Random Dumbledore Fan Theories That Might Be More Fact Than Fiction (16 items)

(#11) Dumbledore Set James and Lily Up to Die

As we see throughout the series, Dumbledore is good at spreading lies and getting other people to do his bidding. Redditor /u/HandSack135 posits that in order to take down Voldemort for good, Dumbledore made a Hail Mary pass, setting up James and Lily Potter to die so that Harry may fulfill the prophecy and destroy the Dark Lord for good.

Snape asks for Dumbledore to warn the Potters of the danger they're in. Through his powers of legilimency and occlumency, Dumbledore makes sure Peter Pettigrew betrays the Potters, setting up the entire series.
(#15) Dumbledore Has a Horcrux

Years ago, the YouTube channel "SuperCarlinBrothers" posted a fan theory that Dumbledore created a horcrux. This horcrux could have likely either been Fawkes the phoenix or the Elder Wand.

J.K. Rowling actually debunked this theory, saying that it was too dark. Still, it's fun to theorize how much Dumbledore flirted with dark magic.
(#2) Newt Scamander Is One of Dumbledore's Spies

Redditor /u/Obversa believes that Newt went to New York for more reasons than just releasing Frank back into the wild. Newt was sent to the States by Dumbledore to learn more about Obscuri.

We know from the original series that Dumbledore's sister had become an Obscurus. Newt is just another chess piece in Dumbledore's game to stay one step ahead of his enemies.
(#4) Dumbledore's Unique Fighting Style Allowed Him to Beat the Elder Wand

Redditor /u/Lewd_Lawliet suggests that the only way Dumbledore could have defeated Grindelwald, who possessed the Elder Wand, was to incorporate a new fighting technique into his repertoire. When you look at Dumbledore's fights throughout the series, he doesn't just fling his wand around like other wizards do. Instead, he uses the environment around him to his advantage.

At the Ministry in Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore uses water and bricks to fling at his opponents. This could be why Voldemort does the same thing when Dumbledore and the Dark Lord fight one another at the ministry. He knew this would be the only way to kill a wizard using such a unique spell technique.
(#14) Dumbledore Left Harry With the Dursleys to Turn Him Into an Obscurus

Why did Dumbledore leave Harry with the Dursleys, who actively hate magic and his parents? Redditor /u/fairefaerie suggests that Dumbledore's initial plan to defeat Voldemort when he came back was to turn Harry into an Obscurus.

We saw how destructive an Obscurus could be in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and Dumbledore's sister was one. He's seen this power up close, so he wants to fill Harry with so much hate and anger that he transforms into an Obscurus that could be directed toward Voldemort.
(#12) Dumbledore Is the Giant Squid

Redditor /u/catamountgal offers up this theory that Dumbledore is actually the giant squid residing in the lake on Hogwarts grounds. It's possible Dumbledore is an unregistered animagus who goes for swims in the lake.

We know he speaks mermish, and if he's the squid, then he would want to communicate with the other inhabitants. It's also worth noting that the giant squid does not interfere with the Triwizard Tournament in Goblet of Fire.