Harry Potter Theory

Every year, dozens of children make their way to King's Cross Station in London, running through a brick wall within minutes of arriving. But somehow. Someway..Nobody ever seems to notice, despite this being one of the busiest train stations in Britain.

Next there’s Hogwarts. A MASSIVE castle in the middle of the Scottish Highlands, surrounded by an equally massive forest filled with magical creatures. But..Nobody has ever noticed it?

Today we’ll be discussing what exactly stops Muggles from seeing these things. And perhaps more importantly, what happens if they DO see them.

Questions Answered / Topics Discussed

• How is the wizarding world hidden from Muggles in Harry Potter?
• Why can't Muggles see Hogwarts?
• What happens if a Muggle finds Hogwarts?
• How is Hogwarts concealed from the Muggle world?
• What do Muggles see when they look at Hogwarts?
• Can Muggles accidentally enter Hogwarts?
• What magical protections surround Hogwarts Castle?
• Why is Hogwarts located in the Scottish Highlands?
• How does Platform 9¾ remain hidden from Muggles?
• Why don't Muggles notice students running through the wall at King's Cross Station?
• Can Muggles see Platform 9¾?
• What happens if a Muggle tries to enter Platform 9¾?
• How does the magical barrier at King's Cross Station work?
• Can Muggle parents accompany their children onto Platform 9¾?
• How do Muggle-born witches and wizards find Platform 9¾?
• What are Muggle-Repelling Charms in Harry Potter?
• How do wizards prevent Muggles from discovering magic?
• What happens when Muggles accidentally witness magic?
• How does the Ministry of Magic maintain the International Statute of Secrecy?
• What are Memory Charms, and how are they used to conceal magic?
• How are other magical locations, including Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron, hidden from Muggles?
• Could the wizarding world ever be discovered by Muggles?
• Why hasn't the existence of magic been exposed to the Muggle world?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey everyone, welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory.

I haven’t made a news-style video in a couple of months, and there have been quite a few updates across both the show and the gaming side of things, so I thought I’d quickly chime in.

Questions Answered / Topics Discussed

• What are the latest Harry Potter news and updates?
• What new information has been revealed about HBO's Harry Potter TV series?
• Who are the newest actors joining the Harry Potter HBO cast?
• Who is playing James Potter in the new Harry Potter series?
• Who is playing Lily Potter in HBO's Harry Potter remake?
• Who is playing Charlie Weasley in the Harry Potter HBO series?
• Who is Harry Gilby, the actor playing Charlie Weasley?
• What do the new James and Lily Potter actors look like?
• How does HBO's Harry Potter cast compare to the original movies?
• Will HBO's Harry Potter series be more faithful to the books?
• Will Harry Potter and Lily Potter have matching eye colours in the HBO adaptation?
• Why is Harry Potter's eye colour important to the story?
• When is HBO's Harry Potter series coming out?
• What do we know about Harry Potter Season 2?
• Has production on Harry Potter Season 2 already begun?
• What is the latest news about Hogwarts Legacy 2?
• Is Hogwarts Legacy 2 officially in development?
• When could Hogwarts Legacy 2 be released?
• What can fans expect from the next Hogwarts Legacy game?
• What other Harry Potter games and Wizarding World projects are coming?
• What does the future hold for the Harry Potter franchise?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Voldemort deliberately created SIX Horcruxes in his pursuit of immortality. But there was a seventh. One he never intended to make, and that portion of his soul lived inside of Harry.

So my question is: How did the wizard who pushed the limits of SOUL magic more than anyone NOT realize that a piece of it was living inside his greatest enemy?

Let’s dive into it.

Questions Answered / Topics Discussed

• Why didn't Voldemort realize Harry was a Horcrux?
• Why didn't Voldemort know Harry was one of his own Horcruxes?
• How did Harry Potter become an accidental Horcrux?
• Was Harry Potter actually a Horcrux?
• How many Horcruxes did Voldemort create?
• What were Voldemort's seven Horcruxes?
• Why did Voldemort want to create seven Horcruxes?
• How do Horcruxes work in Harry Potter?
• Why couldn't Voldemort sense the fragment of his soul inside Harry?
• Could Voldemort sense when one of his Horcruxes was destroyed?
• Did Voldemort ever suspect Harry was a Horcrux?
• Why didn't Voldemort recognize the connection between himself and Harry?
• Why could Harry Potter speak Parseltongue?
• Why could Harry see into Voldemort's mind?
• Why did Harry and Voldemort share a mental connection?
• Did Voldemort understand what happened in Godric's Hollow in 1981?
• Why did Voldemort lose his body when he tried to kill Harry?
• How did Dumbledore know Harry was a Horcrux?
• When did Dumbledore first suspect Harry contained part of Voldemort's soul?
• Why didn't Voldemort realize Harry was a Horcrux after regaining his body?
• Did Voldemort ever discover that Harry was a Horcrux?
• When did Voldemort find out about his destroyed Horcruxes?
• Why did Voldemort believe nobody else knew about his Horcruxes?
• Did Voldemort's arrogance prevent him from discovering the truth?
• Why did Voldemort need to kill Harry himself?
• Why did Harry survive Voldemort's Killing Curse in the Forbidden Forest?
• Why did Harry Potter come back to life?
• How was Voldemort finally defeated?
• Could Voldemort have won if he knew Harry was a Horcrux?
• Was Harry Potter becoming a Horcrux Voldemort's biggest mistake?
• Voldemort's Horcruxes explained
• Harry Potter and Voldemort's connection explained
• Harry Potter mysteries and hidden secrets explained

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dumbledore was arguably the most powerful wizard of his generation. Actually, scratch that, I don’t think it’s even arguable.

