J.K. Rowling Shoots Down Fan Theory About Dumbledore’s Past

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Founder and President of Lumos and Patron of Lumos USA/ Author J.K. Rowling ceremoniously lights the Empire State Building in LumosÕ colors of purple, blue and white to mark the US launch of her non-profit organization at The Empire State Building on April 9, 2015 in New York City.
Founder and President of Lumos and Patron of Lumos USA/ Author J.K. Rowling ceremoniously lights the Empire State Building in LumosÕ colors of purple, blue and white to mark the US launch of her non-profit organization at The Empire State Building on April 9, 2015 in New York City.Cindy Ord/Getty Images
By Megan McCluskey

It’s been an illuminating week for Harry Potter fans. After tweeting an explanation on Monday of why she killed off fan-favorite character Remus Lupin, J.K. Rowling took to Twitter again to comment on a theory regarding Albus Dumbledore’s life prior to the series’ beginning.

The theory in question was tweeted at the British author on Wednesday and posits that Dumbledore’s extreme aversion to horcruxes was due to his regret over making one of the dark objects himself. In a video justifying the claim, YouTube user Jonathan Carlin argues that Fawkes the Phoenix was not just a pet, but rather a horcrux created by the headmaster to extricate the part of his soul that felt guilty over the death of his sister.

Read More: J.K. Rowling’s 10 Biggest Harry Potter Revelations

However, Rowling was quick to make her feelings on the topic clear. “The idea that anybody believes this is strangely upsetting to me,” she tweeted.

 

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Write to Megan McCluskey at megan.mccluskey@time.com