The Mirror of Erised's DARK Origins - Harry Potter Theory

Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're going to be discussing a rather compelling theory pertaining to the Defence Against the Dark Arts posting at Hogwarts school. I first saw this theory on Reddit, so shout out to 'Wordhammer' on the HP subreddit for the inspiration.Defence Against the Dark Arts is a CORE subject taught at Hogwarts that (purportedly) teaches students how to defend themselves against dark magic, creatures and curses- though I'm not sure this subject has been particularly successful in this regard.-The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including recognizing and repelling dark creatures, identifying and countering curses, and learning protective spells.-But for as long as Harry attended Hogwarts (and actually, for many decades prior) the subject had a particularly high turnover rate. Scratch that..a LUDICROUSLY high turnover rate. Every single year that Harry attended Hogwarts he had a completely different professor that taught the subject in an entirely different way.-As you can imagine, this was pretty disruptive to the learning process.-And WHO could be responsible for such a mess? Why, Lord Voldemort of course.-This is explained to Harry by Dumbledore:"Oh, he definitely wanted the Defense Against the Dark Arts job," said Dumbledore. "The aftermath of our little meeting proved that. You see, we have never been able to keep a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for longer than a year since I refused the post to Lord Voldemort."And it all dates back to young Tom Riddle's graduation from Hogwarts.-Shortly after completing his studies, Tom Riddle expressed his desire to become the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at his alma mater- partially driven by his love for the school, and partially by his fascination with the Dark Arts. And he didn't waste any time, quickly submitting an application to (then) headmaster Armando Dippet. After some time Dippet ended up refusing Riddle's application, citing his age, but did encourage him to re-apply in the future if he was still interested.-More than two decades later, Riddle emerged as the enigmatic and notorious Lord Voldemort. Seeking an opportunity to return to Hogwarts, Voldemort once again pursued the coveted Defence Against the Dark Arts position. However, this time, Albus Dumbledore had assumed the role of Headmaster. Recognizing Voldemort's dark intentions, Dumbledore staunchly rejected his application. Despite Voldemort's ulterior motives of using the application as a pretext to conduct research on dark magic, recruit followers, and conceal one of his Horcruxes, he was enraged by the denial of his return to the school.-After his denial, Voldemort sought vengeance by jinxing the position, ensuring that from that point onward no one could maintain the Defence Against the Dark Arts post for more than one year.And as far as conventional understanding of the Harry Potter story goes- everyone has always accepted this fact at face value. No one can hold the position for more than a year, and that's about all there is to it. There's no explanation for WHY 1 year or HOW 1 year is actually..Enforced. Which makes me wonder, how is it that this Jinx actually WORKS? We know the outcome but have very little information on the process.Today I want to discuss a compelling theory which adds a layer of depth to Voldemort's nefarious Jinx- perhaps suggesting that the Jinx is far more sinister than meets the eye.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

20 Okt 202316min

Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're discussing MAGIC and whether or not this powerful force of nature can ever be STRIPPED away from those who wield it. In the world of Harry Potter where magic is omnipresent and omnipotent, I can't help but wonder-whether the extraordinary abilities possessed by witches and wizards can ever be lost.-Typically, witches and wizards (who are destined to wield magic) begin exhibiting signs of magical ability in childhood. Though within this timeframe there is considerable variety.-For instance, individuals such as Professor McGonagall exhibited clear indications of magic from an early age. In her earliest moments, she demonstrated remarkable abilities- playing her father's bagpipes, summoning toys to her crib, and even exerting control over the household cat. Similarly, Ariana Dumbledore showcased her magical prowess during her early childhood.-Conversely, individuals like Neville Longbottom took a longer time to manifest their magical abilities. Although he, too, exhibited magic in his earliest hours by discreetly manipulating his blanket for added security, this subtle act went unnoticed. Neville did not demonstrate magic again until a more pressing situation forced it out of him. It occurred when he was dropped from a height and fortuitously bounced, resulting in his rescue from a potentially dreadful fall.Overall, however, it's agreed that magic is displayed (at a MINIMUM) by the time the witch or wizard reaches eleven years old, otherwise known as Hogwarts age.But I wonder...Can magic be stripped away just as quickly as it manifests? Can one who finds themselves accustomed to their magical capabilities be then reduced to what is effectively a..Squib?Today we're going to discuss witches and wizards losing magic in Harry Potter. We will also touch upon instances of losing magic in other fictional works, such as the concept of severing in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time or the magic loss depicted in Lev Grossman's The Magicians. Hopefully, by drawing comparisons to these fictional universes, we can shed light on whether similar occurrences exist in J.K. Rowling's own creation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

18 Okt 202313min

In the Harry Potter world rich with Magic, one of the most captivating aspects is the existence of the 'Deathly Hallows' fabled magical artifacts that go back many centuries. These legendary artifacts, consisting of the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Invisibility Cloak, hold immense power and significance. And according to wizarding folklore, anyone who possesses all three Hallows attains the esteemed title of a 'Master of Death.'Today, we'll be diving deep in to the 'Tale of the Three Brothers'- taking a closer look at the history of these artifacts as well as what it actually MEANS to be a 'Master of Death'.But before we get started, no discussion surrounding the Deathly Hallows is complete without a summary of WHERE these artifacts came from.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