He famously defeated Gellert Grindelwald, his list of magical accomplishments is completely unparalleled, and perhaps most significant of all: he was the only wizard Lord Voldemort ever truly feared. But somehow, throughout BOTH Wizarding Wars, Voldemort's followers were seemingly free to terrorize the wizarding world. They’d murder, torture and kidnap with what seemed like FREE REIGN.

So here’s my question: Why didn't Dumbledore just get rid of them?

Questions Answered / Topics Covered:

• Why didn't Dumbledore kill the Death Eaters?
• Why didn't Dumbledore hunt down Voldemort's followers?
• Could Dumbledore have defeated all of the Death Eaters?
• Why did Dumbledore let Death Eaters live?
• How powerful was Dumbledore compared to Voldemort's Death Eaters?
• Why didn't the Order of the Phoenix eliminate Voldemort's followers?
• Why did Lucius Malfoy avoid Azkaban?
• How did Death Eaters escape punishment after the First Wizarding War?
• Why did Dumbledore refuse to become Minister for Magic?
• Why did Dumbledore spare Draco Malfoy?
• Why did Dumbledore trust Severus Snape?
• Why didn't Dumbledore use Avada Kedavra?
• Could Dumbledore have prevented Voldemort's return?
• Why was Peter Pettigrew important to Voldemort's resurrection?
• Why did the Dementors betray the Ministry of Magic?
• How did the Death Eaters escape from Azkaban?
• Why didn't Dumbledore stop the Second Wizarding War?
• What was Barty Crouch Senior's role in the First Wizarding War?
• Could Dumbledore have prevented the deaths caused by Voldemort's followers?
• Why didn't Dumbledore take matters into his own hands?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Voldemort was the most dangerous Dark wizard in history. He split his soul, he could fly without a broom, and he could read minds.

But one person he could never kill, no matter how powerful he seemed to get, was Harry Potter.

But what if he changed his approach?

Questions Answered / Topics Covered:

• Why couldn't Voldemort kill Harry Potter?
• Why didn't Voldemort just kill Harry without magic?
• Could Voldemort have killed Harry with a gun or knife?
• Why did Harry Potter survive the Killing Curse?
• How did Lily Potter's protection work?
• Was Harry Potter immortal because he was a Horcrux?
• Could Harry Potter have died from ordinary injuries?
• Why did Voldemort fail to kill Harry so many times?
• How did Harry survive Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest?
• What was the connection between Harry Potter and Voldemort?
• Why did Voldemort use Harry's blood to resurrect himself?
• Could Voldemort have killed Harry in the Goblet of Fire graveyard?
• Why didn't the Death Eaters kill Harry Potter?
• What did the prophecy say about Harry and Voldemort?
• Did Voldemort have to kill Harry himself?
• Why didn't Voldemort use Muggle weapons?
• Why did Voldemort hate Muggles despite being half-blood?
• How did Voldemort's arrogance lead to his downfall?
• What was Voldemort's biggest mistake?
• Could Voldemort have defeated Harry Potter without the Elder Wand?
• What did J.K. Rowling reveal about Harry Potter's mortality?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twelve years. That's how long Sirius Black spent in Azkaban for crimes he never committed.

And all that time, Dumbledore, one of the wisest wizards in history, believed he was guilty.

But what’s strange about all of this is that Dumbledore knew Sirius personally. He also knew just how close he was with the Potters.

So my question is: how did the same wizard who saw through Voldemort's greatest deceptions get tricked by…A rat.

Topics Covered:

• Why Dumbledore believed Sirius Black was guilty
• Why Dumbledore didn't realize Sirius Black was innocent
• Sirius Black's wrongful imprisonment in Azkaban
• Why Sirius Black never received a trial
• How Peter Pettigrew framed Sirius Black
• Who really betrayed James and Lily Potter
• Why Sirius Black was blamed for the Potters' deaths
• The Fidelius Charm and the Potters' Secret-Keeper
• Why Sirius switched Secret-Keepers with Peter Pettigrew
• Dumbledore's role in Sirius Black's imprisonment
• Why Remus Lupin believed Sirius was guilty
• How Peter Pettigrew escaped and faked his death
• Why Sirius Black was laughing when he was arrested
• Barty Crouch Senior and the Ministry of Magic
• Why Dumbledore defended Snape but not Sirius
• Veritaserum and truth potions in Harry Potter
• Why Dumbledore didn't use Legilimency on Sirius
• The Marauders and the First Wizarding War
• How Sirius Black escaped Azkaban
• Why Dumbledore helped Sirius escape in Prisoner of Azkaban
• Harry Potter book lore and hidden details

Questions Answered:

• Why didn't Dumbledore know Sirius Black was innocent?
• Why didn't Dumbledore save Sirius Black from Azkaban?
• Why did Dumbledore think Sirius betrayed the Potters?
• Did Dumbledore know Sirius Black was innocent?
• Did Dumbledore believe Sirius Black was guilty?
• Why didn't Dumbledore investigate Sirius Black?
• Why didn't Sirius Black get a trial?
• Why was Sirius Black sent to Azkaban without a trial?
• Why didn't Dumbledore use Veritaserum on Sirius?
• Could Dumbledore have used Legilimency to prove Sirius was innocent?
• Why didn't Sirius tell Dumbledore about Peter Pettigrew?
• Why did Sirius Black switch Secret-Keepers?
• Who was the Potters' real Secret-Keeper?
• How did Peter Pettigrew frame Sirius Black?
• How did Peter Pettigrew fake his death?
• Why did Sirius Black laugh after Peter Pettigrew escaped?
• Why did Remus Lupin think Sirius was the traitor?
• Why did Sirius suspect Remus Lupin?
• Why did Dumbledore believe Snape instead of Sirius?
• Why didn't Dumbledore give Sirius the benefit of the doubt?
• Why did Barty Crouch send Sirius Black to Azkaban?
• How long was Sirius Black imprisoned in Azkaban?
• How did Sirius Black survive the Dementors?
• How did Sirius Black escape Azkaban?
• Why couldn't Sirius Black prove his innocence?
• Why did Dumbledore help Sirius escape with the Time-Turner?
• Was Sirius Black ever officially proven innocent?
• What really happened to Sirius Black in 1981?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the Half-Blood Prince, the series introduces us to one of the most serious magical agreements in the wizarding world: the Unbreakable Vow. But somehow..It's only used ONCE?

