Harry Potter: Facts and Trivia You Might Not Know

The saga of young wizard Harry Potter has captivated millions of fans worldwide, but beyond the story of his battle against the Dark Lord Voldemort, there are many interesting facts and details that you may not be aware of. Let’s take a look at some of them.

1. Auctioning Film Props: In 2018, the wand boxes seen in Ollivander’s shop were auctioned off for £3,250. In 2020, the drawings of the entrance hall and grounds of Hogwarts were also auctioned, selling for $500 each.
2. Nagini’s Transformation: In the film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Nagini, Voldemort’s snake-like servant, is animated as a Burmese Python. In later films, Nagini is depicted as a reticulated python.
3. Scene Details: Paying close attention to the Harry Potter films can reveal interesting details. For example, at 39:18, you can notice that Draco Malfoy has braces when speaking to Ron Weasley.
4. The Real Harry Potter: There was indeed a man named Harry Potter who lived in South Dakota. Born on November 26, 1882, he passed away on April 21, 1946. While he wasn’t a wizard, he found his place in the world.
5. Success in China: In 2020, the first Harry Potter film surpassed one billion US dollars thanks to its re-release in Chinese cinemas, where it achieved tremendous success.
6. Director’s Worries: Director Chris Columbus had concerns about being fired from the filming early on. He also doubted the length of the film, worrying that it might bore the young audience. However, during test screenings, children were enthusiastic and could handle a longer runtime unlike their parents, which relieved Columbus of his fears.
7. Petunia Dursley and Hogwarts: Like Harry, Petunia Dursley also attempted to gain admission to Hogwarts but was rejected by Dumbledore. He explained the blood protection and made it clear that Petunia had to voluntarily take in Harry.
8. Blood Protection at the Dursleys’: Harry was protected from Voldemort in the Dursleys’ home through a blood charm. Dumbledore transferred this charm to Petunia after Lily’s death, and she had to willingly accept Harry. He remained protected there until he turned seventeen or until he considered it his home.
9. Actor’s Grandfather in the Background: In one scene, you can spot Tom Felton’s (Draco Malfoy) grandfather in the background.
10. Rupert Grint’s Phobia: Rupert Grint, who portrayed Ron Weasley, shares his character’s fear of spiders.
11. Opening Scene Date: The first scene of the first film takes place on the night of October 31 to November 1, 1981 (Halloween), before transitioning to the year 1991.
12. Mention of Harry’s Name: The name “Harry Potter” is mentioned a total of 106 times throughout the films.
13. The Hogwarts Express: The real Hogwarts Express runs from Fort William to Mallaig in Scotland, crossing the “bridge to Hogwarts.” The train operates from March to October, and a ticket costs £30.
14. Inspiration for the Great Hall: The Great Hall at Oxford’s Christ Church served as inspiration for the grand Hogwarts dining hall.
15. Worldwide Premiere: The global premiere of the first film took place on November 4, 2001, in London.
16. Auditioning at Emma’s School: During casting for the film, J.K. Rowling and the producers visited Emma Watson’s school. Although initially hesitant, Emma was eventually convinced to audition and ended up being the last one to audition that day.
17. Chess Move: The chess move in the scene where Ron sacrifices his own chess piece was created by chess master Jeremy Silman.
18. Origin of “Quidditch”: Author J.K. Rowling considered five pages of words beginning with “Q” before settling on “Quidditch” for the famous wizarding sport.
19. Homework for Child Actors: The child actors were given real homework to work on during filming, but they had to complete it for their regular schools. The filmmakers aimed for the most convincing performances.
20. Symbolic Question by Professor Snape: Professor Snape’s question to Harry in Potions class, “What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?” has an unexpected meaning. Asphodel is a type of lily found in the Pyrenees, while wormwood signifies deep sorrow. When combined, they represent something like “I deeply regret Lily’s (Harry’s mother) death,” indicating Snape’s connection and feelings towards Harry’s mother.

Harry Potter is filled with fascinating facts and details that add depth to the story and create a rich world of magic and adventure. These tidbits of information enhance the phenomenon of Harry Potter and provide further insights into its magical universe.