In the ever-expanding Wizarding World, few revelations have sparked as much intrigue and debate as the mysterious identity of Aurelius Dumbledore. Introduced in the Fantastic Beasts film series, Aurelius became the center of one of the franchise’s most unexpected plot twists. His connection to Albus Dumbledore a character beloved and respected throughout the Harry Potter series raised questions about hidden family ties, secret legacies, and the complex web of truth and deception. But who is Aurelius Dumbledore really, and how does he fit into the timeline and legacy of the Dumbledore family?
The Revelation in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
The name Aurelius Dumbledore was first mentioned by Gellert Grindelwald at the end of the second film in the Fantastic Beasts series. In a dramatic final scene, Grindelwald reveals to Credence Barebone that his true identity is not Credence at all, but Aurelius Dumbledore a supposed long-lost brother of Albus Dumbledore. The statement left both audiences and characters stunned, primarily because it seemed to contradict everything previously known about the Dumbledore family.
Until that moment, there were only three known Dumbledore siblings: Albus, Aberforth, and Ariana. The idea of a fourth sibling, especially one powerful enough to be of great interest to Grindelwald, seemed almost impossible. And yet, the name Aurelius implied deep familial importance, and Grindelwald’s confidence in the claim suggested more than manipulation.
Credence Barebone’s Origin Story
Before being identified as Aurelius, Credence was believed to be an orphan of unknown heritage. He grew up abused and unloved in an anti-witchcraft orphanage in New York, where his magical powers manifested dangerously as an Obscurial. An Obscurial is a young wizard who has suppressed their magic due to trauma or fear, often resulting in unstable and destructive magical energy known as an Obscurus.
Credence’s quest for identity, acceptance, and belonging made him vulnerable to Grindelwald’s manipulation. By presenting him as Aurelius Dumbledore, Grindelwald gave him a purpose and connection to a legacy of magical greatness something Credence desperately craved.
Key Traits of Credence
- Deep emotional instability due to childhood abuse
- Powerful magical potential as an Obscurial
- Desire for belonging and understanding of his origins
- Easily manipulated by promises of identity and power
The Dumbledore Family History
To assess the credibility of Grindelwald’s claim, one must look closely at the known history of the Dumbledore family. Percival and Kendra Dumbledore had three children: Albus, Aberforth, and Ariana. Ariana developed magical instability after a traumatic attack by Muggle boys, and Percival was imprisoned in Azkaban for retaliating against them. Kendra later died accidentally during one of Ariana’s magical outbursts.
There is no canonical mention of another child during this period. Aberforth even accuses Albus of prioritizing ambitions over family, which would be strange if a younger sibling like Aurelius had existed. This gap in the timeline makes Grindelwald’s statement suspect, but not entirely impossible. Could there have been a secret child, or was Grindelwald lying?
Possible Theories About Aurelius
- Lost Brother: Aurelius was a fourth Dumbledore sibling, hidden or given away for unknown reasons.
- Nephew: Aurelius is not a sibling but a child of Aberforth or another relative, adopted or abandoned.
- Fabrication: Grindelwald invented the identity of Aurelius to manipulate Credence and destabilize Albus emotionally.
The Truth Revealed in The Secrets of Dumbledore
The third installment of the Fantastic Beasts series sheds more light on the truth behind Aurelius. It is ultimately revealed that Credence is not the brother of Albus, but rather the son of Aberforth Dumbledore. This recontextualizes Grindelwald’s statement Aurelius is a Dumbledore, but not in the way initially suggested.
Aberforth, the younger brother of Albus, had a relationship with a young woman while the family was dealing with Ariana’s condition. That woman gave birth to a child in secrecy. The child was taken away, likely due to the chaos surrounding the Dumbledore family. Credence, or Aurelius, grew up never knowing his parentage, and Grindelwald used that vulnerability to his advantage.
Implications of the Revelation
- Credence’s true identity: Aurelius is a Dumbledore by blood, but not Albus’s brother.
- Grindelwald’s manipulation: He twisted the truth for strategic purposes, targeting the emotional bonds within the Dumbledore family.
- Aberforth’s guilt: A new layer of tragedy and redemption is added to Aberforth, who believed for years that his child had been lost forever.
The Role of Aurelius in the Fight Against Grindelwald
Though initially used as a pawn, Aurelius becomes a symbol of both damage and healing. His journey reflects the pain of abandonment, the danger of unchecked magical power, and the importance of truth. While he started aligned with Grindelwald, Credence’s disillusionment and the revelation of his true heritage bring about a critical shift in the story.
In ‘The Secrets of Dumbledore,’ we see Credence battling illness likely the result of his Obscurus deteriorating from within and beginning to seek reconciliation. He meets Aberforth, who accepts him as his son. Though his future is uncertain, the emotional arc completes a powerful transformation: from weapon to person, from mystery to identity.
Character Growth of Aurelius
- Starts as a tool of destruction, driven by anger and loneliness
- Realizes the truth about his manipulation and seeks his family
- Reunites with his father and begins the process of healing
Symbolism and Themes
Aurelius Dumbledore’s story is layered with symbolism. He represents the forgotten child, the weaponized orphan, the lost truth hidden beneath generational trauma. In a world obsessed with power, lineage, and prophecy, his story reminds viewers and readers of the cost of secrets and the necessity of compassion.
The Dumbledore family, often portrayed as noble and wise, is not without its fractures. Through Aurelius, the series explores themes of regret, redemption, and the burdens carried by those who are left behind. His existence challenges the idealized image of Albus and brings attention to the consequences of emotional neglect, even among the most powerful families.
So, who is Aurelius Dumbledore? He is Credence Barebone an Obscurial, a victim of circumstance, a son lost and found. Not the brother of Albus, as Grindelwald claimed, but a child born of secrecy and sorrow. His journey from anonymity to identity, from pawn to person, adds a profound human element to the magical wars unfolding across the Wizarding World. In the end, Aurelius is not defined by his magical power, his last name, or his past. He is defined by the truth he finally uncovers, and the fragile hope that, even in a world of dark magic and manipulation, healing is still possible.