The Hidden Traitor Theory - read it! You might be convinced!

Well, after discussing this theory in chat, I’ve decided to come and post here and see what everyone else thinks of it.

Now, before we start, I take no credit for this theory. I read it on the HGForever Forums and the theory was originally posted there by oldmuggle. Just making this clear, I am not the creator of this theory, but I think it’s really interesting and makes a lot of sense. I’m going to paraphrase what the original poster wrote for here. It is a long theory, but keep reading, even if you have doubts, by the end, you might be a little bit convinced :D

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The Hidden Traitor Theory

Harry Potter, is at its heart, a mystery. A Dark Lord, a double homicide and an orphaned child destined to avenge his murdered parents. Every good mystery follows certain rules. One of those rules is that the beginning always features all of the main players in the crime. The first few chapters of Philosophers Stone (PS) introduces us to all of the players we really need to know about.

Dumbledore (the mentor), McGonagall (head of house), Hagrid (first wizard friend), The Weasley’s (favourite wizarding family), Draco (nemesis), Ron (best friend, Hermione (best friend), Ginny (future love), Snape (adult nemesis), Sirius (he and his motorbike mentioned by Hagrid – father figure).

They’re all there, just like the mystery rules say they should be. With the possible exception of Lupin, we meet nearly every main character in quick succession. JKR has said many times that she had to rewrite the first chapter of PS many times because she kept giving the whole plot away. Most of the series mysteries are there.

And so is the as of yet, unseen traitor. Hidden from the very beginning, one we would not suspect. I will tell you the name of the traitor followed by the evidence. Don’t stop reading…it makes sense.

It’s Professor McGonagall. And here is the evidence:

Chamber of Secrets: Harry and Ron are hiding in the wardrobe in the teacher’s staff room, listening to their conversation. McGonagall tells the teachers that Slytherin’s monster has taken a student down into the Chamber – and that it’s Ginny. How does she know? There has been no student count – if there had been, Harry and Ron would have been discovered missing. She can’t know…unless. We see Harry possessed by Voldemort in OotP. It’s painful for Harry, but he can remember all of it. The words Voldie speaks through him, etc. He has a perfect memory of it. Ginny does not. It’s all a blank. Much more like the Imperius curse. When Harry shows up her office with Ginny, Ron and Lockhart in tow, McGonagall nearly faints in shock. Dumbledore just smiles. McGonagall is stunned that Harry and co. have emerged alive.

Prisoner of Azkaban: McGonagall along with Fudge, Flitwick, Hagrid and Madam Rosmerta are the group that ‘reveal’ to Harry that the escaped lunatic, Sirius Black, is the one who betrayed Harry’s parents. Her role here is not damning, but worth mentioning.

Goblet of Fire: Dumbledore assigns McGonagall the role of ‘watcher’ over the semi-comatose Barty Crouch. Fudge comes by with his dementor, who swoops down on Crouch and sucks his soul.

Quote :

He can no longer give evidence, Cornelius

We are supposed to believe that Minerva McGonagall, deputy headmistress, cannot produce a Patronus to stop the dementor? It’s the communication method of the OotP. Now, the only independent witness who can confirm the re-emergence of Lord Voldemort has been destroyed. McGonagall let him be destroyed and Voldemort has one more year to grow and prosper without the interference of the Ministry.

The hospital wing. Sirius (in dog form) accompanies Harry. Dumbledore sends Madam Pomfrey away to tend to Winky. He then sends McGonagall away. Only when he “hears the footsteps receding”, does he ask Sirius to resume “his usual form”. He trusts Snape and Molly Weasley more than his supposed ‘right-hand woman’ McGonagall.

Order of the Phoenix: This is just after Harry has ‘seen’ the attack on Arthur. McGonagall comes to his bedside.

Quote :

"He had never been so glad to see her; it was a member of the order of the Phoenix he needed now, not someone fussing over him and prescribing useless potions."

