21 “Harry Potter” Facts That Will Knock You Off Your Broomstick

This article is definitely for those people who are still waiting for their letter from Hogwarts.

And while the owl is on the way, Bright Side will reveal some secrets of the magical world for you.

1. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley never graduated from Hogwarts.

After Voldemort was killed and the Death Eaters were sent to Azkaban, neither Harry nor Ron wanted to complete their education at Hogwarts. Only Hermione, as you might expect, successfully passed all the exams and took part in the graduation ceremony.

Despite this fact, they all managed to get jobs at the Ministry of Magic. Harry and Ron became Aurors (those who fight against dark wizards), and Hermione found employment in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. If we take into account the plot of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, we know that she becomes the elected Minister for Magic.

2. How old were Dumbledore and Voldemort when they died?

Dumbledore was really old when he died: 115 years old. Voldemort died at the age of 71, despite his numerous attempts to become immortal.

3. Harry, Ron, and Hermione appeared on Chocolate Frog Cards.

According to J.K. Rowling, Ron’s finest moment was when he saw his own portrait on a Chocolate Frog Card. Harry, Ron, and Hermione deserved such an honor for their impact in the overthrowing of Voldemort’s regime.

4. J.K. Rowling made a rough draft of the last chapter of the Harry Potter book series when she was working on the first book.

The moment when Hagrid comes out of the Forbidden Forest holding a "dead" Harry in his hands, the Battle of Hogwarts, and how Harry faced his death surrounded by his parents’ ghosts — J.K. Rowling had it all in mind from the start. Hagrid brought Harry to the magical world, and he was holding him when everyone thought Harry was dead. That’s why the author kept the groundskeeper alive until the end.

5. The actress who played Moaning Myrtle was 40 years old when the movie was released.

Moaning Myrtle, the ghost who haunted a girl’s bathroom, died when she was 14 years old. It’s interesting to know that actress Shirley Henderson, who brilliantly performed this part, was 40 years old when the movie was released.

6. Hagrid didn’t have his own Patronus.

Hagrid was unable to cast the extremely powerful and difficult Patronus Charm that could protect him against Dementors. It’s good that he never had to meet them after his release from Azkaban

7. Rupert Grint wasn’t allowed on the set when they filmed Harry and Hermione’s kiss.

We don’t know for sure what made actor Rupert Grint laugh so hard when the cast was filming the kiss scene, but the director decided to send him off the set to complete the shooting without his interruption.

8. Hogwarts is a tuition-free school.

When someone tried to calculate the approximate amount of money one needs to start their education at Hogwarts, J.K. Rowling strongly denied that a student needs any money to study at the magical school. She said that the Ministry of Magic is responsible for all the school’s expenses.

9. It took 40 people and 7 months to build Hogwarts for the movie.

The decorators did an incredible job building a model of the school in such a short period of time. Their work had to go on during the whole period of filming because the camera angles changed all the time. However, these immense efforts were not in vain, and now you can see the Hogwarts model in the Warner Bros. Studio Tour.

10. Wizards under the age of 11 have to study at home.

The International Statute of Secrecy prescribes all children under 11 to study at home because they are considered to be unable to control their magic powers and can reveal themselves to ordinary people.

11. Daniel Radcliffe’s favorite prop was Harry’s glasses.

We can’t imagine Harry Potter without his round glasses. It’s no wonder Radcliffe loved them too. Radcliffe went through 160 pairs of glasses during the shooting of the series.

12. J.K. Rowling’s favorite mythical creature is a phoenix.

There’s a reason why this wonderful creature is her favorite. Phoenixes can live up to 1,000 years, and they burst into flames only to rise from the ashes shortly after. Their tears can cure wounds, and they’re extremely loyal. Isn’t it a perfect creature for us all?

13. Dumbledore’s most important dream is his family reunion.

Do you remember the Mirror of Erised that shows a person’s deepest wishes and dreams? Well, Dumbledore saw his family in it: his father, mother, and sister were all alive, and his brother was kind to him again. That was his dream, not all that wool socks stuff he told Harry about.

14. Dean Thomas grew up thinking he was Muggle-born.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s classmate Dean Thomas always thought that his parents were ordinary Muggles. His mother and his step-dad were for sure. However, his real father was a wizard, and he never told Dean’s mother about it out of fear for her life. He was later murdered by the Death Eaters when he refused to join them.

15. Ordinary people see an old abandoned castle in the place where Hogwarts should be.

Muggles (not wizards) see only ruins and a No Entrance sign. Hmm, next time we should take a closer look at abandoned castles.

16. J.K. Rowling draws her magical spells from classical Latin.

The author’s university education came in handy and helped her to make up many spells. For example, Expelliarmus (the disarming charm) is a combination of 2 Latin words: expellere (drive out) and arma (weapon).

17. Hermione is the author’s self-portrait.

J.K. Rowling revealed that Hermione’s character was almost a copy of the author’s 11-year-old self. She said that, of course, Hermione was much wiser, but their thirst for knowledge and impatience toward weird behavior are the same.

18. King’s Cross Station was chosen intentionally.

It was a symbolic and heartwarming choice because Rowling’s parents met there. And Platform 9¾ signals the beginning of the adventure into the world of magic and wizardry.

19. The fact that Molly Weasley kills Bellatrix Lestrange has an important meaning.

Bellatrix is a very powerful dark witch and the closest of Voldemort’s followers. She murdered many good wizards, and her whole character resembles a wild twisted love for her master. However, it was Molly Weasley who killed her. You would never expect such magical skills from a mother of many children and a housewife. Why her? Because she represents motherly love and protection: the values that should always win.

20. What question did J.K. Rowling fear the most?

"What was Dumbledore’s wand made of?" No one ever asked her this. What’s so scary about it? His wand was made of elder (folklore identifies it with death), and attentive fans could’ve seen a connection with the wand from the story of The Deathly Hallows.

21. The Howler incident in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Harry’s uncle tried to knock him out of his house many times. He almost managed to do it once, but Petunia stood in his way. Unbelievable! She who always hated the boy. This scene never made it to the movie, but a howler arrived yelling at Petunia "Remember my last." It was from Dumbledore, reminding her of his last letter explaining the familial protection Harry had in Petunia’s care.