found a passage noting that Slytherin Cassius Warrington also cast his name in the Goblet of Fire. If he were chosen and followed the same path as Cedric did, Slytherins would've totally rejected Voldemort — as he would've killed Warrington, a pure blood.

03
Dumbledore is death.
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Dumbledore is death.

This theory is one of J.K. Rowling's favorites and is simple: Professor Dumbledore is death, which makes sense considering he greets Harry at King's Cross in the last book.

04
Salazar Slytherin wanted to protect anyone magical — not outcast others.
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Salazar Slytherin wanted to protect anyone magical — not outcast others.

In the series, you're essentially told that Salazar Slytherin was terrible and only wanted to invite pure bloods to Hogwarts. However, one theory suggests that Slytherin was actually trying to protect wizards and witches, as Hogwarts was founded during the witch hunt era.

05
Draco may not be just a wizard.
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Draco may not be just a wizard.

One theory J.K. Rowling doesn't agree with? The theory that suggests Draco Malfoy is a werewolf. The idea is that Draco was bitten by Fenrir Greyback as punishment for Lucius's mess at the Hall of Mysteries.

06
Hagrid is more powerful than any of us realize.
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Hagrid is more powerful than any of us realize.

Considering several stunners can't even knock Hagrid down, one theory suggests that Hagrid may have had magical abilities that no one knew about. His power, though unknown, was possibly something like Tonks's rare metamorphmagus ability.

07
Neville deserves more credit than anyone gives him.
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Neville deserves more credit than anyone gives him.

Draco isn't the only person to pick on Neville. It feels like most of his classmates think he's not brave and is someone who can't ever stand up for himself. However, one theory suggests otherwise. A Tumblr user brought up that Neville faced one of his fears every day (Professor Snape) and even stood up to Voldemort after he won, proving that he is incredibly brave.

08
The story of the Peverell brothers isn't what it seems.
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The story of the Peverell brothers isn't what it seems.

Isn't it mysterious how connected Harry is to each tool of the Deathly Hallows? Well, it might be because Harry isn't actually fully alive, purports one theory.

09
Neville wasn't a bad wizard — he just didn't have the right wand.
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Neville wasn't a bad wizard — he just didn't have the right wand.

Neville wasn't the greatest wizard in the books and ended up fumbling plenty of spells. But as one theory suggests, it's all because Neville is using his dad's wand. We're told in the first book that the "wand chooses the wizard," and Neville never had that opportunity until after Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. After that book, Neville had his own wand and became a stronger wizard with it.

10
Dumbledore was a little darker than we all imagined.
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Dumbledore was a little darker than we all imagined.

One dark theory that J.K. Rowling doesn't like involves Fawkes and Dumbledore. The theory suggests that though Dumbledore didn't directly kill his sister, he felt so guilty about it that he was able to create a horcrux — and made Fawkes it.