There it is. An outright, downright lie! Provided by JKR through the mind of Harry Potter for her readers. A red herring. McGonagall has never been in the OotP. Ever! Remember the photo at the “Prefects Party” that Mad Eye insists on showing Harry? McGonagall is not in it. She makes one, ‘fleeting’ visit to Grimmauld Place. She can’t tell anyone where it is, Dumbledore is the secret keeper. She works on no Order missions. She isn’t in the Order! And never has been.

Half Blood Prince: Harry suspects Draco of becoming a Death Eater all throughout the book – and no one, not even Hermione believes him.

Quote :

"--And what is more," said Professor McGonagall, with an air of awful finality, "Mr. Malfoy was not in Hogsmeade today." Harry gaped at her deflating. "How do you know, Professor?" "Because he was doing detention with me."

She’s Malfoy’s cover. We know Katie Bell was given the necklace and Draco had Madam Rosmerta do it for him. Is it possible that he had given her the dangerous necklace earlier? Maybe. But McGonagall is his cover.

Quote :

"I have other people, better people, helping me" –Draco

The office: McGonagall knows nothing of Dumbledore’s plans – she quizzes Harry, calls him “Potter”. She gets angry with him. Dumbledore has let her in on nothing.

Philosopher’s Stone: Here we are, back at the beginning of it all. JKR revealed the traitor early, but we couldn’t see it. McGonagall waits an entire day at Privet Drive. Uncle Vernon sees her early, looking at a map. She sits on the wall all day long. Parties go on everywhere. Dumbledore finally shows, and McGonagall knows only rumours.

Dumbledore has to tell her that Lily and James are dead, and that Voldemort is gone.

Quote :

"Hagrid told you I would be here, I suppose?"

Dumbledore hadn’t told her what he was up to, but he told Hagrid. McGonagall expects Hagrid first. She is there to kill Harry. Why wait all day – whilst the wizarding world parties, and your boss (Dumbledore) is in the know – for any other reason?

Dumbledore places Harry inside the protective wards before he goes. He watches McGonagall transfigure into a cat and leave, before he, himself, leaves. Harry is now safe.

Further proof she was never in the Order! She had no idea what happened between Sirius, Lupin, James and Lily. She has no idea what happened at Godric’s Hollow. Dumbledore trusted Mundungus Fletcher more than he trusted McGonagall.

A review of the HP Lexicon, combined with the dates of teaching McGonagall gives Umbridge in OotP, reveals that when the sixteen-year-old Tom Riddle was creating his first Horcrux and framing Hagrid, she was a seventh-year Gryffindor. They were there together.

I wonder where she keeps her Dark Mark?

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And there we have it. It’s an interesting theory – very convincing, everything about it seems to make sense. What does everyone else think?

Yes! i am convinced! I never thought of it, but it is a great option. I now see things in a new light

Yep, i like this theory actually... it looks possibly, even if i would like to keep McGonagall on the 'good side' lol :D I LIKE HEEEER!!!!! WHY OH WHY!?!?! Anyway, yes, McGonagall could be the traitor, atleast it looks like she could be it with all those evidences and all..

Yup as we said in chat-

It's a very convincing theory! As I said in chat, I still think that there is a pattern/connection with being an animagus.

Pettigrew is an animagus
McGonagall is an animagus-

If my theory is correct, I believe that the next traitor that we see will be a female. This is what I have thought about. And McGonagall could likely be that. Since JK had a male be the first traitor, then we can assume that the next traitor will be a female-given that JK always seems to have a hidden pattern of sorts.
I'm willing to believe the theory about McGonagall is an option.
Jesse :D

Wow! I never thought of that! But it does make sense, and it has convinced me.

I'll never look at Minerva the same way again... lol

this makes way too much sense for my taste... *grumbls* i LIKE mcgonnagall! and now she will always be suspicious to me!!

with the animagus theory, though, Sirius is and was never a traitor so it doesnt always work!

I have heard this theory before and tossed it to one side as nonsense, though I have never read it in detail like this, and I have got to admit that you present a very good argument, though perhaps JK wanted us to think this. In mysteries, there is always one person people seem to accuse, and 9 times out of 10, it is a dead lead. Yes, this could also be for snape, but im not entirely convinced, yet...

