Almost 10 years have passed since J.K. Rowling published the final novel in the Harry Potter series, but the tale still has fans guessing about possible hidden meanings.
One of the final threads in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that ties everything together is "The Tale of the Three Brothers," which is part of The Tales of Beedle the Bard and tells the story of three wizard brothers who cheat Death using their magic. Death gives them "gifts" for their cleverness, which many in the wizarding world consider to be the Deathly Hallows: the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone and the Cloak of Invisibility.
In this fan theory, the oldest brother is thought to be Voldemort, who asked for a wand more powerful than any in existence and was killed by the wizard who stole it. The second brother is thought to be Snape, who was in love with Harry Potter's late mother. He wanted the power to pull loved ones from the grave, and killed himself longing for his deceased love. The final brother, who asked for something that would allow him to go forth without Death following him, is thought to be Harry, who possessed the Cloak of Invisibility. Death only found this brother after he shed the Cloak of Invisibility and gave it to his son. He then walked willingly with Death to his end.
Last week, a Tumblr user raised the possibility that Dumbledore might actually be Death.
It's also worth noting that the trio was led to The Tales of Beedle the Bard only because Dumbledore left a copy of the book to Hermione in his will.
Mind. Blown.
But, really, who knows?
H/T BuzzFeed
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