The Dark Twin
SPOILERS AHEAD: PROCEED WITH CAUTION
Ever since the release of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, fans have been trying to find out everything they can about the dark and mysterious force we know as an Obscurus. In the first movie, we learn that Obscurials are young witches and wizards who suppress their magic until it coalesces into a dark and powerful “twin” of sorts. Newt Scamander initially claimed that most children with an Obscurus do not live past the age of about ten years old. This seems to be disproven by the fact that Credence Barebone is still living, but we still do not know too much about the Dark force. Based on what we do know, though, what could be in store for Credence’s future?
In Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Dumbledore believes that an Obscurus is like an evil twin that feeds on Credence’s feelings of loneliness and loss of identity. He postulates that if Credence can find a loved one, say, a family member, then perhaps he would be able to detach or dismantle the twin. Assuming Grindelwald is right and Credence is in fact related to Albus Dumbledore, this provides Credence (or in this case, Aurelius) with the family and identity he had been longing. That being said, though, I don’t believe this will help Credence separate from his Obscurus. If he feels that he is unloved by and fighting against his blood family, this will likely only provide fodder for the Obscurus.
One popular theory suggests that the Obscurus within Credence actually belongs to Ariana Dumbledore. You can click here to read more about it, but for the sake of the argument, I will just assume that it is Ariana’s. If the Obscurus really belongs to Ariana Dumbledore, it is even more likely that Credence’s “dark twin” will only grow while under Grindelwald’s influence. This is because the Obscurus would recognize a fight against its family – similar to Voldemort and Harry’s wands recognizing twin cores.
So if Credence cannot rely on familial love to free him, does that mean he is doomed? Well, not necessarily. There was certainly a connection between Credence and Nagini at the end of Crimes of Grindelwald. Nagini even tries to convince Credence not to join Grindelwald, telling him, “he knows who you were born, not who you are.” I’m not claiming this is necessarily a romantic relationship, but there is certainly a strong bond between the two, likely formed during their time in the Circus Arcanus. If this keeps up, then perhaps Nagini is the key to saving Credence.
What do you think? Do you believe Credence can ever detangle himself from the Obscurus or do you believe he is permanently entwined? Let us know what you think! Don’t forget to keep checking back on MuggleNet as we discuss all the exciting new information from Crimes of Grindelwald!