Topics Covered:

• Unbreakable Vow explained
• How the Unbreakable Vow works in Harry Potter
• The rules and limitations of the Unbreakable Vow
• Snape and Narcissa's Unbreakable Vow in Half-Blood Prince
• Bellatrix Lestrange and the Unbreakable Vow
• Why wizards don't use Unbreakable Vows more often
• Why Voldemort didn't use Unbreakable Vows
• Voldemort's obsession with loyalty and betrayal
• How Snape deceived Voldemort
• Could an Unbreakable Vow have exposed Snape?
• Fred and George's Unbreakable Vow on Ron Weasley
• Arthur Weasley's reaction to the Unbreakable Vow
• Peter Pettigrew's betrayal of James and Lily Potter
• The Fidelius Charm versus the Unbreakable Vow
• Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix
• Could Unbreakable Vows have prevented betrayal?
• Unbreakable Vows and the Ministry of Magic
• The dangers of magical contracts
• Can Unbreakable Vows be broken?
• The consequences of breaking an Unbreakable Vow
• Could Unbreakable Vows have changed the Wizarding Wars?
• Unbreakable Vow plot holes in Harry Potter
• Unexplained rules of magic in the Wizarding World

Questions Answered:

• What is an Unbreakable Vow in Harry Potter?
• How does the Unbreakable Vow work?
• What happens if you break an Unbreakable Vow?
• Can you survive breaking an Unbreakable Vow?
• Can an Unbreakable Vow be reversed or cancelled?
• Why don't wizards use Unbreakable Vows all the time?
• Why didn't Voldemort make his Death Eaters take Unbreakable Vows?
• Why didn't Voldemort make Snape swear his loyalty?
• Could an Unbreakable Vow have exposed Snape as a double agent?
• Why did Narcissa make Snape take an Unbreakable Vow?
• What exactly did Snape promise Narcissa?
• Did Snape fulfil his Unbreakable Vow?
• Why did Bellatrix help Narcissa make the vow?
• Did Fred and George really try to make Ron take an Unbreakable Vow?
• How old was Ron when Fred and George tried to make him take one?
• Can children perform Unbreakable Vows?
• Why was Arthur Weasley so angry with Fred and George?
• Could an Unbreakable Vow have prevented Peter Pettigrew from betraying the Potters?
• Why didn't James and Lily make Pettigrew take an Unbreakable Vow?
• Why didn't Dumbledore use Unbreakable Vows in the Order of the Phoenix?
• Could the Ministry of Magic use Unbreakable Vows to prevent crime?
• Are Unbreakable Vows illegal in Harry Potter?
• Can someone be forced to take an Unbreakable Vow?
• Can an Unbreakable Vow be made under the Imperius Curse?
• Can an Unbreakable Vow prevent someone from revealing a secret?
• Can someone deliberately break an Unbreakable Vow?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malfoid...?

Now, before we get started I’ll just quickly acknowledge that this one’s a bit outside of my normal wheelhouse. However, the demand has been undeniable in the comments.

Now, to be clear, I hadn’t even heard of this ‘Malfoid’ concept until it started popping up in my comment section. I’m not on TikTok because I just can’t have that app and all of the time it steals from me on my phone.

But the cole’s notes are this: it’s a WHAT IF viral fanfic where Harry’s nemesis Malfoy is a GIRL instead of a BOY. Now, I’ve gotta say that at first glance this doesn’t really feel like it would be that significant. The fandom seems to be doing this kind of thing all the time. BUT, according to what people are saying online, it actually makes for a better story- and there appears to be some rationale behind that.

Which is why today I’m going to be unpacking this fanfic and trying to make some sense of it all. Is this just another internet fad or..Could there actually be something here?

Questions Answered / Topics Discussed:

• What is Malfoid?
• What is Malfoid in the Harry Potter fandom?
• What does Malfoid mean?
• Why is the Malfoid trend going viral right now?
• Where did the name Malfoid come from?
• Is Malfoid an official Harry Potter character?
• Who created the Malfoid trend?
• How is Malfoid different from regular female Draco Malfoy fan art?
• Why are people saying Malfoid improves the Harry Potter story?
• Does the female Draco Malfoy version actually make the story better?
• What does the typical Malfoid design look like?
• Why is everyone drawing Draco Malfoy as a girl?
• Is Malfoid just a meme or a bigger Harry Potter fan trend?
• When did the Malfoid trend start?
• Why is the female version of Draco Malfoy blowing up in 2026?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Harry, DID YOU PUT YOUR NAME INTO THE GOBLET OF FIRE?”

Dumbledore said calmly…

The delivery of this line from Michael Gambon will probably go down in history.

But for all the attention this scene has received over the years, I do actually think there's a much bigger question that's always been overlooked..And that’s:

Why didn't Harry just..REFUSE to participate?

