Harry Potter Theory

Latest Episodes:

INSANE History of Quidditch (1050 - 2023) - Harry Potter Explained Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today, we'll be discussing the history of the magical sporting event known far and wide around the wizarding world as QUIDDITCH.

Quidditch is without a doubt, the most popular and well-known sport played by witches and wizards in the entirety of the wizarding world. It is, as you may have guessed or probably already know, extremely magical in nature - as the whole game revolves around various balls that fly about of their own volition and is played while riding around on broomsticks.-

With two opposing teams of seven, Quidditch is played on a pitch typically set up on a deserted moor or field, far from the view of us Muggles. And just as with many of our non-magical team sports, there are different positions on each team. These positions are known as the Chasers, of which there are three, the Beaters, of which there are two, a single Keeper, and a Seeker. Quidditch is also played using four different balls - an entirely seamless red leather Quaffle, 12 inches in size and used to score points on opposing teams' goals, two 10-inch iron Bludgers, which only serve to knock players off their broomsticks and their game, and a Golden Snitch - a small golden ball with silver, rotational wings. Both teams then have three goalposts, raised high in the air with a large hoop at the top of each. It's the Chasers' job to use the Quaffle to score on the opposing team's goals. Each successful shot through one of these hoop goals is worth 10 points. Goalposts are guarded by a team's Keeper - similar to that of a Muggle sports team's goalie. The Beaters' primary responsibility is to hit - or "beat" - the Bludgers away from their teammates in order to allow them to score points uninterrupted, without being knocked off their broomsticks. And then there's the Seeker, who basically plays a game all on their own, with their one and only goal being to find and catch the Golden Snitch before the other team's Seeker. Doing so earns the Seeker's team 150 points and signifies the end of the match.-

Of course, as with any sport, Quidditch hasn't always been played this way. It has evolved over the centuries, and has a rich and rather colourful past. In fact, we are fortunate enough to have an incredibly robust account of Quidditch's history thanks to Quidditch Through the Ages, a text by the wizard Kennilworthy Whisp. Throughout the remainder of today's video, the information that I'll be sharing is based on Kennilworthy's tremendous research and body of work, all of which focused on the evolution and history of this incredible sport.

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RIP Dumbledore - Remembering Michael Gambon Sep 28, 2023

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Coming to you with some really sad news today. RIP Michael Gambon AKA Dumbledore.

Earlier on I read that Michael Gambon, who famously played Albus Dumbledore for the majority of the Harry Potter films,-has passed away at the age of 82.

"We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon," said the statement issued on behalf of his wife, Anne, and son Fergus by publicist Clair Dobbs.

It added that he "died peacefully in hospital" after a bout of pneumonia with the pair at his bedside.

His family also added:

...

"We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love,"-

...

For those unaware, Gambon took over the role of Dumbledore after the death of Richard Harris, who portrayed the wise old wizard in the Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets.

And take over the role he certainly did- and while the two men may have portrayed Dumbledore in their own unique ways, both were incredibly effective. Leaving their mark on the Harry Potter franchise for all of eternity.

Born on October 19, 1940, in Dublin, Ireland, Michael Gambon showed an early inclination towards the arts. He left school at the age of 15 and went on to become a successful engineer. However, the allure of the theater proved irresistible, and Gambon soon embarked on a professional acting career. He joined the prestigious National Theatre in London's Old Vic as one of its founding members in 1962. Collaborating with legendary figures like Laurence Olivier, Derek Jacobi, and Maggie Smith, Gambon developed his craft and gained prominence on the stage.

Throughout his illustrious career, Gambon amassed numerous awards and honors. He received three Olivier Awards and two Critics' Circle Theatre Awards for his remarkable stage performances. On the screen, Gambon was honored with four British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards. Additionally, he won two ensemble cast Screen Actors Guild Awards for his roles in "Gosford Park" and "The King's Speech." In 1998, Gambon was knighted for his immense contributions to the world of drama.

But it wasn't just contributions to the world of Drama that Gambon deserved to be knighted for. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that Gambon played an integral part of so many people's childhoods- bringing the iconic role of Dumbledore to life.

It's tough getting older and seeing our childhood heroes passing away, but just like Hagrid and Robbie Coltrane- Gambon's contributions to the world of theatre will live forever.

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5 Unbelievable Severus Snape Theories - Harry Potter Theory Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today, we're going to be discussing some popular fan theories pertaining to Severus Snape. I'm going to discuss 5 theories in total, some good and some bad. If you enjoy this type of content, let me know by liking and leaving a comment. I've got 5 more ready for a part 2!

Let's get started.

