If there's one thing we know about Harry Potter fans, it's that they love a good theory. For people who grew up with the books (and then the films), there's no better activity than scouring the original source for hidden clues or details you might have missed before. Of course, the internet is a goldmine when it comes to wizardly fan theories, ranging from a lighthearted hidden plot twist to eerie secrets surrounding Harry's parents' death.

As Broadly notes, there is a corner of the Harry Potter fandom online that has been developing a pretty compelling theory about Severus Snape – a theory that says this character is actually a transgender woman.

The theory has been pioneered in part by a Tumblr user known as Ensnapingthesenses, a transgender man, who calls upon specific examples from the series to back up his claims. In one particularly convincing post, he references an essay written by Racheline Maltese which parses Snape's history for clues. "In fact, feminine references follow Snape back into his childhood," Maltese writes. "Not only does Harry note the handwriting in the Half-Blood Prince’s book looks like that of a girl, but in the memory presented of Snape’s first meeting with Lily Potter he is described as wearing something that looks like an old women’s blouse." Both theories also note that Snape operates outside of gender norms, feeling more drawn to femininity but often falling back on performative masculinity.

Ensnapingthesenses further explained to Broadly: "I feel like, even closeted, Snape suffered from the prejudices of those around her. And I feel that all these incidents make much more sense once you see them in this light. That Snape could be a transgender woman is in itself a concept that doesn't need a solid background to be worth examining — but the background happens to be there."

The Snape theory has gained traction over the years, finding a home within the transgender community on Tumblr. In fact, believers of this theory have even designated the first week in August to celebrating Snape's gender identity. Ensnapingthesenses added that "Trans Snape Week is really just a place to get together and celebrate, explore, and share.... We see ourselves reflected in such a complex, interesting, and polarizing figure — which we don't usually get to do, as transgender fans."

Of course, we don't know Snape's gender identity, and cisgender men can totally embrace traditionally feminine things. But transgender people are not often represented in media, so if they see themselves reflected in a beloved character, as Ensnapingthesenses, that's what truly matters.

Head over to Broadly for the full story. Related: This Girl Threw a Harry Potter-Themed Quinceañera That Was Truly Magical

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