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Harry Potter theory about Azkaban makes JK Rowling an unremarkable horror genius like Stephen King

For a long time, the sinister institution from JK Rowling’s Harry Potter The Azkaban universe has been a major topic of discussion among Potterheads, and today we've once again walked the same path that took us back to the horrific prison known for its spine-chilling horror and the inescapable despair spread by its Dementor guards.

The Prison of Azkaban | Image: Wizarding World
The Prison of Azkaban | Image: Wizarding World

This time, however, a compelling theory emerged from the depths of Reddit, wondering what if Azkaban's true purpose was far more complex and even more terrifying than just being a prison for the damned. According to this theory, Potterheads suggested that Azkaban was not built to imprison prisoners, but to appease the Dementors by providing them with a steady supply of souls to consume.

Harry Potter Fans find out the true purpose of Azkaban

Transforming JK Rowling's idea of ​​Azkaban into a Stephen King-style horror film, a spooky fan theory surfaced on Reddit revealing the truth behind the sinister institution. Suggesting that Azkaban may not have been created as a means of imprisoning prisoners, but rather as a strategic means of controlling the insatiable hunger of the Dementors, the theory gave the plot a bizarre twist.

According to Redditor r/harrypotter, the theory posited that Azkaban functioned like a dark restaurant where human souls were constantly served to the Dementors, creatures of dark magic and despair. To support the theory, the fan also claimed that the Dementors' unquenchable thirst for souls may have posed a terrible threat to the wizarding world, making the existence of a facility like Azkaban a necessary evil.

Dementors in a still from the Harry Potter films | Image: Warner Bros.
Dementors in a still from the Harry Potter Movies | Image: Warner Bros.

The theory then proved that this arrangement ensured that the Dementors remained within the prison walls rather than ravaging the world unchecked. However, since this required a regular supply of souls, the wizarding world decided to take in prisoners, especially those who were considered outcasts and evildoers, to provide the Dementors with the meal they needed.

Ultimately, this macabre deal served a dual purpose: not only did it keep the Dementors fed and satisfied, but it also provided a just place to punish the evildoers. By creating Azkaban, wizards and witches not only negotiated a dark truce with the evil Dementors, but it also struck fear into the wizarding world, preventing them from committing crimes.

Azkaban became a feeding ground for the previously unleashed Dementors

To support the theory on another level, the Redditor used the Time-Turner to imagine an era before the creation of Azkaban. Weaving an intriguing but entirely possible timeline before the prison was built, the fan imagined a wizarding world where the Dementors roamed with terrifying freedom. In doing so, the fan depicted how the unbridled Dementors would become a threat and pounced on the possible deal that led to the creation of Azkaban.

The fan claimed that the wizarding world may have lived in constant fear of these dark beings, whose presence was a relentless terror in the pre-Azkaban era, and explained that the Patronus Charm must have been a desperate measure rather than a solution. Ultimately, this is what happened: although wizards and witches repelled the deadly creatures, they could not eliminate the Dementors or their ability to reproduce by spreading fear and despair.

At this point, the creation of Azkaban may have been a necessary compromise out of desperation. The theory goes that the magical community realised that while they could defend themselves against Dementors, they could not eradicate them, and made a pact to imprison the creatures in one place. But to do so, they needed a regular supply of souls, so they decided to turn Azkaban into a detention centre for both the Dementors and criminals.

Harry uses the Patronus Charm | Image: Warner Bros.
Harry uses the Patronus Charm | Image: Warner Bros.

According to the fan theory, Azkaban was not just a prison, but a calculated solution to a dark and urgent problem. By transforming Azkaban into a “restaurant“For the Dementors, the wizarding world seemed to have managed to control the threat until Voldemort came to power and promised to allow the creatures to roam freely.

Harry Potter Movies are currently available to watch on Max.

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