Fan Explains Delphi Origin Story in Cursed Child

A fan theory may bridge the gap between the Cursed Child play and Fantastic Beasts by tying the character of Delphi to Ilvermorny founder Isolt Sayre.

More from Culturess

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been out now for almost a couple of weeks, and with millions sold, that means there are millions of Potter fans with millions of opinions on the book. Reviews have run the gamut from over the top praise to fan fueled enraged screeds denouncing its very existence. But the focus of most ire seems to be directed less at the original characters than it does at one particular new one.

It’s always difficult to tie in new characters to the ones existing in canon, so accepting their origin stories often means suspending disbelief. Delphi, an original character from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, has a background which raises many questions about her compatibility with Harry Potter series. Consequently, some fans have sought alternative answers.

WARNING: Cursed Child Spoilers ahead

Delphi ‘Diggory’ is meant to be the daughter of Lord Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange, which places her birth before Bellatrix’s death at the Battle of Hogwarts. Considering that the Harry and his friends were captured at Malfoy Manor, it seems like a pregnancy would be something they’d notice. Even if Harry, Ron and Hermione managed to miss out on Bellatrix’s baby bump, Draco was living with his aunt during this period and surely would’ve seen. Not to mention whether Voldemort, whose body was warped from his horcruxes, would be capable of producing a human child. So, instead of taking the story at face-value, readers have come up with their own explanation.

Could Delphi be the missing link between Fantastic Beasts and Cursed Child?

A fan theory proposes the following: Delphi believed she was Voldemort’s daughter, but their blood relations were far more distant than that. Delphi could have descended from the American branch of the Gaunt family, the family of Ilvermorny founder Isolt Sayre. As an heir of Slytherin and a Parselmouth, she would’ve been of interest to Voldemort. Even if she were only a baby, Voldemort was willing to believe that Harry Potter could be a threat at a year old, so it’s entirely plausible he could believe Delphi would be an asset to his cause.

As for why Voldemort would be near Ilvermorny, this theory has an answer for that too. Voldemort was a seeker of the Deathly Hallows and artifacts from the founders, so Slytherin’s powerful wand would certainly be enough draw for him to visit. Even when he had the Elder Wand, it rebelled against him as he did not win it himself.

It’s worth noting that the only one of Isolt Sayre’s daughters to inherit her Parseltongue abilities did not marry, but the fan continues to have a response at the ready through the magic of Muggle-borns. If magic can be passed on genetically after skipping several generations, there’s no reason why the magic of Parseltongue cannot do the same. Delphi’s physical appearance and particularly extraordinary powers are thought to be the result of Veela blood.

The fan theory proposes that Delphi’s purpose to Death Eaters is that former pure-blood elitists will always be seeking the next Dark Lord, but I think it’s worth acknowledging Voldemort’s ultimate goal: immortality. In the past, Voldemort had to wait in the shadows for the pitiful Peter Pettigrew to join him twelve years after the loss of his body. If he lost his body again, he’d need to make sure he had someone desperately loyal to bring him back: His chosen heir.

The Death Eaters waiting outside Privet Drive implies a latent awareness of Harry’s blood protection from his mother. So, once Voldemort realized he had made a mistake in taking Harry’s blood, he may have left an order for his heir in the event of his death: Go to the graveyard and make sure to change the events of that night using Harry’s bloodline.

With Petunia no longer Harry’s only living family during the tournament, it’s possible that Albus’s presence would void the blood protection. The prophecy tells Delphi where to go and the importance of Harry’s family without revealing Voldemort’s weakness. It even uses Voldemort’s own phrase ‘the spare’ to tell Delphi where to go.

Next: Alison Sudol on Being a Magical Empath in Fantastic Beasts

It may not be that plausible for Voldemort to have a daughter, but it’s possible he had a contingency plan.

Home/Harry Potter