17 Okt 202310min

Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're discussing Veritaserum- an incredibly powerful (and I feel, underutilized) potion that forces individuals to reveal the truth."It is Veritaserum - a Truth Potion so powerful that three drops would have you spilling your innermost secrets for this entire class to hear. Now, the use of this potion is controlled by very strict Ministry guidelines. But unless you watch your step, you might just find that my hand slips - right over your evening pumpkin juice. And then, Potter... then we'll find out whether you've been in my office or not."Besides maybe Felix Felicis, Polyjuice Potion and Amortentia- I feel as though Veritaserum AKA 'Truth' Serum is one of the most powerful potions in the entire Wizarding World. And given this fact, I can't help but notice that it's ludicrously underutilized (at least in the series).In fact, the list of times that it's actually used in the story is exceedingly short. These moments include..Giving it to Barty Crouch Jr after discovering that he was disguised as DADA Professor Mad Eye MoodyANDRita Skeeter using it on Bathilda Bagshot while interviewing her for Albus Dumbledore's biographyThere were of course other times that it was mentioned, like when Dolores Umbridge used a 'fake potion' made by Snape on Harry Potter that he only pretended to drink.But on the whole, it's not even talked about that much, and I feel like it could bring about a whole lot of clarity. ESPECIALLY in the context of convicting criminals. In the Death Eater trials, for example, Igor Karkaroff was pardoned by the Wizengamot after giving up the names of some of his co-conspirators. Why not just feed him Truth Serum?In today's video we'll be discussing WHY Veritaserum isn't more actively used by the Ministry of Magic. We'll also be discussing use-cases from the story in which Veritaserum could have proven to be extremely useful, potentially saving lives in the process.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.

14 Okt 202314min

Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we’re discussing Severus Snape, Lord Voldemort- and the massive question of Why on earth Snape didn’t do MORE to stagnate Voldemort’s resurgence. As the series unfolds, Snape's loyalties and motivations become a subject of intense speculation and debate among fans. Because you see, throughout the series Snape occupies a unique position, situated at the crossroads of light and darkness. Initially portrayed as a villain, his true allegiance is later revealed. However, upon this big reveal I couldn’t help but also ask- why didn’t he capitalize on an opportunity to eliminate Voldemort sooner? Snape had fooled everyone, even the Legilimens Lord Voldemort, which put him in a better position to assassinate Voldemort than anyone.Sure, Voldemort’s Horcruxes would have kept him ‘alive’- but he would have been once again reduced to a non-corporeal form, reliant on others (like Nagini and Pettigrew) to help him return to a physical form. Another aspect to consider is that the more time Voldemort is reduced to a non-corporeal form, the more time there is to find and destroy the rest of his Horcruxes. In this scenario, it’s entirely possible that by the time Voldemort is ‘back’ he has no more Horcruxes to fall back on.By killing Voldemort Snape could have effectively put Voldemort’s resurgence to a halt and potentially saved countless lives in the process. And all it would have taken is one ‘surprise’ Avada Kedavra.So, was it unwillingness? Fear? Snape’s devotion to a grander plan? Or something else altogether.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.

12 Okt 20239min

Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today, we're discussing Wizarding Governments across the world. Now, we've all heard of the Ministry of Magic. And most of you should (hopefully) be privy to the existence of the Magical Congress of the United States of America. But..Have you heard of the Argentinian Council of Magic? How about the Burkinabé Ministry of Magic?I didn't think so.While the Ministry of Magic and the Magical Congress of the United States of America are undoubtedly well-known entities to avid Harry Potter fans, the wider realm of magical governance spans far beyond these prominent institutions. Today we're going to embark on a journey across the globe to shine a spotlight on the magical governments of all 25 countries in the Wizarding World- unveiling the rich tapestry of unique systems, fascinating customs, and captivating histories that govern the hidden societies of witches and wizards globally.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.

10 Okt 202322min

Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're going to be discussing the Potter family- diving deep in to the layers of the family and uncovering the reasoning for their immense wealth. The Potter surname holds great significance in the wizarding world, thanks to one particular member of the family - Harry Potter. Known as "The Boy Who Lived," Harry's extraordinary journey serves as an inspiring story to those in the Wizarding World, and has captivated millions of readers and moviegoers worldwide.-However, the history of the Potter family extends far beyond Harry's remarkable life. From their ancestral roots to the trials and triumphs faced by previous generations, the tale of the Potters unveils a captivating narrative of honor, sacrifice, and resilience. Today, we'll be taking a journey back through time and exploring the rich and intriguing history of the Potter family. Who were Harry's grandparents, great grandparents...Great GREAT grandparents? And how did the boy who lived come to inherit such a large sum of gold galleons in the first book?-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.

7 Okt 202312min

Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're discussing spells. In fact, we're going to be discussing EVERY known spell in the Wizarding World. This one was a bit of a doozy to make, but I learned a ton of new info in the research process, so I hope you can appreciate my efforts and learn a little bit more about the rich library of spells in the Wizarding World. Before we get started, however, I should mention that the spells compiled on this list come from all manners of Harry Potter resources, including books, films, games, spin-offs etc.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

5 Okt 202359min