Ron Weasley was one of the most loyal figures in the Harry Potter series, but an interesting fan theory suggests the character was a secret Death Eater. As one of Harry's closest friends, Ron stood by his side during the young wizard's tumultuous journey while attending Hogwarts. Not only was he a primary confidant, but Ron became Harry's partner-in-crime alongside Hermione Granger. While Ron's relationship with Hermione eventually turned romantic, his bond with Harry was almost brotherly from the get-go. Could it be possible that Ron was actually playing both sides as a spy?

Ron first met Harry and Hermione when the trio were aboard the Hogwarts Express, traveling to the prestigious school for their first year. Upon all being sorted into the Gryffindor House, the group stuck together. Their friendship quickly grew to the point that they formed an unbreakable bond. From a very young age, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were forced to face threats that would cause any sensical witch or wizard to run in the opposite direction. Due to Lord Voldemort's return, a series of targets were put on Harry's back and those of his allies. Even during the darkness, Ron remained the group's comic relief, but his wit and bravery always proved advantageous.

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If it wasn't for Ron and Hermione's support during the hunt for the Horcruxes, the Battle of Hogwarts might have gone in a different direction. According to a fan theory (via Reddit), however, Ron purposely positioned himself to work both sides as a close friend of Harry's and an ally of the Dark Lord. Lord Voldemort's loyal followers were users of the Dark Arts known as Death Eaters in the Harry Potter universe. The theory posits that Ron became radicalized from a young age, clinging to Harry when the pair first attended Hogwarts. Depending on the Second Wizarding War's outcome, Ron would have been in a win-win situation based on his secret identity as a Death Eater. The evidence is a stretch, but some of it could be considered compelling.

Breaking Down The Ron Death Eater Theory In The Harry Potter Series

The theorizer provided a few specific points among Ron's arc that could act as evidence to the Death Eater theory. If Ron were aligned with the Dark Lord, he would clearly want intel on Harry's past. Interestingly enough, Ron questioned Harry about his lightning-shaped scar almost immediately after meeting. He then made an effort to quicken the friendship, allowing himself to learn more about Harry's connection to Voldemort. There was also Ron's pet rat, Scabbers, who happened to be the Animagus form of Peter Pettigrew, Voldemort's right-hand-man. When Peter's identity was exposed in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Ron acted surprised as everyone else. Last but not least, Ron was able to speak Parseltongue, which was an attribute commonly linked to Dark Wizards. The series claimed he imitated what Harry said in his sleep, but that wasn't a convincing enough explanation for some.

Despite the evidence claiming Ron was secretly a Death Eater, there are major holes in the fan theory. For one, the Harry Potter series never fully hinted at Ron having some internal struggle being pulled from both sides of the war. The theory ended with the notion that Ron ultimately sided with Harry during the Horcrux hunt. If he was truly a Death Eater, why would Ron spend years in the shadows when he could have made a move by handing over Harry on numerous occasions? If power was his motivator, he had several opportunities to reveal his identity before the Battle of Hogwarts. The theory is amusing to ponder, but the foundation isn't there.

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