The Fantastic Beasts franchise has introduced fans to the long lost Dumbledore, Aurelius. While audiences are skeptical as to whether the former Credence is really a member of the famous wizarding family, there's still plenty to learn about this surprising new addition.
The character has been featured in both Fantastic Beasts films thus far, although the movies have only just scratched the surface of the character. It seems this narrative will play out over the next couple of releases, but, for now, it's important to take stock of what fans actually know about this mysterious wizard so far.
He's A Survivor
Aurelius is absolutely a survivor, considering he has already achieved things that no other magical person has done in the history of the wizarding world. The average lifespan of an Obscurus is 10. The creatures are formed when a wizard or witch tries to suppress their abilities. In the first Fantastic Beasts film, Credence is supposedly 18 years old. That means he has at least survived for eight years past any other Obscurus on Earth.
He Couldn't Possibly Be Dumbledore's Brother
Dumbledore's family history is well-documented thanks to the controversial work of Rita Skeeter. Certain family events have defined the Hogwarts headmaster, including the arrest of his father and the death of his mother. Both of these events happen before Aurelius could have been born. This means that, unless something is canonically changed about Dumbledore's history, Aurelius couldn't possibly be Albus' brother!
His Adopted Family Are Descendants Of The Scourers
Credence is adopted at the age of three by the Barebones family. They are formed of various other orphans, all of which are brought into a strange group that hunts down witches and wizards.
The dangerous family is actually linked to the Scourers. They were a group of mercenaries in the magical world who manipulated the system, hunted criminals, and terrorized No-Majs. It's ironic that an anti-magic family is a descendent from 17th-century wizards.
He Was Drawn To Magic
Credence, or Aurelius, has always been drawn to the magical world. He even unknowingly started a partnership with Grindelwald in the disguise of Percival.
The character clearly inherently knew that there was something different about himself from an early age, and, much like many other young wizards, his power manifested themselves in surprising ways. It's likely no coincidence that his destiny started with a group linked to the wizarding world.
He Taught The Wizarding World New Things About An Obscurus
The Obscurus was a mysterious creature for many years, with even Newt Scamander himself struggling to fully understand these dangerous beasts. However, as Credence is the oldest Obscurus to ever live, he's informed the wizarding world about these mythical beings, even contributing to Newt's own work. For instance, he demonstrated that, if in Obscurus form, a person cannot be killed and will simply reform.
He Has A Fondness For The Oppressed
Aurelius had a difficult upbringing, and one of the main themes of the character is oppression. He was oppressed by the No-Maj world due to the Barebones family. His own powers were also oppressed despite the strength of his gifts.
As demonstrated by his friendship with Nagini and his caring of a young Phoenix chick, Aurelius likes to link himself to people and creatures that have been kicked down in some way. Even his role in the circus full of misfits symbolized this further.
He Likely Played A Part In WWII
It's well known that the wizarding war and the muggle WWII both lined up with one another, with the two conflicts actually impacting on one another in many ways.
The last place that Aurelius is shown is in Nuremberg Castle. The city has a lot of links to the Nazis, not only housing their rallies and eventually the trials, but also becoming the place of Grindelwald's eventual imprisonment. This location was not chosen as a coincidence.
He Carries The Same Magical Gift As Dumbledore
Dumbledore is one of the rare wizards that can cast spells without a wand and without saying any words. It's a complicated ability that only the most powerful of wizards and witches can use. Credence has been performing magic, perhaps unknowingly, for some time without the use of a wand. It's likely why he was so extremely powerful when he was eventually given a tool to channel his abilities.
His Name Means "To Believe"
The name Credence actually comes from the Latin word "credere." This essentially links to themes of belief, something that Credence himself struggles with for a long time.
He is forced to believe that the work that the Barebones family is doing is good. When he finds something real to believe in, Grindelwald, he sheds this name, becoming Aurelius, which is supposedly his true form. If he isn't really the brother of Dumbledore, then this is another complex additional layer along the theme of belief and Grindelwald's lies.
He Was Likely Studied By Theophilus Abbot
Theophilus Abbot was a wizarding historian who became interested in the descendants of the Scourers. The group managed to create a number of Muggle and No-Maj offspring.
Because the Barebones were one of these families and tried to make a notable mark on society, it's extremely likely that Abbot actually studied Aurelius himself, of course, without realizing he was looking at a Dumbledore.