Questions Answered / Topics Covered:

• Why didn't Harry Potter refuse to compete in the Triwizard Tournament?
• What would have happened if Harry refused to participate in the Triwizard Tournament?
• Could Harry Potter have broken the magical contract with the Goblet of Fire?
• What happens if someone breaks a binding magical contract in Harry Potter?
• Why was Harry forced to compete in the Triwizard Tournament?
• Could Harry have forfeited or deliberately failed the Triwizard Tournament tasks?
• Why couldn't Dumbledore remove Harry's name from the Goblet of Fire?
• How did Barty Crouch Jr. trick the Goblet of Fire into selecting Harry Potter?
• Why did the Goblet of Fire choose Harry as a fourth champion?
• What are the rules of the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire?
• Why was the Triwizard Tournament considered so dangerous?
• What were the three tasks in the Triwizard Tournament?
• Why did Voldemort need Harry to participate in the Triwizard Tournament?
• How did Barty Crouch Jr. manipulate the Triwizard Tournament?
• Why did Dumbledore allow Harry to participate despite being underage?
• What was Voldemort's plan in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire?
• How did Harry Potter survive the Triwizard Tournament?
• What are the biggest plot holes and unanswered questions in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire?
• What are the limitations of magical contracts in the Harry Potter universe?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lockhart. Umbridge. Quirrell. Dangerous werewolf. Imposter Professor. Were theyreally the best the Wizarding World had to offer?

For a magical school with a reputation like Hogwarts, it feels quite unusual that these people ever stepped in the castle, let alone TAUGHT actual students. But when it comes to the role of DADA professor, Hogwarts just can’t seem to get it right.

Or is it just that…Dumbledore can’t get it right?

Questions Answered / Topics Discussed

• Why did Dumbledore keep hiring terrible professors at Hogwarts?
• Why did Dumbledore hire Gilderoy Lockhart if he knew Lockhart was a fraud?
• Did Dumbledore know the Defence Against the Dark Arts position was cursed?
• Why did Voldemort curse the Defence Against the Dark Arts position?
• Why could no Defence Against the Dark Arts professor last more than one year?
• Did the DADA curse make it harder for Dumbledore to find good teachers over time?
• Why did Dumbledore hire Quirinus Quirrell?
• Why did Dumbledore hire Remus Lupin during the year Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban?
• Did Sirius Black’s escape influence Dumbledore’s decision to hire Lupin?
• Why did Dumbledore convince Alastor Moody to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts?
• Why was Dolores Umbridge allowed to become Defence Against the Dark Arts professor?
• Did Dumbledore know Umbridge would only last one year?
• Why did Dumbledore refuse to give Snape the DADA job for so many years?
• Why did Dumbledore finally make Snape Defence Against the Dark Arts professor in Half-Blood Prince?
• Was Dumbledore deliberately using the cursed DADA position for other purposes?
• Did Dumbledore value loyalty, experience and circumstance over actual teaching ability?
• Why did Dumbledore hire questionable teachers like Trelawney, Hagrid and Professor Binns?
• Was Gilderoy Lockhart’s appointment part of Dumbledore’s plan to expose him?
• Did Voldemort’s curse weaken Defence Against the Dark Arts education at Hogwarts?
• Did the DADA curse eventually lead to the creation of Dumbledore’s Army?
• Who was the best Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts?
• Who was the worst Defence Against the Dark Arts professor?
• What happened to every Defence Against the Dark Arts professor in Harry Potter?
• Why was the Defence Against the Dark Arts job considered cursed?
• How much did Dumbledore really know about Voldemort’s curse?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the 94 school year began, like with any other year, all of the students gathered to the great hall at the beginning of term. This was an opportunity for Dumbledore and any professors to address the student body at the beginning of the year- announcing anything pertaining to the upcoming school year. And just like any other year, once again, a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher took over- which in this case was famed death eater Captor Alastor ‘Mad Eye’ Moody. He was in the business of capturing dark wizards, and business was booming. The prospect of having Alastor Moody teaching ‘defence against the dark arts’ was exciting-I mean, he was an expert after all, but at the same time there was something odd about Moody. From the moment he first enters the great hall, students are transfixed by him.

Topics Covered / Questions Answered

• Why didn’t Dumbledore realize Mad-Eye Moody was fake?
• Did Dumbledore know Moody was actually Barty Crouch Jr.?
• How did Barty Crouch Jr. fool Dumbledore for an entire school year?
• How did Barty Crouch Jr. impersonate Mad-Eye Moody so convincingly?
• Why didn’t Dumbledore recognize that Moody was acting differently?
• How did Barty Crouch Jr. know so much about the real Moody?
• Why was Barty Crouch Jr. such a convincing fake Moody?
• What clues did Dumbledore miss about fake Moody?
• What clues revealed that Moody was actually Barty Crouch Jr.?
• Why didn’t Snape realize Moody was stealing Polyjuice Potion ingredients?
• Why didn’t Harry realize Barty Crouch Jr. was on the Marauder’s Map?
• How close was Barty Crouch Jr. to being exposed?
• Why did Barty Crouch Jr. take the Marauder’s Map from Harry?
• Why did Barty Crouch Sr. try to warn Dumbledore?
• How did Barty Crouch Jr. fool everyone at Hogwarts?
• Did anyone suspect Mad-Eye Moody during Goblet of Fire?
• Why did Dumbledore trust Mad-Eye Moody?
• When did Dumbledore realize Moody was an imposter?
• What mistake finally exposed Barty Crouch Jr.?
• Why was the real Mad-Eye Moody kept alive?
• How did Barty Crouch Jr. use Polyjuice Potion for an entire school year?
• Could Dumbledore have discovered fake Moody sooner?
• Why was Harry entered into the Triwizard Tournament?
• Who put Harry’s name in the Goblet of Fire?
• How did Barty Crouch Jr. manipulate the Triwizard Tournament?
• Why did Voldemort need Harry for his return?
• What was Voldemort’s plan in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

The most evil and powerful dark wizard of all time takes over your child's school. Are you sending them or not? That's probably the question many parents of Hogwarts students had to ask themselves in the beginning of Deathly Hallows. Pull your child out of their routine and deprive them of a chance at magical education..Or…Send them to a school that’s been taken over by a tyrannical dark wizard.

Excellent options.

