Although the Wizarding World explained as much about Harry Potter’s story as possible, that hasn’t stopped fans from coming up with their own theories about events and characters. Many of these have reached J.K. Rowling one way or another, who has even debunked a few, like one that said Albus Dumbledore had his own horcrux – and it’s a theory Rowling actually hates. Readers all over the world were introduced to Harry Potter and the Wizarding World in 1997 when Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was published, and that was the beginning of many years of magic.
The series was eventually adapted to the big screen, with the first book getting the cinematic treatment in 2001 and the last one, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, arriving 2011. Although many years have passed since Rowling gave closure to Harry and company, she (as well as fans) continues to revisit the Wizarding World, and keeps providing sometimes unnecessary details about wizards and their lifestyles. On the other hand, fans continue to find new details in either the books or the films, coming up with all types of theories.
One popular fan theory said that Dumbledore, to the surprise of many, had a horcrux, though he didn’t create it for the same reasons as Voldemort. The theory was so popular that it caught the attention of Rowling, who revealed she doesn’t like it at all.
Harry Potter: Dumbledore’s Horcrux Theory Explained
The theory was brought to light through a YouTube video by the SuperCarlinBrothers, which explains Dumbledore could have created a horcrux, and it’s one that always showed up at the right time. Dumbledore knew what horcruxes are about and the process to create one, and also understood the relationship between Voldemort and Nagini, his pet snake and one of his many horcruxes. The theory suggests that Dumbledore’s horcrux is Fawkes, as their relationship was very similar to that of Voldemort and Nagini. This would have essentially made him immortal (like, truly immortal) as phoenixes can’t die.
Creating a horcrux requires a murder, as this act fragments the soul, making it possible for the person to keep a fragment of their soul in an object or animal. Now, Dumbledore wasn’t a murderer, but there’s a possibility that he (unintentionally, of course) killed his sister, Ariana, which would have been enough to crack his soul. Ariana died when she was accidentally struck by a curse in a three-way duel between her brothers Albus and Aberforth, and Gellert Grindelwald. Though it might have not been Albus’ fault, he felt responsible for it, and in order to get rid of that guilt, he literally separated that part of his soul from his body. Dumbledore’s aversion towards horcruxes was not just because of the act itself and what it represents, but also because he created one.
The theory was debunked by Rowling on Twitter, saying that the idea that anybody believes it is “strangely upsetting” to her – and with good reason. While the theory is interesting and explores a darker side to Dumbledore that many fans are convinced is there, it doesn’t quite fit the character. Dumbledore knew a lot about magic, including dark magic, enough to know not to use it, especially for such a purpose as to preserve your soul or get rid of a part of it due to guilt. In the end, Harry Potter fans will believe whatever they want, but Fawkes was definitely not Dumbledore’s horcrux.