Why Didn’t Grindelwald Recruit Tom Riddle? - Harry Potter Theory episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 22, 2026 · 22 MIN

Why Didn’t Grindelwald Recruit Tom Riddle? - Harry Potter Theory

from Harry Potter Theory · host Harry Potter Theory

A while back I made a video called ‘Why Didn't Voldemort Try to RECRUIT Grindelwald?’, and basically- the focus of that video was why Voldemort never made any attempts to recruit an imprisoned Grindelwald at Nurmengard. On both occasions that Voldemort rose to power, Grindelwald was sitting in a locked tower, so it always felt a bit peculiar to me that he wouldn’t have tried to recruit the most powerful resource at his disposal..Especially at times when things weren’t looking particularly good for him. But in today’s video, I want to explore a different timeline that I FEEL has entirely different dynamics, one in which Grindelwald, at the height of his power, recruited a young Tom Riddle. I think this arrangement is far more likely, far more plausible and far more dangerous. I’d also like to put forth a bold statement: the version of Voldemort that we got in the existing timeline Is NOT the most dangerous version. Topics Covered In This Video: What if Grindelwald recruited Voldemort? Why didn’t Grindelwald recruit Tom Riddle? Why didn’t Grindelwald and Voldemort team up? Grindelwald and Voldemort alliance explained Young Tom Riddle and Grindelwald timeline explained Could Grindelwald have recruited Voldemort before 1945? Tom Riddle at Hogwarts during Grindelwald’s rise to power How old was Voldemort during Grindelwald’s war? Why young Voldemort was more recruitable than old Voldemort Grindelwald’s ideology vs Voldemort’s ideology The Greater Good vs Voldemort’s quest for power Why Grindelwald and Voldemort were different kinds of Dark Wizards Would Voldemort ever truly serve Grindelwald? Would Grindelwald see through Tom Riddle? Tom Riddle’s Horcruxes in an alternate timeline What if Voldemort never disappeared after Hogwarts? Could the Death Eaters have formed under Grindelwald? What if Grindelwald was never defeated in 1945? Dumbledore vs Grindelwald alternate timeline explained How Voldemort could have inherited Grindelwald’s movement The First Wizarding War alternate timeline explained Harry Potter alternate history and what if theories Wizarding World lore analysis, theories, and explanations Questions Answered: What if Grindelwald recruited Voldemort? Why didn’t Grindelwald recruit Voldemort? Could Grindelwald and Voldemort have worked together? Could Grindelwald have recruited Tom Riddle from Hogwarts? Was Tom Riddle alive during Grindelwald’s war? Did Voldemort and Grindelwald’s timelines overlap? Would young Voldemort have followed Grindelwald? Would Grindelwald have trusted Tom Riddle? Would Tom Riddle have betrayed Grindelwald? Did Grindelwald and Voldemort believe the same things? What is the difference between Grindelwald and Voldemort? Could Grindelwald have made Voldemort more dangerous? Was the canon version of Voldemort the most dangerous version? Would Voldemort still create Horcruxes if he joined Grindelwald? Would the Death Eaters still exist if Voldemort joined Grindelwald? Would Dumbledore still defeat Grindelwald in 1945? Could Tom Riddle have stopped Dumbledore from defeating Grindelwald? What if Grindelwald stayed in power after 1945? Could Voldemort have taken over Grindelwald’s empire? How would the First Wizarding War change? Is this the darkest Harry Potter alternate timeline? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A while back I made a video called ‘Why Didn't Voldemort Try to RECRUIT Grindelwald?’, and basically- the focus of that video was why Voldemort never made any attempts to recruit an imprisoned Grindelwald at Nurmengard. On both occasions that Voldemort rose to power, Grindelwald was sitting in a locked tower, so it always felt a bit peculiar to me that he wouldn’t have tried to recruit the most powerful resource at his disposal..Especially at times when things weren’t looking particularly good for him. But in today’s video, I want to explore a different timeline that I FEEL has entirely different dynamics, one in which Grindelwald, at the height of his power, recruited a young Tom Riddle. I think this arrangement is far more likely, far more plausible and far more dangerous. I’d also like to put forth a bold statement: the version of Voldemort that we got in the existing timeline Is NOT the most dangerous version. Topics Covered In This Video: What if Grindelwald recruited Voldemort? Why didn’t Grindelwald recruit Tom Riddle? Why didn’t Grindelwald and Voldemort team up? Grindelwald and Voldemort alliance explained Young Tom Riddle and Grindelwald timeline explained Could Grindelwald have recruited Voldemort before 1945? Tom Riddle at Hogwarts during Grindelwald’s rise to power How old was Voldemort during Grindelwald’s war? Why young Voldemort was more recruitable than old Voldemort Grindelwald’s ideology vs Voldemort’s ideology The Greater Good vs Voldemort’s quest for power Why Grindelwald and Voldemort were different kinds of Dark Wizards Would Voldemort ever truly serve Grindelwald? Would Grindelwald see through Tom Riddle? Tom Riddle’s Horcruxes in an alternate timeline What if Voldemort never disappeared after Hogwarts? Could the Death Eaters have formed under Grindelwald? What if Grindelwald was never defeated in 1945? Dumbledore vs Grindelwald alternate timeline explained How Voldemort could have inherited Grindelwald’s movement The First Wizarding War alternate timeline explained Harry Potter alternate history and what if theories Wizarding World lore analysis, theories, and explanations Questions Answered: What if Grindelwald recruited Voldemort? Why didn’t Grindelwald recruit Voldemort? Could Grindelwald and Voldemort have worked together? Could Grindelwald have recruited Tom Riddle from Hogwarts? Was Tom Riddle alive during Grindelwald’s war? Did Voldemort and Grindelwald’s timelines overlap? Would young Voldemort have followed Grindelwald? Would Grindelwald have trusted Tom Riddle? Would Tom Riddle have betrayed Grindelwald? Did Grindelwald and Voldemort believe the same things? What is the difference between Grindelwald and Voldemort? Could Grindelwald have made Voldemort more dangerous? Was the canon version of Voldemort the most dangerous version? Would Voldemort still create Horcruxes if he joined Grindelwald? Would the Death Eaters still exist if Voldemort joined Grindelwald? Would Dumbledore still defeat Grindelwald in 1945? Could Tom Riddle have stopped Dumbledore from defeating Grindelwald? What if Grindelwald stayed in power after 1945? Could Voldemort have taken over Grindelwald’s empire? How would the First Wizarding War change? Is this the darkest Harry Potter alternate timeline? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NOW PLAYING