Topics Covered:

• Why students still went to Hogwarts in the Deathly Hallows
• Hogwarts under Voldemort explained
• Voldemort takes over the Ministry of Magic
• Compulsory Hogwarts attendance in Deathly Hallows
• Why parents sent their kids back to Hogwarts
• Why students didn’t stay home in year seven
• Blood status checks at Hogwarts
• Muggle-born Registration Commission explained
• What happened to Muggle-born students in Deathly Hallows
• Snape as Headmaster of Hogwarts
• The Carrows at Hogwarts explained
• Dark Arts lessons under Voldemort
• Dumbledore’s Army in the Deathly Hallows
• Snatchers and families in hiding
• Dean Thomas and students who went on the run
• Hogwarts homeschooling before Voldemort
• Could students be sent abroad instead of Hogwarts
• Death Eater control of Hogwarts
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows lore explained
• Wizarding World laws during the Second Wizarding War

Questions Answered:

• Why didn’t students stay home after Voldemort took Hogwarts?
• Why did parents still send their kids to Hogwarts in the Deathly Hallows?
• Was Hogwarts attendance mandatory under Voldemort?
• When did Hogwarts become compulsory in Harry Potter?
• Why couldn’t wizarding families homeschool their children in the Deathly Hallows?
• Why couldn’t British students go to Beauxbatons or Durmstrang instead of Hogwarts?
• What happened if parents refused to send their child to Hogwarts?
• Did Snatchers hunt families who kept their kids home from Hogwarts?
• Why did Voldemort want every young witch and wizard at Hogwarts?
• How did mandatory Hogwarts attendance help Voldemort control the Wizarding World?
• What were blood status checks at Hogwarts in the Deathly Hallows?
• What happened to Muggle-born students who tried to return to Hogwarts?
• Why didn’t Dean Thomas go back to Hogwarts in the Deathly Hallows?
• Who was Headmaster of Hogwarts after Dumbledore died?
• What did Alecto and Amycus Carrow teach at Hogwarts?
• How dangerous was Hogwarts during the 1997–1998 school year?
• Which students returned to Hogwarts in Harry Potter’s seventh year?
• What does Remus Lupin say about Hogwarts attendance in Deathly Hallows?
• Why was Hogwarts safer to skip before Voldemort took the Ministry?
• Did Harry, Ron, and Hermione go to Hogwarts in the Deathly Hallows?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Felix Felicis doesn’t just make you more confident, at least not according to the way it is presented. It’s supposed to make the drinker lucky in all of their endeavours, and when Harry takes it we actually see that play out- accomplishing all sorts of things that had seemed completely out of reach beforehand.

But if potions like this can be brewed, the logical first question is: Why isn't it being used far more often?

Topics Covered:

• Felix Felicis explained
• Liquid Luck in Harry Potter
• How Felix Felicis actually works
• The rules and limitations of Liquid Luck
• Harry Potter potion lore
• Professor Slughorn and Felix Felicis
• Harry using Liquid Luck in Half-Blood Prince
• Why Felix Felicis is banned in competitions
• Can Liquid Luck change the future?
• Can Felix Felicis make you invincible?
• Why wizards don’t use Liquid Luck all the time
• The dangers of drinking too much Felix Felicis
• How powerful is Felix Felicis?
• Does Liquid Luck guarantee success?
• Could Felix Felicis be used in battle?
• How Liquid Luck affects the drinker’s decisions
• Felix Felicis and free will
• The limits of luck in the Wizarding World

Questions Answered:

• What is Liquid Luck in Harry Potter?
• What does Felix Felicis do?
• How does Felix Felicis work?
• Why is Felix Felicis so powerful?
• Does Felix Felicis actually make you lucky?
• Does Liquid Luck guarantee that you get what you want?
• Can Felix Felicis change the future?
• Can Felix Felicis prevent you from dying?
• Could Voldemort have used Liquid Luck?
• Could Felix Felicis be used in a duel or battle?
• Why didn’t Harry use Liquid Luck more often?
• Why don’t wizards constantly use Felix Felicis?
• Why is Felix Felicis illegal in sporting events and competitions?
• What happens if you drink too much Felix Felicis?
• How difficult is Felix Felicis to make?
• How long does Liquid Luck last?
• Did Harry actually drink Felix Felicis before the Quidditch match?
• Why did Harry use Felix Felicis on Slughorn?
• Is Felix Felicis one of the most powerful potions in Harry Potter?
• What are the limitations of Liquid Luck?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. Today we’re going to be discussing Frank and Alice Longbottom, otherwise known as the parents of Neville Longbottom. Specifically, we’ll be taking a closer look at their history—who they were, what they were like—and then shifting to what happened to them at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange and the other Death Eaters.

This is another one of those topics that the movies barely touch on, so if you haven’t read the books, there should be a lot of information for you here.

Topics Discussed:

• The tragic history of Frank and Alice Longbottom
• What happened to Neville Longbottom’s parents
• Why Bellatrix Lestrange tortured the Longbottoms
• Why the Death Eaters targeted Frank and Alice Longbottom
• Frank and Alice Longbottom’s careers as Aurors
• The Longbottoms during the First Wizarding War
• Frank and Alice Longbottom in the original Order of the Phoenix
• Voldemort’s disappearance after attacking Harry Potter
• Bellatrix Lestrange, Rodolphus Lestrange, Rabastan Lestrange and Barty Crouch Jr.
• The torture of Frank and Alice Longbottom
• The Cruciatus Curse and its effects
• Why the Longbottoms were tortured into insanity
• What information the Death Eaters wanted from the Longbottoms
• The trial of Bellatrix Lestrange and the other Death Eaters
• Frank and Alice Longbottom at St Mungo’s Hospital
• Neville Longbottom’s childhood and family history
• Augusta Longbottom raising Neville
• Neville visiting his parents at St Mungo’s
• Alice Longbottom giving Neville sweet wrappers
• How Neville’s parents shaped his personality and character
• Neville Longbottom’s development throughout Harry Potter
• Neville’s connection to the prophecy
• Neville Longbottom and Harry Potter’s parallel childhoods
• Harry Potter book details left out of the movies
• Harry Potter lore, character history and Wizarding War explained

