Before we get started, I just wanted to mention (for those unaware) that I also have a Mythology
Channel where I post a couple of times a week. If that’s your thing, then be sure to go
and check it out. I’ll leave a link to the channel in the PINNED comment down below.
Hey everyone,
Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. In today’s video, we’re going
to be discussing Lavender Brown, Fenrir Greyback, the battle of Hogwarts, and werewolves. More
specifically- we’re going to be discussing the fan theory that Lavender Brown becomes
a werewolf. I’ll give you the theory first, then I’ll provide you with my thoughts.
First things first- what are werewolves?
Werewolves are considered to be a category XXXXX creature by the ministry of magic- meaning
that they are impossible to domesticate/reason with and equally dangerous to wizardkind.
Werewolves suffer from a condition called Lycanthropy, and it’s this condition that
forces them to transform from a more human form in to their more violent, wolf-like form,
at the first sign of a full moon. While in their werewolf form- werewolves have no awareness
of who they are interacting with- this means that even the friends and allies of a werewolf
aren’t safe during a full moon. Furthermore, when they revert back to their regular form,
they will have no recollection of the terrible actions that they made.
Notable werewolves from the series include Remus Lupin and Fenrir Greyback- however,
Lupin contains his condition somewhat with a Wolfsbane potion. What’s interesting about
Fenrir, however, is that even his ‘human’ form appears to be mostly werewolf at this
stage, unlike Lupin who looks just like any other wizard.
Perhaps the most unfortunate aspect of werewolves in Harry Potter is the stigma placed on them
by the rest of the wizarding world. Werewolves are oppressed, and the majority of witches
and wizards look at them like scum. They’re ‘diseased’ and they have no place in regular
society.
Lupin describes it accurately:
"You have only ever seen me amongst the Order, or under Dumbledore's protection at Hogwarts!
You don't know how most of the wizarding world sees creatures like me! When they know of
my affliction, they can barely talk to me!"
Provided that werewolves are on the receiving end of a considerable amount of stigma and
oppression- it shouldn’t come as any surprise that they’ve given that energy right back
to the wizarding world. In fact, werewolves started a revolution in which they sought
power of their own. This meant infecting as many others with lycanthropy as possible-
turning regular witches and wizards in to werewolves themselves.
So, with that said- was Lavender Brown one of these casualties? Did she become a werewolf?
The first thing that needs to be considered when it comes to this theory is whether Lavender
Brown is alive or not. The thing about Lavender is that it’s never explicitly stated whether
she’s dead or alive after the Battle of Hogwarts. The book doesn’t give us that
information, and the film suggests it- but it isn’t confirmed. Lavender is only ‘presumed
dead’, which is what brings some level of validity to the theory that, after being bitten
by Fenrir Greyback, Lavender became a werewolf. In order to become a werewolf you need to
get bitten by one, and Lavender certainly was- so, is the theory plausible?
As it turns out, there’s one more important ingredient that’s required in order for
someone to be properly infected with Lycanthropy: a full moon. Per Pottermore:
"To become a werewolf, it is necessary to be bitten by a werewolf in their wolfish form
at the time of the full moon. When the werewolf’s saliva mingles with the victim’s blood,
contamination will occur."
This raises another question- was Lavender bitten during a full moon? Did the Battle
of Hogwarts occur during a full-moon?
Based on both Lupin and Fenrir’s untransformed state during the battle, we should be able
to quite easily deduce that there was in fact no full-moon. Sure, I guess Lupin could have
taken some Wolfsbane- but that only alleviates symptoms, it doesn’t stop the transformation.
Furthermore, I would imagine that Greyback would have embraced a transformation during
such an important battle.
In conclusion: Lavender Brown did NOT become a werewolf, however- she very well may have
survived.
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to the channel.
Until next time
It is the quality of one's convictions that determines success, not the number of followers.