Why Didn’t Grindelwald Recruit Tom Riddle? - Harry Potter Theory

0:00 22:06

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Stansberry Radio - Edgy Source for Investing, Finance & Economics Porter Stansberry: Interviews w/ Alex Jones, Jim Rogers, Rick Rule, Doug Casey, T. Boone Pickens, Harry Dent, & James Altucher Porter Stansberry is the outspoken founder of Stansberry Research - now one of the largest and most recognized investment research firms in the world.Stansberry Radio puts you in tune to hear Porter’s commentary on the latest financial and economic news. Listen to Porter interview renowned experts. Trauma Talks : With Russ Tellup rtellup Hi, I’m Russ Tellup, a Trauma-Informed Somatic Coach and Level 1 Brainspotting practitioner. In my podcast "Trauma Talks," I dive into the neuroscience of trauma, exploring somatic healing practices, Polyvagal Theory, and IFS (Internal Family Systems) parts work. I also occasionally address the complexities of narcissistic abuse, offering insights and tools for healing. Join me each week as we navigate the journey of recovery, resilience, and self-discovery together. Practicing Stoicism Tanner Campbell Practicing Stoicism is the bridge between Stoic theory and the pavement. Hosted by public philosopher Tanner Campbell (Host of Practical Stoicism, Co-Author of "What is Stoicism?"), this podcast is designed for those who are tired of "pop-Stoicism" and ready for intellectual honesty and practical application. ECC Podcast Everything Caravan & Camping Everything Caravan & Camping, Australia’s largest caravan and camping Facebook community group, and online marketplace, ECC Podcast hosted by Channel 7’s Scott Hillier.The weekly ECC Podcast will provide Australian campers, caravanners and 4WDers with the latest news, products and services to help them on their next adventure both here in Australia and New Zealand.Scott Hillier will delve into the major issues confronting campers, caravanners and 4WDers, as well as provide delectable recipes from Everything Caravan & Camping chef extraordinaire Harry Fisher – Fire To Fork, and speak to ECC influencers including ECC Off-Grid Travel Series hosts Simon and Liz Bailey from The Lifestyle Pioneers.There will be plenty of discussion around towing weights and safety, Tech Tips on products that help people stay on the road longer, as well as Caravan Park Confessions, a weekly segment that is sure you have campers rolling around the campsite laughing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Harry Potter Theory?

This episode is 22 minutes long.

When was this Harry Potter Theory episode published?

This episode was published on June 22, 2026.

What is this episode about?

A while back I made a video called ‘Why Didn't Voldemort Try to RECRUIT Grindelwald?’, and basically- the focus of that video was why Voldemort never made any attempts to recruit an imprisoned Grindelwald at Nurmengard. On both occasions that...

Can I download this Harry Potter Theory episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!