4 Harry Potter Fan Theories That Will Have You Questioning Everything

Since the release of the globally successful books and films, fans have immersed themselves in the intricate web of magic and mystery found in the wizarding world of Harry Potter. In fact, interest in the series has remained so strong that fans have continued to develop mind-bending theories that challenge the very fabric of the fictional universe.

From the Dementors' secret connection to Harry to the mysterious origins of Hogwarts' founders, here are four Harry Potter fan theories that will undoubtedly make you question everything you think you know about the franchise.

1. Dementors are attracted to Harry for a very specific reason

When they were introduced, it was clear that the soul-sucking, fear-inducing creatures known as Dementors had an unusually strong attraction to Harry in particular. But what if there was more to their connection than meets the eye? Some fans believe that the Dementors were uniquely drawn to Harry not only because of his terrifying past, but also because of his connection to Lord Voldemort and his existence as a Horcrux.

Yes, Harry had experienced much trauma in his life, and these soul-sucking creatures surely had a liking for that. But could they also sense the many souls that the Dark Lord himself had taken and which had been inextricably linked to that small part of Harry all along?

2. It wasn’t the Dursley's fault they were such awful people

Harry's stay with the Dursleys was a living nightmare, as they behaved like some of the worst characters in the entire franchise. However, one theory is that their hatred for Harry was more than just the result of their cruel nature.

Again, Harry's existence as a living Horcrux may have affected those around him. We know that prolonged exposure to Horcruxes can corrupt people's minds and souls. No one has spent as much consistent time with Harry as the Dursleys, starting when he was a baby. There is every possibility that the presence of the evil part of Voldemort's soul living within him all those years is exactly what turned such an average muggle family into some of the worst people imaginable.

3. Harry Potter, Severus Snape, and Lord Voldemort are all related

Because the wizarding world is much smaller in population than the muggle world, it is full of complex bloodlines and interconnected family trees. Often, many of the characters we meet are distantly related.

For example, one theory suggests that Harry Potter, Severus Snape, and Lord Voldemort all share a distant, yet deep, family connection, all because of certain symbolisms throughout history. In particular, it points to The Tales of Beedle the Bard, which describes three Peverell brothers and the original founders of the Deathly Hallows.

Like the brothers, each character relates to the tale in a not too dissimilar way. Voldemort sought power and the ability to defeat all his enemies. Snape grieved the loss of his deceased love, Lilly. And Harry avoided death several times from the Killing Curse. Each of these fits the story well, leading some to believe that they may all be direct descendants of the Peverells and therefore related.

4. The Hogwarts Houses Symbolize the Four Countries of the United Kingdom

The founding of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is steeped in legend and lore, but one intriguing fan theory posits that the founders of the four houses, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, each symbolize the four countries that make up the United Kingdom. According to this theory, Godric Gryffindor represents England, Helga Hufflepuff embodies Wales, Rowena Ravenclaw epitomizes Scotland, and Salazar Slytherin stands for Ireland. It's not clear why each of these houses stands for each, or if their house characteristics are meant to match the unique attributes of each nation. But it's an interesting prospect nonetheless.