Another i have read (these are not mine):

in PoA: Lupin's obstacle-course-style final
exam. Hermione does everything perfectly until she reaches the trunk with the Bogart in it. After about a minute inside the trunk, she bursts out again crying about Mcgonagall failing her. Could this be a hidden sign that mcgonagall is evil?


I was also thinking that it could all lead to her, not being evil, but her being more powerful than we think in some way.

Kitkat-Good point on the animagus theory-as I said was just a thought heh.

Though my theory of there being a pattern on the traitor turning out to be a female this time, makes sense to me. (This is not to sound sexist ladies, just stating that )
But alright, we've seen it was a male first and what better way to throw us off than for it to be a female traitor and the finger is now pointed at McGonagall.
But I also wonder if there is another female, one who hasn't made much of an appearance but who might be a key player-just hidden- within Hogwarts as well?
Sorry I'm really thinking all these theories up now (Thank you Amy ~smirks~haha) and just all these ideas are coming to me.
Jesse

Don't forget the other female animagus-an unregistered female animagus at that. None other than our favorite person: Rita Skeeter.

True, she spied on Harry and his friends and wrote awful things about him, but wouldn't it be a very interesting twist if that was just an outer portrayal of herself? That while she was "bugging" the Trio she saved the real information for the Dark Lord and wrote rubbish for the Prophet?

And, after all, she only just was discovered in Harry's 4th year-who knows how long she could've been spying on him?

Okay, shoot holes in my theory now. *Ties blindfold over eyes*

I'm ready

I dont think Rita has the brains to be the traitor. It does go in with fated's animagus theory, and it would be very unexpected, though it wouldnt impact too much as she isnt one of the main characters

wow. thats really interesting.... but i dont think its her mann that sux i really liked her. but isnt snape thetraitor? cuz we all hated him through out but we knew he was good deep deep deeeep down... but like he turned around and killed dumbledore and i dont know about you guys but that was pretty shocking to me so i always thought he was the traitor. but it makes sense... especially the dumbledore and OOTP parts.... aaa now i cant wait till the 7th book even more!!

A very interesting theory, and again, it is another one I have also stumbled upon in the past. I don't like to believe that this is true though, and my mind is fighting against it, though you do bring up some really valid points - it has really brought my thinking cap into light for once lol

mcgonagall cant be the traitor. It is too weird for words! i mean, ok yes that theory is good, and i wish i had something to come against it but i cant as it is too good, but i cant believe that mcgonagall is evil or a traitor to dumbledore

This theory actually makes kind of sense and that would be a GREAT way for it to turn out.

And wasnt there talk of 2 teachers at Hogwarts being Married? Maybe Mcgonnagal is married to snape! hah im getting kind of carried away! well i do actually like this theory and it makes a lot of sense actually.

I knew it! AH! She and Filch!

I'm not convinced.

I'm sorry. I'm really really sorry, but i'm just not convinced.

I don't know why, i can't fight all those "evidence", but i know one thing: I don't believe McGonnagal is the traitor.

As i said, i'm sorry for the people already convinced, for the ones that think this makes sense and all but i just can't think of McGonagall as the traitor.

It's.... just..... not..... right.

Well, if she turns out to be the traitor i shall apologize :D and i shall agree that you all were right at the first time, but right now i just can't accept it. Sorry.

And about that Rita Skeeter, i do think she's a *censored*censored*censored* (:D) but i don't think Voldemort would let her in as a Death Eater. Unless she has this whole secret personality where she is dark and misterious and evil and etc.

(: that's what i think

I agree, im not convinced, although it is something to think about as you brought up loads of things.

also with rita - i totally agree with skuldandy lol

I think i read this theory a while ago though not as in depth like this. It makes an extremely interesting theory, and as much as i dont want to, or cant believe it, what is said there really makes sense

It seems to make sense but i dont know whether i can see it - mcgonalgall just doesnt seem the type. and where would her dark mark be? harrys seen snapes - and also at the cemetary with voldemort, voldemort never mentioned another allie

I think it's interesting, and it does make since but I dont want to beleive it. But she doesn't need to produce a patronous, shes not in the order! I know that doesn't prove anything but still I like her!