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10 Darkest Moments REMOVED from the Films (Part 3) - Harry Potter Explained Sep 22, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're discussing 10 more DARK moments from the books that were either misrepresented in the films or omitted entirely. These were moments so dark that (in the case of some) they had to be removed in order to keep the film's PG rating down.-

I've also done a part 1 and 2 so be sure to check those out if you haven't already.-

Anyway, I won't dawdle, let's dive in.

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Could Grindelwald Have Defeated Dumbledore? - Harry Potter Theory Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're going to be taking a deep dive into what COULD have happened to the Wizarding World and the lives of the witches and wizards we now know so well IF Gellert Grindelwald had been the winner of his infamous duel with Albus Dumbledore.

As many of you will know, in 1945, Albus Dumbledore at long last challenged the dark wizard Grindelwald, defeating him in a duel, which ended Grindelwald's reign of terror over the Wizarding community and put a stop to his frightful rise to power. This duel, of course, came decades after the two men had formed an intense bond in their youth. In fact, according to Dumbledore's own admission, Albus was in fact in love with Gellert as a young man. Their relationship was initially built upon a foundation of shared hatred towards Muggle-kind, and they dreamed of a world in which witches and wizards would conquer the non-magical world and make them into a subservient people.-

Fortunately, for the greater magical community at large, Albus Dumbledore's reverie of this dystopian version of the world was obliterated when his younger sister, Ariana, was killed in a misguided argument between himself, Gellert, and Aberforth, Albus' younger brother, turned fatal. After this tragic incident, the two young wizards parted ways, as their ideologies began to diverge drastically.

Many years later, Gellert began his infamous rise to power in pursuit of making the world he'd once envisioned alongside Dumbledore a reality. It's at this point in their shared history, that we discovered that Grindelwald and Albus had made an unbreakable vow with one another never to oppose the other. This was done at a time when they both believed they wanted the same thing: domination over the human race. Unfortunately, this vow prevented Dumbledore from putting a stop to all the evil things Grindelwald did for decades.

BUT, as I mentioned at the start of this video, there eventually came a time in which Albus was able to overcome the vow, challenge Grindelwald, and ultimately defeat and imprison him. The question I raise with you now is: What would have happened if Albus Dumbledore had NOT won this fight? What would the Wizarding World have looked like if the winner had, in fact, been Gellert Grindelwald instead?

Indeed, there are a many number of questions that this alteration to the past brings about. First, and foremost, to any great fan of Harry Potter anyways, the question that comes to mind is: What would've happened to the great and powerful Albus Dumbledore?

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History of Rubeus Hagrid (+His Life after the War) Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today, we're going to be discussing Hogwarts' loveable gamekeeper Hagrid- unpacking his early years and unveiling tragedy after tragedy.

What do we really know about Rubeus Hagrid?

The towering half-giant seemed to be a simple, content groundskeeper. But when we look back over the years, Hagrid's life was filled with tragedy and all sorts of challenges.

Starting at the very beginning, today we're going to unpack Hagrid's life- taking a look at the highs, lows and everything in between.

But before we get too deep in to the in-universe aspects of Hagrid's life, I thought I'd first enlighten you with a few little known factoids about the inspiration behind Hagrid's character.

The list of Harry Potter characters inspired by REAL people is lengthy- including Severus Snape, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and even Gilderoy Lockhart. So it shouldn't come as a surprise to you that, just like these other characters, Hagrid too was based on a real person- a biker to be precise.-

In 'Harry Potter: Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey', Robbie Coltrane reveals that Hagrid's character was modelled on a real biker. In this interview he goes on to explain that J.K. Rowling provided him with the insight that Hagrid was 'based on a Hell's Angel she knew in the West Country'. 'He was just huge and terrifying,' Coltrane recalled Rowling telling him. 'And then he would sit down and talk about his garden and how his petunias had been very bad that year.'

Rowling also supplied some interesting information pertaining to Hagrid's NAME- revealing that, just like many other characters in the story, his name was very carefully chosen.-

"Hagrid is a big drinker who's regularly seen by Harry to indulge in visits to the pub and even getting inebriated. His name alludes to his personality trait because "Rubeus" is related to the word "ruddy," which means reddish and is apparent on someone who drinks a lot."

And with those interesting factoids out of the way, let's dive in to the life of Rubeus Hagrid.

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History of Gringotts and Wizard Money - Harry Potter Explained Sep 12, 2023

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Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today, we'll be discussing the history of Gringotts Wizarding Bank, as well as the magical money that it uses to fuel the wizarding economy.

Gringotts was first founded in the late 15th century during the year of 1474 by a goblin who went by the name - you guessed it - Gringott. Little is known about the goblin Gringott and his formative years, or even how old he was when he founded the bank that would become the safest place for valuables in the wizarding world. What we do know is that he is featured on his own Chocolate Frog Card, alongside the likes of famous witches and wizards, such as Albus Dumbledore and Merlin. In a small way, this signifies the incredible accomplishment Gringott achieved by creating the first-ever bank for magical society.