Questions Answered:

• What happened to Neville Longbottom’s parents?
• Why was Neville So BAD at Magic?
• Why were Frank and Alice Longbottom tortured?
• Why did Bellatrix Lestrange torture Neville’s parents?
• Who tortured Frank and Alice Longbottom?
• Were Neville’s parents killed?
• Why did Neville’s parents go insane?
• What did the Death Eaters want from Frank and Alice Longbottom?
• Did Frank and Alice know where Voldemort was?
• Why did Bellatrix believe the Longbottoms had information about Voldemort?
• Were Frank and Alice Longbottom Aurors?
• How powerful were Neville Longbottom’s parents?
• Were Frank and Alice members of the Order of the Phoenix?
• When were Neville’s parents tortured?
• What happened after Voldemort disappeared in 1981?
• Who was arrested for torturing the Longbottoms?
• Why was Barty Crouch Jr. involved in the Longbottom torture?
• What happened to Bellatrix Lestrange after the attack?
• Where did Neville’s parents live after being tortured?
• Could Frank and Alice Longbottom ever recover?
• Why did Neville live with his grandmother?
• Why did Neville hide what happened to his parents?
• Why does Alice Longbottom give Neville sweet wrappers?
• Did Neville’s classmates know what happened to his parents?
• How did Neville’s parents affect his childhood?
• Was Neville Longbottom also connected to Voldemort’s prophecy?
• How was Neville’s childhood similar to Harry Potter’s?
• Why is the Longbottom story much darker in the Harry Potter books?
• What happened to Frank and Alice Longbottom after the Harry Potter series?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that Harry was rich- filthy rich. I mean, maybe he wasn’t Malfoy rich or Lestrange rich, but he certainly had enough money- money which he was able to expertly preserve throughout the course of the films by having everything bought for him. Seriously, Harry didn’t have to buy anything. Hedwig? Hagrid. Nimbus 2000? McGonagall. Firebolt? Sirius.

But RON was the poor one.

Topics Discussed:

• Harry Potter’s wealth and the Potter family fortune
• Why Harry Potter was so rich
• Why Harry never gave the Weasleys money
• Why Harry didn’t buy Ron a new wand
• Ron Weasley’s insecurity about money
• The Weasley family’s financial struggles
• Arthur and Molly Weasley’s attitude toward money
• Why the Weasleys refused financial help
• Harry Potter’s Gringotts vault and inheritance
• How Harry’s parents became wealthy
• Fleamont Potter and the Potter family fortune
• Linfred of Stinchcombe and the Potter family history
• Harry buying Ron Omnioculars at the Quidditch World Cup
• Ron attempting to repay Harry with Leprechaun gold
• Harry giving Fred and George his Triwizard Tournament winnings
• How Harry helped start Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes
• Hogwarts financial assistance for students
• Harry and Ron’s friendship
• Harry Potter book details left out of the movies
• Harry Potter lore, theories and character analysis

**Questions Answered:**

• Why didn’t Harry give the Weasleys money?
• Why didn’t Harry buy Ron a new wand?
• Why didn’t Harry financially help Ron Weasley?
• Would Ron have accepted money from Harry?
• Why were the Weasleys so poor?
• Was Arthur Weasley actually poor?
• Why didn’t Molly Weasley work?
• Why didn’t the Weasleys use Hogwarts financial aid?
• How rich was Harry Potter?
• Where did Harry Potter’s money come from?
• How did the Potter family become rich?
• Was Harry richer than Draco Malfoy?
• Did Harry ever spend money on Ron?
• Why did Ron dislike Harry paying for things?
• What happened with the Omnioculars and Leprechaun gold?
• Why did Harry give Fred and George 1,000 Galleons?
• Did Harry invest in Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes?
• Why did Fred and George initially refuse Harry’s money?
• Was Harry’s Gringotts fortune unlimited?
• Why was Harry uncomfortable about being wealthy?
• Did Harry understand how much money he actually had?
• Why was Ron so sensitive about being poor?
• Did Harry ever help the Weasley family financially?
• What happened to Harry Potter’s inheritance?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well guys, looks like we’ve got some more Harry Potter news.

As of yesterday we were 100 days from Christmas and perhaps more importantly: 100 days from the release of HBO’s new Harry Potter series. I still don’t know if it’s actually christmas DAY that it’s coming out or just NEAR christmas, but if it’s the latter it’s certainly EXCITING but also probably slightly inconvenient.

Anyway, with the clock counting down, the updates are continuing to roll in. I’ve got two major bits of news to get into today—one a little more scandalous, and one a bit more straightforward. Starting with the latter, we’ve got some brand-new casting announcements.

Topics Covered In This Video:

• New Harry Potter HBO casting announcements for Season 2
• Rafe Spall cast as Arthur Weasley
• Molly Hewitt-Richards cast as Moaning Myrtle
• Jasper Ambrose cast as Colin Creevey
• How the new castings compare to the Harry Potter books
• What the HBO series could do differently with Arthur Weasley, Moaning Myrtle and Colin Creevey
• Johnny Flynn’s comments about playing Lucius Malfoy
• Johnny Flynn’s idea that Lucius Malfoy may have been bullied as a child
• Whether HBO is giving Lucius Malfoy a new backstory
• How Flynn’s interpretation compares to Jason Isaacs’ Lucius Malfoy
• What we know about Lucius Malfoy’s childhood and Hogwarts years
• The Malfoy family’s wealth, blood status and influence
• Lucius Malfoy and Arthur Weasley’s rivalry
• How HBO could expand the Malfoy family in the new Harry Potter series