OMGOMG. This makes soooo much sense to me. The writer of that theory is unbelievable!!!! I wonder if she gave Harry the quidditch seeker position because she knew that quirrel was going to jinx his broom and try to kill Harry!!

Wow, this one is going to keep me up all night thinking!! I am totally blown away by this.

It makes sense but that scene in Ootp were she stands up for Harry against Umbrige about him becoming an Auror seemed so genuine to me and I just can't see her as the traitor.

Well, I hope there are some other reasons DD doesn't seem to fully trust her... anyhow, the idea is interesting and the arguments given are pretty strong but.. I like her too much to believe this... Noooo!
But one thing that puzzled me too, was why DD didn't let Harry tell the Horcruz story even to her - and she's the next Headmistress, for heaven's sake!
But I have to admit - with JK, anything is possible.

Some arguments against it:
Why wasn't there at least a slight hint about that when Voldemort was revived - Snape knew it, Karkaroff knew it ... and she didn't..
Plus she stood up for Harry so many times.
And the reason she didn't stay long in Grimmauld place might have just been that she was on missions the whole time.

Oh and, despite the fact that I don't really want to believe this, its being true could support something else:
Maybe DD trusted Snape because he told her something about McGonagall. But then again, why did DD keep her at Hogwarts? - Not very stable argument, but worth a thought.

Oh my God!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow this theory rocks!!! I love it and iam really convinced.i never thought that my second fav.teacher at hogwarts(first one is flitwick)could become like this.wow!!! well,minerva now i won't see u the same way as i used to.

People, people! sounds very convincing but come on. how u gonna explain when she was fighting the death eater that night at the tower. how!!!! that she was covering up???? oh plz. im possible. not believable!!!

that is a good thorey that i do belive it could eb so........ but all deatheaters call voldemort the dark lord...... she calls him you-know-who...... though she could have leared not to call him that in front of others but snapes does it....... now that im talking about snape i might as well as say what i have to say about him...... snape is a good man..... you all probably say no b/c he killed dulbledore but you must see this through his point of view........ he did that spell so that he could not break a promise or he might die..... draco was suppose to do it but couldnt so snape had to do it or he would have died....... i ask you this imagin that you were a deatheater, afraid of death, thinks mainly about your own well being, and then you come to a decision...... killing the man that trusted in you or dying yourself........think this over in a deatheaters point of view and you will know why he did it....... also dumbledor must have know it was coming or he wouldnt have told harry to put the cloack on........ dumbledor knew he didnt have a cahnce and dumbledor loves all of the students that go to hogwarts and would not like to see harm come to any of them and if dumbledor would ahve survived then voldemort would have killed draco and dumbledor would not have been able to liev with that on his shoulders..... just think about snape being a traitor through his eyes...... not yours........ we all have a reason for doing things....... (even if it not real....lol)

I do not think that McGonagall is a traitor I mean really a lot of the things setphums said is really true and could you really see her as a traitor I mean the way she acts with Harry etc and if she really was an evil dark witch wouldn't the sorting hat have seen it straight away he would have put her in slytherin. Also I think that Dumbledore does trust her but well she doesn't need to know everything does she? I think that theory is reading into everything way to much but thats what we do XD. And I do think McGonagall is in the order even though it is not really mentioned but how would she get in grimauld place if she was not in the order.

hmmm... an interesting theory but if she was, wouldn't JK have told us in the 7th book? Also, remember what snape said to bellatrix in 6? Voldemort wants draco to try to kill dumbledore first so his cover is not blown and a spy could remain at hogwarts????? Why would voldemort send snape to be a spy is Mcgonnagal was already a spy for him (she has been at hogwarts for longer than him, check 5)??? And even if she was, Snape would've told dumbledore!!!