The bank itself is located on the north side of the hidden locale, Diagon Alley, a street magically concealed from Muggles and only visited by those who are part of the wizarding world. Accessible via the wizarding pub, the Leaky Cauldron, which sits upon the Muggle road of Charing Cross Road, Gringotts is one of the most frequented magical establishments within Central London. This, of course, is due to the fact that Gringotts is the ONLY wizarding bank in Britain, meaning that any witch or wizard who wishes to keep their gold or other valuables safe inside a proper magical bank would need to travel to Britain and visit Gringotts to do so. Of course, this is rather unbelievable to us Muggles, who seem to have a bank on every other street corner, which is made clear by Harry's reaction the first time Hagrid tells him of Gringotts' existence...

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10 ABANDONED Harry Potter Plot Lines - Harry Potter Explained Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

Hey everyone,

Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. Today we're going to be discussing abandoned plot lines in the Harry Potter series.-

When we reminisce about J.K. Rowling and her incredible wizarding world, it's hard not to think about all the tweaks and twists she's made to Harry Potter canon over the years. From publishings on Pottermore/Wizardingworld to the Fantastic Beasts movies, all the way to her active presence on Twitter, Rowling seems to have an unending desire to shake things up.-

But amidst all of these additions and alterations, there have also been mentions of things that Rowling considered but later chose to discard. From relatively minor to major, today we'll be discussing the changes to the story that didn't make the cut- discarded treasures that were banished to the literary bin.

After the video, let me know what you think should have / should NOT have been included down in the comment section below.

Anyway, let's get in to it.

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30 Abandoned Harry Potter Characters You've Never Heard Of (Unpublished Early Drafts) Sep 05, 2023

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Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today, we're delving into the realm of unused characters, elusive figures that were mentioned by Rowling but never made an appearance in any officially released material- whether it be books or films.--

While we have been enthralled by the likes of Harry, Hermione, and Ron, there exists a treasure trove of characters lying dormant in the scribblings, unpublished drafts and words spoken by J.K. Rowling during interviews.-

Some were scrapped in the editing process, others lost to the ever-advancing plot, and the rest just weren't quite Harry Potter material.-

Today we'll be delving into the sketches, interviews, and whispered rumors to uncover these intriguing, yet unused, characters. Discussing their origins, powers, and the roles they may have played if given the chance. From a lost Weasley family member, to a Hogwarts TOAD ghost, to a professor named Pettigrew, this list has it all.-

I've managed to piece together 30 characters in total, which does already seem like quite a lot, but if I've missed any PLEASE let me know in the comments and I'll address it in a future video.-

For organizations sake, I'm going to be listing them in alphabetical order.-

Anyway, I won't 'babble' any longer, let's dive in.

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Every Death Eater in Harry Potter Ranked by POWER (All 30) Sep 01, 2023

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Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're discussing the Death Eaters- delving in to the ranks of Voldemort's most powerful followers and uncovering which of these dark witches and wizards are most dangerous.

As a young boy, Tom Riddle lacked a normal range of human emotions. However, that certainly didn't mean he was unable to control people. His cunning and manipulative nature eventually meant that he would form a 'gang' of sorts- a group consisting of his fellow Slytherin students.

The gang that Riddle formed was once described by Dumbledore as "a mixture of the weak seeking protection, the ambitious seeking glory, and the thuggish seeking a leader who could show them more refined cruelty".

This group were (at that time) known as the Knights of Walpurgis.

But, if we fast forward to the year 1970, 32 years AFTER Tom Riddle had started attending Hogwarts, and the beginning of 'Voldemort's' rise to power, these 'Knights of Walpurgis' were known by a different name: 'Death Eaters'.

As far as dark witches and wizards went, the Death Eaters were the worst. This group was comprised of evil witches and wizards that were all hellbent on pursuing their dark ambitions.

They were the followers of Lord Voldemort- and they obeyed his every bidding in an effort to 'cleanse' the wizarding world- the ultimate goal being to restore pure-blood authority.

And unfortunately, Voldemort managed to amass quite a lot of them.

Today, we'll be taking a look at each and every one of these followers, uncovering who they were and just how valuable their contributions may have been to Voldemort.

I'd also like to mention that I'll be Sticking to OFFICIAL Death Eaters only and not just wizards who followed Voldemort (whether Imperiused or not). There were many followers of Voldemort that were not granted Death Eater status OR given the Dark Mark, but WERE allowed to wear Death Eater garments in order to command the respect they engendered. This group was comprised of individuals that Voldemort found useful but did not want to directly associate himself with. A good example of someone in this category would be Fenrir Greyback.

With all of that established, let's get in to it.

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