Questions Answered:

• Who has been cast as Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter HBO series?
• Who is playing Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter Season 2?
• Who is playing Colin Creevey in Harry Potter Season 2?
• Is Rafe Spall the new Arthur Weasley?
• Is HBO changing Lucius Malfoy’s character?
• Is Lucius Malfoy getting a new backstory in the HBO series?
• What did Johnny Flynn say about Lucius Malfoy?
• Was Lucius Malfoy bullied at Hogwarts?
• Is Lucius Malfoy’s bullying backstory canon?
• How will Johnny Flynn’s Lucius Malfoy differ from Jason Isaacs?
• What was Lucius Malfoy like when he was younger?
• Why does Lucius Malfoy hate Arthur Weasley?
• How accurate are the new Harry Potter HBO castings?
• What new characters have been cast for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

For most of Harry’s first four years at Hogwarts, Dumbledore is distant without ever really feeling absent. And while he isn’t necessarily always directly accessible, he does basically always appear when Harry needs him. However, as we know, all of that changes rather dramatically in Order of the Phoenix.

But where on earth did Dumbledore go? And why did he abandon Harry for an entire school year?

Topics Covered In This Video:

• Why Dumbledore avoided Harry in Order of the Phoenix
• Why Dumbledore barely spoke to Harry during his fifth year
• Why Dumbledore refused to look Harry in the eye
• Why Dumbledore became distant after Voldemort returned
• Why Harry thought Dumbledore was angry with him
• How Harry and Voldemort’s mental connection became stronger
• How Voldemort was able to see into and influence Harry’s mind
• Why Dumbledore feared Voldemort could use Harry against him
• How Harry experienced Arthur Weasley’s attack through Nagini
• Why Dumbledore was worried Voldemort could possess Harry
• How Legilimency influenced Dumbledore’s behaviour toward Harry
• Why Dumbledore arranged Occlumency lessons with Snape
• Why Harry’s Occlumency lessons ultimately failed
• How Voldemort used Harry’s visions to manipulate him
• Why Harry believed the false vision of Sirius being tortured
• How Voldemort lured Harry to the Department of Mysteries
• Why Dumbledore’s plan to protect Harry ultimately backfired
• How Dumbledore’s absence made Harry easier for Voldemort to manipulate
• Why Dumbledore was removed from Hogwarts
• How Cornelius Fudge and the Ministry turned against Dumbledore
• How Dolores Umbridge took control of Hogwarts
• Why Dumbledore kept the prophecy from Harry
• Why Dumbledore admitted that he cared about Harry too much
• Dumbledore’s biggest mistakes in Order of the Phoenix explained
• Why Voldemort was eventually able to possess Harry
• How Harry’s love for Sirius forced Voldemort out of his mind

Questions Answered:

• Why did Dumbledore avoid Harry in Order of the Phoenix?
• Why didn’t Dumbledore talk to Harry during his fifth year?
• Why wouldn’t Dumbledore look Harry in the eye?
• Was Dumbledore angry with Harry in Order of the Phoenix?
• Why did Dumbledore suddenly become so distant from Harry?
• What was Dumbledore afraid Voldemort would do to Harry?
• Could Voldemort see through Harry’s mind?
• Could Voldemort use Harry to spy on Dumbledore?
• Why did Harry see Arthur Weasley being attacked?
• Why did Dumbledore make Harry learn Occlumency?
• Why did Snape teach Harry Occlumency instead of Dumbledore?
• Why did Harry fail at Occlumency?
• How did Voldemort trick Harry into going to the Department of Mysteries?
• Why did Harry believe Sirius was being tortured?
• Why didn’t Dumbledore warn Harry that Voldemort could send false visions?
• Why was Dumbledore forced to leave Hogwarts?
• Why did the Ministry turn against Dumbledore?
• Why did Dumbledore keep the prophecy secret from Harry?
• What did Dumbledore mean when he said “I cared about you too much”?
• Did Dumbledore admit he made a mistake with Harry?
• Could Voldemort possess Harry?
• Why was Voldemort unable to stay inside Harry’s mind?
• Was Dumbledore right to distance himself from Harry?
• What was Dumbledore’s biggest mistake in Order of the Phoenix?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine for a second that Voldemort won...Harry dies, the Ministry falls, nobody destroys Voldemort’s Horcruxes and he basically gets exactly what he wanted. He becomes immortal.

Or…does he? Because here’s the thing: while Horcruxes are repeatedly described as a means of achieving immortality, there’s one surprisingly important question the books don’t answer, and that’s what happens when Voldemort gets OLD?

Topics Covered In This Video:

• Would Voldemort still die of old age even with Horcruxes
• What Horcruxes actually do in Harry Potter canon
• The difference between being killed and dying naturally
• Why destroying the body is not the same as dying of old age
• How old Voldemort was during the First and Second Wizarding Wars
• Whether wizards age more slowly than Muggles
• Dumbledore, Grindelwald, Nicolas Flamel, and magical lifespan
• Why Flamel needed the Philosopher’s Stone if Horcruxes already existed
• Why Voldemort feared death more than anyone in the Wizarding World
• Why Voldemort made Horcruxes instead of seeking the Philosopher’s Stone
• Why Voldemort didn’t make more than seven Horcruxes
• Why seven was the number he chose
• Whether making more Horcruxes would have made him safer
• How splitting the soul damaged Voldemort’s body and mind
• Why his appearance became less human over time
• Whether a Horcrux stops aging, illness, or physical decay
• What happens to Voldemort if his body dies of old age but a Horcrux remains
• Why he came back as a spectral parasite after Godric’s Hollow
• Why Horcruxes tether the soul but do not create a healthy living body
• Whether Voldemort could have lived for centuries in one body
• Why he still needed Wormtail, the ritual, and a new body
• Harry Potter immortality theory explained
• Lord Voldemort Horcrux theory explained

Questions Answered:

• Would Voldemort still die of old age with Horcruxes?
• Can Horcruxes stop you from dying of old age?
• Do Horcruxes make a wizard truly immortal?
• What do Horcruxes actually protect Voldemort from?
• If Voldemort’s body died of old age, would he stay dead?
• Could Voldemort have lived to 200, 230, or 500 years old?
• How old was Voldemort when he died?
• Do wizards in Harry Potter die of old age?
• Why did Nicolas Flamel still need the Philosopher’s Stone?
• Why didn’t Voldemort steal or recreate the Philosopher’s Stone?
• Why didn’t Voldemort make more Horcruxes?
• Why did Voldemort stop at seven Horcruxes?
• Would eight or nine Horcruxes have made him impossible to kill?
• Why is seven the most powerfully magical number?
• Did making Horcruxes shorten Voldemort’s life instead of extending it?
• Why did Voldemort’s body become weaker and more snake-like?
• Can a Horcrux prevent aging, disease, or natural death?
• What is the difference between immortality and being unable to stay dead?
• Why was Voldemort so afraid of death if he already had Horcruxes?
• Could Voldemort have survived forever if no one found the Horcruxes?
• Was Voldemort ever actually immortal?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

I just found a MASSIVE mistake on the official Harry Potter website...Aaand I'm pretty sure it breaks canon.

Topics Covered In This Video:

• What is the Philosopher’s Stone in Harry Potter?
• What does the Philosopher’s Stone do?
• Who created the Philosopher’s Stone?
• Who was Nicolas Flamel in Harry Potter?
• What is the official Harry Potter website page for the Philosopher’s Stone?
• Why the official Harry Potter website lists Albus Dumbledore as an owner/maker
• Nicolas Flamel and Dumbledore’s connection in Harry Potter
• What *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone* says about the Stone
• Did Dumbledore help create the Philosopher’s Stone?
• Harry Potter website lore vs book canon
• Does this official website detail retcon the Philosopher’s Stone?
• How this creates a possible Harry Potter plot hole

Questions Answered:

• What is the Philosopher’s Stone?
• What are the powers of the Philosopher’s Stone?
• Who created the Philosopher’s Stone in Harry Potter?
• Who was Nicolas Flamel?
• Did Nicolas Flamel make the Philosopher’s Stone alone?
• Why is Dumbledore listed with Flamel as a maker of the Stone?
• Does the official Harry Potter website say Dumbledore created the Philosopher’s Stone?
• Is that anywhere in the Harry Potter books?
• Did Dumbledore help Flamel make the Elixir of Life?
• Does the official Harry Potter website break canon?
• Is Wizarding World website text official Harry Potter canon?
• Is this a retcon or a mistake?
• How do you reconcile the website with the original books?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Harry Potter, the fate of the Wizarding World essentially rests on the destruction of Voldemort’s Horcruxes. With his Horcruxes intact, Voldemort is essentially tethered to the mortal realm no matter WHAT the outcome- which obviously makes ending his tyrannical regime a tall order.

But instead of the most powerful wizard of all time leading the charge, the task is left to a 17 year old.

Why?

Topics Covered In This Video:

• Why Dumbledore didn’t personally hunt down every Horcrux
• Why Dumbledore chose Harry to continue the Horcrux mission
• How much Dumbledore actually knew about Voldemort’s Horcruxes
• Why Dumbledore spent years researching Voldemort’s past instead of immediately searching for Horcruxes
• How Dumbledore discovered the truth about Voldemort’s Horcruxes
• Why Slughorn’s memory was so important to Dumbledore’s plan
• Why Dumbledore needed Harry to recover Slughorn’s true memory
• How Dumbledore identified which objects Voldemort may have turned into Horcruxes
• Why Dumbledore only destroyed one Horcrux himself
• How the Gaunt family ring cursed Dumbledore
• Why destroying Marvolo Gaunt’s ring changed Dumbledore’s Horcrux strategy
• Why Dumbledore knew he had limited time left to live
• Why Dumbledore took Harry to retrieve Slytherin’s locket
• Why Dumbledore used Harry as his successor in the Horcrux hunt
• Why Dumbledore didn’t tell Harry everything about his plan
• How Dumbledore prepared Harry to find the remaining Horcruxes after his death
• Why Dumbledore focused on teaching Harry how Voldemort thought
• Why understanding Voldemort’s personality was more important than simply knowing where to search
• Why Dumbledore couldn’t openly hunt Horcruxes without risking Voldemort discovering what he knew
• Whether Dumbledore could have destroyed all of Voldemort’s Horcruxes himself
• Dumbledore’s complete Horcrux strategy explained

Questions Answered:

• Why didn’t Dumbledore destroy Voldemort’s Horcruxes himself?
• Why did Dumbledore leave the Horcrux hunt to Harry?
• How many Horcruxes did Dumbledore know about?
• When did Dumbledore discover Voldemort had made Horcruxes?
• Why did Dumbledore need Slughorn’s memory?
• Why didn’t Dumbledore start hunting Horcruxes earlier?
• Why did Dumbledore destroy the Gaunt ring himself?
• How did the Gaunt ring curse Dumbledore?
• Did Dumbledore know he was going to die?
• Why did Dumbledore take Harry to the cave?
• Why didn’t Dumbledore tell Harry where every Horcrux was?
• Why did Dumbledore teach Harry about Voldemort’s childhood and past?
• Could Dumbledore have found the remaining Horcruxes on his own?
• Was Harry always intended to finish Dumbledore’s mission?
• Why was Harry uniquely suited to defeating Voldemort?
• Did Dumbledore intentionally prepare Harry to continue the Horcrux hunt after his death?
• What was Dumbledore’s real plan for destroying Voldemort’s Horcruxes?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices